18 good redemptions for Aeroplan points

Aeroplan points are the favorite currency of travel rewards enthusiasts because they can give outsized value and unlimited value! All travelers should have some because they can also be redeemed in a more simple way. And there are so many crazy deals to get points easily right now!

So we’ll look at 18 good redemptions for Aeroplan points (plus a bonus one at the beginning), which are sometimes called program sweet spots, to give you concrete examples. This is while you await more content, tips, and guides on all the major rewards programs — including Aeroplan — very soon this fall.

Our free webinar on the Aeroplan program is also available on demand!

Basics of earning Aeroplan points

As with all good rewards programs, it’s obviously with credit cards that you’ll earn lots of Aeroplan points.

More specifically with credit card welcome bonuses obviously (if you don’t know that, read the basics of travel rewards).

Best credit cards for Aeroplan points		WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	Aeroplan points
NEW	TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card Card: $60k minimum income requiredMinimum personal income of $60,000 or minimum household income of $100,000 Bonus: spend $7.5k in 12 mos.	≈ $780Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $5k min. spend): 25,000 pts (≈ $375) Earn on $5k min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Anniversary bonus (after another $2.5k in spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on another $2.5k in spend: 3,750 pts (≈ $56) Card fee (year 1): first year free(-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139) Also offered but not included in Valuation Credit: for NEXUS ($100) Rewards: ≈ $780 Card fee: $0 $139	61,250 pts + free bag on AC $5k spend option also available	SEE MORE ends January 3rd
	American Express® Aeroplan®* Card Card: $0 minimum income requiredNo minimum income required. Bonus: spend $1k/mo for 10 mos.	≈ $510Flytrippers Valuation Monthly bonuses (6 mos.): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on min. spend: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$120) Renewal bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$120) Rewards: ≈ $630 Card fee: $120	50,000 pts + a free bag on Air Canada	SEE MORE
	American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card Card: $0 minimum income requiredNo minimum income required. Bonus: spend $2k/mo for 6 mos.	≈ $301Flytrippers Valuation Monthly bonuses (6 mos.): 45,000 pts (≈ $675) Earn on min. spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Renewal bonus also offered (not included in Flytrippers Valuation) Bonuses for adding additional cards also offered (not included in Flytrippers Valuation) Rewards: ≈ $900 Card fee: $599	60,000 pts + unlimited AC lounges & other AC benefits	SEE MORE
NEW	TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card Card: $150k minimum income requiredMinimum personal income of $150,000 or minimum household income of $200,000 Bonus: spend $12k in 12 mos.	≈ $550Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after $7.5k min. spend): 50,000 pts (≈ $750) Earn on 7.5k min. spend: 10,313 pts (≈ $155) Anniversary bonus (after another $4.5k in spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on another 4.5k in spend: 6,188 pts (≈ $93) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation Credit: for NEXUS ($100) Rewards: ≈ $1149 Card fee: $599	116,501 pts + unlimited AC lounges 6 DP lounges & AC benefits	SEE MORE ends January 3rd
	American Express Cobalt® Card Card: $0 minimum income requiredNo minimum income required. Bonus: spend $500/mo for 12 mos.	≈ $744Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on min. spend: 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Card fee: deducted (-$156) Rewards: ≈ $900 Card fee: $156	60,000 pts + 5X the points best card in Canada	SEE MORE
	American Express® Gold Rewards Card Card: $0 minimum income requiredNo minimum income required. Bonus: spend $1k/mo for 12 mos.	≈ $930Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 12,000 pts (≈ $180) Annual credit: can be cashed out ($100) Card fee: deducted (-$250) Also offered but not included in Valuation: NEXUS credit ($50) Rewards: ≈ $1180 Card fee: $250	72,000 pts + 4 lounges and $100 travel credit	SEE MORE
NEW	Platinum Card® from American Express Card: $0 minimum income requiredNo minimum income required. Bonus: spend $10k in 3 mos.	≈ $801Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 70,000 pts (≈ $1050) Earn on min. spend: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Annual travel credit: can be cashed out ($200) Dining credit (2023): $200 total conservatively-valued (≈ $100) Dining credit (2024): $200 total conservatively-valued (≈ $100) Card fee: deducted (-$799) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Also offered but not included in Valuation: NEXUS credit ($100) Rewards: ≈ $1600 Card fee: $799	80,000 pts + unlimited PP lounges and $200 travel credit	SEE MORE
	TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Platinum Card Card: $0 minimum income requiredNo minimum income required. Bonus: spend $1k in 3 mos.	≈ $315Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after min. spend): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee: 1st year free (-$0) Rewards: ≈ $315 Card fee: $0 $89	21,000 pts + low min. spend & lower fee	SEE MORE ends March 4th
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
NEW TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Card: $60k minimum income requiredMinimum personal income of $60,000 or minimum household income of $100,000
Bonus: spend $7.5k in 12 mos.
WELCOME BONUS	SEE MORE ends January 3rd
≈ $780Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $5k min. spend): 25,000 pts (≈ $375) Earn on $5k min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Anniversary bonus (after another $2.5k in spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on another $2.5k in spend: 3,750 pts (≈ $56) Card fee (year 1): first year free(-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139) Also offered but not included in Valuation Credit: for NEXUS ($100)
Rewards: ≈ $780
Card fee: $0 $139
Aeroplan points: 61,250 pts + free bag on AC $5k spend option also available
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
Card: $0 minimum income requiredNo minimum income required.
Bonus: spend $1k/mo for 10 mos.
WELCOME BONUS	SEE MORE
≈ $510Flytrippers Valuation Monthly bonuses (6 mos.): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on min. spend: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$120) Renewal bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$120)
Rewards: ≈ $630
Card fee: $120
Aeroplan points: 50,000 pts + a free bag on Air Canada
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
Card: $0 minimum income requiredNo minimum income required.
Bonus: spend $2k/mo for 6 mos.
WELCOME BONUS	SEE MORE
≈ $301Flytrippers Valuation Monthly bonuses (6 mos.): 45,000 pts (≈ $675) Earn on min. spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Renewal bonus also offered (not included in Flytrippers Valuation) Bonuses for adding additional cards also offered (not included in Flytrippers Valuation)
Rewards: ≈ $900
Card fee: $599
Aeroplan points: 60,000 pts + unlimited AC lounges & other AC benefits
NEW TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card
Card: $150k minimum income requiredMinimum personal income of $150,000 or minimum household income of $200,000
Bonus: spend $12k in 12 mos.
WELCOME BONUS	SEE MORE ends January 3rd
≈ $550Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after $7.5k min. spend): 50,000 pts (≈ $750) Earn on 7.5k min. spend: 10,313 pts (≈ $155) Anniversary bonus (after another $4.5k in spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on another 4.5k in spend: 6,188 pts (≈ $93) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation Credit: for NEXUS ($100)
Rewards: ≈ $1149
Card fee: $599
Aeroplan points: 116,501 pts + unlimited AC lounges 6 DP lounges & AC benefits
American Express Cobalt® Card
Card: $0 minimum income requiredNo minimum income required.
Bonus: spend $500/mo for 12 mos.
WELCOME BONUS	SEE MORE
≈ $744Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on min. spend: 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Card fee: deducted (-$156)
Rewards: ≈ $900
Card fee: $156
Aeroplan points: 60,000 pts + 5X the points best card in Canada
American Express® Gold Rewards Card
Card: $0 minimum income requiredNo minimum income required.
Bonus: spend $1k/mo for 12 mos.
WELCOME BONUS	SEE MORE
≈ $930Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 12,000 pts (≈ $180) Annual credit: can be cashed out ($100) Card fee: deducted (-$250) Also offered but not included in Valuation: NEXUS credit ($50)
Rewards: ≈ $1180
Card fee: $250
Aeroplan points: 72,000 pts + 4 lounges and $100 travel credit
NEW Platinum Card® from American Express
Card: $0 minimum income requiredNo minimum income required.
Bonus: spend $10k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS	SEE MORE
≈ $801Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 70,000 pts (≈ $1050) Earn on min. spend: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Annual travel credit: can be cashed out ($200) Dining credit (2023): $200 total conservatively-valued (≈ $100) Dining credit (2024): $200 total conservatively-valued (≈ $100) Card fee: deducted (-$799) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Also offered but not included in Valuation: NEXUS credit ($100)
Rewards: ≈ $1600
Card fee: $799
Aeroplan points: 80,000 pts + unlimited PP lounges and $200 travel credit
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Platinum Card
Card: $0 minimum income requiredNo minimum income required.
Bonus: spend $1k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS	SEE MORE ends March 4th
≈ $315Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after min. spend): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee: 1st year free (-$0)
Rewards: ≈ $315
Card fee: $0 $89
Aeroplan points: 21,000 pts + low min. spend & lower fee
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.

Right now, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card has an increased offer that is the best Aeroplan welcome bonus ever seen in Canada (except on premium cards that often give more of course).

It ends September 5th, 2023! It’ll give you 81,250 Aeroplan points very easily.

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
	Flytrippers Valuation of Welcome bonus (net value)	APPLY NOW >
	≈ $ 780Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $5k min. spend): 25,000 pts (≈ $375) Earn on $5k min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Anniversary bonus (after another $2.5k in spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on another $2.5k in spend: 3,750 pts (≈ $56) Card fee (year 1): first year free(-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139) Also offered but not included in Valuation Credit: for NEXUS ($100) Rewards: ≈ $780* Card fee: $0 $139	ends January 3rd min. income: $60k (or $100k household)
	spend $7,500 in 12 months	LEARN MORE
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. TD is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "Apply Now" to see most up-to-date information.

TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
	Flytrippers Valuation of Welcome bonus (net value)
	≈ $ 780Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $5k min. spend): 25,000 pts (≈ $375) Earn on $5k min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Anniversary bonus (after another $2.5k in spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on another $2.5k in spend: 3,750 pts (≈ $56) Card fee (year 1): first year free(-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139) Also offered but not included in Valuation Credit: for NEXUS ($100)
minimum income required: $60k (or $100k household) ends January 3rd	Rewards: ≈ $780* Card fee: $0 $139 spend $7,500 in 12 months
APPLY NOW >
LEARN MORE
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. TD is not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "Apply Now" to see most up-to-date information.

The American Express Aeroplan Card and the American Express Cobalt Card are the best alternatives for those who don’t have the minimum income required. They still five you a lot of Aeroplan points too! Also, the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card and the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card are the premium versions that give you plenty of benefits, like unlimited access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf airport lounges in North America (with tickets on Air Canada or Star Alliance partners only).

Basics of redeeming Aeroplan points

Whatever the rewards program, there are 2 types of redemptions:

• More simple redemptions
• More valuable redemptions

You can read the basics about the 2 types of reward that exist for more details.

With Aeroplan points, your only options are more valuable redemptions (if you want to be able to choose both types, get American Express points that are transferable to Aeroplan and also offer more simple redemptions).

Aeroplan has 2 main options of more valuable redemptions:

• More valuable redemptions
  • Variable value (and unlimited value)
  • For specific flights on partner airlines
    • Prices are fixed
    • Seats are limited
    • Value is unlimited
    • Value of ≈ 1.5¢ per Aeroplan point
  • For any flight on Air Canada
    • Prices are not fixed
    • Seats are not limited
    • Value is not unlimited
    • Value of ≈ 1.1¢ per Aeroplan point

Aeroplan points are great for some specific flights in economy class and all flights in business class.

Redemptions on the 40+ partner airlines are the most interesting because the amount of points required never changes, no matter the price in cash. Those seats are obviously limited, that’s what allows for unlimited value. This option is by far the best if you want to maximize the value of your points and want to be more flexible. Sometimes flights on Air Canada are at the same price as on partners too.

Redemptions on Air Canada allow you to book any seat on any flight. That’s a lot more flexible, so necessarily it often gives you less value. When seats aren’t limited, prices can’t be fixed and so the value can’t be unlimited. But it’s simple.

Of course, as with all rewards programs, you should never redeem your Aeroplan points for anything other than travel, so I won’t even mention these terrible options in an article about good redemptions.

18 good redemptions for Aeroplan points

For every concrete example, I indicated the fixed amount of points required for flights on partner airlines obviously. The price can sometimes be the same on Air Canada, but seats at that price are limited on Air Canada too.

I have 10 examples of good redemptions of Aeroplan points from Canada (#1 to #9 and #18). 

I have 8 examples of good redemptions of Aeroplan points around the world (from #10 to #17) because these points can be very valuable to travel around once you’re at your destination (for example if you got there with a cheap deal). Aeroplan points are amazing for great travelers who want to travel more (and discover more places).

And these are just a tiny fraction of the possibilities! You can mix and match all these examples as you wish, since airline points like Aeroplan really are fully customizable! 

Good Aeroplan use #0 (bonus): Flights with stopovers

Flytrippers loves to give you bonuses and this time I’m listing it at the beginning!

A great feature of the new Aeroplan program allows you to add a stopover for only 5,000 points! Even on a one-way ticket. And as many as you want! 

With a 5,000 points stopover, you can visit 2 incredible destinations of your choice for almost the same price as one. It’s a great value for avid travelers once again, those who want to experience as many places as possible. Because 2 destinations are often better than just 1!

Stopovers are only available outside of Canada and the United States, however. 

Good Aeroplan use #1: Short-distance flights within North America

• Price (one-way): 6,000 points
• Distance: 0-500 miles
• Examples:
  • Montréal–Washington
  • Montréal–New York City
  • Montréal–Boston
  • Montréal–Philadelphia
  • Toronto–Chicago
  • Toronto–New York City
  • Toronto–Boston
  • Vancouver–Portland
  • Calgary–Seattle

Perfect for weekend getaways to amazing cities (long weekend getaways are ideal for those who say time is the biggest obstacle to traveling more, not money).

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $350
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $100
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $250
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 12,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 2¢

Good Aeroplan use #2: Medium-distance flights within North America

• Price (one-way): 10,000 points
• Distance: 500-1,500 miles
• Examples:
  • Montréal–Miami
  • Montréal–Nashville
  • Montréal–New Orleans
  • Montréal–Chicago
  • Toronto–Miami
  • Toronto–New Orleans
  • Vancouver–Los Angeles
  • Calgary–Las Vegas

It covers a good part of eastern North America from Montréal and Toronto, including Florida, beloved by many Canadians. It covers popular destinations like California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah from the Vancouver and Calgary/Edmonton. This gives you a lot of incredible destination options!

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $400
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $100
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $300
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 20,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 1.5¢

Good Aeroplan use #3: Long-distance flights within North America

• Price (one-way): 12,500 points
• Distance: 0-2,750 miles
• Examples:
  • Montréal–Costa Rica
  • Montréal–Mexico
  • Montréal–Nicaragua
  • Montréal–Jamaica
  • Toronto–Costa Rica
  • Vancouver–Cabo

Lots of possibilities for exotic “sunny” destinations with longer flights. It covers almost all of Central America from Toronto and Montréal.

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $525
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $150
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $375
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 25,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 1.5¢

Good use of Aeroplan #4: Flights to Western Europe or Morocco from Eastern Canada

• Price (one-way): 35,000 points
• Distance: 0-4,000 miles
• Examples:
  • Vancouver–Tokyo
  • Montréal–Madrid
  • Montréal–Nice
  • Montréal–Zurich
  • Montréal–Marrakech
  • Toronto–Lisbon

Vancouver to Tokyo is an amazing sweet spot. Since flights to Europe have become very affordable if you’re flexible (often around $500 roundtrip on our deals page), it’s not often a great way to redeem points for that. But many travelers still pay $1,200 to go to Europe, sadly…

I included Morocco to show you how sweet spots can come to be: it’s often considered more exotic since it’s in Africa, but since Aeroplan puts Morocco in the Atlantic zone and it’s closer to us than almost all European countries, it costs fewer points!

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $1,200
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $150
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $1,050
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 70,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 1.5¢

Good use of Aeroplan #5: Business class flights across the ocean

• Price (one-way): 60,000 points
• Distance: 0-4,000 miles
• Examples:
  • Vancouver–Tokyo
  • Toronto–Brussels
  • Toronto–Lisbon
  • Montréal–Madrid
  • Montréal–Nice
  • Montréal–Zurich
  • Montréal–Milan

If you’re interested in business class flights (more quality, less quantity), you’ll get even more value. Aeroplan points are the go-to currency for fans of premium cabin travel. It’s expensive, so never pay with cash! It doesn’t make sense; get Aeroplan points and fast!

If you want to take advantage of cheap roundtrips to Vancouver to position yourself there, one-way tickets from there to Tokyo are only 55,000 points one-way in business class if you prefer going to Asia.

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $2,750
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $250
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $2,500
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 120,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 2.1¢

Good use of Aeroplan #6: Flights to northern South America

• Price (one-way): 30,000 points
• Distance: 0-4,500 miles
• Examples:
  • Toronto–Lima
  • Montréal–Galápagos
  • Montréal–Lima
  • Montréal–Cartagena
  • Montréal–Manaus
  • Vancouver–Quito

This use of Aeroplan gives you many options in the northern part of the South American continent. Some of these destinations can be super expensive with cash, especially the exotic Galápagos Islands.

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $1,100
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $200
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $900
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 60,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 1.5¢

Good use of Aeroplan #7: Flights to southern South America

• Price (one-way): 40,000 points
• Distance: 4,500+ miles
• Examples:
  • Toronto–Argentina
  • Toronto–Chile
  • Toronto–Uruguay
  • Montreal–Argentina
  • Montreal–Chile
  • Montreal–Uruguay
  • Vancouver–Chile
  • Calgary–Argentina

For a few more points, you can actually go anywhere on the South American continent, including many destinations that are very rarely (or never) discounted in cash.

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $1,400
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $200
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $1,200
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 80,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 1.5¢

Good use of Aeroplan #8: Flights to Asia or the Pacific

• Price (one-way): 60,000 points
• Distance: 7,501-11,000 miles
• Examples:
  • Toronto–Australia
  • Montréal–Australia
  • Montréal–Indonesia
  • Montréal–Thailand
  • Montréal–New Zealand
  • Montréal–Bali
  • Vancouver–Australia
  • Calgary–New Zealand

Want to go very far? With 60,000 points, you have a one-way ticket to almost anywhere in the world. However, this is not necessarily the best use in terms of value. But certain destinations and dates are very expensive sometimes, especially right now.

And you can do 2 destinations in Southeast Asia or Southeast Asia AND Australia with a stopover, so it makes this a little more interesting!

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $2,100
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $200
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $2,400
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 120,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 1.5¢

Good use of Aeroplan #9: Flights to Northern Canada

• Price (one-way): 10,000 points
• Distance: 50-1,500 miles
• Examples:
  • Montréal–Kuujjuaq
  • Ottawa–Iqaluit
  • Edmonton–Yellowknife

This one is a bit niche, but it’s really interesting. In terms of value per point, hard to do better than this (in economy class at least). Some folks pay a LOT of money for their flights to unique destinations in Northern Canada… but all routes operated by Canadian North are available at amazingly low prices with Aeroplan.

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $1,150
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $150
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $1,000
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 20,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 5¢

Good Aeroplan use #10: Short-distance flights around Asia

• Price (one-way): 8,000 points
• Distance: 0-1,000 miles
• Examples:
  • Chiang Mai–Krabi
  • Bangkok–Singapore
  • Tokyo–Okinawa
  • Hong Kong–Taipei

If you grab one of our cheap flight deals to Asia (like Japan for $500 roundtrip or Southeast Asia for a bit more), you can save a lot of money once you get there with an impressive number of options.

These are flights around partner airlines’ hubs in Asia: ANA in Japan, EVA Air in Taiwan, Air China in China, Thai Airways in Thailand, Singapore Airlines in Singapore, Asiana in South Korea, and Vistara and Air India in India.

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $350
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $100
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $250
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 16,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 1.6¢

Good Aeroplan use #11: Short-distance flights around Central America or Mexico

• Price (one-way): 6,000 points
• Distance: 0-500 miles
• Examples:
  • Guatemala–Nicaragua
  • Costa Rica–Panama
  • El Salvador–Honduras
  • Cancun–Mexico City

If you grab one of our cheap flight deals to Central America (often $350 roundtrip), you can move around for a great price with Aeroplan if you want to avoid the infamous long bus rides across land borders. It’s also a great place to add a stopover as I did in January.

These are flights around partner airlines’ hubs in Central America and Mexico: Copa in Panama City, Avianca in most capital cities, and Aeromar throughout Mexico.

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $400
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $200
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $200
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 12,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 1.7¢

Good Aeroplan use #12: Short-distance flights around South America

• Price (one-way): 15,000 points
• Distance: 1+ miles
• Examples:
  • Argentina–Colombia
  • Brazil–Galápagos
  • Chile–Peru
  • Bolivia–Brazil

This is an excellent sweet spot if you make your way to South America with our deals (we often spot Brazil for $500 roundtrip or Colombia for $400). Every one-way flight within the continent costs the same low amount of points, an amazing value especially since many of those flights are expensive in cash. It’s another great spot to add a stopover too.

These are flights around partner airlines’ hubs in South America: Avianca in most capital cities, and Gol and Azul in Brazil.

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $600
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $150
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $450
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 30,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 1.5¢

Good Aeroplan use #13: Short-distance flights around the Middle East

• Price (one-way): 7,500 points
• Distance: 0-1,000 miles
• Examples:
  • Tel Aviv–Cairo
  • Istanbul–Tbilisi
  • Muscat–Dubai
  • Cairo–Amman

If you’re interested in visiting Turkey or Egypt (2 of the most affordable countries to travel to), you can also get many flights there (although domestic flights in Turkey are pretty cheap — I’ve bought many $50 flights on my 5 trips there). You have many options in Gulf countries as well.

These are flights around partner airlines’ hubs in the Middle East and Northern Africa: Turkish in Istanbul, Egyptair in Cairo, Etihad in Abu Dhabi, Oman Air in Muscat, and Gulf Air in Bahrain.

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $450
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $150
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $300
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 15,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 2¢

Good Aeroplan use #14: Short-distance flights around Africa

• Price (one-way): 7,500 points
• Distance: 0-1,000 miles
• Examples:
  • Ethiopia–Kenya
  • Mauritius–Madagascar
  • Zambia–Zimbabwe
  • Johannesburg–Durban

Africa is an underrated continent and flights in some parts can be very expensive in cash, which means you can get a lot of value with your points, despite the relatively small number of partners in such a large region.

These are flights around partner airlines’ hubs in the rest of Africa: South African Airways in South Africa and Ethiopian Airlines in Addis Ababa (they also have many “5th freedom” flights — routes that serve 2 cities that are not in the airline’s home country).

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $500
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $150
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $350
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 15,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 2.3¢

Good Aeroplan use #15: Short-distance flights around Australia or New Zeland

• Price (one-way): 8,000 points
• Distance: 0-1,000 miles
• Examples:
  • Auckland–Christchurch
  • Dunedin–Wellington
  • Melbourne–Gold Coast
  • Sydney–Tasmania

If you’re going to Australia or New Zealand, you can fly cheaply around there with Aeroplan, as I might do in November. Like many other places on this list, it’s especially great on peak dates or other times when the cash price is high.

These are flights around partner airlines’ hubs in Oceania: Air New Zealand in New Zealand and Virgin Australia in Australia.

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $350
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $100
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $250
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 16,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 1.6¢

Good Aeroplan use #16: Short-distance flights within Oceania

• Price (one-way): 12,500 points
• Distance: 1,001-2,000 miles
• Examples:
  • Auckland–Fiji
  • Auckland–New Caledonia
  • Auckland–Samoa
  • Brisbane–Vanuatu

Here’s an even better value if you’re in Australia or New Zealand: if you want to explore the exotic Pacific islands, the cash price is often super expensive. But with Aeroplan, you can make your way there at a decent price.

These are again flights on partner airlines in Oceania: Air New Zealand in New Zealand and Virgin Australia in Australia.

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $600
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $200
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $400
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 25,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 1.6¢

Good Aeroplan use #17: Short-distance flights around Europe

• Price (one-way): 8,000 points
• Distance: 0-1,000 miles
• Examples:
  • Rome–Dubrovnik
  • Munich–Athens
  • Lisbon–Marrakech
  • Warsaw–Oslo

While flights are very cheap in Europe if you’re flexible (like $9 cheap), they can be more expensive if you want more comfort, if you want more schedule options, if you aren’t flexible on your dates at all, or if you’re not well prepared either.

These are flights around partner airlines’ hubs in Europe: TAP Air Portugal in Lisbon, Brussels Airlines in Brussels, Lufthansa and Eurowings in Germany, SWISS in Zurich, Austrian in Vienna, Air Dolomiti in Italy, LOT Polish in Poland, Croatia Airlines in Zagreb, Air Serbia in Belgrade, Aegean and Olympic in Greece, as well as Scandinavian (SAS) in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. 

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $350
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $100
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $250
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 16,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 1.6¢

Good Aeroplan use #18: Mini-Round The World

• Price (total): 130,000 points (or 180,000 in business class with lie-flat seats)
• Distance: 0-11,000 miles per direction
• Examples: Montréal–Greece–Thailand–Japan–Montreal

The Mini-RTW was the old Aeroplan program’s holy grail, and it’s still possible to get an epic trip with the new rules. How about visiting Greece, Thailand, and Japan on the same trip, and going literally all around the world?

However, that requires 130,000 points so one welcome bonus alone won’t be enough. But you can simply earn more points with future cards afterwards! It’s really easy!

In fact, for just 180,000 points, you could even go on that epic journey in lie-flat business class seats if you prefer.

Here’s the type of itinerary you could get, which consists of 2 one-ways that cost 60,000 points and then 2 stopovers that cost 5,000 points each. This will allow you to visit 3 amazing destinations.

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip in economy class):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $2,500
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $300
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $2,200
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 130,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 1.7¢

Example of Aeroplan’s value (1 roundtrip in business class):

• Normal cash price for tickets: ≈ $10,000
• Taxes to pay with Aeroplan: ≈ $400
• Savings with Aeroplan: ≈ $9,600
• Amount of Aeroplan points: 180,000
• Value per Aeroplan point: ≈ 5.3¢

Introduction to how Aeroplan points work

Aeroplan points are rewards that are more valuable, rather than rewards that are more simple. These are the only 2 existing types of rewards, and like everything else in the travel world: the more simple it is, the less valuable it is.

So our conservative Flytrippers Valuation is ≈ 1.5¢ per Aeroplan point, but it can be a lot more than that (so the value of the already incredibly high welcome bonuses could be even higher)!

It can also be less! It varies, these are rewards with a variable value. That’s why Aeroplan points can have an outsized value and an unlimited value. Because their value — how much you save with points — depends on how you redeem them. 

More specifically, it depends on the redemption you choose and the price in cash for that flight.

You have to be a little more flexible, but it can be so much more valuable. Especially for those who usually buy expensive airline tickets, at their “regular” price.

Here’s what’s absolutely vital to understand about Aeroplan points:

• Sometimes it’s a good points redemption, sometimes it isn’t
  • It depends on the cash price of flights
• There are 2 separate pricing systems with Aeroplan
  • For flights on Air Canada only
    • Unlimited seats, therefore unlimited prices (unpredictable)
      • Absolutely all seats are available
      • But at higher prices
      • Number of points required based on cash price
    • To maximize such usage, you have to find the cheapest dates
    • Less complicated, but also gives you less value
  • For flights on 40+ partner airlines
    • Limited seats, therefore limited prices (guaranteed)
      • Not all seats are available
      • This is what allows for guaranteed prices
      • Number of points required is set by price charts
    • To maximize such usage, you have to find available seats
    • More complicated, but also gives you more value
• In both cases, the same tips for maximizing apply
  • Be flexible (on dates or flights)
  • Book as early as possible
• Price charts determine the number of points required
  • The price is based on the total distance traveled
  • There are different charts for different regions
    • There are charts for flights within the 4 regions
    • There are charts for flights between the 4 regions
• There are taxes to pay, but the important thing is the total
  • Not just the taxes alone, nor just the savings alone
  • The TOTAL: how much you save, even if you have to pay an amount in cash
• Each booking with a partner has a $39 fee
  • So with the same number of points, Air Canada flights are more advantageous
  • But the number of points is often not equal, so it’s often worth it to pay $39
  • It’s $39 per booking, so it’s more advantageous to book roundtrips
• All bookings are easily made on the Air Canada website or app

You can read our introduction to the Aeroplan program while you wait for our more comprehensive ultimate guide.

So finally, for the examples of good redemptions above:

• The examples given are good redemptions if the cash price is “normal”
  • If you can find a cash deal, it’s not a good redemption
• It’s based on the number of points required on partner airlines
  • Because they’re guaranteed prices
  • You can find the same price on Air Canada, it’s just not guaranteed
• These are examples of specific destinations by distance
  • Changing to a nearby city may make it fall in the upper distance band
  • Depending on layovers available to get there, it can also add distance
  • If you are somewhere else, distances are obviously different than the specific examples
• It’s more advantageous from larger airports
  • Because there are more partner airlines
  • Because the cash prices are cheaper in general

Want to get more content to learn about Aeroplan?

Summary

There are many great redemptions for Aeroplan points to get incredible value from your points! You can get over $900 in value with the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card‘s great increased welcome bonus for example. There are plenty of easy Aeroplan points to earn.

What would you like to know about Aeroplan points? Tell us in the comments below.

See the deals we spot: Cheap flights

Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration

Learn pro tricks: Travel tips

Discover free travel: Travel rewards

Featured image: Costa Rica (photo credit: Atanas Malamov)

Share this post to help us help more people travel more for less: