The Complete Guide to Aeroplan Points blog cover featuring earning Aeroplan points, transfer partners, sweet spots, stopovers, and premium travel to Europe.
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The Complete Guide to Aeroplan Points: How to Earn, Transfer & Maximize Value (2026)

ByStacy Stearns

Last updated: May 2026. Aeroplan is implementing a significant award chart update effective June 1, 2026, affecting long-haul premium cabin pricing. Point costs throughout this guide reflect prospective post-June 1 rates unless otherwise noted.

Aeroplan – Air Canada’s loyalty program – is quietly a very powerful tool in any points traveler’s toolkit. It partners with nearly every major credit card issuer, sits inside the massive Star Alliance network, and still maintains a published award chart for most partner airlines at a time when programs are racing toward opaque dynamic pricing. If you have a stash of flexible credit card points sitting anywhere – Chase, Amex, Capital One, or Bilt – there’s a good chance you can move them into Aeroplan and get serious value. Here’s everything you need to know. It is one of the ways I use my Capital One Venture X miles for United flights domestically.

What Alliance Is Aeroplan Part Of?

Aeroplan is the loyalty program of Air Canada, which is a member of Star Alliance – the world’s largest airline alliance, with 40+ member carriers. That matters enormously when you’re redeeming points, because Aeroplan lets you book award flights not just on Air Canada, but across the entire Star Alliance network using the same points.

Some of the most useful Star Alliance partners you can book through Aeroplan include:

  • Lufthansa – One of the best ways to get to Europe in business class
  • SWISS – Excellent product, solid availability to Zurich
  • United Airlines – Domestic U.S. and transatlantic (with caveats — more on this below)
  • Singapore Airlines – One of the most sought-after premium products in the world
  • ANA (All Nippon Airways) – A bucket-list business and first class experience to Japan
  • EVA Air – Underrated and consistently excellent
  • Turkish Airlines – Great for connecting through Istanbul to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
  • TAP Air Portugal – Useful for getting to Europe with a Lisbon connection
  • Ethiopian Airlines – Opens up African destinations often ignored by other programs

Beyond Star Alliance, Aeroplan also partners with a range of non-alliance carriers and travel partners, giving you access to well over 45 airlines total.

Who Transfers to Aeroplan?

This is one of Aeroplan’s biggest strengths. Five major U.S. transferable points programs send points to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio, meaning 1,000 points in your credit card account becomes 1,000 Aeroplan points. Transfer rates below are variable and based upon data points across multiple data points.

  • American Express Membership Rewards – Transfer in increments of 1,000 points; most transfers arrive within 30 minutes
  • Chase Ultimate Rewards – Transfer in 1,000-point increments; typically posts the next business day, though it can take up to 7 days
  • Capital One Miles – Transfers post almost instantly
  • Bilt Rewards – Usually immediate; available through the Bilt app or website
  • U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve – Also transfers at 1:1
  • Rove – New transfer as of May 7, 2026, transfers 1:1

Rove is new to Aeroplan and transfers at 1:1 ratio – you can read more about that here.

What this means in practice: if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum or Gold, Capital One Venture X, the Bilt Mastercard, or even Rove Miles, you’re already earning points that can flow directly into Aeroplan at full value.

Marriott Bonvoy is also an indirect option — it transfers to Aeroplan at 3:1, with a 5,000-point bonus when you move 60,000 Marriott points at once (netting you 25,000 Aeroplan points). That’s rarely a great deal, but it’s worth knowing if you’re sitting on a large Bonvoy balance.

One notable absence: Citi ThankYou Rewards do not transfer to Aeroplan at all.

Transfer Bonuses Are Worth Watching

Periodically, one of the above programs will run a transfer bonus to Aeroplan, giving you 20 – 30% more points on whatever you move. Transfer bonuses are one of the most powerful tools in the points and miles world. Used correctly, they can dramatically stretch your points and unlock premium travel for fewer miles. You can read more about transfer bonuses, how to maximize your points and avoid common mistakes here.

Chase ran a 20% transfer bonus to Aeroplan as recently as April 2026. Rove recently added Aeroplan as a transfer partner with a 25% transfer bonus after the launch. These bonuses are unpredictable but meaningful – a 25% bonus on 80,000 points is an extra 20,000 points for free. Keep an eye on sites like Roame and Frequent Miler which track active and historical bonuses in real time.

One important rule: never transfer points speculatively. Always have a specific flight and date in mind before initiating a transfer, because transfers are irreversible and the award you’re eyeing could disappear or reprice overnight.

How Aeroplan’s Award Chart Works

Unlike Delta or United (which have moved to fully dynamic pricing), Aeroplan still uses a distance-based zone chart for most partner airlines. The world is divided into geographic zones, and the number of points required depends on how far you’re flying and which cabin you choose.

For flights on fixed-price partners – Lufthansa, SWISS, Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, TAP, Turkish Airlines, and most others – the cost is predictable and published. This is rare and valuable in today’s points landscape.

However, Aeroplan does use dynamic pricing for a select group of “Select Partners,” including:

  • Air Canada itself
  • United Airlines
  • Emirates
  • Etihad Airways
  • flydubai
  • Canadian regional carriers (Calm Air, Canadian North, PAL Airlines)

For these airlines, Aeroplan publishes a “Starting at” price and a “Median” price based on real redemption data from the previous four quarters — but there’s no published ceiling, meaning the cost can go higher than both.

June 1, 2026 Award Chart Update

Aeroplan implemented another notable devaluation for many partner awards effective June 1, 2026. This primarily affects long-haul premium cabin bookings between North America, Europe, and the Pacific. The good news: award rates for travel within North America, between North and South America, and within South America are unaffected.

Key changes at a glance:

  • North America to Europe (4,001–6,000 miles): Business class rises from 70,000 to 75,000 points one-way; First class rises from 100,000 to 120,000 points one-way
  • Long-haul North America to Asia/Pacific: Increases of 8–13% across most distance bands
  • Australia–Asia routes (2,001–5,000 miles): Business class rises from 45,000 to 52,500 points
  • Intra-Europe/Asia long routes: Select business class bands increase by up to 10,000 points
  • Intra-Europe short-haul (under 1,000 miles): Actually a small decrease, from 15,000 to 12,500 points in business class

Note that the points expiry pause remains in effect through November 30, 2026, so existing balances are safe.

The core structure of the program – published chart, no fuel surcharges, 1:1 transfers, stopovers – remains intact. But this is the second meaningful devaluation in roughly 15 months (following the March 2025 United dynamic pricing change), and it’s worth tempering your expectations before planning a redemption.

I used to book United flights through Aeroplan using my Capital One Venture X miles. The points cost was lower than booking directly through United – you just paid a bit more in taxes and fees. That deal is gone. Since Aeroplan moved United to dynamic pricing, the points cost is now the same as booking direct. I only use Aeroplan for United flights now when my MileagePlus balance is too low to cover a redemption and I need a backup option.

Booking United Flights Through Aeroplan: What You Need to Know

If you’re looking to use points for United flights, Aeroplan is technically still an option – but the math has changed significantly and is worth understanding before you transfer.

The Old Reality

Until March 2025, booking United flights through Aeroplan was genuinely one of the best deals in the program. Short-haul domestic flights could be had for as few as 6,000 points in economy or 15,000 points in business class. Transatlantic flights on United ran 60,000 points in business class one-way. These were fixed, predictable prices that often beat what United charged on its own MileagePlus program.

What Changed

In March 2025, Aeroplan switched United Airlines to dynamic pricing and the costs went up significantly across the board. Short-haul economy awards jumped from 6,000 to around 10,000 points. Short-haul business class doubled from 15,000 to 30,000 points. Transatlantic business class went from 60,000 to 80,000 points on most dates.

To make it worse, Aeroplan didn’t get access to more United award seats when the change happened. The inventory stayed the same – just at higher prices.

Things have improved slightly since launch. You can occasionally find United awards through Aeroplan close to the published starting price. But the days of consistently beating United’s own pricing through Aeroplan are over.

Should You Still Book United Through Aeroplan?

Having options is our friend. So, sometimes, yes – but compare first. Before transferring Capital One points to Aeroplan for a United flight, check what the same seats cost on United’s own website using MileagePlus miles. If you don’t have MileagePlus miles, note that Chase Ultimate Rewards also transfers to United at 1:1, giving you a direct comparison.

Also factor in the taxes and fees. Aeroplan charges a partner booking fee on top of government taxes, and the cost structure can make United redemptions feel expensive even when the points price looks reasonable. On a round trip, taxes and fees on United awards through Aeroplan can add up to $50–$100 or more depending on the route.

One more thing worth factoring in: United cancellations are free when booked directly through MileagePlus. Aeroplan cancellation fees vary depending on the fare and timing, so you’re giving up some flexibility when you book United through Aeroplan instead of direct.

The bottom line: Aeroplan is no longer the automatic choice for United domestic flights. It can still make sense for longer U.S. domestic routes or transatlantic itineraries on certain dates, but it requires comparison shopping rather than assumption.

The Real Sweet Spots: Getting to Europe

This is where Aeroplan earns its reputation. Getting to Europe in business class remains one of the most reliable and high-value redemptions in the program – and unlike United, these routes use fixed partner pricing on airlines that are genuinely excellent.

How Many Points Does It Cost?

For business class from the United States or Canada to Europe on fixed-pricing partners, as of June 1, 2026:

  • Flights up to roughly 4,000 miles (e.g., New York to London or East Coast to Western Europe): starting at around 60,000 points one-way (this band was not affected by the June 1 update)
  • Flights in the 4,001–6,000 mile range (covering most U.S.-to-Europe transatlantic routes): 75,000 points one-way in business class (increased from 70,000 on June 1); 120,000 points in first class (increased from 100,000)

For context, even at 75,000 points, business class tickets to Europe on carriers like Lufthansa or SWISS can easily cost $3,000–$7,000+ in cash – making the per-point value still very strong when you find availability.

What Seats Are Available?

When booking through Aeroplan, you’re generally searching for partner award space in the following cabin classes:

Business Class (Lie-Flat on Long-Haul) – This is the primary target for most travelers. Lufthansa’s business class, SWISS’s business class, and TAP Air Portugal’s business class are the most commonly available through Aeroplan. Seats recline into fully flat beds, typically 6–7 feet in length, with direct aisle access on many aircraft.

Economy and Premium Economy – Available too, but the value proposition is weaker since transatlantic economy cash fares are often relatively affordable. Economy from North America to Europe runs roughly 25,000–35,000 points one-way depending on distance.

First Class – Exists on Lufthansa and SWISS, but availability through Aeroplan is extremely limited. Lufthansa restricts first class partner awards to within 30 days of departure, making it difficult to plan around. Some travelers do snag it, but it shouldn’t be your primary strategy.

Specific Examples Worth Knowing

New York (JFK/EWR) or Washington (IAD) to Frankfurt (FRA) on Lufthansa – Reportedly, one of the most searched routes in the program. This is typically a 4,001–6,000 mile itinerary, will price at 75,000 points one-way in business class (up from 70,000 before June 1), with modest taxes and fees typically around $49. Still a strong redemption given the cash price can exceed $5,000.

Chicago (ORD) to Zurich (ZRH) on SWISS — Another reliable corridor in the 4,001–6,000 mile band. Business class now prices at 75,000 points one-way post-June 1, up from 70,000. The same seat can run $7,000+ in cash one way, so the value per point remains compelling.

East Coast or Midwest cities to Lisbon (LIS) on TAP Air Portugal — TAP is frequently overlooked but often has solid availability, and Lisbon makes a natural gateway or starting point for deeper Europe itineraries. Shorter routings (under 4,000 miles from East Coast hubs) can still land in the 60,000-point business class band.

My son and his wife just booked ORD to LIS in economy, direct. They will be flying this route later this year so I am anxious to hear about it first hand.

Stopover at +5,000 Points – One of Aeroplan’s most underrated features, and it is reportedly surviving the June 1 update unchanged. You can add a stopover city to a one-way international award for just 5,000 extra points, staying up to 45 days. So a business class trip from New York to Rome could include a 3-day stopover in Zurich for just 5,000 additional points. This is genuinely exceptional and essentially lets you visit two destinations for the price of slightly more than one.

When Does Aeroplan Release Award Availability?

Timing matters enormously when trying to book premium cabin awards. Here’s how it works:

Aeroplan’s Own Booking Window

Air Canada’s award booking calendar opens approximately 355–360 days in advance, which is one of the longest windows of any loyalty program. This is meaningful because it means you can often see and book award seats before members of other programs can even search for them.

How Far Out Each Partner Releases Seats

Aeroplan lets you search 355 days in advance – but that doesn’t mean every airline loads their award seats that far out. Each airline controls when they release their own seats.

Here’s what to know about the most popular European partners:

Lufthansa – Generally loads partner business class awards around 349–350 days out, which aligns reasonably well with Aeroplan’s window. However, Lufthansa is restrictive: it limits partner programs (including Aeroplan) to 85 days in advance for long-haul business class, meaning you won’t see transatlantic J seats more than about 3 months out. First class releases to partners even later – often within 30 days of departure.

SWISS (LX) – Releases award seats to Aeroplan roughly 339 days in advance, giving you a decent runway to plan.

TAP Air Portugal —- Generally reliable about releasing award space when the schedule opens. Availability tends to be better than most other transatlantic carriers, including on some less-traveled routes.

Turkish Airlines (TK) – Releases to Aeroplan around 355 days out, but partner award availability in business class is limited and somewhat unpredictable. Worth checking early, but don’t count on consistent J space.

United Airlines – Opens award space around 330 days in advance. Note that Aeroplan’s window is longer than United’s release schedule, meaning you can’t book United flights any earlier through Aeroplan than you could through MileagePlus.

How Many Seats Do Airlines Typically Release?

Inventory varies by airline, route, and date – and airlines don’t publish this information. In practice, most carriers release 1–2 business class award seats per flight when the schedule first opens. Some carriers are more generous on specific routes. TAP and SWISS tend to release relatively well; Lufthansa transatlantic is more restrictive.

For context: two seats in business class — enough for a couple traveling together — are often available on the day the schedule opens on good routes. By the time you’re searching 3–4 months out, your options narrow considerably unless last-minute space opens up closer to departure (which some airlines do release as unsold premium seats approach departure).

The Practical Takeaway on Timing

If you want to book business class to Europe through Aeroplan, the best strategies are:

  1. Book as early as possible – Search around 355 days out for the most inventory, particularly on SWISS and TAP
  2. Know the Lufthansa exception – Don’t expect transatlantic Lufthansa J to appear until ~85 days before departure; set an alert and be ready
  3. Check last-minute too – Some routes open up business class awards within 2–3 weeks of departure as airlines try to fill unsold seats
  4. Use Aeroplan’s live award search tool – Unlike some programs, Aeroplan lets you search award availability directly on its website without transferring points first; always search before you move anything

Other Useful Redemptions Beyond Europe

Singapore Airlines Business Class to Asia – Singapore releases award space to Aeroplan around 350 days out. Business class from the U.S. to Singapore typically falls in Aeroplan’s 7,501–11,000 mile distance band. As of June 1, 2026, long-haul Asia awards in this band increased by roughly 8–13%, so expect pricing around 95,000–102,500 points one-way depending on the exact routing. Even at the higher end, for a 17-hour flight on one of the world’s best airlines that can cost $5,000–$8,000+ in cash, the per-point value remains strong.

ANA Business or First Class to Japan – ANA releases award seats 355 days out, and Aeroplan’s booking window gives you full access from day one. Business class to Japan saw increases in the June 1 update as well; expect starting rates around 87,500–102,500 points depending on routing and distance band. Japan via the long-way-round through Europe can offer better partner availability if transpacific seats are scarce.

Domestic U.S. Flights via United (With Caveats) – Award rates within North America were not affected by the June 1 update. Despite the dynamic pricing challenges introduced in March 2025, some longer domestic routes on United can still offer reasonable value at the “Starting at” floor prices. Just compare against MileagePlus pricing before you transfer.

Hawaii on Partner Airlines – Aeroplan prices partner awards to Hawaii starting at around 12,500 points one-way in economy. Intra-North America and North America – Hawaii rates were not affected by the upcoming June 1 changes.

A Few Things to Always Keep in Mind

Points expiry is paused through November 30, 2026. Aeroplan has suspended points expiration through the end of November 2026, so existing balances are protected regardless of account activity during that period. Normal expiration rules resume after that.

No fuel surcharges on most partners. Unlike programs that pass through carrier-imposed fees, Aeroplan generally does not charge fuel surcharges when booking partner airlines. You’ll still pay government taxes (and a partner booking fee), but the absence of fuel surcharges keeps out-of-pocket costs reasonable on routes like Europe or Asia where other programs can charge hundreds of dollars in fees.

Always search before you transfer. Aeroplan’s award search is free and available without transferring points. Use it to confirm real availability before moving anything – transfers are one-way and irreversible.

The chart is still evolving. The upcoming June 1, 2026 devaluation is the second significant pricing change in roughly 15 months. The program is still far more transparent and predictable than fully dynamic competitors, but rates you read in older guides will likely be out of date for long-haul premium bookings soon. Always verify current pricing on the Aeroplan site before planning a redemption.

Aeroplan remains one of the most versatile programs available to U.S. credit card holders, even after the recent pricing updates. The combination of six 1:1 transfer partners, a still-published award chart for most partners, the Star Alliance network, and genuinely competitive pricing on routes like business class to Europe makes it worth understanding deeply – whether you’re planning a trip six months from now or just trying to figure out where to put your points.

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