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
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.