Air Canada Aeroplan sweet spots.
The best-connected currency in points: four transferable currencies feed it, the chart is distance-based and published, and most partners come with no fuel surcharges.
Star Alliance partner awards at reasonable rates, 5,000-mile stopovers, and no fuel surcharges on most partners.
Aeroplan is what an award program looks like when it still wants your business. The chart is distance-based and published — you can price an award before you search for it — and Air Canada dropped fuel surcharges on partner awards, so the price you see is close to the price you pay. Add the deepest Star Alliance partner list in the business and you get the program we reach for first when a trip crosses an ocean.
It is also the easiest major program to fund: Amex MR, Chase UR, Capital One Miles, and Bilt Rewards all transfer in at 1:1, which means almost any flexible-points balance in the U.S. can become Aeroplan miles this afternoon. That breadth matters more than any single sweet spot — when award space appears, the traveler who can move points from anywhere is the one who books it.
Where the miles come from
Transferable currencies that move into Air Canada Aeroplan, best value first.
| Currency | Ratio | Source value | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Membership Rewards | 1:1 | 2¢/pt | Full partner list → |
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | 1:1 | 2¢/pt | Full partner list → |
| Bilt Rewards | 1:1 | 2.05¢/pt | — |
| Capital One Miles | 1:1 | 1.85¢/pt | Full partner list → |
The sweet spots
North America → Europe in business class
The 4,001-6,000-mile distance band prices most U.S. East Coast-to-Western-Europe routes at 60K in business on partners like Lufthansa — with no fuel surcharges. Space is best 3-6 months out or in the final two weeks.
JFK ↔ Casablanca in Royal Air Maroc business
The only direct North America-Casablanca business product, and Aeroplan's distance chart prices it in the short transatlantic band. Book through Aeroplan directly — the operating carrier's own award engine is a mess. Our Morocco itinerary is built on this redemption at ~3.7¢/pt.
The 5,000-point stopover
Add a stopover of up to 45 days on a one-way partner award for 5,000 points. Tokyo on the way to Bangkok, Istanbul on the way to Cairo — it is the cheapest second city in award travel.
Mixed-carrier Star Alliance awards, bookable online
Aeroplan lets you combine partners on one award online — EVA out, Turkish home. Rivals make you phone an agent for less. This is where the distance chart quietly beats every dynamic program.
Watch out for
- Awards on Air Canada metal are dynamically priced and routinely cost more than partner space on the same route — treat Aeroplan as a partner-booking tool first.
- A booking fee applies on award tickets issued by phone, and partner awards carry a modest issuance fee even online — small, but budget for it.
- Points expire after 18 months of inactivity. Any earn or redeem resets the clock, but a dormant balance is a dead balance.
- Transfer bonuses (20-30% from Amex MR, several times a year) are great — but never transfer speculatively. Confirm the award space first; points can't come back.
How to earn Air Canada Aeroplan miles
- All four major transferable currencies move in at 1:1, most within a day or two — check the table below before crediting a paid flight anywhere else.
- Amex MR runs 20-30% transfer bonuses to Aeroplan several times a year. If your trip is more than a month out, it is usually worth waiting for one.
- Paid Star Alliance flying credits to Aeroplan at rates that beat crediting to most U.S. programs on discount fares.
Trips built on Air Canada Aeroplan
Award itineraries on this site where Air Canada Aeroplan carries a key redemption — every number verified against real award availability.
Frequently asked
Is Aeroplan good value in 2026?
Yes — we value Aeroplan miles at about 1.6¢ each, driven by the published distance chart, the absence of fuel surcharges on most partners, and Star Alliance partner awards that dynamic programs price far higher. Business-class transatlantic redemptions routinely clear 3¢ per point.
How do I get Aeroplan miles without flying Air Canada?
Transfer from a flexible currency: Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Bilt Rewards all move to Aeroplan at 1:1. That makes it the most broadly reachable airline program for U.S. points collectors.
Does Aeroplan charge fuel surcharges?
Not on the vast majority of partner awards — Air Canada removed them years ago and has held the line. You pay government taxes and a small issuance fee, which keeps a 60K business award to Europe at roughly $60-120 in cash, not the $500+ some programs add.