Air Canada's Aeroplan loyalty program remains a favorite in the loyalty world. In addition to its distance-based award charts (Air Canada and select partner charts operate dynamically), it offers several customer-friendly features, such as a low-priced stopover perk and minimal fees on award tickets. This can be especially useful when booking Star Alliance partner award flights.
Plus, Aeroplan points are easy to earn; whether you leverage transferable points and miles programs or make purchases with nontravel partners, you don't have to fly with Air Canada to earn this valuable currency.
Keep reading to find out easy ways to earn Aeroplan points to book your next award flight.
Earn Aeroplan points by flying Air Canada
On eligible Air Canada flights or ticket numbers starting with "014," basic members will earn 1 point per Canadian dollar (about 70 cents) spent on the base fare and carrier surcharges (you do not earn points on taxes and fees).
If you hold elite status with Aeroplan, you will earn at the following rates:
- Aeroplan 25K: 2 points per dollar spent
- Aeroplan 35K: 3 points per dollar spent
- Aeroplan 50K: 4 points per dollar spent
- Aeroplan 75K: 5 points per dollar spent
- Aeroplan Super Elite: 6 points per dollar spent
So, if you are flying from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and the one-way flight costs CA$250 (excluding taxes and fees), as a basic member, you'd earn 250 Aeroplan points. If you hold Super Elite status, you'd earn 1,500 points.
You won't earn additional points on extras such as baggage fees and paid seat assignments.
Earn Aeroplan points by flying partner airlines
How you earn Aeroplan points on partner flights depends on which airline issued your ticket. Flights ticketed by Air Canada, with ticket numbers starting with "014," earn based on the amount spent, while eligible partner flights ticketed by another airline generally earn based on the distance flown and the fare class booked.
Aeroplan members with elite status also receive their elite points multiplier on eligible 014-ticketed flights operated by Star Alliance carriers.
If a partner airline issues the ticket and the ticket number does not start with 014, you generally continue to earn points based on the distance traveled and the fare class booked. The exact earning rate varies by partner and booking class.
You can view how many points you'll earn by pulling up your partner airline's information on the Aeroplan website. Click on the "Details" link to see a list of fare classes with a percentage listed to the right. This percentage represents how many points you'll earn based on the distance flown.
Earn Aeroplan points with Air Canada's credit card
The Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees) is another great option for earning Aeroplan points. Right now, cardholders can earn up to 115,000 bonus points: 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 40,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months from account opening. The card has an annual fee of $195.
As of October 2026, TPG values 115,000 Aeroplan points at 1.5 cents each, making this welcome bonus worth up to $1,725.
Plus, this card earns up to 5 points per dollar spent on Air Canada purchases; 3 points per dollar spent at grocery stores, on travel purchases and on dining at restaurants (through Dec. 31 for grocery stores and dining at restaurants, then 2 points per dollar starting Jan. 1, 2027); 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations; and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Primary cardmembers receive automatic Aeroplan 25K elite status, plus at least a 15% reduction on the Aeroplan points required for the base fare of eligible flight rewards where the applicable direction of travel is fully operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express or Air Canada Rouge.
Additionally, through Dec. 31, cardholders receive 500 bonus Aeroplan points for every $2,000 spent in a calendar month (up to 1,500 bonus points per month) and a 10% bonus on single transfers of at least 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Aeroplan (capped at 25,000 bonus points per calendar year).
Transfer credit card points or miles to Aeroplan
Aeroplan is also a transferable rewards partner with several issuers. You can transfer points or miles to Aeroplan at a 1:1 rate from the following programs:
Related: Why transferable points and miles are worth more than other rewards
Buy Aeroplan points
One of the fastest ways to earn Aeroplan points is by buying them. You can usually purchase Aeroplan points at 3.75 Canadian cents per point. The airline frequently discounts these points, though, so you may be able to buy them at a lower price.
Canadians must pay sales tax on these purchases, but thankfully, Americans are exempt. That said, you will be charged in Canadian dollars, and the purchase most likely won't code as travel. If you decide to buy points, pay with a card that doesn't impose foreign transaction fees and offers a solid return on everyday spending.
Earn Aeroplan points by shopping
You can earn Aeroplan points when you click through the Aeroplan eStore before purchasing online. The portal includes more than 200 retailers, and earning rates vary by merchant and promotion.
Some merchants are restricted to Canada, while others are available worldwide. Make sure to check your merchant's website for information before you make a purchase, and consider using another shopping portal if your merchant of choice doesn't offer Aeroplan points on purchases made outside of Canada.
Using the portal is simple. Head to the Aeroplan eStore, log in and find the merchant you'd like to shop with. Click the "Shop now" button, and make your purchase as usual. Keep in mind that points can take time to post, and the exact timing varies by merchant.
Related: Earn points, miles or cash back: How to maximize online shopping portals for your purchases
Earn Aeroplan points with travel partners
Aeroplan has several car rental partners, including Avis, Budget and Payless, and it expanded its rental earning options in 2026. For qualifying rentals from May 6 on, members earn 2 Aeroplan points per Canadian dollar spent with Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty, while Aeroplan members with elite status can earn higher rates with Hertz depending on their status level.
You have a couple of options for earning Aeroplan points with partner hotels. Many major hotel chains, including Accor, Marriott and Hyatt, let you earn Aeroplan points instead of hotel points. The number of points earned depends on where you stay and how much you spend. Always compare the value of the Aeroplan points to the hotel points you'd earn to ensure you're getting the best deal.
Alternatively, you can transfer existing hotel points to Aeroplan. The transfer ratio depends on the hotel program you're transferring from, with the best transfer rate from a major hotel program being 2:1 from Accor Live Limitless.
Other hotel programs transfer to Aeroplan at the following rates:
- Best Western Rewards: 5:1
- Choice Privileges: 5:1
- Coast Rewards: 1:1
- Hilton Honors: 10,000:1,000
- IHG One Rewards: 5:1
- Marriott Bonvoy: 3:1 (plus 5,000 bonus points when you transfer 60,000 points)
- Shangri-La Golden Circle: 1:1
- Wyndham Rewards: 5:1
- World of Hyatt: 2:1
We don't usually recommend transferring hotel points to Aeroplan. It can be a good option for topping up for a particular award, but you'll generally get more value by using your points for hotel stays.
Check out the full list of Aeroplan's travel partners to see how you can earn points.
Bottom line
There's no shortage of ways to earn Aeroplan points. When you use these methods in tandem, you'll quickly earn enough to book amazing award tickets — and maybe even earn elite status simultaneously.
For most U.S.-based travelers, transferable rewards are still a good place to start because they preserve flexibility until it's time to book. However, the refreshed Aeroplan Credit Card is more compelling for frequent Air Canada flyers thanks to its automatic Aeroplan 25K status, eligible award discounts and statement credits.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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