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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Sweet Spot Sunday: Booking low-cost flights to and around Canada with Aeroplan
Featured image by ROBERTO MACHADO NOA/GETTY IMAGES
Andrew Kunesh is TPG's Points & Miles editor. He has been active in the points and miles space since 2014, using them to travel far and wide around the world. He is originally from Chicago but moved to New York City after graduating from DePaul University. His work is featured on Credit Karma, UpgradedPoints, ValuePenguin and various other travel and finance publications. He currently holds Delta Diamond Medallion and Marriott Titanium status, and 20+ credit cards that each have a special place in Andrew's wallet.
October 2, 2022 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Aeroplan points can be used to book affordable flights between the U.S. and Canada, as well as within Canada, often at lower rates than cash fares.
Short-haul routes under 500 miles can be booked for as few as 6,000 points plus taxes and fees one-way, with longer routes requiring more points.
Aeroplan uses dynamic pricing for its own flights, so award rates may vary by route, date and time of booking.
Points can be earned through various transferable rewards programs and by holding certain travel-focused cards.
What to consider
Taxes and fees apply to award bookings, typically around CA$42–CA$47 one-way for short routes.
Award availability and pricing can fluctuate due to dynamic pricing, especially on Air Canada-operated flights.
Some offers and transfer options mentioned may no longer be available, as noted in the article.
What you'll miss from the article
Step-by-step instructions for booking Aeroplan award flights and tips for maximizing point transfers from multiple rewards programs.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Canada is one of my favorite countries to visit — in large part because of how dynamic it is. You can experience European vibes in places like Quebec City and Montreal, or head to Banff National Park to experience Canada’s beautiful wilderness near the U.S. border.
However, despite being so close to home, flights to Canada can be expensive. Even short-haul trips like New York to Montreal can top $300 in economy during peak business- and leisure-travel dates. Plus, flights within Canada can be expensive too, adding cost to a multistop country tour.
One of my favorite ways to save on flights to (and around) Canada is booking with Air Canada Aeroplan points. Under the program, you can book flights for under 10,000 points one-way — depending on when you fly.
Here, I’ll show you how to book these flight deals and how to earn the points you need to book.
Why it’s special
ANDREW KUNESH/THE POINTS GUY Air Canada Aeroplan prices transborder flights from the U.S. to Canada as low as 6,000 points on some routes and dates, according to its award chart.
The program stuck to a standard award chart for partner awards but prices its own flights dynamically. In turn, the price you’ll pay varies based on the route you book, when you fly and the date you book if you’re flying with Air Canada.
AIRCANADA.COM
Flights between 501 and 1,500 miles cost 10,000 Aeroplan points plus taxes and fees in economy on partner airlines, which is still a solid deal compared to the cost of cash flights during peak times. Unlike with British Airways Avios awards, you won’t pay more points for connecting tickets. Sometimes these tickets price slightly below the award chart price if you have a leg operated by Air Canada. AIRCANADA.COM
Aeroplan can also be a great way to book intra-Canada award tickets on Air Canada. These often cost well under 6,000 points one-way, like this Toronto-to-Montreal ticket that costs 5,600 miles and CA$42 ($31) in taxes and fees one-way.
AIRCANADA.COM
Generally speaking, you can consistently find these prices on many transborder and domestic Canadian flights — which can save you notable money on your next vacation. You may pay slightly less on some routes when you book with Etihad Guest — one of Air Canada’s newest partners — but booking with Aeroplan gives you access to United-operated awards from the U.S. and low-cost, dynamically priced awards on Air Canada flights.
Also, you may be eligible for preferred pricing if you have Air Canada elite status or the Aeroplan Credit Card.
You can book these award tickets right on the Air Canada website. Look toward the center of the page, and input your desired itinerary. Make sure to check the “Book with points” option before you search.
AIRCANADA.COM
All available flights will appear at the center of the screen. You can also view the lowest award price for the days surrounding your search at the top of the screen, which is helpful if you have flexible plans.
When you find a flight you like, click on its price and follow the on-screen prompts to book your award ticket.
Air Canada points have become far easier to earn for U.S.-based readers over the last couple of years.
The Aeroplan Credit Card offers new applicants to earn 70,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open. Plus, it includes travel perks like a TSA PreCheck or Nexus membership credit, free checked bags and 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month, up to 1,500 bonus points per month.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card – Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card – Earn 90,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Chase Sapphire Reserve – Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Alternatively, consider opening one of these American Express cards to boost your Membership Rewards balance:
American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months of cardmembership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible restaurant purchases (up to $100) within the first six months of card membership. Earn 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar), 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar), 3 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from airlines, 2 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases ($325 annual fee; see rates and fees).
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the card in your first six months of card membership. Earn 5 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotel bookings with American Express Travel Travel and Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases ($695 annual fee; see rates and fees).
As a general rule of thumb, you should only transfer points once you’ve found the flight you want to book. Otherwise you could be stuck with points you can’t use.
Flights to, from and around Canada can be expensive, but using Aeroplan points to book them can equal big savings on your next trip.
Bookmark this guide and refer to it the next time you need to book a transborder or Canadian domestic flight. Oftentimes, you’ll save points over booking with another loyalty program — plus keep cash in your pocket for other expenses on your trip.
For rates and fees of the Platinum Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
