Air Canada flight sale: 25% off base fares and 2,500 bonus Aeroplan points

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Following the major scare surrounding their labor conflict, Air Canada currently has a special sale to apologize. It gives you 25% off select base fares and 2,500 bonus Aeroplan points (≈ $38). The bonus points make it more decent, but like almost all airline sales (apart from those by ultra low-cost carriers), it’s usually only worth it if you had to book anyway. It ends tonight.

Here are the details, including a more detailed example of why sales by any airline aren’t great.

Contents hide
Basics of airline sales
Overview of the Air Canada sale
Analysis of the Air Canada sale
Value of the 25% discount
Value of 2,500 Aeroplan points
Learning how to travel for less
Summary

 

Basics of airline sales

So many people don’t seem to get this: just because there’s a sale or promotion, it does not mean it’s necessarily good. You should always look carefully, do the math, and compare prices. It should go without saying, but I’ll repeat it just to make sure.

And for formal airline sales specifically, it’s simple: they’re rarely good enough to plan trips around them, unlike the real good deals Flytrippers spots every day that airlines don’t need to advertise because they’re actually worth booking due to the price alone. 

Airline sales are great if you had a trip to book anyway, as it’ll give you a small discount on that trip (at least compared to that airline’s prices at that particular moment in time).

 

Overview of the Air Canada sale

To express their gratitude to their customers now that a tentative deal with pilots has been reached, Air Canada is offering this special sale.

Sale banner (image credit: Air Canada)

 

Here are the basics:

  • Save 25% on select base fares 
    • Not on the total price
  • Get 2,500 bonus Aeroplan points per roundtrip
    • Or by one-way if departing from Canada
  • No promo code or registration required
    • Free Aeroplan account required for points

Here are the flights included:

  • All destinations
  • Must depart from Canada
  • Select fare classes
    • Basic Economy fare class excluded
    • Certain Premium Economy and Business fare classes excluded
  • Flights operated by Air Canada
    • Including AC Express and Rouge
  • Certains codeshare flights (for discount, not bonus points)
    • Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Discover

Here are the dates:

  • Book by September 18 at 11:59 PM
    • Local time in Canadian city of departure
  • Fly from September 28 to May 31, 2025
    • Some blackout dates apply
      • December 16-23
      • December 27 – January 5, 2025
      • February 13-18
      • March 7-9
      • March 14-16

 

Analysis of the Air Canada sale

So if you book the lowest and cheapest fare class, as you should often do if you want to save money, well… this promotion does not even apply to you. That said, the price difference between the Basic Economy fare class and the Standard Economy fare class is sometimes minimal, and now it’s even smaller with the discount. 

But even if you were going to book Standard Economy over Basic Economy, the 25% discount on base fares is not great, as I’ll show you below.

However, the bonus Aeroplan points can make it a bit more interesting, depending on the flight. You get a bonus of 2,500 points, on top of your rewards from your credit card and your base rewards from the Aeroplan program directly for your flight.

Let’s look at the value more closely.

 

Value of the 25% discount

As always, airline discounts are on the airfare itself. As always, governments love to take your money to spend on a gazillion things. As always, taxes are a humongous portion of flight prices in Canada.

So it’s not even really 25% (and 25% isn’t such a big discount to begin with, either). The flight deals Flytrippers spots are often 50% off (or more), and it’s 50% off the total price, not just off a portion.

For example, let’s take the Montreal to Fort Lauderdale deal at $173 with this 25% discount.

Montreal to Fort Lauderdale deal at $173 (image credit: Air Canada)

 

Out of that $173 price, only $53 is actually going to Air Canada (31%). Yes, the tax is 69% of the cost of the ticket. Yes, there’s a tax of 226% on the $53 ticket, to put it in a way that better illustrates government indecency.

(Just a good thing to keep in mind when complaining about high airfares… so you can direct the outrage in the right direction!)

Montreal to Fort Lauderdale deal price details (image credit: Air Canada)

 

So anyway, if the base fare is just $53 with the 25% discount, that means the base fare was just $71 before the discount. It’s a $18 discount.

So the ticket was $191, and now it’s $173. That’s a real discount of 9% on the total price, pretty far from 25%, right?

Are you going to plan a trip to Florida just to save 9%? Of course not. But if you had to book a flight to Florida, it’s certainly better to get 9% off than 0% off!

Again, that’s the very basic concept: airline sales are not good enough to plan trips around them, but they’re good if you had to book flights anyway. Simple.

Flytrippers has been around and repeating this for 7 years. If you didn’t know this, there are definitely many other things you don’t know that make your trips too expensive. So join 100,000+ savvy Canadian travelers and sign up for our free newsletter to become a better traveler!

Air Canada’s page for the sale has a convenient section with all the lowest fares from any particular city, sorted by the destination’s region.

Air Canada’s page for the sale (image credit: Air Canada)

 

Value of 2,500 Aeroplan points

Now, you do get a bonus of 2,500 Aeroplan points on top of that 25% discount, making the deal a bit better. That’s worth ≈ $38 at our conservative Flytrippers Valuation, but it can be worth a lot more, too.

Bonus of 2,500 Aeroplan points (image credit: Air Canada)

 

Aeroplan points are the best rewards in Canada… if “best” for you means worth the most (as it should).

Like all rewards, the value varies greatly depending on how the redemption option you choose. 

For 2,500 Aeroplan points, the value is:

  • ≈ $52.50 to UNLIMITED: Specific flights in premium cabins (partners and Air Canada)
  • ≈ $37.50 to ≈ $52.50: Specific flights in economy class (partners and Air Canada)
  • ≈ $27.50: Any flight on Air Canada
  • ≈ $25: Taxes on reward flights
  • ≈ $25: Seat upgrades
  • ≈ $25: In-flight Wi-Fi
  • ≈ $25: Vacation packages
  • ≈ $25: Hotels
  • ≈ $16.25: Rental cars and activities
  • ≈ $16.25: Merchandise and gift cards

Yes, those same 2,500 Aeroplan points can be worth $16.25 for merchandise (please don’t do that) or over 3 times more for flights!

But like all rewards of the more lucrative type, the value also varies greatly even within a given redemption option, depending on how you choose to use them. That’s how rewards of the more lucrative type work: the value depends on the specific redemption you choose. That’s the ≈ symbol!

What’s for sure is that 2,500 points is really nothing compared to getting 50,000+ points easily with the welcome bonuses on the American Express Aeroplan Card or the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card (or many others of the best Aeroplan credit cards).

You should really know that welcome bonuses are the key to earning more rewards; if not, you should read our infographic with the basics of travel rewards and our new guide on how to earn rewards.

Best credit cards for
Aeroplan points
NEW
 TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $12k in 12 mos. (incl. $7.5k in 180 days)†
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
ends January 6th
Rewards: ≈ $791
Annual fee: $0 $139
Aeroplan points: 50k pts with bonus
(62,000 pts total)
50k + 12k on min. spend
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
American Express Aeroplan Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. + $1k
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
Rewards: ≈ $540
Card fee: $120
Aeroplan points: 44,000 pts
+ a free bag
on Air Canada
American Express® Gold Rewards Card
American Express Gold Rewards Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $1k/month for 12 months
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
Rewards: ≈ $1180
Card fee: $250
Aeroplan points: 72,000 pts
+ 4 lounges
and $100 travel credit
Platinum Card® from American Express
Platinum Card from American Express
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 3 months
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
Rewards: ≈ $1600
Card fee: $799
Aeroplan points: 80,000 pts
+ unlimited PP lounges
and $200 travel credit
American Express Cobalt® Card
American Express Cobalt Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $750/month for 12 months
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
Rewards: ≈ $900
Card fee: $156
Aeroplan points: 60,000 pts
+ 5X the points
best card in Canada
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
Rewards: ≈ $1041
Card fee: $599
Aeroplan points: 69,375 pts
+ unlimited AC lounges
& other AC benefits
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $24k in 12 mos. (or $12k for lower bonus)
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
ends January 6th
Rewards: ≈ $1051
Annual fee: $599
Aeroplan points: 80k pts with bonus
(110,000 pts total)
80k + 30k on min. spend
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Platinum Card
TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $1k in 3 months
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
ends January 6th
Rewards: ≈ $315
Annual fee: $0 $89
Aeroplan points: 20k pts with bonus
(21,000 pts total)
20k + 1k on min. spend
American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card
American Express Business Gold Rewards Card
Card: no business required
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
Rewards: ≈ $713
Card fee: $199
Aeroplan points: 47,500 pts
+ simpler
min. spend structure
American Express® Green Card
American Express Green Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $1k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)
Rewards: ≈ $165
Card fee: $0
Aeroplan points: 11,000 pts
+ no fees
but way less value
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.
Best credit cards for
Aeroplan points		 WELCOME BONUS
(Flytrippers VALUATION)		 Aeroplan
points
NEW
 TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $12k in 12 mos. (incl. $7.5k in 180 days)†
Rewards: ≈ $791
Annual fee: $0 $139
50k pts with bonus
(62,000 pts total)
50k + 12k on min. spend
ends January 6th
American Express Aeroplan Card
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. + $1k
Rewards: ≈ $540
Card fee: $120
44,000 pts
+ a free bag
on Air Canada
American Express Gold Rewards Card
American Express® Gold Rewards Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $1k/month for 12 months
Rewards: ≈ $1180
Card fee: $250
72,000 pts
+ 4 lounges
and $100 travel credit
Platinum Card from American Express
Platinum Card® from American Express
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 3 months
Rewards: ≈ $1600
Card fee: $799
80,000 pts
+ unlimited PP lounges
and $200 travel credit
American Express Cobalt Card
American Express Cobalt® Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $750/month for 12 months
Rewards: ≈ $900
Card fee: $156
60,000 pts
+ 5X the points
best card in Canada
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
Rewards: ≈ $1041
Card fee: $599
69,375 pts
+ unlimited AC lounges
& other AC benefits
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $24k in 12 mos. (or $12k for lower bonus)
Rewards: ≈ $1051
Annual fee: $599
80k pts with bonus
(110,000 pts total)
80k + 30k on min. spend
ends January 6th
TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Platinum Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $1k in 3 months
Rewards: ≈ $315
Annual fee: $0 $89
20k pts with bonus
(21,000 pts total)
20k + 1k on min. spend
ends January 6th
American Express Business Gold Rewards Card
American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card
Card: no business required
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
Rewards: ≈ $713
Card fee: $199
47,500 pts
+ simpler
min. spend structure
American Express Green Card
American Express® Green Card
Min. income (card):
Min. spend (bonus): $1k in 3 mos.
Rewards: ≈ $165
Card fee: $0
11,000 pts
+ no fees
but way less value
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

We’ll have a lot more Aeroplan content in the next few weeks.

In the meantime, that bonus of 2,500 points can represent a decent return on a flight with a low price. It’s a bonus that gives you a fixed amount of points, as is often the case: it’s 2,500 bonus points whether your flight costs $173 or $1730. 

So logically, like with all bonuses that give you a fixed amount, it can be maximized by booking the least expensive ticket. 

The basic premise of maximizing travel rewards is really to get the most rewards for the least amount of spend (and then get the most travel with the least amount of rewards).

So I’ll just reuse the $173 ticket from the example above: getting 2,500 points (≈ $38) gives you ≈ 22% back ($38 on $173).

And as always, those rewards are on top of all the rewards you should always earn:

  • With your credit card
    • ≈ 10%+ if you’re unlocking a welcome bonus (as you always should do if you’re a pro)
  • With the Aeroplan program directly
    • ≈ 2% with the regular earn rate (the 2,500 bonus is in addition to the base earn rate)

But if you get 2,500 points on a flight that cost $1730 instead of $173… of course, that’s a pretty insignificant return. Again, learning to do the math is literally 1 of the 6 most important things in the world of travel rewards!

 

Learning how to travel for less

Join over 100,000 savvy Canadian travelers who already receive Flytrippers’ free newsletter so we can help you travel for less (and keep you updated on all things travel)! 

Sign up for our free newsletter

 

Summary

Air Canada has a special sale after narrowly averting a complete shutdown due to their pilot’s strike threat. They offer 25% off select base fares on all destinations and 2,500 bonus Aeroplan points (≈ $38), but it’s a very short sale, and you need to book by the end of the day on September 18. However, as with most formal airline sales, it is not really worth it unless you were already planning to buy a flight.

 

What would you like to know about the Air Canada flight sale? Tell us in the comments below.

 

See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights

Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards

Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration

Learn pro tricks: Travel tips

 

Featured image: Bacalar, Mexico (photo credit: Unsplash+)

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Andrew D'Amours

Andrew is the co-founder of Flytrippers. He is passionate about traveling the world but also, as a former management consultant, about the travel industry itself. He shares his experiences to help you save money on travel. As a very cost-conscious traveler, he loves finding deals and getting free travel thanks to travel rewards points... to help him visit every country in the world (current count: 71/193 Countries, 47/50 US States & 9/10 Canadian Provinces).

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