As of June 1, 2026, Air Canada is implementing significant updates to its Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart. For the community here at msmiles.ca, travel hacking isn’t just about collecting points—it’s about turning daily grocery runs and family expenses into magical memories. However, the landscape is shifting. While the official announcement carefully frames this as “changes to the number of points you may need,” for many popular family routes, this is a clear devaluation.
If you are planning a family getaway for late 2026 or 2027, the time to act is now. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of what is changing, where it hurts, and where you can still find incredible value for your family.
The “Atlantic” Shift: Planning the Dream Europe Trip
Europe remains the top destination for Canadian families looking to use their hard-earned points. Starting June 1, the cost of crossing the Atlantic is getting a major overhaul.
The Good News: Short-Haul Economy Drops
In a surprising move, the shortest transatlantic band (under 4,000 miles) is actually decreasing in price for Economy redemptions.
- New Rate: Economy awards will drop from 35,000 to 32,500 points one-way.
- Why this matters: This covers popular routes like Montreal (YUL) to London (LHR) or New York (EWR) to Paris (CDG). For a family of four, this saves 20,000 points on a round-trip—nearly enough for another short-haul domestic flight.
The Bad News: Business and First Class Stings
If you were hoping to surprise the family with a lie-flat pod, be prepared to pay more.
- Mid-Haul Business Class (4,001–6,000 miles): Partner rates (think SWISS, Lufthansa, or TAP) are rising from 70,000 to 75,000 points.
- First Class Hits: The ultra-luxury redemptions are hit hardest. Lufthansa First Class to Europe is jumping from 100,000 to 120,000 points per person.
The “Pacific” Devaluation: Asia and Australia
Asia is where the most significant “sweet spots” have historically lived, but these are being aggressively targeted in the new chart.
The Loss of a Legend
The 7,501–11,000 mile band has long been considered one of the best values in the points world, allowing for long-haul business class on world-class partners like ANA or Singapore Airlines for just 87,500 points.
- The New Reality: This same flight will now cost 102,500 points—a steep 17% increase.
- Premium Economy: This often-overlooked middle ground is also taking a beating, jumping from 70,000 to 85,000 points.
Hidden Wins: Intra-Europe and “Niche” Redemptions
Amidst the devaluations, there is a surprising “breath of fresh air” for families who have already made it across the ocean and want to hop between European cities.
The European “Point-Hopper”
Aeroplan is making it significantly cheaper to book Business Class within Europe on partner airlines.
- Short-Haul Business (0–1,000 miles): Dropping from 15,000 to 12,500 points.
- Mid-Haul Business (1,001–2,000 miles): Dropping from 25,000 to 22,500 points.
- Longer Intra-Atlantic (2,001–4,000 miles): Business Class in this band (covering routes like London to Cairo) drops from 45,000 to 40,000 points.
Summary Table: Key Changes at a Glance (One-Way Partner Awards)
| Region & Distance | Cabin | Current Rate | New Rate (June 1) | Change |
| N. America to Atlantic (0–4k mi) | Economy | 35,000 | 32,500 | -2,500 pts |
| N. America to Atlantic (4k–6k mi) | Business | 70,000 | 75,000 | +5,000 pts |
| N. America to Atlantic (4k–6k mi) | First | 100,000 | 120,000 | +20,000 pts |
| N. America to Pacific (7.5k–11k mi) | Business | 87,500 | 102,500 | +15,000 pts |
| Intra-Atlantic (0–1k mi) | Business | 15,000 | 12,500 | -2,500 pts |
| Intra-Atlantic (2k–4k mi) | Business | 45,000 | 40,000 | -5,000 pts |
Strategy Guide: 3 Actions to Take Before June 1st
1. The “Freeze” Method
Any booking made or reissued before June 1, 2026, will be honored at the current lower rates, even if your travel dates are in 2027. If you have been sitting on points for a big Asia or Europe trip, book your flights now.
2. Audit Your “Stopovers”
Aeroplan allows you to add a stopover for just 5,000 points. However, adding a stopover increases your total flight distance. Under the new chart, that extra distance might push you into a significantly more expensive band. Use the Great Circle Mapper tool to check your exact mileage before committing.
3. Focus on “Fixed” Partner Pricing
While Air Canada flights use a dynamic pricing model (which can fluctuate wildly), partner airlines (Lufthansa, ANA, etc.) use this fixed chart. The most predictable value—and the biggest hits in this devaluation—are on these partners. Lock in these fixed rates while they are still at their 2025 levels.
1. Significant Award Increases (The “Devaluation” Hits)
The most painful changes target long-haul premium cabins, particularly for partner airline redemptions.
- North America to Atlantic (Europe/Middle East):
- Long-Haul First Class: Partner first-class redemptions (e.g., Lufthansa First Class) on flights between 4,001 and 6,000 miles jump from 100,000 to 120,000 points.
- Ultra-Long-Haul First Class: Routes over 8,001 miles see a massive increase from 140,000 to 165,000 points one-way.
- Mid-Haul Business Class: Partner flights between 4,001 and 6,000 miles (common for West Coast to Europe) increase from 70,000 to 75,000 points.
- North America to Pacific (Asia/Australia):
- The Popular Business Sweet Spot: Flights between 7,501 and 11,000 miles on partners like ANA or Singapore Airlines are climbing from 87,500 to 102,500 points (a 17% increase).
- Premium Economy Jump: This same 7,501–11,000 mile band for partner flights is increasing significantly from 70,000 to 85,000 points.
- Mid-Haul Business: Flights between 5,001 and 7,500 miles (e.g., Seattle to Tokyo) on partners are rising from 75,000 to 85,000 points.
2. Rare “Points-Saving” Decreases
While most rates are rising, a few specific routes actually become more affordable starting in June.
- Short-Haul Economy:
- Transatlantic: Flights under 4,000 miles (e.g., Newark to London) will drop from 35,000 to 32,500 points.
- Transpacific: Short-haul flights under 5,000 miles also drop from 35,000 to 32,500 points.
- Intra-Atlantic Business Class: One of the few premium wins is for flights within the Atlantic zone (e.g., Europe to India or intra-Europe). Business class for the 2,001–4,000 mile band is dropping from 45,000 to 40,000 points.
- Long-Haul Partner Economy (Pacific): Partner economy redemptions for the longest band (11,001+ miles) are actually dropping from 75,000 to 70,000 points.
3. Preserved Sweet Spots (No Change)
Not everything is changing. You can still find value in these unchanged categories:
- Northeast to Western Europe (Business): Business class on partner flights under 4,000 miles remains at 60,000 points.
- West Coast to Asia (Short Business): Business class on partner flights under 5,000 miles (e.g., Seattle to Tokyo) stays at 55,000 points.
- North America Domestic: Most pricing within the North America zone (Canada, U.S., Mexico) remains structurally identical, though some “median” estimates may fluctuate slightly based on booking trends.
The msmiles.ca Take
While devaluations are never fun, they are a natural part of the “points hobby.” The key is to stay one step ahead. By focusing on the newly discounted short-haul economy routes and the intra-Europe business class gems, we can still travel like royalty on a Canadian mom’s budget.
