You can redeem Aeroplan points in six categories: car rentals, duty-free merchandise, general merchandise, gift cards, flights, hotels, and vacation packages. This article covers exactly how to redeem your points in each area.
Since point value varies by redemption, we include the cents per point (CPP) value for each redemption option.
Cost of reward in dollars / cost of reward in Aeroplan points x 100 = value in cents per point (CPP)
When deciding how to redeem your Aeroplan points, consider that the most valuable choice is to redeem for flights, with car rentals coming in second. And, of course, the best way to earn these points in the first place is by using one of the best Aeroplan credit cards available in Canada.
Key Takeaways
- There are six types of Aeroplan rewards but it all boils down to two options: merchandise or travel.
- You can use your Aeroplan points to purchase merchandise on the Aeroplan eStore or Air Canada website, or travel on the Aeroplan HotelSavers, Air Canada, or Air Canada Vacations websites.
- Travel rewards are more valuable than merchandise, with Air Canada flights yielding up to 4 cents per point.
- If you don’t have enough Aeroplan points for the reward you want, you can purchase more or convert points from other loyalty programs.
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How to redeem Aeroplan points for flights
Average value: 2 CPP
Redemption options: Air Canada and Star Alliance airline flights
How to redeem:
- Visit the Air Canada website and make sure "Book with points Aeroplan" is selected.
- Search for flights, pick the itinerary, flight class, and options you want, then confirm whether you want to pay in cash, Aeroplan Points, or a mix of the two.
- Enter your membership number, payment information, and traveller details, and confirm.
How to save:
Air travel can be the most valuable reward category but it’s also the most complicated. Unlike CIBC Aventura points, Aeroplan points use dynamic pricing based on demand – the higher the demand for seats, the higher the cost in points.
In short, booking a Business or First Class flight on short notice to a popular destination during peak tourist season lowers the value of your Aeroplan points. Booking an Economy flight to a quiet airport 1–3 months ahead (during "off" or “shoulder” tourist seasons for your chosen destination) yields the maximum bang for your buck.
Air Canada’s flight reward chart divides the world into four major travel zones: North America, South America, the Atlantic, and the Pacific.
Based on our research, Air Canada charged each passenger an average of approximately 22 Canadian cents to fly 1 mile in 2023. Considering dynamic pricing, the average cost per seat per mile isn’t useful for predicting ticket costs – but it’s handy for judging the value of Aeroplan points as it relates to dollars and distance.
Cost of flight in dollars / cost of flight in Aeroplan points x 100 = cents per point (CPP)
Total flight distance in miles / cost of flight in Aeroplan points = miles per point (MPP)
From most to least valuable, your Aeroplan flight reward options are:
| Distance in miles and zone | Points cost | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 7,001+ within Pacific zone | * 8,000 – 55,000 (Economy) * 20,000 – 90,000 (Premium Economy) * 25,000 – 130,000 (Business) | * About 2.6 CPP * Up to 0.19 MPP |
| 0 – 11,001+ between Pacific and South America zones | * 60,000 – 80,000 (Economy) * 90,000 – 140,000 (Business) * 130,000 – 200,000 (First) | * About 2.6 CPP * Up to 0.18 MPP |
| 0 – 6,001+ within Atlantic zone | * 7,500 – 50,000 (Economy) * 15,000 – 80,000 (Premium Economy) * 25,000 – 130,000 (Business) | * About 2.1 CPP * Up to 0.17 MPP |
| 0 – 7,001+ between Atlantic and South America zones | * 45,000 – 60,000 (Economy) * 80,000 – 100,000 (Premium Economy) * 100,000 – 130,000 (Business) | * About 2 CPP * Up to 0.15 MPP |
| 0 – 1,601+ within South America | * 10,000 – 20,000 (Economy) * 20,000 – 35,000 (Premium Economy) * 30,000 – 50,000 (Business) | * About 1.8 CPP * Up to 0.16 MPP |
| 0 – 2,751+ within North America zone | * 6,000 – 25,000 (Economy) * 10,000 – 45,000 (Premium Economy) * 15,000 – 70,000 (Business) | * About 1.6 CPP * Up to 0.15 MPP |
| 0 – 11,001+ between North America and Pacific zones | * 35,000 – 110,000 (Economy) * 45,000 – 180,000 (Premium Economy) * 55,000 – 250,000 (Business) * 90,000 – 350,000 (First) | * About 1.3 CPP * Up to 0.12 MPP |
| 0 – 8,001+ between North America and Atlantic zones | * 35,000 – 100,000 (Economy) * 50,000 – 160,000 (Premium Economy) * 60,000 – 220,000 (Business) * 90,000 – 250,000 (First) | * About 1.2 CPP * Up to 0.1 MPP |
| 0 – 7,001+ between Atlantic and Pacific zones | * 25,500 – 70,000 (Economy) * 30,000 – 110,000 (Premium Economy) * 40,000 – 200,000 (Business) * 50,000 – 250,000 (First) | * About 1 CPP * Up to 0.1 MPP |
| 0 – 12,001+ anywhere on Emirates/Fly Dubai | * 15,000 – 150,000 (Economy) * 30,000 – 300,000 (Business) * 65,000 – 750,000 (First) | * About 0.85 CPP * Up to 0.1 MPP |
| 0 – 4,501+ between North America and South America zones | * 20,000 – 70,000 (Economy) * 35,000 – 150,000 (Premium Economy) * 40,000 – 200,000 (Business) * 60,000 – 250,000 (First) | * About 0.7 CPP * Up to 0.07 MPP |
Staying within the Pacific or Atlantic zones, or visiting South America from either one, is nearly 27% more valuable than flying to South America from North America. The same route also gets you almost 37% further.
Unfortunately, travel between North America and every other zone yields the worst points value. So, how do you travel abroad while making the most efficient use of Aeroplan Points?
- Don’t forget the basics: Use the simple travel tricks at the beginning of this section to take advantage of dynamic pricing.
- Fly domestic, not international: Save your points for travel within Canada or use them to hop between cities overseas.
- Plan ahead: Air Canada offers 2 online tools for vacation planners. The Points Predictor estimates the points cost of flying between 2 airports while the Points Finder shows you where your points can take you depending on your departing airport, travel dates, travel class, and points budget.
- Position yourself for a short flight: If you live in the interior of Canada, consider taking a bus or train east to Halifax (YHZ), west to Vancouver (YVR), or south to Toronto (YYZ) to lessen the distance you have to fly to another zone.
Last but not least, keep in mind that average costs don’t represent actual ticket prices. Grab a calculator before searching for flights on the Air Canada website and use the formula above to compare the value of different travel dates, flight classes, or destinations. We’ve found flights valued at over 4 CPP!
Pros of Aeroplan flight rewards:
- Value as high as 4 CPP
- 1,300+ global destinations through Air Canada and partners
- 80+ international airports
- 50+ Canadian airports
- 50+ US airports
Cons of Aeroplan flight rewards:
- Value as low as 0.7 CPP
- Must use Air Canada or Star Alliance member airline
- No set value for Aeroplan points
- Partner airline booking fees apply
- Reward flights don’t earn Aeroplan points
How to redeem Aeroplan points for car rentals
Average value: 0.9 CPP
Redemption options: Avis and Budget car rentals
How to redeem:
- Visit the Air Canada car rental website and log in.
- Enter your pick-up location, select "Drop-off at different location" if necessary, and enter your pick-up and drop-off dates and times. Enter the driver's age and click “Search rental cars.”
- Sort results on the top by "Recommended," price, rental company, or car type. In the top right corner, choose whether you want to view the price of the booking in points, points + cash, or cash. In the left pane, filter results by number of passengers, car type, rental company, and amenities.
- Click "Select car," then choose whether you’d like to pay in Aeroplan Points, Points + cash, or cash. Select “Add to trip cart.”
- Review the booking details (including the link to "Rules, policies, and cancellations") and choose if you’d like to add a hotel or another car to your trip. Click “Continue to traveler information.”
- Enter traveller details and payment information and confirm the booking.
Renting a car is a straightforward way to use your Aeroplan Points – but it’s also subject to dynamic pricing.
Depending on what type of car you book, where you book, and when you book, the cost of a rental vehicle (and the value of your points) goes up or down. Large cars in large cities during peak tourist seasons have high demand and high costs to match.
Aeroplan Elite Status members and credit cardholders qualify for a complimentary membership to the Avis Preferred Plus or President’s Club.
| Avis membership | Qualifying Aeroplan membership levels | Qualifying Aeroplan credit cards | Aeroplan perks and benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preferred Plus | * Elite Status 25K * Elite Status 35K * Elite Status 50K | * American Express Aeroplan Card or Aeroplan Corporate Card * CIBC Aeroplan Visa Business Card or CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card * TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | * 1 complimentary 1-car class upgrade for 1 intermediate-size vehicle (subject to availability and country restrictions) |
| President’s Club | * Elite Status 75K * Super Elite Status | * American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card, and Corporate Reserve cards * CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card * TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card | * Guaranteed availability of up to 1 full-size 4-door vehicle if reserved at least 24 hours in advance * 1 complimentary 2-car class upgrade (subject to availability and country restrictions) |
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to explore other Avis membership benefits like money-off vouchers, free additional drivers, and more.
Pros of Aeroplan car rental rewards:
- 11,000+ car rental locations
- 8+ rental company partners including Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, and Thrifty
- Complimentary Avis Preferred Plus and President’s Club membership and benefits
Cons of Aeroplan car rental rewards:
- Limited rental car company choices
- No set value for Aeroplan Points
How to redeem Aeroplan points for vacation packages
Average value: 0.83 CPP
Redemption options: All-inclusive resorts, Disney vacations, tour packages, vacation packages, and flight and hotel packages
How to redeem:
- Visit Air Canada Vacations or Disney Vacations – and log into your Aeroplan account.
- Select your preferred type of reward (if applicable) and departure, destination, travel dates, and options like flight class, number of guests, or tour type. Click "Search."
- Sort the results at the top by price, company, or rating, or filter them on the left by price, departure dates, rating, amenity, tour duration, and more. Once you find a listing you like, click the blue "Select" button.
- Confirm additional details such as room, room preferences, add-ons, and travel insurance. Scroll down, reviewing information as you go, and write down any important information related to cancellation policies or travel requirements. Click the "Continue" button in the bottom right corner to proceed to the next page.
- Enter traveller and payment information and choose how much of your booking you’d like to pay in points or cash.
- Review your order details and confirm your booking.
Air Canada Vacations offers a cornucopia of ways to enjoy your Aeroplan Points.
You could relax at an all-inclusive resort for adults, couples, and families in Mexico or the Caribbean. Or maybe you’d rather embark on a tour package with curated activities including concerts, museums, and nature excursions. If you’re a family, take the stress out of a family Disney vacation with a bundled flight and stay in Orlando, Anaheim, or the Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawaii.
If you prefer to plan your own itinerary, you can use Aeroplan points to book a flight and hotel package in Canada, the US, or Mexico.
Pros of Aeroplan vacation packages:
- 1 complimentary checked bag per person
- Connecting flights from Canadian airports starting at $49
- Frequent promotions, including bonus Aeroplan points, vacation credits, dollar savings, free activities, and more
- Full refund or free changes if a flight is delayed
- Onsite Air Canada Vacations destination representative to help you book activities and manage your stay (Mexico and Caribbean destinations only)
Cons of Aeroplan vacation packages:
- Cruises can’t be booked with Aeroplan points online
- Group tour packages and vacations aren’t available to book with Aeroplan points
- Hotels booked through Air Canada Vacations cost more points than those booked through HotelSavers
- No set value for Aeroplan points
- Promotions, cancellations, and refund policies vary by accommodation, activity, airline, and destination
How to redeem Aeroplan points for cruises
Aeroplan Points are redeemable for cruise tickets but the booking process differs from vacations. You can only redeem over the phone by calling 1-866-529-2079 Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (ET) or Saturday – Sunday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
The list of available cruises spans 13 cruise lines, offering a full range of experiences at sea from floating amusement parks to intimate river journeys. Plus, you can adjust your booking if the US National Hurricane Center issues a tropical storm warning, hurricane warning, or hurricane watch up to 48 hours before departure.
Air Canada Vacations’ Cruise Promise includes:
- 100% refundable flights up to 24 hours before departure
- Free flights if you can find a lower-priced Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge flight at the time of booking
- Free rebookings if a delayed flight causes you to miss your cruise
- Guaranteed return flights in the event the ship is late
- Secure bookings with only a $50 deposit per person
How to redeem Aeroplan points for hotels
Average value: 0.82 CPP
Redemption options: Bookings at boutiques, hotels, and resorts
How to redeem:
- Visit the Aeroplan HotelSavers website and log into your Aeroplan account.
- Enter your destination, travel dates, and number of adult and child guests. Click "Search hotels."
- Sort the results by price, star rating, distance, and name using the dropdown menu at the top of the page. Choose to view prices in points, cash, or 50/50 points and cash using the toggle at the top right, or filter results by price, star rating, TravelAdvisor rating, amenities, and more on the left.
- Click the listing you want and review the hotel’s rooms, amenities, ratings, and cancellation and pet policies before clicking "Select room" on the room you want.
- Select a payment option: Aeroplan Points, cash, or 50/50 points and cash. Click "Add to trip cart."
- Review your order, add a car or another hotel (if necessary), and click "Continue to traveler information."
- Enter your traveller details, click "Payment and review," and enter your payment details on the next page. Review the details of your booking and click “Complete booking” to confirm.
Through HotelSavers, Aeroplan members enjoy lower rates at over 40 hotel and resort brands, including 16 luxury partners, 17 premium partners, and 13 midscale and economy chains.
Plus, if you’re an Aeroplan credit card holder, you can enjoy 1 free night’s stay for every 3 nights you book entirely in points until December 31, 2024!
The cost of your hotel depends on its category. A higher category means a more luxurious hotel and a higher cost in Aeroplan points:
| Category | Example partners | Points cost per night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coast Hotels, Holiday Inn, Ibis, Novotel | 10,000 – 15,000 |
| 2 | Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Ibis | 15,000 – 22,500 |
| 3 | Fairmont, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Shangri-La | 20,000 – 30,000 |
| 4 | Fairmont, Holiday Inn, Kimpton, Novotel, Le Germain, Omni Hotels, Shangri-La | 25,000 – 40,000 |
| 5 | Crowne Plaza, Fairmont, InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Kimpton, Omni Hotels, Noble House, Shangri-La, Swissôtel, Voco | 35,000 – 50,000 |
| 6 | Fairmont, InterContinental, Kimpton, Small Luxury Hotels, Taj | 45,000 – 70,000 |
| 7 | InterContinental, Shangri-La, Small Luxury Hotels, Taj | 55,000 – 80,000 |
| 8 | Shangri-La, Small Luxury Hotels | 75,000 – 105,000 |
Costs vary depending on the hotel’s location, number of guests, room availability, and season. For example, if you want to stay downtown, even a room in a budget chain like the Holiday Inn could jump a few categories higher.
As with flights, it costs more to stay in a location with greater demand. Book a shared room in a budget hotel away from the town centre and travel during shoulder or peak seasons to stay longer for fewer points.
Pros of Aeroplan hotel rewards:
- 300,000+ hotel, resort, and boutique locations available worldwide
- 1 free night for every 3 nights booked in Aeroplan points (Aeroplan credit card holders only)
- Save up to 30% in points by using a HotelSavers partner
Cons of Aeroplan hotel rewards:
- 30% higher room costs at non-HotelSavers hotels
- Cancellation, pet, and refund policies vary by hotel
- Refunds can take up to 2 credit card billing cycles to process
- No set value for Aeroplan points
How to redeem Aeroplan points for merchandise and gift cards
Average Value: 0.63 – 0.74 CPP
Redemption options: General merchandise including electronics, jewellery, and children’s toys
How to redeem:
- Visit the Aeroplan eStore and sign into your Aeroplan account.
- On the "Products" page, filter products by points cost, brands, and categories on the left, or sort the results by newest, price, or alphabetical using the dropdown menu in the top right corner. Toggle “Promotion only” to only see products on sale.
- Select the product you want, and on the product page, select the number and colour version you’d like to buy. Select your payment option – whether Aeroplan points or points and cash – and click the "Buy" button.
- Enter your shipping details in the pop-up, click "Proceed to payment," and enter your payment details. Click “Complete Order,” then review the details on the next page and click “Confirm.”
The Aeroplan eStore offers thousands of products, over 400 brands, and 18 categories of general merchandise. Comparing the value of each product in cents per point (CPP) and shopping promotions are the best ways to see which items are worth your hard-earned rewards.
Cost of the product in dollars / cost in points x 100 = cents per point
As you can see below, even the most valuable items yield less than 1 CPP.
| Item | Points required | Cost | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nardi Rio/Trill 11-piece outdoor dining set | 607,600 | $5,999 | 0.9 CPP |
| Le Creuset 10-piece enamelled cast iron set | 263,100 | $2,510 | 0.9 CPP |
| Yves Saint Laurent Sunset Medium Bag | 405,300 | $3,260 | 0.8 CPP |
| TUMI 19 Degree aluminum carry-on bag | 207,500 | $1,685 | 0.8 CPP |
| Apple 16-inch MacBook Pro | 589,500 | $4,649 | 0.7 CPP |
| BowFlex Treadmill 22 | 513,300 | $3,599 | 0.7 CPP |
| Oral-B iO Series 7 rechargeable toothbrush | 39,400 | $219 | 0.5 CPP |
| Monopoly Classic | 6,400 | $34 | 0.5 CPP |
The Aeroplan eStore also offers gift cards from 70+ retailers but they’re only worth about 0.71 CPP. Unless you shop during a promotion, prepaid credit cards are worth even less, offering just 0.63 CPP.
The only exceptions are Air Canada gift cards, valued at 1 CPP each, which the recipient can spend on flights, travel options, fees, and more. But for the most value, why not transfer your Aeroplan points to them instead?
Pros of shopping with Aeroplan points:
- Value as high as 1 CPP
- 400+ merchandise brands
- 70+ gift card partners
- $50 Air Canada Onboard Duty-Free Boutique Certificate when you redeem 7,000 points
- Convenient and quick redemption options
Cons of shopping with Aeroplan points:
- Value as low as 0.63 CPP
- 2–3 week delivery time for physical gift cards
- Most valuable rewards (Aeroplan gift cards) aren’t worth as much as buying flights through the Air Canada website
- No refunds or returns on items ordered through the Aeroplan eStore
What are Aeroplan Points?
Air Canada’s Aeroplan Rewards program uses Aeroplan points as currency, which you can collect by purchasing flight tickets, shopping promotions, and using an Aeroplan credit card.
There are six types of Aeroplan rewards:
- Car rentals
- General merchandise
- Gift cards
- Flights
- Hotels
- Vacation packages
How much are Aeroplan points worth?
Like Air Miles, Aeroplan points don’t have a fixed worth. The dollar value of your Aeroplan points depends on three things:
- What type of reward you choose
- How you redeem your points
- When you redeem your points
To make sure you’re getting the highest value out of your Aeroplan Points, check the special offers page regularly and compare your options using the same formula as our researchers:
Cost of reward in dollars / cost of reward in Aeroplan points x 100 = value in cents per point (CPP)
Air Canada flights are at the top of the rewards ladder. Booking a ticket to a quiet destination during "off" or “shoulder” tourist seasons can yield up to 4 CPP. By contrast, redeeming your points on toys or games on the Aeroplan eStore can net you as little as 0.5 CPP.
From most to least valuable, here are the six types of Aeroplan rewards:
| Reward category | Average CPP | How to redeem |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 2 | Book through the Air Canada website |
| Car rentals | 0.9 | Rent from over 11,000+ locations worldwide through the Air Canada website |
| Vacation packages | 0.83 | Book cruises, hotels, tours, and vacation packages through Air Canada Vacations |
| Hotels | 0.82 | Book a stay with 45+ luxury, premium, and economy accommodations through Aeroplan HotelSavers |
| Merchandise | 0.74 | Shop 400+ brands in 18 categories on the Aeroplan eStore |
| Gift cards | 0.71–1 | Shop gift cards from Air Canada to Ultramar on the Aeroplan eStore. Air Canada gift cards have the highest value at 1 CPP. Other gift cards tend to have the lowest value, as low as 0.71 CPP |
Calculate exactly how much your Aeroplan points are worth and decide how to spend them:
| Redemption Option | Point Value | Total Value |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 2 cents | $20 |
| Air Canada Gift Cards | 1 cent | $10 |
| Car rentals | 0.9 cents | $9 |
| Vacation packages | 0.83 cents | $8 |
| Hotels | 0.82 cents | $8 |
| Merchandise | 0.74 cents | $7 |
| Gift Cards | 0.71 cents | $7 |
Can you buy or transfer Aeroplan points?
You can buy, transfer, or convert Aeroplan points from other rewards programs for a fee – but like rewards, some options just aren’t worth it.
For example:
- You can buy up to 250,000 Aeroplan Points at a time for $8,750 CAD on the BuyPoints website, at a cost of 3.5 CPP.
- Because flight tickets only yield an average of 2 CPP, you’ll lose about 1.5 CPP when you redeem them.
- You could just as easily spend the money on a flight and reap up to 26,250 Aeroplan Points with the right credit card.
Buying or transferring Aeroplan Points is worth it if you need a small amount to qualify for a valuable reward. If you only need a few thousand points to qualify for a 3-night stay at a HotelSavers hotel (and get 1 free night), buying points is a pretty good option.
Before you do, consider converting your points from another rewards program. Aeroplan’s best conversion program partners include American Express Membership Rewards (at a rate of 1:1), Marriott Bonvoy (3:1), and Best Western Rewards (5:1). It's more cost effective than purchasing points.
Learn more: Buying rewards points – is it worth it?
Aeroplan Family Sharing
The Aeroplan Family Sharing program can be worth looking into for accumulating points – and rewards – faster.
The program allows up to eight verified family members to share points in one pool while maintaining their own individual Aeroplan accounts.
FAQ
What can you redeem Aeroplan points on?
Aeroplan points are redeemable in six reward categories: car rentals, general merchandise, gift cards, flights, hotels, and vacation packages.
How much are 50,000 Aeroplan points worth?
50,000 Aeroplan points are worth about $1,000 off an Air Canada flight, $450 towards a rental car, $370 worth of merchandise, or $355 in gift cards.
Can Aeroplan points be redeemed for merchandise?
You can redeem Aeroplan points for 400+ brands of electronics, jewellery, luggage, outdoor equipment, toys, and more on the Aeroplan eStore.
Can you redeem Aeroplan points for cash?
You can’t sell or exchange Aeroplan points for cash, but you can redeem them for gift cards for a value of approximately 0.63 cents per point.
How do I redeem Aeroplan miles?
The easiest way to redeem Aeroplan miles is directly through the Air Canada website or by booking flights in the Air Canada app.
Is there an Aeroplan redeem chart?
You can use the creditcardGenius rewards calculator as an Aeroplan redemption chart. For flights, you can use Aeroplan’s flight reward chart that highlights different flight paths and regions, directly viewable from the Air Canada website.
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