Aeroplan points are not just for getting out of Canada and back. Some of the best value in the program hides in flights that never touch home: a business hop across Asia, a quick jump between European capitals, a second city folded in for almost nothing. This is the advanced layer.
The reason this works is the same reason partner awards win in general: partner flights are priced on a fixed distance chart, not on cash demand. That chart does not care which country you start in. A short intra-region partner flight costs a modest, predictable number of points whether you board it in Toronto or in Tokyo.
So when the cash price of an intra-Asia or intra-Europe hop is high, and it often is for a last-minute or premium-cabin seat, the points price stays low and the value soars. You can book these on their own, or fold them into a bigger trip.
New to fixed pricing? The dynamic vs fixed pricing guide explains the mechanic this whole page rests on.
For which carriers to target on these routes, see the best Star Alliance partners guide.
The stopover is the move that turns a single award into a multi-city trip. For a fixed extra points fee, you stay longer at an intermediate city instead of just connecting through it.
The full stopover and routing rules are in the stopover guide.
Much of this books online, but the advanced routings are where the phone earns its keep.
Yes. Aeroplan books partner flights anywhere, including journeys that never touch Canada, like a hop within Asia or Europe. Partner awards use a fixed distance chart, so intra-region flights can be excellent value on their own or added to a longer trip.
The fixed distance chart means a short intra-Asia or intra-Europe business hop costs a modest, predictable number of points regardless of the cash fare. When that cash fare is high, the cents-per-point value is excellent.
It lets you stay longer at an intermediate city for a fixed fee, turning one award into two destinations. Booking a round trip as two one-ways lets you place a stopover in each direction.
Sometimes. Much intra-region space books online, but some partners and complex routings need a phone call, and space is limited, so flexibility helps. The value usually justifies the effort.
Come in for a free conversation. We can help you build a multi-city award with stopovers that squeezes the most out of your points.