Aeroplan launches HotelSavers as a new redemption option: What you should know
I've only twice considered using airline rewards for hotels: when I redeemed 100,000 Southwest points for an all-inclusive vacation and when I thought my Malaysia Enrich points would expire before I could travel to Malaysia again.
You'll typically get the best value from your airline rewards when you redeem for flights. However, many travelers look for other ways to redeem their airline rewards.
On Wednesday, Air Canada Aeroplan launched a new option for hotel redemptions that it says requires "up to 30% fewer points" than the previous option. Aeroplan's press release goes on to note:
HotelSavers offers the best member value for Aeroplan points outside of flights. In addition, borrowing from the best of Aeroplan flight redemptions, there are aspirational "sweet spots" to uncover where value on hotels is even better than the typical value per point when purchasing flights.
The idea of aspirational sweet spots to uncover is enough to pique my interest. So, here's what you should know about Aeroplan's new HotelSavers redemption option.
Aeroplan HotelSavers
Aeroplan has partnered with select hotel brands to offer its HotelSavers redemptions. Currently, you can book stays at the following 39 brands through Aeroplan HotelSavers:
- Luxury: Fairmont, Shangri-La, Taj, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, InterContinental, Preferred, Kimpton, Sofitel, Six Senses, Regent, Faena and SLS.
- Premium: Le Germain, Omni, Noble House, Swissotel Pullman, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, Outrigger, MGallery, Escad Hotel, Voco, 21c Museum Hotels, Hualuxe and Even.
- Midscale and economy: Coast Hotels, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Avid, Novotel, Mama Shelter, Alt Hotels, Ibis and Ibis Styles.
As you can see, you can book many Accor Live Limitless and IHG One Rewards brands through Aeroplan HotelSavers.
The following table shows the eight HotelSavers categories and the number of Aeroplan points required per night for hotels in each category:
However, before getting too excited, note that some HotelSavers redemptions price way outside their stated category. For example, consider this Category 3 hotel in Miami that should cost 20,000 to 30,000 points per night:
Aeroplan's press release notes that all HotelSavers redemptions include taxes. You can book a refundable rate with all Aeroplan HotelSavers properties, but some also offer nonrefundable options for even fewer points. And you can also redeem using a points-plus-cash rate to pay with half points and half cash for HotelSavers stays.
You can even redeem more points to book an upgraded room or a rate that includes breakfast. Check out this option for the InterContinental Bora Bora Thalasso.
When you initially search for a HotelSavers redemption, you may not see your desired hotel even if it belongs to one of the 39 participating brands. For example, the InterContinental Phuket and Keemala didn't appear in a search for Phuket, Thailand, but did appear when I searched more specifically for Kamala, Thailand.
But despite searching several ways, I couldn't get Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives or Six Senses Yao Noi in Thailand to appear in search results.
Finally, you can still book hotels in other brands using Aeroplan points. HotelSavers redemptions are denoted on the results page with a red HotelSavers banner. And HotelSavers results seem to be listed first if you sort the results using the Recommended option.
Related: The best ways to maximize Air Canada's Aeroplan program
Bottom line
It's always good to see a loyalty program offer a new redemption option, especially one with the potential to provide good value.
I'll need to dig deeper into the HotelSavers options by doing more searches before declaring how much value is here. But, one redemption that immediately jumps out to me is for one of the most aspirational IHG One Rewards properties: the InterContinental Bora Bora Thalasso in French Polynesia.
HotelSavers prices the base villa — which is still overwater — within the Category 8 band for the dates I checked. It's usually very difficult to find award availability using IHG points at this resort, especially if you want to stay longer than just a night or two. Redeeming Aeroplan points for a stay may provide good value on some dates if you don't want to book a paid rate.
Especially if you would consider transferring Chase points to IHG to book a high-value redemption, now you may want to consider transferring to Aeroplan if the award rate or availability is better. However, you likely won't get elite perks and earnings with the hotel loyalty program when you book stays through Aeroplan. And in the case of redemptions of IHG hotels, you'll miss out on a fourth-night reward if you have an eligible IHG Rewards credit card and opt to redeem Aeroplan points instead of IHG points.
So, check award rates with both and carefully compare your options before booking. As a reminder, TPG values Aeroplan points at 1.5 cents each, so you'll typically want to get at least 1.5 cents per point when redeeming.
TPG featured card
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.