Earn Air Canada Aeroplan Points: Credit Cards, Transfers and Hotels

Earning Air Canada Aeroplan points doesn’t require you to actually fly Air Canada. The program offers multiple routes to accumulate the currency, from credit card bonuses to hotel transfers, making it accessible whether you’re a frequent flyer or someone who prefers to earn through everyday purchases.

Flying Air Canada

Basic Members

When you book an eligible Air Canada flight (ticket numbers starting with “014”), basic members earn 1 point per Canadian dollar spent on the base fare and carrier surcharges. Taxes and fees don’t generate points. A flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) costing CA$250 before taxes would yield 250 Aeroplan points for a basic member. Baggage fees and paid seat assignments don’t contribute to your earning, regardless of membership tier.

Elite Status Multipliers

Aeroplan’s elite tiers multiply these earning rates significantly. Silver Elite members earn 1.25 points per Canadian dollar, Gold earn 1.5 points, Platinum earn 2 points, Super Elite earn 3 points, and Ambassador earn 4 points per dollar. That same CA$250 JFK-YUL flight would generate 1,500 points for a Super Elite member, compared to 250 for someone without status.

Partner Airlines and the Star Alliance

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Air Canada-Ticketed Flights

How you earn on Star Alliance partner flights depends on who issued your ticket. Air Canada-issued tickets (starting with “014”) operate under the same earning formula as Air Canada-operated flights, with points based on Canadian dollars spent on the base fare and surcharges. Elite members receive their tier multipliers on these partner-operated flights as well.

Partner-Issued Tickets

When a partner airline issues the ticket and the ticket number doesn’t start with “014”, earning is based on distance traveled and the fare class booked, with rates varying by airline and booking class. To determine your earning potential, log into the Aeroplan website and pull up the partner airline’s information. Click the “Details” link to view a chart showing fare classes with corresponding percentages. Each percentage represents how many points you’ll earn based on the distance flown.

The Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Card

Welcome Bonus Structure

The Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Card offers a tiered welcome bonus split into two milestones. Earn 75,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening, then an additional 40,000 points after reaching $20,000 in total spending within the first 12 months. The combined bonus totals 115,000 points. According to The Points Guy’s October 2026 valuation, this equals 1.5 cents per point, making the bonus worth approximately $1,725. The card carries a $195 annual fee.

Ongoing Earning Rates

Ongoing earning varies by spending category. Air Canada purchases earn 5 points per dollar, while grocery stores, travel purchases and dining establishments earn 3 points per dollar through December 31, 2026, dropping to 2 points per dollar starting January 1, 2027. Gas station purchases earn 2 points per dollar, and all other spending earns 1 point per dollar.

Elite Status and Additional Bonuses

Primary cardholders automatically receive Aeroplan 25K elite status, which provides at least a 15% reduction on points required for base fares on eligible Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada Rouge rewards. Through the end of 2026, cardholders earn an additional 500 bonus Aeroplan points for every $2,000 spent in a calendar month, capped at 1,500 bonus points monthly. Large transfers also receive a boost: a 10% bonus applies to single transfers of at least 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Aeroplan, with an annual cap of 25,000 bonus points.

Transferable Points and Direct Purchases

Several credit card issuers treat Aeroplan as a transfer partner, allowing 1:1 point transfers. These include Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Citi Thankyou, and other programs, giving cardholders flexibility to redirect their earnings toward Aeroplan when it fits their travel plans.

Buying Aeroplan points directly is another option. The airline typically prices them at 3.75 Canadian cents per point, though frequent promotional discounts reduce the rate. Americans avoid sales tax on point purchases, while Canadians pay it. All transactions charge in Canadian dollars, so choose a credit card without foreign transaction fees. Points may take time to appear after purchase, with timing varying by merchant and program.

Shopping, Car Rentals and Hotels

Online Shopping Portal

The Aeroplan eStore includes over 200 retailers with varying earning rates per merchant and promotion. Some merchants are restricted to Canada, while others serve worldwide. Check each merchant’s website for geographic restrictions before making a purchase, or consider a different shopping portal if your preferred retailer doesn’t offer Aeroplan points outside Canada. To earn, log into the eStore, find your retailer, click “Shop now,” and complete your purchase normally. Points may take several days to post, depending on the merchant.

Car Rental Partners

Aeroplan expanded its car rental partnerships in 2026. For qualifying rentals from May 6 onwards, members earn 2 Aeroplan points per Canadian dollar with Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty. The program also includes Avis, Budget and Payless. Elite status members earn enhanced rates specifically with Hertz, with the multiplier depending on their tier.

Hotel Transfers and Direct Earning

Two approaches exist for hotel-based earning. You can earn Aeroplan points directly when staying with major chains like Accor, Marriott and Hyatt, which offer these rewards instead of their own hotel points. Earning varies by property and spend level. Alternatively, you can transfer existing hotel points to Aeroplan. Accor Live Limitless offers the best rate among major chains at 2:1 (two hotel points equal one Aeroplan point). IHG transfers at 3:1, Hilton at 4:1 and Marriott Bonvoy at 5:1. According to The Points Guy, hotel points typically retain more value when used for hotel stays rather than transferred, making transfers most valuable for topping up specific award bookings.

Combining Methods for Maximum Accumulation

Layering these earning channels accelerates point accumulation substantially. For U.S.-based travelers, starting with transferable rewards programs preserves booking flexibility until redemption time. Frequent Air Canada passengers gain more value from the Chase card’s automatic 25K elite status, award discounts and temporary earning bonuses through 2026.

Source: The Points Guy Articles