There are multiple ways to collect Aeroplan points, including buying them. This isn't always the wisest financial choice, but buying Aeroplan points can be a valuable option in certain situations, such as if your points are about to expire.
Using one of Canada's top Aeroplan cards is the easiest and best way to rack up points. But if your redemption goal is just out of reach, it can sometimes be a smart idea to buy a few points.
The guide below explains what it means to buy Aeroplan points, how to do it, when you should do it, and more.
Key Takeaways
- Aeroplan lets you buy various amounts of points at different price points.
- Generally speaking, it's not worth purchasing Aeroplan points as they're worth less than what you pay.
- When spent on flights, Aeroplan points are worth an average of 1.6 cents each.
- The best credit cards to earn Aeroplan points with include the American Express Cobalt Card and TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card.
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How to buy Aeroplan points
While earning Aeroplan points is easy with the right Aeroplan credit card, sometimes you may come up a little short on the number of points you need for a flight redemption. Good thing Air Canada is always willing to sell you Aeroplan points!
Here's how to buy them:
- Head over to aircanada.com and sign in to your Aeroplan account.
- In the "My Offers" section, scroll to the bottom to "Do more with your Aeroplan points" and click "Buy points and reach your goals faster."
- Specify whether you want to buy points for yourself or someone else.
- From the dropdown menu, select how many points you'd like to buy. Options range from 2,000 to 250,000.
- Complete your purchase with a credit card and the points will be added to your account within 72 hours.
Here's what it costs:
| Number of points purchased | Cost | Cost of 1 point (cents) |
|---|---|---|
| 2,000 | $75 | 3.75 |
| 10,000 | $375 | 3.75 |
| 50,000 | $1,875 | 3.75 |
| 100,000 | $3,750 | 3.75 |
| 150,000 | $5,625 | 3.75 |
| 200,000 | $7,500 | 3.75 |
| 250,000 | $9,375 | 3.75 |
No matter how many Aeroplan points you buy, they'll cost you 3.75 cents each.
Pro Tip: If your Aeroplan account is going to expire due to inactivity, buy some points. Otherwise, you'll need to pay Air Canada to reactivate your account.
What are Aeroplan points worth?
The value of your hard-earned Aeroplan points varies depending on how you redeem them. When we looked at the average of all category redemptions, we found points were worth an average of 1.6 cents each – far less than the 3.75 cents you'll pay for them.
There's one exception: if you use the Amex Fixed Point Travel Program, you'll get a solid value of 1.75 cents per point.
| Reward category | Average value in cents per point (CPP) |
|---|---|
| Amex Fixed Point Travel Program | 1.75 |
| Car rentals | 0.9 |
| Vacation packages | 0.83 |
| Hotels | 0.82 |
| Merchandise | 0.74 |
| Gift cards | 0.71 |
Is it worth buying Aeroplan points?
Given the cost vs. value, it's generally not worth buying Aeroplan points. With a few exceptions (like if Aeroplan is running a promotion), you'll pay more for the points than they are actually worth.
If you're short a couple of thousand points on your next redemption, it might be worthwhile to buy the rest so you can use your banked points. Otherwise, it's best to avoid point purchases.
Pro Tip: If you're flying into the far north in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, sometimes it's cheaper to pay for the points and use them for your flight rather than paying for the flight outright – assuming you can find availability.
Best credit cards for buying and earning Aeroplan points
If you want to ramp up your Aeroplan points collection, your best bet is to use an Aeroplan credit card. You have 2 good choices: an Aeroplan-branded card or one that earns Amex Membership Rewards, which you can transfer to Aeroplan 1:1.
Here are our top picks to earn you more Aeroplan points:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Rewards | Welcome bonus | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Cobalt Card | $191.88 | * 5 points per $1 spent on eligible groceries and restaurants (up to $2,500 spent per month) * 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming services * 2 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit, and ride share purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on foreign currency purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | Up to 15,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | $139 | * 1.5 points per $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, grocery and direct through Air Canada purchases * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | Up to 40,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | $599 | * 3 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 2 points per $1 spent on dining and food delivery purchases in Canada * 1.25 points per $1 spent on all other purchases | Up to 85,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| American Express Aeroplan Card | $120 | * 2 points per $1 spent on Air Canada * 1.5 points per $1 spent on restaurants * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | Up to 35,000 45,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| American Express Gold Rewards Card | $250 | * 2 points for every $1 spent on gas, groceries, drugstores, and travel * 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases | 10,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
American Express Cobalt® Card
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While not an official Aeroplan-branded card, the American Express Cobalt Card has one of the best earn rates, and one of the top redemption options is transferring points to Aeroplan. You'll also get up to 15,000 bonus Membership Rewards points as a welcome offer.
The Cobalt makes it easy to earn Amex Rewards points on everyday purchases, especially groceries, restaurants, streaming, gas, and transit. When you use the Amex Fixed Point Travel Program, they'll be worth 1.75 cents per point (CPP) – higher than any other redemption option, although you can also transfer points to Aeroplan for a 1.6 CPP value.
Pros:
- Very high earn rates
- 10 types of insurance
- No income requirements
Cons:
- Not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card is a great mid-tier credit card that more than offsets its annual fee. The card's generous welcome bonus and steady 1.86% earn rate mean you'll continue to get value from the card. Plus, you can even have the annual fee waived when you also hold a TD All-Inclusive Banking account
One standout perk of this card is its impressive insurance coverage. While most cards' travel insurance only applies if you book the flight with the credit card, this one still provides the protection for flights booked with Aeroplan points. This exception is genuinely rare.
Pros:
- 12 types of insurance
- Ability to waive annual fee
- Free checked bags on Air Canada
Cons:
- High income requirements
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card has the highest welcome bonus of all cards on this list, worth up to $1,360. It also has an excellent return on spending. If you're looking for the fastest way to earn Aeroplan points without transferring reward points, this is your card.
It provides excellent travel perks too. Fly with Air Canada, and you'll enjoy priority check-in, priority security screening, free baggage, and airport lounge access, to name a few. With complimentary valet parking, discounted parking, and discounted car care services, cardholders get especially premium services at Toronto Pearson Airport.
Pros:
- Huge welcome bonus
- Premium travel perks
- Free companion pass (with minimum spend)
Cons:
- Very high annual fee
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
With a reasonable annual fee and no income requirements, it's relatively easy to qualify for the American Express Aeroplan Card. This doesn't mean you're missing out on value either – you'll still enjoy a solid 1.74% earn rate, and start things off with a welcome bonus worth up to $1,360.
Not only do cardholders get their first checked bag for free, but so do 8 of your travelling companions. This card also comes with some sweet Amex benefits, including Amex Offers, access to the Front of the Line program, and elite bookings with the Hotel Collection.
Pros:
- Free first checked bag for cardholder and 8 companions
- Amex and Air Canada benefits
- Reasonable annual fee
Cons:
- Not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard
American Express Gold Rewards Card
While it's not an Aeroplan credit card, the American Express Gold Rewards Card allows you to transfer Amex points to Aeroplan for a 1.75 CPP value. It doesn't skimp on earn rates either: You'll get 2 points per $1 spent on gas, groceries, drugstores, and travel, plus 1 point per $1 spent everywhere else.
Where this card really shines, though, is with its perks and benefits. As a metal card, it's literally shiny, and it also gives 4 free passes to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada and a free Priority Pass membership (though that membership doesn't include free passes). And, you'll get an annual $100 travel credit.
Pros:
- $100 annual travel credit
- 4 free passes to Plaza Premium lounges in Canada
- Huge welcome bonus
Cons:
- High annual fee
FAQ
How can I buy Aeroplan points?
To buy Aeroplan points, start by logging in to your Aeroplan account and navigate to the "buy points" tab. Select whether you're buying points for yourself or someone else, then choose how many points you'd like to purchase, and follow the prompts to complete checkout. The points should appear in your account within a few days.
What is an Aeroplan point worth?
If you redeem points for Aeroplan flights, they're worth 1.6 CPP, but most other redemption options have value below 1 CPP. Since it costs 3.75 CPP to buy them, there's really no redemption option that makes it worth it.
Is it ever worth it to buy Aeroplan points?
Yes. If your account is at risk of becoming inactive, buying a small number of points is enough to prevent your points from expiring. Keep in mind that points expire if it's been 18 months since you earned, redeemed, or purchased points.
How much does it cost to buy 50,000 Aeroplan points?
Buying 50,000 Aeroplan points will cost you $1,875 CAD. Like any other purchase amount, this works out to 3.75 cents per Aeroplan point, which is pretty steep considering the return on the points' value.
Should a member of Aeroplan buy points?
Buying points isn't really a good decision unless you have a considerable number of Aeroplan points in your account that are at risk of expiring. If that's the case, either plan to use them, take a trip, or purchase points to keep your account active.
How many Aeroplan points per dollar will I get when I buy them?
Since each Aeroplan point is worth about 3.75 cents, buying points gives you approximately 26 points per $1 spent. The math: divide 100 by 3.75, which equals 26.66. This gives you a rough sense of the exchange rate before you commit to a purchase.
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