What is Aeroplan?
Aeroplan is Air Canada's loyalty program — and the most powerful travel points currency available to Canadians. Unlike cash back, Aeroplan points can be redeemed for flights at values far exceeding what you'd earn in cash.
What you can book
- Air Canada flights (economy, business, first)
- 40+ Star Alliance partner airlines
- Hotels, car rentals, and experiences
- Aeroplan eStore purchases
What points are worth
- 1.0–2.5+ cents per point on flights
- 1.0 cent via the Travel Shortcut tool
- Less than 1 cent on merchandise
- Best value: business class international
Never redeem Aeroplan points for merchandise, gift cards, or statement credits. The value drops to 0.5 cents per point or less. Always redeem for flights — that's where the real value is.
How to Earn Aeroplan Points
Credit cards are by far the fastest way for Canadian families to earn Aeroplan points — much faster than flying. Here are the main earning methods.
- TD Aeroplan credit cards
TD issues the official co-branded Aeroplan credit cards. The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite earns 1.5x on groceries, gas, and Air Canada. The Aeroplan Reserve earns faster on Air Canada purchases. Both count towards elite status qualification.
- CIBC Aeroplan credit cards
CIBC also issues official Aeroplan co-branded cards with similar earn rates to TD. Having both a TD and CIBC Aeroplan card lets you double your earn on the same categories.
- Amex MR transfer partners
American Express Membership Rewards transfer to Aeroplan at 1:1. This means the Amex Cobalt (which earns 5x on groceries) is effectively a 5x Aeroplan card at Canadian grocery stores — the highest earn rate available.
- Flying Air Canada
Earn points on every Air Canada flight, scaled by fare class and elite status. Economy fares typically earn 1,000–2,000 points per segment. Not the fastest method, but compounds with credit card spend.
- Aeroplan eStore and partners
Earn bonus points shopping through the Aeroplan eStore portal at 200+ retailers. Stack with your credit card earn for double points on online purchases.
Transfer Partners
Aeroplan points can't be transferred out to other programs — but other programs can transfer in. These are the transfer partners that feed points INTO Aeroplan.
Credit card programs → Aeroplan
- Amex Membership Rewards — 1:1
- Marriott Bonvoy — 3:1 (+ 5K bonus per 60K)
- Hilton Honors — 10:1 (poor value)
Transfer timing
- Amex MR → Aeroplan: instant
- Marriott → Aeroplan: up to 7 days
- Only transfer when you have a booking ready
- Never transfer speculatively — award space disappears
Keep your flexible Amex MR points until you find the award seat you want. Then transfer just the right number — Aeroplan shows availability before you transfer. Never transfer speculatively hoping space will open up.
How to Book Aeroplan Award Flights
Booking with Aeroplan points is easier than people expect — but timing and knowing what to look for makes a huge difference.
Book as early as possible
Aeroplan opens award space 355 days in advance. For popular routes and dates (March Break, summer, Christmas), set a calendar reminder and search the moment the date opens. The best seats go in hours.
Search on aeroplan.com first
The Aeroplan website shows you all available Star Alliance partner space. For family travel, search for 4 seats together — availability for 4 is harder to find than 2, so plan earlier.
Consider off-peak travel
January, February, and November have significantly more award availability and lower point costs. A family of 4 flying in February needs far fewer points than the same trip at spring break.
Check partner airlines too
You can fly on United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and 40+ other Star Alliance carriers using Aeroplan points — often with better availability than Air Canada on the same route.
Aeroplan Family Sharing
Family Sharing is the single most underused Aeroplan feature. It lets up to 8 family members pool their points into one account for a single booking — transforming how quickly you can earn a family trip.
How it works
- One member creates a Family Account
- Invite up to 7 additional members
- All points pool together automatically
- One person books using the combined balance
- No minimum points required to join
Why it's powerful for families
- Two cardholders earn twice as fast
- Kids' accounts contribute points too
- Welcome bonuses from both spouses combine
- Can reach 200K+ points in a single year
Set up Family Sharing before applying for new cards. That way every welcome bonus from every new card immediately contributes to your shared family balance — doubling the impact of every new card you and your partner open.
All Aeroplan Guides on Ms Miles
Every Aeroplan article on this site — updated regularly as the program changes.
Ready to start earning Aeroplan points?
Find the best Aeroplan credit card for your family in the Ms Miles Card Finder.