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Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Air Canada Signature Suite (YYZ); Access to partner lounges in the U.S. includes the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in Newark (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA), and Los Angeles (LAX)
The Air Canada frequent flyer program that you redeem points in is called Aeroplan.
You can use the program for Star Alliance and partner redemptions, like flights on United Airlines.
Members earn Status Qualifying Miles (SQM), Status Qualifying Segments (SQS), and Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD) when flying Air Canada and Star Alliance partners.
Aeroplan points allow you to qualify for the program’s elite status and redeem for award flights. They can be earned in many ways — here are the 4 most common:
Bottom Line: Aeroplan is the rewards program in which members earn points to use toward travel and lifestyle awards.
The Aeroplan program is free to join by simply completing this application.
When your application is complete, you’ll have the ability to earn points by flying with Air Canada or its partner airlines, earn elite status, and redeem points for award flights.
Head to the Aeroplan login page and enter your membership number or email and password.
Hot Tip: The Aeroplan website requires you to log in using your Aeroplan account number to search for award flights.
The easiest way to check your Aeroplan mileage balance is to:
Aeroplan states that it may take up to 8 days for qualifying activity to appear in your account.
Aeroplan points will expire if you haven’t accumulated or redeemed points for a period of 18 consecutive months.
The program does allow you to buy back your expired points at a cost of 1¢ per point, a $30 administration fee, and applicable taxes.
The Air Canada Aeroplan program has 5 elite tiers:
The Aeroplan status qualification period begins January 1 and ends December 31 of the same calendar year. Members who qualify for a new status level during the qualification year prior to October 15 may be eligible for early recognition to a higher level of Aeroplan status.
25K: The lowest elite tier offered by Aeroplan comes with the following benefits:
35K: After earning this status level, you’ll have all of the benefits of 25K, plus access to additional benefits, including:
50K: The middle elite tier that you can earn comes with all of the benefits of 35K, plus the following benefits:
75K: The second highest elite tier that you can earn comes with all of the benefits of Elite 50K, plus the following benefits:
Super Elite 100K: The highest elite tier that you can earn comes with all of the benefits of 75K, plus the following benefits:
Learn more details about the Aeroplan elite benefits at each tier.
Earning elite status with Air Canada Aeroplan makes the most sense if you fly Air Canada regularly or you are looking for elite benefits when flying a Star Alliance partner like United Airlines.
If you meet one of these criteria, access to premium airport lounges and mileage earning bonuses are reasons to earn elite status.
The Aeroplan program is similar to major U.S. airline programs in that elite status requires Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) or Status Qualifying Segments (SQS) and Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD).
The best way to determine the number of Aeroplan points that you’ll earn is to review the charts of each airline.
Hot Tip:The Air Canada Aeroplan program mirrors the major U.S. airline programs by having a revenue (dollar) requirement to earn elite status.
All eligible flights on Air Canada and partner airline flights earn Aeroplan points.
Once you qualify for Aeroplan elite status, the benefits begin immediately and continue through the following calendar year.
If you qualify for a new elite tier level during the Aeroplan qualification year prior to October 15, you may be eligible to move up to the next tier in that year.
Elite tiers work as follows:
Find more details about the Aeroplan requirements for each elite tier level.
The Aeroplan program offers 3 primary ways to earn airline points:
When you use all of the options in tandem, you’ll have more than enough ways to earn Aeroplan points.
The number of Aeroplan points you earn on flights marketed by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge, or a Star Alliance partner is based on the actual distance flown and the booking class purchased.
For example, if you fly an Air Canada business class fare (J, C, D) flight from Newark (EWR) to Vancouver (YVR), you’ll earn 150% of the miles traveled.
If you fly a partner, the mileage is also based on the distance flown and booking class purchased.
For example, if you fly ANA first class (F, A) from Washington (IAD) to Tokyo (NRT), you’ll earn 150% miles of the distance traveled.
Class of Service | Eligible Booking Classes | Aeroplan Points and SQM (% of Miles Flown) |
First | F, A | 150% |
Business | J | 150% |
C, D, Z | 125% | |
P | 100% | |
Premium Economy | G, E | 100% |
N | 70% | |
Economy | Y, B, M | 100% |
U, H, Q | 70% | |
V, W, S, T | 50% | |
L, K | 30% | |
The best way to see how many points you’ll earn is to reference the Aeroplan airline partners.
Aeroplan also offers bonus points for certain airlines as an incentive to fly a particular route.
The ideal way to accumulate points from credit card spending is to focus on the flexible point programs’ credit cards.
When you earn flexible points, these can be transferred directly to the program’s airline partners.
Aeroplan partners with 3 of the 4 major flexible point programs (Amex, Marriott Bonvoy, and Capital One), providing you a couple of options to earn points.
The Aeroplan program also has a number of ways to earn Aeroplan points that don’t involve flying.
For example, it partners with hotels like Marriott and car rental companies like Avis.
The Air Canada Aeroplan program makes it easy to earn points by partnering with 3 out of the 4 flexible point programs.
The Aeroplan card is a great option for Air Canada flyers looking to earn more points and receive automatic elite status.
Flyers based in the U.S. may think they wouldn’t have a need for a card like the Aeroplan® Credit Card, it might be much better suited for you than you think.
Not only does Air Canada offer fantastic award redemptions, but adding the card to your wallet makes the program even more rewarding by offering elite status, more points, travel coverage, and more. Let’s take a closer look and see why the Aeroplan card might make a lot of sense for you.
The co-branded Aeroplan card from Chase offers 3x points per $1 spent on dining, groceries, and Air Canada purchases, as well as 1x point per $1 spent everywhere else.
American Express credit cards are a great way to earn Amex points that can be transferred directly to Aeroplan.
Amex has an impressive selection of personal and business credit cards, so you’ll have more than enough ways to earn points for your next redemption.
Amex also has regular bonuses with some of its airline partners when you transfer your points into airline points, making this a valuable program to earn points in.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThe Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThis is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.
With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.
There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThis card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.
When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesGet 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).
The American Express® Business Gold Card is excellent at racking up rewards for your business spend.
The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesEarn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.
With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).
The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.
Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.
Marriott Bonvoy credit cards provide another way to earn flexible Marriott Bonvoy points that can be transferred directly to Aeroplan.
What makes this transfer even better is the fact that you’ll receive a 5,000-point bonus for every 60,000 points that you convert into Aeroplan points.
Marriott Bonvoy points convert into airline points at a 3:1 ratio, so 60,000 points become 25,000 Aeroplan points with the 5,000-point bonus.
A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.
The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.
If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThe Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesA premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.
So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?
Capital One credit cards are another great way to add points to your Air Canada Aeroplan account thanks to its 1:1 transfer rate.
You have multiple card options when it comes to selecting a great Capital One Miles credit card.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThe Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.
Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.
Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesGet 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.
Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThe card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.
Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.
In addition to no annual fee, the Capital One VentureOne card offers no foreign transaction fees.
But is this card worth its salt, or is it merely a shell of the more popular Capital One Venture card?
Air Canada and TD Bank have partnered to offer 3 separate credit card products to Canadian residents. The TD® Aeroplan ® Visa Platinum Card that earns 1x point per $1 spent on Air Canada flights, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Card that earns 1.5x points per $1 spent on Air Canada flights, and the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege Card that earns 2x points per $1 spent on Air Canada flights.
Transferring other hotel points to Aeroplan, like via Hilton or IHG, will result in less than a 1:1 transfer ratio, with Hilton transferring at 10:1 and IHG transferring at 5:1, so we highly recommend avoiding this option.
However, if you are merely topping off your Aeroplan account, or are in a bind, transferring hotel points to Aeroplan can be a good option.
Most of the Aeroplan partner award flights can be both searched for and booked directly on the Aeroplan website.
If you are unable to see award availability for a particular airline, you can call Aeroplan at 800-361-5373 to confirm availability found on another airline’s website.
Hot Tip: If you’re looking for ways to use your Aeroplan points, we put together a guide on the best ways to use Aeroplan points.
Since Aeroplan is in the Star Alliance, you can use Aeroplan points to fly on any airline in the alliance.
The Aeroplan search engine can be a great way to book Aeroplan and Star Alliance award flights.
For Star Alliance partner flights, we recommend using the United search engine first, and then confirming the same award availability on the Aeroplan search engine.
If the partner you are trying to book can’t be booked on the Aeroplan website, search for award space on the United search engine first, and then call Aeroplan at 800-361-5373 to confirm award space and ticket the award flight.
