How Much Are Aeroplan Points Worth? A Canadian Guide
Quick answer: CardTruth values an Aeroplan point at about 2¢ when you redeem it for flights. That's the figure we use on every Aeroplan card's teardown. The value you actually get depends on how you redeem.
Why Aeroplan points don't have one fixed value
Aeroplan isn't a cash-back program. A point is worth whatever the flight you book would otherwise have cost.
- Air Canada flights are priced dynamically, so the points needed rise and fall with the cash fare.
- Partner airline flights follow a distance-based chart, so a long or premium-cabin trip can be worth much more per point.
- Merchandise, gift cards and other non-flight rewards usually return less per point than flights.
How to calculate the value of a redemption
Use this formula before you book:
(cash price of the flight − taxes and fees you still pay) ÷ points needed
For example, an $800 return flight that costs 25,000 points plus $100 in taxes and fees gives ($800 − $100) ÷ 25,000 = 2.8¢ per point. If the result is well below our estimate, paying cash and keeping the points may be the better choice.
Which credit cards earn Aeroplan points?
Aeroplan has partner cards with TD, CIBC and American Express:
| Card | Annual fee | Top earn rate |
|---|---|---|
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card | $0 | 1x on Groceries, Gas & Air Canada |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Card for Students | $0 | 1x on Groceries, Gas & Air Canada |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card | $89.00 | 1x on Gas, Groceries & Air Canada |
| American Express Aeroplan Card | $120.00 | 2x on Air Canada |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Business Plus Card (business) | $139.00 | 2x on Air Canada |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | $139.00 | 1.5x on Groceries, Gas & Air Canada |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card | $139.00 | 1.5x on Gas, Groceries & Air Canada |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Business Card (business) | $149.00 | 2x on Air Canada |
Show all 13
| Card | Annual fee | Top earn rate |
|---|---|---|
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Business Card (business) | $180.00 | 2x on Air Canada |
| American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve Card (business) | $599.00 | 3x on Air Canada |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | $599.00 | 3x on Air Canada |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | $599.00 | 2x on Air Canada |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | $599.00 | 2x on Air Canada |
13 of the 139 cards CardTruth tracks. Built from each card's teardown, so it updates when a card changes.
You can also earn Aeroplan points indirectly. Amex Membership Rewards points, earned on cards like the American Express Cobalt Card, can be transferred to Aeroplan, which makes a flexible points card an option if you don't want an airline card.
Do Aeroplan points expire?
Aeroplan can expire points after a long stretch with no account activity. Earning or redeeming any points keeps the account active, and spending on an Aeroplan credit card counts. Check Air Canada's inactivity policy for the current rules.
Getting more value from Aeroplan points
- Compare the points price with the cash fare using the formula above.
- Look at partner flights on long routes, where the chart pricing often beats the cash fare.
- Avoid low-value redemptions such as merchandise when you could book a flight instead.
- Count the card's annual fee. Aeroplan cards with higher fees add benefits like free checked bags and lounge access. Our teardowns show what each benefit requires.
Not sure whether points or cash back suit you better? Read cash back vs travel rewards.