Aeroplan at a glance: Free to join. Earn 1–1.5 pts/$1 with a credit card, 1 pt/$4 at LCBO.
Point value: ~1.4¢ (economy), 2–5¢+ (business class on partners).
Base return without card: <1%. With effort: $100–$400+/year.
Best redemption: Long-haul partner airline flights. Worst: Gift cards at ~0.7¢/pt.
Last updated: May 2026 — verified against official program terms
What Is Aeroplan?
Aeroplan is Air Canada's loyalty program and Canada's largest travel rewards currency — earn points on flights, at everyday partners, and through co-branded credit cards from TD, CIBC, and American Express. Redeem for flights on Air Canada or 45+ partner airlines at 1.4 to 2+ cents per point. Without a credit card, the everyday earning is thin. With one, Aeroplan becomes one of the best travel programs in North America.
Is Aeroplan Worth It?
Without effort: Earn at LCBO, Starbucks, and Uber without a credit card → maybe 1,000–2,000 points/year → $15–$30 value
With the 3 moves: Use an Aeroplan credit card for daily spending + shop through the online portal for bonus points → realistically $100–$400+/year depending on spend, more if you redeem for premium flights
Recent changes: As of January 2026, Air Canada switched to revenue-based earning on flights — 1 point per $1 spent on base fare instead of by distance. A new Star Alliance partner award chart takes effect June 1, 2026 — many premium-cabin partner redemptions (transatlantic and trans-Pacific business and first) go up; a few short-haul bands come down. Existing bookings are unaffected. Points expiry remains suspended until November 30, 2026.
How Does Aeroplan Work?
Where it works: Air Canada + 45+ partner airlines, plus LCBO, Starbucks, Uber/Uber Eats, Journie gas stations (Ultramar, Pioneer, Chevron), and 200+ online stores through the Aeroplan eStore.
What you earn: Varies by source. 1 point per $4 at LCBO, 1 point per $1 on Air Canada flights, 1–10+ points per $1 at eStore retailers. Credit cards earn 1–1.5 points per $1 on everything you buy.
How you get it back: Redeem for flights on Air Canada or partner airlines. One point is worth roughly 1.4 cents when used for economy flights, and 2–5+ cents for business or first class on partner airlines.
What it costs: Free to join. Credit cards range from no annual fee (CIBC Aeroplan Visa) to $599/year for premium cards.
How to sign up: Create a free account at the Air Canada website or app in 2 minutes. Your Aeroplan number is your membership — no physical card mailed. You can scan your digital loyalty card into SuperCards via screenshot after registration.
Member perks: Free texting over Wi-Fi on Air Canada flights. Elite status tiers (25K through Super Elite) unlock lounge access, upgrades, and priority boarding.
Good to know: For the eStore, you must click through the portal before shopping — don't pre-load your cart. Disable ad blockers or points may not track. Points from online purchases take up to 30 days to appear.
How to Get the Most From Aeroplan
1. Always shop through the eStore for online purchases
Before buying anything online, check if the retailer is in the Aeroplan eStore — Amazon, Apple, lululemon, Sephora, Hudson's Bay, and 200+ others are there. Click through the portal, then shop normally. You'll earn 1–10+ bonus points per $1 on top of any credit card points. During seasonal promotions (Black Friday, Prime Day), rates jump to 10x at major retailers. This is the single easiest way to accumulate meaningful points without changing your habits.
2. Redeem for flights, not merchandise
One Aeroplan point is worth roughly 1.4 cents on flights but only about 0.7 cents on gift cards or merchandise — that's half the value. For the best return, save your points for flights. Even better: book partner airlines (like Swiss, ANA, or Turkish Airlines) which still use a fixed award chart, giving you predictable pricing instead of Air Canada's dynamic rates.
3. Earn at everyday partners you already use
Show your Aeroplan number at LCBO (1 point per $4), link your account to Uber for points on rides and Uber Eats orders over $40, and load your Starbucks card for bonus points. None of this requires a credit card — just your free Aeroplan membership. The points add up quietly in the background. Keep your Aeroplan rewards card in SuperCards so it's always one tap away at the checkout.
How to Redeem Aeroplan Points
Long-haul flights on partner airlines — Business class on carriers like ANA, Swiss, or EVA Air still yields some of the best value in the program, though the June 1, 2026 chart update raises the rates on several premium-cabin sweet spots. Expect roughly 2–4 cents per point now, with the exact math depending on the route and band.
Economy flights on Air Canada — Roughly 1.2–1.5 cents per point. Solid value, though dynamic pricing means costs vary.
Statement credits via credit card — Some Aeroplan credit cards let you apply points against travel purchases at about 1 cent per point. Convenient but lower value.
There's a way to visit two cities for nearly the price of one — see Pro Tips below.
Gift cards and merchandise — About 0.7 cents per point. You're leaving half your value on the table.
Aeroplan — What to Watch Out For
- Dynamic pricing means fluctuating costs. The same Air Canada flight might cost 25,000 points one day and 45,000 the next. Partner airlines on the fixed chart are more predictable.
- Taxes and fees still apply on award flights. Some routes (especially via London Heathrow) carry $500–$700+ in fees on top of your "free" flight.
- Points expiry resumes December 2026. The current freeze ends November 30, 2026. After that, 18 months of zero activity = points gone. Holding any Aeroplan credit card prevents this entirely.
- $39 booking fee per ticket on partner airlines. Adds up for a family.
When to Skip Aeroplan
- You never fly and don't plan to. Points lose half their value on gift cards. A flat 2% cashback card would serve you better.
- Your grocery spending is your priority. PC Optimum (3–4.5% back at Loblaw/Shoppers) and Scene+ (at Sobeys/Safeway) deliver more value on groceries than Aeroplan can.
- You spend under $500/month total. At that level, you'd earn roughly 7,000 points/year with the mid-tier card — barely enough for a short-haul domestic flight. The effort may not be worth it.
Aeroplan Pro Tips
Aeroplan Quick Reference
| Cost | Free (credit cards $0–$599/year) |
| Earn rate | 1–1.5 pts/$1 (credit card), 1 pt/$1 (AC flights), 1 pt/$4 (LCBO) |
| Point value | ~1.4 cents (economy flights), 2–5+ cents (premium flights) |
| Effective return | 1.4–2.1% (credit card + flights), <1% (without card) |
| Points expire | 18 months inactivity (suspended until Nov 30, 2026) |
| Best redemption | Long-haul partner airline flights (business class) |
| Website | aircanada.com/aeroplan |
As of May 2026
