Best Ways to Earn and Redeem Aeroplan Points

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Aeroplan is a Star Alliance loyalty program acquired by Air Canada in 2019 for 450 million Canadian dollars (about $350 million). 

After enrolling and earning rewards with this program, Air Canada frequent flyers can enjoy reward seats from 26 Star Alliance airline members and several non-alliance partners across the world.

Let’s look at the ways to earn and redeem Aeroplan points to get the most value out of the program. 

Attain Aeroplan Elite Status for Greater Deals

Moving up the Aeroplan program’s five-tier elite status ladder is among the best ways to get some benefits from Air Canada flights.

The elite levels are: 

• 25K
• 35K
• 50K
• 75K
• Super Elite

Each level also introduces new and enticing perks to make your travels more memorable and worthwhile. It even lets you earn more points at a faster rate. 

The Aeroplan loyalty program determines your elite status through how much you spend with the airline, or Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD). It also takes into account your Status Qualifying Segments (SQS) or Status Qualifying Miles (SQM). 

Status	25K	35K	50K	75K	Super Elite
SQM or SQS	25,000 or 25	35,000 or 35	50,000 or 50	75,000 or 75	100,000 or 100
Plus SQD	$3,000	$4,000	$6,000	$9,000	$20,000

Exclusive Offers for Aeroplan Elite Members

There are tangible benefits offered by Aeroplan exclusively for members with high-tier status. These include access to high-end facilities and priority to several useful services.

But the great thing is that you can enjoy these offers while earning even more points—hitting two birds with one stone, as they say.

Exclusive Offers	25K	35K	50K	75K	Super Elite
eUpgrade credits for eligible Flight Pass activities	4 credits	6 credits	8 credits	10 credits	12 credits
Status Qualifying Miles for eligible Flight Pass activities	750 SQM	1,000 SQM	1,250 SQM	1,500 SQM	2,500 SQM
Guaranteed reservations in economy class	–	–	–	Yes	Yes
Priority airport check-in	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Complimentary checked baggage allowance	2 bags (23 kg. each)	3 bags (32 kg. each)	3 bags (32 kg. each)	3 bags (32 kg. each)	3 bags (32 kg. each)
Priority baggage handling	–	–	Yes	Yes	Yes
Air Canada concierge service	–	–	–	–	Yes
Complimentary access to Maple Leaf Lounges	–	–	Yes	Yes	Yes
Complimentary access to Star Alliance Gold lounges	–	–	Yes	Yes	Yes
Air Canada duty free boutique discount	–	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Complimentary in-flight refreshment	–	–	–	–	Yes

Book Flights Through Air Canada

Since Aeroplan is Air Canada’s frequent-flyer program, one of the simplest techniques to earn points is booking reward flights on Air Canada.

You can maximize your Aeroplan points and redeem member-exclusive perks quicker when you book flights from Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge and other Star Alliance airline members.

Earning Rates for Booked Tickets via Air Canada

Fare Options	Aeroplan Points & Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) (percentage of miles flown)
Business	150% points/SQM
Premium Economy	125% points/SQM
Latitude	125% points/SQM
Comfort	115% points/SQM
Flex	100% points/SQM
Standard between Canada and the U.S. and Canada and International	50% points/SQM
Standard within Canada	25% points/50% SQM
Basic between Canada and International	25% points/No SQM
Basic between Canada and the U.S.	25% points/No SQM
Basic within Canada	10% points/No SQM

The points you accumulate by flying depend on the percentage of the distance flown and the fare purchased. The sweet spot for Aeroplan program members would be the Flex class and the classes above it since they earn 100% or more points. 

Earning rates on partner airlines also vary and are based on the distance flown and the fare booked for each partner.

Pay with Aeroplan Credit Card

Since credit card payments are a far more convenient and secure method of payment than cash, why not use it to your advantage? 

Using a co-branded credit card can increase your earning rates and get you an award ticket much faster than simply by earning points when flying Air Canada or its partners. 

This way, you don’t have to settle on the conventional ways to earn rewards since you can attain them without the need to hop between places. 

Aeroplan Card 

For an annual fee of $95, the Aeroplan® Credit Card from Chase allows you to earn bonus Aeroplan points that don’t expire. With this card, you’ll earn 3X points per dollar spent on Air Canada purchases, groceries and dining, and 1X point per dollar on all other purchases.

Transfer Points from Other Aeroplan Partner Credit Cards 

Consumers can use their Amex credit cards, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express or the American Express® Gold Card, and transfer points to Aeroplan at a ratio of 1:1 to earn more redeemable Aeroplan points.

For instance, you’ll get 10,000 Aeroplan points when you transfer 10,000 Membership Rewards points from your American Express card. Note that there’s a 1,000-point increment for every transaction.

Capital One credit cardholders can also enjoy this option when they open the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card account. The same 1:1 transfer ratio applies.

Besides Amex and Capital One, Chase also offers point transfers to the Aeroplan program. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardmembers can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.

Consider Seeking Great Finds at the Aeroplan eStore

Flying or using Aeroplan partner credit cards when making purchases aren’t the only ways to earn points quickly. You can also maximize the Aeroplan virtual shop to buy exclusive deals and items from 170 retail partners.

Like any other online store, the Aeroplan eStore is a popular e-commerce platform that offers valuable bargains during select seasons like Black Friday sales and other enticing holiday offers.

How Aeroplan eStore Credits Points

The first thing you have to do is set up an account with the virtual platform and link your Aeroplan account to earn points on the purchases you make. Each retail store offers a set number of miles to be credited to your account upon reaching a spending limit, which is often set at $1. 

Make sure to accept all cookies on the site and click the “Shop Now” button once you pick a merchant. Otherwise, you won’t earn points from the transaction. Every qualified purchase will generate points that will be transferred to your Aeroplan account within 30 days. You’ll receive a confirmation email for every successful transaction. 

Using an Aeroplan partner credit card as your payment method can result in even more miles in your account. 

Redemption Partners

The awards you can get from the new and improved Aeroplan program can be used toward booking award flights on Air Canada and the following Star Alliance airlines:

Additionally, you can earn and redeem Aeroplan points on the following non-alliance partners:

This long list of airline partners lets you travel to more than 1,300 airports in 195 countries. You can also upgrade your cabin during your flight and get exclusive meals and beverages.

However, note that award tickets offered by Star Alliance members are subject to availability. Their redemptions rates are also distance and region-based.

Booking premium economy awards can only be done exclusively at Air Canada and not through any of these airlines.

Utilize Aeroplan’s Family Sharing Offer

The Aeroplan loyalty program extends its perks and benefits to the family members of its frequent flyers through the Family Sharing option.

With this feature, you can accumulate points and get closer to award flights faster. Your family members will be able to join your pool and combine rewards.

The Family Sharing Tool

A maximum of eight family members can register for a shared account, where all the points will be pooled. 

The Family Sharing tool is straightforward. A Family Lead can add each family member to one account, after which everyone’s points will be added together. When it’s time to book a flight, each family member will redeem a proportional share of points toward a redemption. 

If the Family Lead is an elite member with Aeroplan, everyone in the family pool will get access to preferred redemption rates.

A Family Lead will be authorized to make changes to the permissions given to other account members at any moment. They can allow redemptions for all family members or prevent some members from redeeming points.

This feature also lets you share points without worrying about transfer fees. That means you can redeem Aeroplan points from your shared balance at no extra charges, unlike when transferring points to other Aeroplan program members.

Aeroplan Stopover Feature

Using the Aeroplan frequent-flyer program is an affordable and efficient way to book a stopover and cross out a city from your travel bucket list. The exciting thing about this feature is that you can hand-pick the places you want to explore.

With only 5,000 extra Aeroplan points, you can add a stopover that lasts up to 45 days to a ticket, regardless if you’re flying in business or economy class. However, beware that the loyalty program doesn’t allow stopovers in the U.S. and Canada.

Final Thoughts

The new and improved Aeroplan program offers its members some interesting perks. 

Despite other competitive and enticing frequent-flyer programs, you can’t simply ignore Aeroplan’s offers. Its priority services, cabin upgrades and other benefits will leave you with memorable travels and experiences.

With the tips mentioned, you can quickly earn and redeem Aeroplan points to unlock premier perks. Especially given the current COVID-19 situation, maximizing this loyalty program may be one of the best ways to make the most out of your purchases.