Is Aeroplan worth it?
Depends on how you fly. Strong fit if any of these apply:
- You fly Air Canada regularly and want a path to elite status
- You want to redeem for long-haul business class on partner airlines
- You want lounge access, upgrades, or a companion pass as you move up the tiers
Less useful if you never fly Air Canada or its partners, or if your main goal is cash back or flexible rewards.
What can you redeem Aeroplan points for?
Flights give you the best value. Partner airlines like Air New Zealand and ITA Airways use a fixed points chart, so cost is predictable regardless of the cash price. Air Canada is dynamic: points move with the fare. Hotels, merchandise, and gift cards are available but consistently give lower value.
Worth understanding first: dynamic vs fixed pricing, then how to book partner flights.
What is the best way to redeem Aeroplan points?
Companion passes, stopovers, fixed partner rates, status upgrades, and no-fuel-surcharge routes to Europe. Studies showing what Aeroplan actually does.
Guides on each move: companion pass, stopovers, carrier surcharges, and points vs cash.
The redemption that makes points worth learning. A flat bed across the Atlantic on Aeroplan's fixed chart, with no fuel surcharges. What it costs now and how to book it.
Read the guide →Direct to Auckland or Sydney first. Lie-flat in Business Class both ways. Three ways to get there, one points balance.
See the math →Your card builds the points and the SQC. Status determines the upgrade, the lounge, and the Priority Reward waiting at the 80K milestone.
See the math →No fuel surcharges. Government taxes only, roughly $250 one way. Star Alliance Gold transfers to ITA: priority boarding, extra bag, lounge access at Fiumicino.
See the math →Give points instead of things. Pool a family balance toward one trip, or send a flight directly to someone who wouldn't book it themselves.
See the math →More Aeroplan guides
Short, practical answers to the questions that come up most.
Best Star Alliance partners
Which carriers stretch your points furthest abroad.
Redeeming outside Canada
Use points on trips that never touch home.
Find award seats
Search like a regular and the seats appear.
Change or cancel a booking
Cancellation fees, refunds, and how points come back.
2026 card changes
What the latest card updates mean for you.
Protect your account
Spot phishing and lock your points down.
Seat selection
When it is free, and when to pay.
Buying points
When a buy-points sale is actually worth it.
Fare classes explained
Basic to Latitude: bags, changes, and upgrades.
Points for gift cards
Why the gift card button costs you half.
What is Aeroplan elite status?
Aeroplan has four elite tiers: 25K, 35K, 50K, and 75K, based on Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) earned on Air Canada flights. Each tier unlocks better upgrade priority, complimentary upgrades, lounge access, and priority boarding. At 80K SQC (a milestone above 75K status), you receive a Priority Reward that cuts the points cost of a redemption in half.
Your Aeroplan credit card contributes SQC alongside points, which is why card choice affects how quickly you reach the next tier. See how status changes what you fly →
Deeper: how status qualification works and lounge access by tier.
Can I use Aeroplan points for upgrades?
Yes. You can use points to upgrade an existing Air Canada booking from economy to business class. The cost depends on the route and availability. Upgrades are worth considering if you're already booked in economy. The points cost is often lower than redeeming for a full business class ticket.
The mechanics: eUpgrades explained and the upgrade ladder. Choosing a cabin: premium economy vs business.
How do you earn Aeroplan points?
An Aeroplan co-branded credit card is the fastest path. Points earn on every purchase and go straight into your account. Grocery, gas, and Air Canada purchases earn at higher rates than general spending.
Flying earns too. Every Air Canada ticket earns points based on fare class and distance. Higher fare classes earn more, and those flight points also count toward elite status. Partner stores and restaurants layer on top of both.
Do Aeroplan points expire?
Yes, after 18 months of account inactivity. Any earn or redeem activity resets the clock: a purchase on your Aeroplan credit card, a flight, or a transaction with a partner store. As long as you use the account at least once every 18 months, your points are safe.
What are the best Aeroplan credit cards?
Three banks issue Aeroplan cards. These two rankings score every one of them on the same scale; the issuer-by-issuer breakdown follows below.
Best Aeroplan credit card: TD vs. CIBC vs. Amex, scored and ranked → Best Aeroplan business credit card, scored →TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum
TD's entry-level Aeroplan card. Lower annual fee, base earn rates, and a solid welcome bonus to get started.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
TD's mid-tier card. 1.5x on Air Canada, gas, and grocery. Strong travel insurance and the most popular Aeroplan card for everyday earners.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
TD's premium card. Higher earn rates, Maple Leaf Lounge access on AC flights, and comprehensive travel insurance.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
1.5x on Air Canada, gas, and grocery. CIBC Smart Plus banking customers can have the $139 annual fee waived entirely.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
2x on Air Canada, 1.5x on gas, grocery, dining, and travel. Unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access and an annual companion pass.
American Express Aeroplan Card
2x on Air Canada and 1.5x on dining. The only mid-tier Aeroplan card with a meaningful dining bonus. $120 annual fee, no published income requirement.
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
3x on Air Canada, 2x on dining, 1.25x everywhere else. Unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access and a companion pass at $25,000 in annual spend.
Award price increases
Aeroplan raised prices on a significant number of routes. Europe, Asia, and Oceania were most affected, with some routes rising by 15–25%.
Full breakdown of what changed →