Aeroplan for Beginners: How to Earn and Redeem Points in Canada

What Is Aeroplan?

Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program.

Members earn Aeroplan points through eligible activities and can use those points for rewards, particularly travel.

Although Aeroplan is closely connected to Air Canada, the program extends well beyond Air Canada flights.

Aeroplan works with airline, financial, travel and everyday partners, giving members multiple ways to build their balances.

Is Aeroplan Free to Join?

Yes. You do not need an Aeroplan credit card or elite status simply to become an Aeroplan member.

Once enrolled, you receive an Aeroplan membership number that can be associated with eligible flights and partner activity.

What Can Aeroplan Points Be Used For?

For many travellers, the main reason to collect Aeroplan points is flight rewards.

Depending on availability and program rules, points can be used toward travel on Air Canada and eligible airline partners.

Aeroplan also provides other redemption options, but beginners interested in travel should learn how flight rewards work before automatically using points for merchandise or other rewards.

How Do You Earn Aeroplan Points?

1. Earn Aeroplan Points by Flying Air Canada

One of the traditional ways to earn Aeroplan points is by flying.

However, an important change took effect in 2026.

For eligible Air Canada flights departing on or after January 1, 2026, Aeroplan points are generally earned based on eligible dollars spent rather than simply the distance flown.

A regular Aeroplan member earns 1 Aeroplan point per eligible Canadian dollar spent on the base fare and carrier surcharges, excluding applicable taxes, fees and third-party charges.

Example of 2026 Flight Earning

2. Aeroplan Elite Members Can Earn More

Aeroplan Elite Status members receive additional earning through status multipliers on eligible flights.

Under the 2026 structure, total earning can range from the base 1 point per eligible dollar for a regular member to higher multiples depending on Elite status and eligibility.

Beginners should not worry about Elite Status immediately.

First learn how to earn and redeem regular Aeroplan points effectively.

3. Add Your Aeroplan Number to Your Booking

Make sure your Aeroplan number is associated with eligible reservations.

Each traveller needs their own Aeroplan membership to earn points from their eligible ticket.

The person paying for several tickets does not simply receive all the flight points.

The points associated with eligible flight activity are credited to the traveller who flies and whose membership information is attached appropriately.

4. You Can Earn With Partner Airlines

Aeroplan has a large network of airline partners.

That means you do not necessarily have to fly on an Air Canada aircraft to earn Aeroplan points.

However, earning rules can depend on factors including:

• The operating airline
• Who issued the ticket
• The booking class
• The fare
• The specific airline partnership

Never assume that every ticket on every partner earns the same number of points.

5. Ticket Number Can Matter

Under the current system, how a partner flight earns can depend on whether the ticket was issued by Air Canada or another airline.

Air Canada-issued tickets generally have ticket numbers beginning with 014.

This distinction can affect how eligible Aeroplan points are calculated on partner-operated flights.

6. Earn Aeroplan Points Without Flying

This is where Aeroplan becomes particularly interesting.

A member can build a balance even during months when they never step on an airplane.

Aeroplan currently provides earning opportunities through everyday partners, online shopping, travel partners and eligible credit cards.

7. Link Your Everyday Accounts

Aeroplan allows members to connect with selected everyday loyalty partners.

Current examples include programs associated with brands such as Starbucks Rewards, Journie Rewards, Uber and Uber Eats.

Partnerships and earning rules can change, so check the current Aeroplan partner list before relying on a particular program.

8. What Is the Aeroplan eStore?

The Aeroplan eStore is an online shopping portal.

Instead of navigating directly to a participating retailer, an Aeroplan member starts at the eStore, selects the retailer and follows the tracked link to complete an eligible purchase.

If the transaction qualifies, the member earns additional Aeroplan points.

9. Why the eStore Can Be Powerful

Imagine you already plan to spend $1,000 on a laptop.

The retailer happens to participate in the Aeroplan eStore.

If a qualifying eStore promotion were offering multiple Aeroplan points per dollar, starting the purchase through the eStore could potentially generate a meaningful number of additional points.

The exact retailer, rate and eligibility must always be checked at the time of purchase.

10. Look for eStore Bonus Events

eStore earning rates can change.

During promotional periods, participating retailers may offer higher earning rates.

If you already have a major purchase planned, checking the eStore before buying can be worthwhile.

11. Can You Earn Points Twice?

Sometimes, yes.

Aeroplan specifically highlights opportunities to earn through participating partners while also earning through an eligible Aeroplan credit card used to pay for the purchase.

This is commonly called stacking or double dipping.

12. Understand Stacking

Consider an eligible purchase where you:

1. Earn points through a participating Aeroplan partner or eStore offer.
2. Pay with a rewards credit card that separately earns points.

One normal purchase can potentially create more than one layer of rewards.

Terms vary, and not every promotion can be combined.

13. Aeroplan Credit Cards

Several Canadian financial institutions issue credit cards associated with Aeroplan.

Depending on the card, potential features can include:

• Aeroplan points on eligible spending
• Accelerated earning in certain categories
• Additional earning on Air Canada purchases
• Travel-related benefits
• Potential baggage benefits
• Potential airport benefits

Exact benefits, fees and eligibility vary significantly by card.

14. Do You Need an Aeroplan Credit Card?

No.

You can join Aeroplan, earn points and redeem rewards without holding an Aeroplan credit card.

A card can accelerate earning for some travellers, but it should make financial sense independently of the points.

15. Credit-Card Welcome Bonuses

Some Aeroplan credit cards offer welcome bonuses to eligible new cardholders who meet specific requirements.

These offers can provide a significant number of points, but advertisements should be read carefully.

Look at:

• Annual fee
• Required spending
• Time allowed to meet the requirement
• How the bonus is distributed
• Eligibility restrictions
• Ongoing earning rates
• Whether the card makes sense after the welcome period

16. Transferable Points Can Feed Aeroplan

Another way to build an Aeroplan balance is through eligible transferable rewards programs.

For example, American Express Membership Rewards in Canada currently allows eligible points to be transferred to Aeroplan.

This can provide flexibility because you may be able to hold points in the bank’s rewards ecosystem until you identify an Aeroplan redemption you actually want.

17. Don’t Transfer Until You Have a Plan

Once flexible points are transferred into an airline loyalty program, reversing the transaction may not be possible.

A useful strategy is:

1. Find the flight you want.
2. Check the required Aeroplan points.
3. Confirm availability.
4. Review the transfer terms.
5. Only then consider transferring the required points.

Do not move a large balance simply because Aeroplan sounds useful someday.

18. Earn Through Hotels and Car Rentals

Aeroplan also has travel partnerships outside airlines.

Depending on current offers and partners, eligible hotel stays and car rentals can generate Aeroplan points.

Before booking, compare the Aeroplan earning opportunity with any benefits you might receive from booking directly through a hotel or rental company’s own loyalty program.

19. Now the Fun Part: Redeeming Aeroplan Points

Earning points is only half of the strategy.

The real objective is using them effectively.

For many travellers, flight rewards are one of the most interesting ways to use Aeroplan points.

20. How to Search for an Aeroplan Flight Reward

The basic process is straightforward:

1. Sign in to your Aeroplan account.
2. Search for flights using points.
3. Enter your origin and destination.
4. Select your travel dates.
5. Compare available flights and cabins.
6. Review both the points requirement and cash charges.
7. Compare the result with the regular cash fare.

21. Don’t Look Only at the Number of Points

This is one of the most important lessons for beginners.

Suppose you see:

25,000 points + $90

That does not automatically mean it is a great deal.

You first need to know how much the same or comparable ticket costs in cash.

22. Calculate Your Redemption Value

A simple calculation can help compare redemptions.

This is not a universal Aeroplan valuation. It is simply a way to compare a specific redemption with the cash alternative.

23. Why Cents per Point Is Useful

Consider another example.

Flight A costs $150 in cash but requires a large number of points.

Flight B costs $1,000 in cash but has a reasonable reward price.

Using points for Flight B might produce substantially more travel value.

This is why blindly choosing “Pay with Points” is not always the best strategy.

24. Reward Prices Can Vary

Aeroplan reward pricing is not necessarily identical for every flight, date or airline.

Availability and required points can vary based on the itinerary and other program factors.

Aeroplan also maintains a Flight Reward Chart that can help travellers understand the program’s reward structure.

The chart was updated for certain partner redemptions in June 2026, which is another reason to verify current pricing rather than relying on old examples.

25. Air Canada vs Partner Rewards

Aeroplan points can be used for more than Air Canada-operated flights.

Eligible partner airlines can dramatically expand the destinations available through the program.

Partner rewards can have their own availability, fees and pricing rules.

Learning how partner airlines work is one of the steps that can take an Aeroplan user from beginner to more advanced redemptions.

26. Search Nearby Dates

If your travel dates are flexible, search multiple days.

Reward availability on Monday can be completely different from Wednesday.

Try:

• One day earlier
• One day later
• Midweek departures
• Different flight times
• Different routing options

27. Search Nearby Airports

Depending on where you live and where you are travelling, another airport may open additional options.

But always include the cost and inconvenience of getting to the alternative airport.

Saving points is not useful if ground transportation and hotels erase the savings.

28. One-Way Searches Can Help

You do not always need to think of the trip as one round-trip package.

Searching outbound and return flights separately can make it easier to compare different dates, carriers and reward options.

You may find that one direction makes sense with points while the other makes more sense with cash.

29. Economy vs Business Class Redemptions

Some travellers save their points for premium-cabin travel because business-class cash fares can be expensive.

Others prefer using points for several economy trips.

Neither approach is automatically correct.

The better use depends on your travel priorities and the actual redemption available.

30. Taxes and Fees Still Exist

A flight reward does not necessarily mean zero cash.

Applicable taxes, third-party charges and certain booking fees may still need to be paid.

Always review the complete price before confirming the redemption.

31. Partner Booking Fees

Aeroplan notes that flight rewards involving partner airlines can include a partner booking fee.

This should be included when comparing a reward booking with the equivalent cash ticket.

32. Can You Book a Flight for Someone Else?

Aeroplan permits members to book eligible Flight Rewards for other friends and family members.

The reservation needs to use the traveller’s correct legal name according to the applicable booking requirements.

This can make a points balance useful even when the account holder is not the person travelling.

33. Aeroplan Family Sharing

Aeroplan also offers Family Sharing, which can allow eligible members of a family pool to combine access to points for redemptions.

There are rules around joining, leaving and managing a pool, so members should review the current terms before setting one up.

Family Sharing can be particularly useful when several family members each have smaller balances that would be difficult to use separately.

34. Do Aeroplan Points Expire?

Yes, inactivity matters.

Under Aeroplan’s current policy, you generally have 18 months before points expire if there has been no qualifying activity in your account.

Qualifying activity can include earning or redeeming points.

As long as qualifying activity continues within the applicable period, points can remain active.

35. An Easy Way to Keep Your Account Active

You do not necessarily need to book a flight every 18 months.

Activity can potentially come from everyday earning, eStore shopping or other eligible earning or redemption activity.

This is another advantage of understanding the program beyond flights.

36. Don’t Let Points Sit Forever

Even when you keep an account active, there is another risk: loyalty programs change.

Reward charts, partner relationships and redemption requirements can be modified over time.

Points should generally be viewed as a travel currency to earn and use — not as a long-term investment.

37. Should You Buy Aeroplan Points?

Aeroplan allows members to purchase points.

Buying points may make sense in certain circumstances, such as when you are slightly short of the amount needed for a specific redemption.

Buying a large number of points speculatively is different.

Before purchasing, compare:

• The cost of the points
• The cash price of the flight
• The reward availability
• Taxes and fees
• Whether you already have a confirmed use

38. Don’t Buy Points Before Checking Availability

This deserves its own rule.

Do not buy or transfer a large quantity of points for a particular flight before confirming that the reward you want is actually available.

Availability can change.

39. Aeroplan Points vs Cash Back

Travel rewards are not automatically better than cash back.

Cash back is simple and flexible.

Aeroplan can potentially provide more travel-specific opportunities, but it requires more effort to understand earning and redemption.

Someone who rarely travels may prefer simplicity.

Someone who travels regularly and enjoys optimizing rewards may find Aeroplan more attractive.

40. Aeroplan Points vs Flexible Bank Points

Aeroplan points are already inside the Aeroplan ecosystem.

Flexible bank points may offer the ability to choose between multiple transfer partners or redemption methods.

That flexibility can be valuable.

This is why experienced points users often avoid transferring flexible points until they have a specific redemption in mind.

41. Common Aeroplan Beginner Mistakes

42. A Simple Aeroplan Strategy for Beginners

43. Example: How a Normal Traveller Can Build Points

Imagine someone in Canada who takes only a few trips per year.

That person might earn Aeroplan points through:

• Eligible Air Canada flights
• Everyday spending on an appropriate rewards card
• Eligible linked partners
• Online purchases through the Aeroplan eStore
• Hotel or car-rental partners
• Occasional promotions

None of this requires flying every week.

The key is connecting normal travel and spending activity to the rewards ecosystem.

44. Example: Using Points for a Family

Suppose several members of a household each earn points through travel and other eligible activity.

Instead of thinking only about each person’s individual balance, eligible members may explore Aeroplan’s Family Sharing feature.

Points can also be used to book eligible rewards for other travellers.

For families, understanding these options can make smaller balances more practical.

45. When Should You Use Aeroplan Points?

Consider using points when:

• The cash fare is expensive
• The reward price is attractive
• You have flexible travel dates
• A partner-airline option works well
• You have points available for a trip you genuinely want
• Using points meaningfully reduces your travel cost

46. When Might Cash Be Better?

Consider paying cash when:

• The fare is unusually cheap
• The required points are high
• The reward still has significant cash charges
• You want to save points for a more expensive trip
• You want to earn points on an eligible paid ticket

47. Remember That Reward Flights Don’t Earn More Flight Points

Aeroplan’s Flight Reward Policy states that members do not earn Aeroplan points or Elite Status qualification from travelling on Flight Rewards.

This is another small factor that can be considered when comparing a paid ticket with a reward ticket.

48. Check Promotions Before You Book

Aeroplan periodically offers bonus-point promotions.

Before booking a flight or making a significant purchase, it can be worthwhile to check whether a relevant offer is available and whether registration is required.

Never assume a promotion will be automatically applied.

49. Think in Terms of a Travel Goal

Points become easier to manage when they have a purpose.

Instead of saying:

“I want 500,000 points.”

Try:

“I want enough points to reduce the cost of my next trip to Europe.”

A specific goal helps you decide where to earn, when to transfer and when to redeem.

50. Aeroplan Should Reduce Your Travel Costs, Not Increase Your Spending

This is the principle that matters most.

A loyalty program works in your favour when you earn rewards from purchases and travel that already make financial sense.

It stops working when you buy unnecessary products, book more expensive trips or pay credit-card interest simply to accumulate points.

Treat Aeroplan as a tool for making normal travel more rewarding — not as a reason to consume more.

Aeroplan Beginner Cheat Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions