You can now use Aeroplan points for Emirates first class, but it isn't cheap
Last month, Air Canada Aeroplan made waves when it expanded its partnership with Emirates. As part of the partnership, Air Canada announced that its Aeroplan members would soon be able to redeem Aeroplan points for Emirates first class, arguably the most luxurious product in the skies. These redemptions officially launch today, just over a month after the partnership initially launched with economy and business-class awards.
However, prepare for first-class award sticker shock, as the airline also launched its new Emirates-specific award chart. Until now, economy and business-class awards operated by Emirates were priced like any other Aeroplan partner award ticket. Unfortunately, this new Emirates-specific award chart means you may see higher prices for some award tickets.
Let's take a closer look at Aeroplan's new Emirates award chart and compare first-class pricing with Emirates Skywards.
Aeroplan Emirates award chart
As mentioned, Aeroplan has a special (more expensive) award chart for Emirates flights. Given the range in award pricing bands, this award chart could make Emirates awards more or less expensive than flights on other partners at the economy and business-class level, while first-class awards are almost always more expensive.
Here's a look at how many Aeroplan points you'll need to fly Emirates, according to Aeroplan:
Flight distance (miles) | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
Up to 2,000. | 15,000 to 35,000 points. | 30,000 to 77,500 points. | 65,000 to 175,000 points. |
2,001 to 5,000. | 21,000 to 65,000 points. | 45,000 to 140,000 points. | 110,000 to 325,000 points. |
5,001 to 9,000. | 40,000 to 85,000 points. | 80,000 to 185,000 points. | 225,000 to 475,000 points. |
9,001 to 12,000. | 60,000 to 110,000 points. | 120,000 to 225,000 points. | 300,000 to 600,000 points. |
12,001 or more. | 85,000 to 150,000 points. | 180,000 to 300,000 points. | 400,000 to 750,000 points. |
Related: The best ways to maximize Air Canada's Aeroplan program
Redeeming Aeroplan points for Emirates flights
Here's a look at what the award chart means in practice by looking at some award routes. You'll see Aeroplan's price first and can click the arrow next to the image to compare it with Emirates Skywards pricing for the same flight.
A couple of disclaimers before we dive in:
- Due to dynamic pricing, Aeroplan pricing changes by day and route.
- Emirates prices some business-class tickets lower when booked as part of a round-trip ticket. We've compared both one-way and round-trip itineraries across multiple cabins in the examples below.
Business and first class from Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Dubai International Airport (DXB) one-way
Verdict: Book business class with Air Canada Aeroplan and first class with Emirates Skywards.
Economy class from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Dubai one-way
Verdict: Book with Air Canada Aeroplan. Note, Emirates economy award rates are lower than United Airlines.
First class from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Dubai one-way
Verdict: Book with Emirates Skywards.
First class from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Dubai one-way
Verdict: Book with Emirates Skywards.
Business class from New York to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) one-way
Verdict: Book with Air Canada Aeroplan.
First class from Milan to Dubai one-way
Verdict: Choose which is best for you.
First class from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Dubai round trip
Verdict: Book with Emirates Skywards.
First class from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Dubai round trip
Verdict: Book with Emirates Skywards.
Related: Emirates first class still wows: Fully enclosed suites and unlimited caviar
Bottom line
On nonstop flights from North America to Dubai, expect to spend upwards of 300,000 Aeroplan points per person one-way — ouch. That's a lot of increased sign-up bonuses and credit card spend just for one flight.
However, Aeroplan charges a fraction of the taxes and fees that Emirates Skywards charges, regardless of the cabin you choose. Additionally, you can mix partners on the same Aeroplan award ticket and add a stopover to a one-way award ticket for just 5,000 more points. For example, you could fly from Dubai to Warsaw, Poland, with Emirates and connect from Warsaw to Chicago with LOT Polish Airlines.
Unfortunately, this marks the end of Aeroplan's bargain award rates for Emirates business class when the two airlines launched their partnership last month. In a statement to TPG, an Aeroplan spokesperson said, "[The previously lower award rates were because the Emirates award chart wasn't] loaded yet in our systems. It was more important to us to give our members the earliest possible access to these rewards."
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Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.