Unlike many frequent flyer programs, Air Canada’s Aeroplan still maintains an award chart so you can know exactly how many points are needed for a flight. Let’s take a look at Aeroplan’s award chart, how much you’ll need to pay for flights, and tips for maximizing the value of your points.
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Understanding the Aeroplan award chart: The basics
Aeroplan makes it easy to understand its award chart, with a thorough breakdown of how many points you’ll need depending on where you want to travel. However, there are a few things you’ll want to be aware of.
Aeroplan prices partner flights differently
A quick look at the Aeroplan award chart shows something interesting: the price you’ll pay is going to differ based on whether you’re flying Air Canada or one of its partners.
More than that, you’ll redeem a fixed number of points for an award operated by Aeroplan partner airlines. lights operated by Air Canada are priced on a sliding scale based on demand.
Aeroplan uses regions
Aeroplan divides the world into four main regions. It’s important to understand these as the award chart uses regions to determine how it will charge you for flights.
The regions aren’t that intuitive, either. For example, according to Aeroplan, all of Europe and Africa are within the Atlantic region.
Aeroplan relies on distance for pricing
Aside from regions, Aeroplan also uses distance as a way to measure the cost of your flight. Shorter flights (in distance) cost less, while longer flights cost more.
How many points you’ll need for a flight on Air Canada
The fewest number of points will be for fights within North America, ranging from 0 to 500 miles in distance. For these award tickets, you’ll pay as little as 6,000 Aeroplan points. This is a pretty good deal, especially since flights into far-flung Canada can be very expensive.
Generally speaking, you’ll find the best redemption rates on partner flights. This is due to the sliding scale used to calculate award prices for Air Canada flights; which means you can end up paying a lot more for your flight than you would when traveling with a partner carrier.
How many points you’ll need for a partner flight using Aeroplan miles
Aeroplan remains so popular because its website is easy to use and its points are easy to earn. This is thanks to its numerous transfer partners, including American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou points, Capital One Miles, Bilt Rewards, and Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Like Air Canada, you’ll need just 6,000 points for a one way flight within North America operated by a partner. This is a great option for regional airports with expensive cash flights.
Another good option includes paying just 60,000 points one way for a business-class flight from the U.S. to Europe. As a Star Alliance member, you’ll have access to flights from United, Swiss, and Lufthansa, which makes finding award availability much easier than other airline alliances.
Aeroplan sweet spots and tips for redeeming your Aeroplan points
Redeeming your Aeroplan points isn’t just limited to flights. The program has other sweet spots you’ll want to consider.
Infant in lap
Unlike other airlines, which charge a percentage of your airfare to add a lap child, Aeroplan charges as little as 5,000 points one way.
Stopovers
Stopovers allow you to see more than one city during your vacation. While some airlines don’t allow you to build in a stopover, Aeroplan does, charging you just 5,000 points to incorporate one into your itinerary.
Emirates first class
Emirates has removed the ability to book first class for most of its partners. One of its few exceptions? Aeroplan. Although it’s expensive, you’ll pay fewer taxes and fees when redeeming your Aeroplan points for Emirates first class than you would were you to book with Emirates Skywards.
The Aeroplan award chart: Within North America
You’ll pay between 6,000 and 35,000 Aeroplan points for flights within North America, depending on your fare class and how far you’re flying. We already talked about short-haul flights, but another good redemption here is transcontinental flights in business class with partners such as United, which can be very costly when booked through United MileagePlus.
The Aeroplan award chart: Between North America and Atlantic Zones
While paying 35,000 points one way for an economy-class flight isn’t a good deal, 90,000 points for first class is. If you can find it, Lufthansa’s first class is one of the best products around and certainly the most comfortable way to cross the Atlantic.
The Aeroplan award chart: Between North America and Pacific Zones
An especially good redemption in the Pacific is from Honolulu to Tokyo, which costs just 35,000 points each way in economy or 55,000 points in business class. Otherwise, you’re better off using a different program for award flights to Asia and the Pacific.
Aeroplan routing rules to consider
There are a few other rules you’ll want to be aware of.
Partner booking fees
If you’re booking a flight with a partner airline, Air Canada charges a partner booking fee of $39. You’ll want to factor this into your cost when redeeming Aeroplan points.
Emirates flights
Although you can book Emirates flights with your Aeroplan points, note that Air Canada uses a different award chart for them than anyone else – and it’s expensive.
Your best bet here is to redeem your points for Emirates first class on flights under 2,000 miles in distance. A few of these routes even offer Emirates’ new first-class product, which is incredible and a must-do for aspirational flyers.
Summary
Air Canada Aeroplan points are widely useful thanks to generous award pricing with partners. Thanks to a distance-based award chart, travelers can know exactly how many miles they’ll need to redeem for flights anywhere in the world.
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