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Air Canada’s Aeroplan program has undergone some big modifications over the past 12 months.
Air Canada reacquired its loyalty program a few years in the past and revamped it on the finish of 2020. The refreshed Aeroplan utterly modified the way you redeem Aeroplan factors. Unlike many current loyalty program modifications, most of those have been for the higher.
For instance, the price of some award tickets went up. At the identical time, the airline unveiled a invaluable new stopover program and completely eliminated gas surcharges. This massively diminished the out-of-pocket bills for a lot of award tickets, and added the power to see two locations for barely greater than the worth of 1.
As a results of these optimistic modifications, Air Canada Aeroplan gained the Editor’s Choice award for the Best International Airline Loyalty Program on the 2022 TPG Awards.
This article will present you all the pieces you want to find out about incomes and redeeming Air Canada Aeroplan factors. I’ll additionally talk about elite standing and a few of the program’s different nuances.
Air Canada Aeroplan companions
Air Canada is a Star Alliance member, so naturally, you possibly can earn and redeem Aeroplan factors with any Star Alliance provider. Over a dozen airways are Star Alliance, and so they’re primarily based all world wide. Some of the most important Star Alliance hubs embody Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Istanbul Airport (IST) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND).
The following airways are part of Star Alliance:
- Aegean.
- Air Canada.
- Air China.
- Air India.
- Air New Zealand.
- ANA.
- Asiana Airlines.
- Austrian Airlines.
- Avianca.
- Brussels Airlines.
- COPA.
- Croatia Airlines.
- EgyptAir.
- Ethiopian Airlines.
- EVA Air.
- LOT Polish Airlines.
- Lufthansa.
- SAS.
- Shenzhen Airlines.
- Singapore Airlines.
- South African Airways.
- Swiss Air Liens.
- TAP Portugal.
- Thai Airways.
- Turkish Airlines.
- United Airlines.
Aeroplan additionally has a handful of non-alliance partnerships with different airways. Many of those partnerships (like Etihad) enable for reciprocal mileage incomes and redemption on all flights, whereas others (like Cathay Pacific) solely prolong incomes and redemption to pick routes. Make positive to test the airline’s accomplice web page on Air Canada’s web site for extra data.
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The following airways are non-alliance Aeroplan companions:
- Aeromar.
- Air Creebec.
- Air Dolomiti (Star Alliance affiliate).
- Air Mauritius.
- Air Serbia.
- Azul Brazilian Airlines.
- Bamboo Airways.
- Calm Air.
- Canadian North.
- Cathay Pacific.
- Etihad Airways.
- Eurowings (Star Alliance affiliate).
- Eurowings Discover (Star Alliance affiliate).
- GOL.
- Gulf Air.
- Juneyao Airlines (Star Alliance connecting accomplice).
- Olympic Air.
- Oman Air.
- SolarExpress.
- Virgin Australia.
- Vistara.
Related: How to credit score miles to a accomplice airline program
Air Canada Elite standing
As you’d count on, Air Canada Aeroplan has an elite standing program too. This rewards frequent Air Canada and Star Alliance flyers with invaluable perks like upgrades, free checked luggage and different perks. There are 5 totally different standing tiers you possibly can earn by assembly particular flight necessities with the airline in a single calendar 12 months.
To qualify, you may want to fulfill a set Status qualifying mile (SQM) or Status qualifying phase (SQS) requirement along with a Status qualifying greenback (SQD) requirement. SQM is calculated primarily based in your flight distance, SQS relies on what number of flights you credit score to Aeroplan and SQD relies on how a lot you spend on tickets. Note that SQD relies on Canadian Dollars.
Here’s a take a look at the necessities for every standing tier:
- Aeroplan 25K: 25,000 SQM or 25 SQS and $3,000 SQD.
- Aeroplan 35K: 35,000 SQM or 35 SQS and $4,000 SQD.
- Aeroplan 50K: 50,000 SQM or 50 SQS and $6,000 SQD.
- Aeroplan 75K: 75,000 SQM or 75 SQS and $9,000 SQD.
- Aeroplan Super Elite: 100,000 SQM or 100 SQS and $20,000 SQD.
You’ll get extra advantages with larger standing tiers. You’ll additionally earn eUpgrade certificates as you progress by standing tiers. These allow you to improve flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada Rouge from economic system class to Business Class, Premium Economy or Premium Rouge.
Air Canada elites can even decide Select Benefit Bundles that supply extra rewards. Some of the alternatives embody bonus factors incomes, improve certificates and lounge passes, amongst others. You’ll have totally different decisions at every standing stage.
Related: How to earn Air Canada elite standing with out flying
How to earn Aeroplan factors
It’s surprisingly simple to earn Air Canada Aeroplan factors even in the event you’re not flying Air Canada. Here’s a take a look at a few of the most typical methods to earn Aeroplan factors. Check out our full information to incomes Aeroplan factors for much more strategies.
Flying with Air Canada
Unlike most U.S. carriers, Air Canada has continued to award factors primarily based on flight distance. That stated, you additionally must issue your fare class into your calculations too. Some fares earn as little as 25% for mileage flown, whereas enterprise class fares earn 150% for miles flown.
Here’s a take a look at how a lot every fare earns:
Those with Air Canada elite standing can select to earn bonus factors on Air Canada flights if chosen as a Select Benefit Bundle. Here’s a breakdown of what number of bonus factors every tier earns:
- Aeroplan 25K: 25%.
- Aeroplan 35K: 35%.
- Aeroplan 50K: 50%.
- Aeroplan 75K: 75%.
- Aeroplan Super Elite: 100%.
To calculate your mileage incomes, use an internet site like GCMap to seek out your flight’s distance. Then, multiply the space by the proportion listed to the precise of your fare class on the incomes chart.
So in the event you’re flying from Toronto to London Heathrow in premium economic system, you’d earn 4,445 miles one-way. The flight is 3,556 miles lengthy, and the fare earns 125% factors per mile flown.
An Aeroplan 35K member flying the identical route would earn a 35% bonus on this flight if chosen as Select Benefit Bundle. This means this member would earn 6,001 Aeroplan factors on this similar reserving.
Flying with Star Alliance and non-alliance companions
You’ll earn miles the identical method when flying with an Air Canada accomplice, however the variety of factors you may earn per mile flown varies by airline. You can discover your accomplice’s incomes chart on Air Canada’s airline accomplice web page. Just discover your accomplice on the record and click on on it.
Say you are flying Copa Airlines from O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in R-fare enterprise class. This flight clocks in at 2,324 miles one-way.
According to the incomes chart, you may earn 125% miles flown, equal to 2,905 factors. Alternatively, somebody flying in A fare economic system class would earn 2,324 factors on the identical route for the reason that fare earns 100% miles flown.
Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards to Aeroplan
Last August, Aeroplan turned the latest Chase Ultimate Rewards switch accomplice. You can switch your Chase factors to Aeroplan at a 1:1 switch ratio. This implies that 100,000 Chase factors equal 100,000 Aeroplan factors.
You can earn Chase factors by spending on a collaborating Chase bank card. Here’s a fast take a look at the entire accessible Chase playing cards — right here’s a take a look at present signup bonuses:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Earns 2 Ultimate Rewards factors per greenback on journey and three factors per greenback on eating purchases.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: Earn 60,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 within the first three months from account opening. Earn 3 Ultimate Rewards factors per greenback on journey and eating purchases.
- Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: Earn 100,000 bonus factors after you spend $15,000 within the first three months from account opening. Earn 3 Ultimate Rewards factors per greenback on the primary $150,000 spent per calendar 12 months (then 1 level per greenback) on delivery, web, cable, cellphone, promoting with social media websites and search engines like google and yahoo and journey.
Spend on these playing cards and also you’ll earn Chase factors you possibly can instantly switch to Aeroplan. That stated, we don’t suggest transferring and not using a plan. Instead, discover the award ticket you need to e book first after which switch your factors whenever you’re able to e book your ticket.
Transferring American Express Membership Rewards to Aeroplan
Another one of many best methods to earn Aeroplan factors is transferring American Express Membership Rewards factors. Amex factors switch to Aeroplan immediately and at a 1:1 switch ratio.
You can earn Amex factors by spending on quite a lot of totally different American Express playing cards. Each has its personal set of advantages, annual charges, bonus spending classes and — after all — welcome gives. Here’s a fast take a look at three of my favourite Amex playing cards that I exploit to earn factors on my on a regular basis spending:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. However, some readers have been focused for as much as a 125,000-point bonus utilizing the CardMatch instrument (provide topic to alter at any time). Terms apply.
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® factors after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases together with your new card throughout the first six months of account opening. However, some readers have been focused for as much as a 75,000-point bonus utilizing the CardMatch instrument (provide topic to alter at any time). Terms apply.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® factors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card throughout the first three months of card membership. Terms apply.
Like Chase factors, solely switch Amex factors to Aeroplan if in case you have a direct plan to make use of them.
Transfer factors from Bilt Rewards to Aeroplan
You can even switch Bilt Rewards factors to Aeroplan at a 1:1 switch ratio. You can earn Bilt Rewards factors by spending on the no-annual-fee Bilt Mastercard® or by paying your lease with Bilt.
As a reminder, you possibly can pay your lease fee-free to any landlord with Bilt and earn 1 level per greenback within the course of. Meanwhile, the Bilt Mastercard earns 3 factors per greenback on eating, 2 factors per greenback on journey (airways, lodges, motels, resorts, cruise traces and automobile leases) and 1 level per greenback in all places else.
Related: Should you utilize the Bilt Mastercard? Why it might be a recreation changer for renters
Transferring miles from Capital One Rewards to Aeroplan
Further, you possibly can switch Capital One miles to Aeroplan at a 2:1.5 switch ratio.
This implies that 100,000 Capital One miles are price 75,000 Aeroplan factors, so that you’re dropping a little bit of worth whenever you switch to Aeroplan as a substitute of Capital One’s 1:1 switch companions. Regardless, it might probably make sense for sure redemptions, like one-way tickets with a stopover. I’ll go extra in-depth on this later.
Interested in incomes Capital One factors? You can apply for a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases throughout the first three months from account opening. The card earns 2 miles per greenback on all purchases, so you possibly can rack up miles with out worrying about bonus classes.
You may also contemplate the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which has further options, like lounge entry. The card’s larger $395 annual price is essentially offset by an annual $300 Capital One Travel credit score and 10,000 bonus factors on every cardmember anniversary.
Earn factors with cobranded bank cards
Last 12 months, Air Canada and Chase teamed as much as launch the Aeroplan® Credit Card. This card contains Air Canada-specific advantages like a free checked bag and most popular award pricing.
Additionally, you may obtain complimentary Aeroplan 25K elite standing by the subsequent standing 12 months upon opening the cardboard; you possibly can prolong this by spending $15,000 in your card every calendar 12 months. The card gives 70,000 factors after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account.
Those primarily based in Canada have just a few totally different choices for Aeroplan bank cards. Three banks problem Aeroplan playing cards in Canada, and every card has totally different advantages, charges and factors incomes. You’ll need to assess every card and see which most closely fits your wants and funds. On the excessive finish, you’ll get advantages like free checked baggage, lounge entry and a excessive welcome provide.
Earning with retail companions
Air Canada has a purchasing portal that allows you to earn Aeroplan factors with third-party distributors. These embody Apple, Uber Eats and different fashionable retailers. You can click on by the service provider’s hyperlink on the Air Canada eStore earlier than you make a purchase order, and also you’ll earn a set variety of factors per greenback spent in your buy. This might be an effective way to earn bonus factors on on a regular basis purchases.
Note: Not all Air Canada retail companions are legitimate for points-earning purchases in each the U.S. and Canada. Some are Canada-only, so double-check on the accomplice web page earlier than making a purchase order.
Related: Pros and cons of the brand new Air Canada Aeroplan loyalty program
How to redeem Aeroplan factors
Now for the enjoyable half: redeeming Aeroplan factors. Between Air Canada’s big route community — and its lengthy record of alliance and non-alliance companions — you need to use your factors to fly all world wide.
Here are just a few essential issues to recollect as you redeem factors. Again, try our full information to redeeming Aeroplan factors for extra invaluable data.
Aeroplan factors
You can use your Aeroplan factors to e book Air Canada flights, in addition to flights operated by its Star Alliance and non-alliance companions. Unlike many U.S. carriers, Air Canada has saved an ordinary award chart. This means you possibly can e book award flights at predictable costs. Better but, it additionally eliminated gas surcharges final 12 months, so that you’ll solely pay minimal taxes plus a $29 accomplice reserving price (if relevant).
Award chart data
Aeroplan employs a hybrid distance and region-based award chart. This means you’ll pay primarily based on how lengthy your flight is, however pricing varies primarily based on the area you’re flying to and from. Here’s a take a look at how Air Canada defines every award area — you’ll discover that every may be very broadly outlined.
To discover the price of an award, first decide the area you’re flying from and to. Then, calculate the bodily distance between your origin and vacation spot utilizing a instrument like GCMap. Then, discover the award chart in your area pair within the Air Canada award chart (PDF hyperlink) and discover the associated fee in your flight’s size.
For instance, this New York to Frankfurt flight originates within the North America area and lands within the Atlantic area. It’s 3,856 miles in size, so that you’d pay 35,000 factors in economic system or 60,000 factors for a Lufthansa accomplice flight in economic system or enterprise class, respectively.
You’ll discover that Air Canada flights have a worth vary listed underneath every cabin. Flights with normal saver award area will worth on the decrease finish of the pricing spectrum, whereas flights with out it will worth larger. I like to recommend sticking to the lowest-priced awards at any time when doable.
Partner awards
As you possibly can see within the screenshot above, all accomplice flights have predictable pricing. You can primarily e book all accomplice awards proper on the Air Canada web site. They will seem alongside Air Canada flights in search outcomes.
Air Canada Corporate Rewards
Air Canada has a enterprise rewards program dubbed Air Canada Corporate Rewards.
Businesses can use this program to earn rewards when workers e book journeys on Air Canada or choose Lufthansa Group airways like Lufthansa, Swiss and Brussels Airlines. These rewards are earned along with regardless of the worker earns on their flights, so it’s really a win-win for the enterprise and the worker.
These rewards aren’t normal Aeroplan factors. Instead, they’re separate rewards foreign money that may be redeemed for issues like Maple Leaf lounge passes, eUpgrade certificates and most popular seating reductions, amongst different perks.
Related: Airline loyalty packages for small companies
Aeroplan candy spots
The new Aeroplan award chart is stuffed with attention-grabbing candy spots and nice offers. Here are a few of the finest methods to maximise each the award chart and a few of the program’s different attention-grabbing options, like stopovers on one-way award tickets.
Book a mini round-the-world journey with stopovers
You can add one stopover to one-way tickets and two stopovers to round-trip tickets for five,000 miles apiece. These stopovers might be just about anyplace on the planet, and Aeroplan allows you to get artistic together with your routing.
The solely main restriction to bear in mind is that your connecting flight can’t require greater than double the mileage price of a nonstop flight to your remaining vacation spot. This means you may e book one thing like New York to Dubai by way of Frankfurt however not New York to Frankfurt by way of Dubai.
This opens up quite a lot of attention-grabbing bookings. For instance, you possibly can e book a mini round-the-world that takes benefit of a stopover, two round-trip tickets and a number of 24-hour layovers. Even higher, now you can e book stopover tickets on-line, however you could must name in to e book extra advanced itineraries with further layovers.
Book high-surcharge tickets with out the surcharges
Air Canada has joined the United MileagePlus and Avianca LifeMiles by not including gas surcharges to Star Alliance award tickets. So in the event you’re evaluating the place to switch your Amex or Capital One miles, contemplate transferring to Aeroplan to avoid wasting on giant gas surcharges.
Business class from the East Coast to Europe
Many flights from the U.S. East Coast to Europe fall into the 0-4,000 mile tier on the North America-to-Atlantic award chart. These flights price simply 60,000 factors in enterprise class and 90,000 in top notch, so it’s an effective way to jump over the Atlantic. This is cheaper than what different Star Alliance packages, like Avianca LifeMiles and United MileagePlus, cost for a similar flights.
Related: 19 issues you want to find out about redeeming with the brand new Aeroplan
Bottom line
Air Canada’s new Aeroplan loyalty program is nice. Solid redemption charges combined with versatile stopovers and no gas surcharges imply you will get some wonderful offers on award tickets.
So, positively think about using it to e book your subsequent large award ticket.
See Bilt Mastercard charges and costs right here
See Bilt Mastercard rewards and advantages right here