Air Canada’s Aeroplan frequent flyer program offers a range of benefits designed to reward loyal customers. While many travelers are familiar with standard perks like earning points for flights and redeeming them for rewards, there are several lesser-known features that can enhance your experience.
1. Stopover Privileges
One of Aeroplan’s standout features is the ability to add an international stopover to any one-way itinerary for an additional 5,000 points. This allows travelers to visit multiple destinations on a single trip, effectively creating two trips for the price of one. The maximum duration for a stopover is 45 days, providing ample time to explore a new city or country before continuing to your final destination.
2. Preferred Pricing for Elite Members
Aeroplan offers preferred pricing on Air Canada reward flights for its elite members. These discounts are not publicly disclosed but typically start at over 10% for lower-tier members and can exceed 20% for Super Elite members who also hold certain co-branded credit cards. This benefit makes it more affordable for frequent flyers to redeem points for flights.
3. Family Sharing
Aeroplan’s Family Sharing feature allows members to pool points with family members at no additional cost. This collective approach enables families to reach reward thresholds more quickly, facilitating group travel or allowing individual members to redeem points for larger rewards sooner.
4. Extensive Partner Network
Beyond Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners, Aeroplan has established partnerships with several non-alliance airlines, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Virgin Australia. These partnerships expand the destinations available for point redemption, offering members greater flexibility and choice in their travel plans.
5. Flexible Routing Options
Aeroplan’s award chart is designed to accommodate creative routing, allowing travelers to include multiple stopovers and open jaws (arriving in one city and departing from another) in a single itinerary. This flexibility can be particularly advantageous for those looking to maximize their travel experience by visiting multiple destinations on one trip.
6. Points + Cash Option
For travelers who may not have enough points to cover the full cost of a reward flight, Aeroplan offers a Points + Cash option. This feature allows members to pay for a portion of their flight with points and the remainder with cash, making it easier to book flights even when point balances are low.
7. No Carrier-Imposed Surcharges
Unlike some frequent flyer programs, Aeroplan does not add carrier-imposed surcharges to award tickets. This means that when redeeming points for flights, members are only responsible for paying the actual taxes and third-party fees, resulting in significant savings.
8. Elite Status Benefits Across Star Alliance
Aeroplan Elite Status members enjoy benefits not only with Air Canada but also across the entire Star Alliance network. Depending on the status level, perks can include priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, lounge access, and priority boarding when flying with any Star Alliance member airline.
9. eUpgrade Credits
Elite members receive eUpgrade credits, which can be used to upgrade to a higher class of service on Air Canada flights. The number of credits received varies by status level, and they can be applied to both paid and reward flights, enhancing the in-flight experience.
10. Hotel and Car Rental Partnerships
Aeroplan has partnerships with various hotel chains and car rental companies, allowing members to earn points on stays and rentals. Additionally, points can be redeemed for hotel accommodations and car rentals, providing flexibility beyond flight rewards.
11. Aeroplan Credit Cards
Aeroplan offers co-branded credit cards that come with benefits such as welcome bonuses, accelerated point earning on purchases, and travel perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. These cards can significantly boost point accumulation and enhance the overall travel experience.
12. Family Sharing
Aeroplan’s Family Sharing feature allows members to pool points with family members at no additional cost. This collective approach enables families to reach reward thresholds more quickly, facilitating group travel or allowing individual members to redeem points for larger rewards sooner.
13. Aeroplan Elite Status Levels
Aeroplan’s Elite Status program has five tiers: 25K, 35K, 50K, 75K, and Super Elite. Each ascending tier offers increased benefits, including priority services, lounge access, and bonus point earning opportunities. Achieving higher status levels can significantly enhance the travel experience.
14. Star Alliance Gold Status
Members with Aeroplan 50K status and above receive Star Alliance Gold status, granting access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide, priority boarding, extra baggage allowance, and other perks when flying with Star Alliance member airlines.
15. Aeroplan eStore
The Aeroplan eStore is an online shopping portal where members can earn points by making purchases with various retailers. This allows members to accumulate points through everyday shopping, accelerating the path to rewards.
16. Aeroplan Promotions and Bonuses
Aeroplan frequently offers promotions and bonuses, such as increased earning rates with partners or discounts on point redemptions. Staying informed about these offers can provide additional value and opportunities to maximize point accumulation and usage.