Aeroplan members can now earn and redeem with Etihad Airways
By far, the benefit I value most about frequent flyer programs is that members can earn and redeem miles for flights not only with the program's own airline, but with partner carriers as well. For Air Canada's Aeroplan, that means flights with all 26 Star Alliance member airlines, along with a small number of non-alliance partners, including limited redemption opportunities with Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon, GOL and Olympic Air.
Following an unintentional tease last year, Aeroplan confirmed a very exciting new partner on Wednesday. Effective immediately, Aeroplan members can earn and redeem miles for Etihad Airways flights, including Etihad's fantastic first-class product, The Apartment. Etihad Guest members can also earn and redeem miles for Air Canada flights, but that aspect of the partnership isn't nearly as valuable.
Earn miles
When Etihad passengers choose to credit their flights to Aeroplan, they'll earn miles based on the distance flown, combined with a multiplier that varies depending on the class of service and booking class. For example, you'll earn 10 times the number of redeemable miles when booking Etihad's flagship 'The Residence' product as you will with a discounted economy ticket.
Note that miles earned with Etihad Airways do not count toward elite status — these are simply redeemable miles, that you can use for travel, merchandise and other awards. You may also do far better crediting miles to a different partner — American's AAdvantage program, for example — so you'll want to shop around before you add a frequent flyer number to your Etihad booking.
Personally, I recommend heading to wheretocredit.com to compare eligible programs — just be sure to confirm that the earning rate is still valid on your selected partner's site. For example, tickets booked in 'The Residence' earn 400% of the distance flown when crediting to AAdvantage, compared with 250% for Aeroplan.
Redeem miles
While Air Canada is planning to make changes to the program later in 2020, long-haul redemptions will likely remain tied to an award chart, hopefully at similar rates. Currently, you can book one-way flights between the continental U.S. or Canada and the Middle East as follows, including connecting flights on Air Canada:
- Economy: 40,000
- Business: 82,500
- First: 115,000
In some cases, you can save by continuing on to another destination. Etihad flies between Abu Dhabi and The Maldives (MLE), for example, and tacking on a flight to paradise will actually deliver some savings in premium cabins:
- Economy: 50,000
- Business: 75,000
- First: 105,000
To book your flight, I find it best to first confirm award availability on Etihad's website, which offers a handy (and responsive) calendar tool. Flights that list "Guest" availability are available to partners, though the mileage amounts you see here apply only to bookings made through Etihad Guest.
Once you've confirmed "Guest" award availability, search for the same flight on Air Canada's website, or give an agent a call at 1-866-689-8080 to book your award. While some routes don't appear via Aeroplan's web tool, note that call center hold times can be extraordinarily long, so you'll be better off booking online if at all possible.
While Aeroplan adds fuel surcharges with some partners, you won't pay any extra fees with Etihad awards, saving you a considerable amount of cash.
Redemption levels are roughly in line with American AAdvantage, which also allows Eithad bookings — for example, for a one-way award between the U.S. and the Middle East via AA's program, you'll redeem 40,000 miles for economy, 70,000 for business and the same 115,000 miles for first class.
Boost your account
While you can earn Aeroplan miles when you credit partner flights, the easiest way to boost your balance is by utilizing transferrable credit card points. Currently, you can transfer points to Aeroplan at the following rates:
- American Express Membership Rewards: 1:1
- Capital One miles: 2:1.5
- Marriott Bonvoy: 3:1 (with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred)
Amex and Capital One transfers are completed instantly — generally, transfers cannot be reversed, so be sure to confirm award availability before you send your points or miles over to Aeroplan.
Bottom line
Etihad's fantastic first-class product, The Apartment, landed a fourth-place spot on my list of the best luxury suites in the sky, thanks to its unbeatable privacy, loads of personal space, on-demand catering and access to an inflight shower. I'm thrilled to have yet another option to book this product at a competitive rate — and, in this case, with easy-to-earn transferrable points.
An Air Canada spokesperson noted that the carrier is planning to add even more partners, as part of its upcoming relaunch, with more announcements expected in the "coming weeks."
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.