What is the Aeroplan program and how does it work?

Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program, designed to let you earn points on travel and everyday spending, then redeem those points for flights and other rewards. In simple terms, you collect Aeroplan points when you fly with Air Canada and partner airlines, use participating credit cards, or shop with Aeroplan partners, then spend those points toward future travel and perks.

What Aeroplan is

Aeroplan is a travel rewards program that helps members turn purchases into points. It’s best known for airfare redemptions, but it also works with hotels, car rentals, merchandise, and other travel-related rewards.

While Air Canada is at the center of the program, Aeroplan is not limited to Air Canada flights. Members can earn and use points across a broad network of airline partners, which makes it a flexible option for frequent travelers.

How the Aeroplan program works

The basic idea is straightforward:

Join Aeroplan for free
Earn points through flights, credit cards, shopping, and partners
Redeem points for flights and other rewards
Use status benefits if you qualify for higher-tier membership

The more you use the program, the faster your points can build up.

Ways to earn Aeroplan points

1. Flying with Air Canada

You can earn Aeroplan points when you fly with Air Canada, including most fare types. The number of points you earn usually depends on factors like:

Fare class
Route or distance
Ticket price, in some cases
Whether the flight is marketed or operated by Air Canada

2. Flying with partner airlines

Aeroplan has a large airline network. You can earn points on many partner airlines, which is useful if you travel internationally or book multi-airline itineraries.

3. Using Aeroplan credit cards

One of the fastest ways to earn points is through an Aeroplan-linked credit card. These cards often offer:

Welcome bonuses
Extra points on travel, dining, and grocery purchases
Free checked bags or travel protections
Faster point accumulation on Air Canada purchases

4. Shopping and everyday spending

Aeroplan also partners with retailers, hotels, car rental companies, and online shopping portals. Depending on the promotion, you may earn points for:

Booking hotel stays
Renting cars
Buying from participating stores
Dining at eligible restaurants
Shopping through Aeroplan’s online portal

5. Buying points or using promotions

Occasionally, Aeroplan offers point purchase opportunities or bonus-point promotions. These can be useful if you’re close to a redemption, but it’s usually best to compare the cost carefully.

How to redeem Aeroplan points

Aeroplan points are most commonly used for travel, especially flights. Here’s how redemption usually works:

Flight rewards

You can redeem points for:

Air Canada flights
Partner airline flights
Multi-city itineraries
Some business and first-class tickets

The number of points needed can vary based on:

Destination
Travel dates
Airline
Cabin class
Demand

This means Aeroplan is not always a fixed-value program. Some flights can offer excellent value, especially when you find lower-priced award availability.

Other redemption options

You can also use Aeroplan points for:

Hotels
Car rentals
Vacation packages
Merchandise
Gift cards
Statement credit or other financial options, depending on the current program features

Travel redemptions usually provide the best value, while non-travel options tend to deliver lower value per point.

What Aeroplan status means

Aeroplan also includes elite status tiers for frequent travelers. Status is separate from point balance and is based on how much you fly and spend with Air Canada.

Common benefits of status can include:

Priority check-in and boarding
Extra baggage allowance
Lounge access in some cases
Better upgrade opportunities
Higher earning rates on flights

If you travel often, status can make the program much more rewarding.

Family sharing and account features

Aeroplan also offers features that can make points easier to use:

Family sharing: lets eligible members pool points together
Points transfer and sharing options: useful for reaching a redemption faster
Account management tools: help track points, trips, and offers

These features are especially helpful if multiple people in your household travel.

Do Aeroplan points expire?

Aeroplan points can expire after a period of inactivity, so it’s important to keep your account active. Any qualifying earning or redemption activity may help prevent expiration. Always check the latest program rules, since loyalty program policies can change.

Is Aeroplan worth it?

Aeroplan is often worth joining if you:

Fly Air Canada even a few times per year
Travel on partner airlines
Use a rewards credit card
Want flexible travel redemptions
Prefer a loyalty program with strong airline coverage

It can be especially valuable if you plan ahead and redeem points for flights with good availability.

Pros and cons of Aeroplan

Pros

Free to join
Strong airline network
Multiple ways to earn points
Good value for flight redemptions
Credit card and partner earning opportunities

Cons

Redemption value varies
Award availability can be limited on popular routes
Taxes and fees may still apply to some bookings
Best value usually requires some planning

How to get started with Aeroplan

If you want to use the program, here’s the simplest path:

Sign up for a free Aeroplan account
Add your Aeroplan number to flight bookings
Link a credit card or start using a rewards card
Shop with Aeroplan partners when possible
Save points for flight redemptions that offer strong value

Bottom line

Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program that lets you earn points through flights, credit cards, shopping, and partners, then redeem those points for travel and other rewards. If you fly regularly or use travel rewards strategically, Aeroplan can be a useful way to reduce the cost of future trips.

If you want, I can also give you:

a beginner-friendly Aeroplan points guide
a step-by-step guide to redeeming Aeroplan points
or a comparison of Aeroplan vs. other airline loyalty programs