What is Canada's best Aeroplan credit card? Our picks for 2024
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Discover the methodologyTravelling by plane is a regular part of life for many Canadians. Whether it’s domestically, internationally, for work or for pleasure sometimes a flight is necessary.
Are you getting the most out of your credit cards and spending the least on your flights?
Air Canada is the largest airline in Canada and one of the largest in the world. With Aeroplan credit cards you can maximize your savings by earning Aeroplan points to use on your next flight. Below we look at the best Aeroplan cards for 2024. Aeroplan has many credit cards designed to meet the needs of any customer. Whether you are looking to save money for your business or are a student saving up Aeroplan Miles for that summer vacation, Aeroplan has a card for you.
What is Aeroplan?
Aeroplan is a credit card loyalty rewards program owned and operated by Air Canada. By creating an Aeroplan account and an Aeroplan card you can earn or buy Aeroplan points which can then use to book flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages and more.
Aeroplan was created by Air Canada in July 1984 as an incentive program for frequent flyers. In 2002 Aeroplan was sold to Aimia but was repurchased in 2018 by Air Canada along with TD, CIBC and Visa. Today there are approximately 5 million active members of Aeroplan.
Good to know
Air Miles credit cards are an alternative to Aeroplan in Canada. It is another leading credit card loyalty program.
How does Aeroplan work?
Once you create an Aeroplan account and get an Aeroplan card, you can earn points. These points then accumulate in your account with every purchase you make on your new Aeroplan Card. Once you have enough points you can use them to make purchases. The Aeroplan eStore lets you redeem your points for gift cards and merchandise. Or you can use the points towards flights with Air Canada and its partners.
You can also earn miles based on the distance travelled or the number of flights and dollars spent.
- Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) uses distance travelled on Air Canada or a Star member airline to calculate your rewards points. Economy class flights earn 25% of the distance travelled while business class flights earn 150% of the distance travelled.
- Status Qualifying Segments (SQS) uses the number of flights travelled on Air Canada or a Star member airline to calculate your rewards points.
- Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD) uses dollars spent on Air Canada or a Star member airline to calculate your rewards points.
How to earn Aeroplan miles?
The easiest way to collect Aeroplan points and get miles is to create an Aeroplan credit card. Many Aeroplan credit cards have introductory offers that can give you as many as 110 000 points when you complete the requirements. Additionally, you can collect Aeroplan points by making purchases using your Aeroplan card, buying Aeroplan points and referring friends and family using your personalized referral code. You can earn enough Aeroplan points to fly in no time!
Depending on your departure, destination and time of year flights can range from 10 000 Aeroplan points for a flight within North America to 100 000 for a first-class international flight. Take a look at the Aeroplan points chart to get an idea of how flight costs can differ.
Aeroplan Redemption Chart
| Region | Economy | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 6000-25 000 | 10 000-45 000 | 15 000-70 000 | - |
| Between North America and Atlantic Zones | 35 000-100 000 | 50 000-160 000 | 60 000-220 000 | 90 000-250 000 |
| Between North America and Pacific Zones | 35 000-110 000 | 45 000-180 000 | 55 000-250 000 | 90 000-350 000 |
| Between North America and South America | 30 000-70 000 | 45 000-150 000 | 50 000-200 000 | 80 000-250 000 |
| Within Atlantic Zone | 7500-50 000 | - | 15 000-80 000 | 25 000-130 000 |
| Within Pacific Zone | 8000-55 000 | - | 20 000-90 000 | 25 000-130 000 |
| Between Atlantic and Pacific Zones | 40 000-60 000 | - | 60 000-100 000 | 80 000-130 000 |
| Within South America | 15 000 | - | 30 000 | 50 000 |
| Between Atlantic and South America | 45 000-60 000 | - | 80 000-100 000 | 100 000-130 000 |
| Between Pacific and South America | 60 000-80 000 | - | 90 000-140 000 | 130 000-200 000 |
What companies offer Aeroplan credit cards?
Many companies offer Aeroplan cards. This means a variety of options when picking the best Aeroplan credit card for you. Whatever your existing bank and specific needs, there is a good chance that they already offer an Aeroplan credit card.
Here are the top Aeroplan credit card companies and the cards they offer:
| Provider | Credit Cards |
|---|---|
| American Express |
|
| TD |
|
| CIBC |
|
| Chase |
|
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What companies are Aeroplan partners?
Aeroplan has a large number of partner companies. These partners allow you to use your Aeroplan account and points to purchase flights, hotels, retail goods and other accommodations in a larger network.
Aeroplan is a member of the Star Alliance network, giving access to the 26 member airlines within the alliance as well as more in their exchange network. Some of the largest partnered airlines include United, Lufthansa, Air China and Swiss Airlines, and the extensive network can take you just about anywhere. Points exchange rates may vary and some airlines may have higher point costs per flight. This gives you access to far more global flights at competitive rates.
Aeroplan is also partnered with hotels, rental car companies, parking lots and other travel services allowing you to collect additional Aeroplan points when using a partner to travel. This includes some of the largest travel providers such as Avis, Marriot, Hilton and of course Air Canada Vacations. These points can then be used to book hotels, rental cars and other services.
You can also earn more points by using your Aeroplan card with hundreds of retail partners. These range from Starbucks to Amazon making earning points easy and convenient.
How many Aeroplan miles for a flight?
Aeroplan flights can vary greatly in points cost based on location, how soon you’re travelling and what season you’re travelling in. The lowest flights can be as little as 10 000 points with some flights costing over 100 000. Card carriers can use Aeroplan’s points calculator tool to help calculate how many points you need to fly. Keep in mind that this is just an estimate and you should check to see how many points it will be before booking.
Good to know
For example, if you wanted to fly from Toronto Pearson International to Paris's Charles de Gaulle, the flight could cost as little 35 000 points in economy class.
Domestically, the points go even further. If you fly to visit family in Montreal and leave from Calgary International, the flight could be as few as 12 500 points.
How much are Aeroplan points worth?
Aeroplan points value varies based on how and when you choose to redeem your points. For instance, if you look at the estimated Aeroplan points per dollar value most estimates put them between 0.8 and 2 cents per point. While that may not sound like a lot you have to remember that you can earn up to 110 000 points with promotional offers on credit cards. That’s between an $800 and $2000 value.
How to redeem Aeroplan points?
Aeroplan redeems its points in several ways depending on how you are spending them. If you want to redeem them to book Aeroplan flights you can go directly to Air Canada, a Star Alliance airline or a partnered app and choose to use my points. You can do the same on partnered hotel and car rental apps. For retail, you can go to Aeroplan's E-store to purchase products.
Do Aeroplan points expire?
As long as your Aeroplan status stays active your Aeroplan points won’t expire. Earning, redeeming, donating, or transferring points all count as activities making it easy to keep your points indefinitely.
Watch out!
If there is no activity in your Aeroplan account for 18 months your points will expire.
How do I log in to Aeroplan?
When you create your Aeroplan account you will use an email and password to create your Air Canada Aeroplan Login. After providing all the necessary information your Aeroplan rewards account will be set up. You can then visit the Aeroplan Sign-in page and log in to your account. This page can also be used to create your account.
How do I contact Aeroplan?
Contact Aeroplan through their Customer Service Page, by phone or by email. Aeroplan customer service is 24/7 online and by phone. You can also use the online chat feature on their Customer service page.
Aeroplan phone numbers:
| Location | Canada, USA and the Caribbean | United Kingdom | All other Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroplan Contact Number | 1-800-361-5373 | 0800-756-3865 | 1-514-395-0300 |
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