Imagine a frequent flyer program that opens the doors to nearly every corner of the globe, offering unmatched flexibility when putting together an itinerary and the most partner airlines. Whether you’re a seasoned travel hacker or simply dreaming of your next adventure, this program unlocks a universe of travel possibilities.
Curious to know which program allows you to book flights with the most airlines, both in their alliance but also an extensive network of other partners?
It’s Aeroplan.
Aeroplan’s Extensive Network of Partners
Air Canada
Of course, you can use Aeroplan points to fly with its flagship airline, Air Canada. But the possibilities don’t stop there.
Star Alliance Partners
As a member of the Star Alliance, Air Canada opens the door to redeeming Aeroplan points for flights on any of these 26 airlines:
- Aegean
- Air China
- Air India
- Air New Zealand
- ANA
- Asiana
- Austrian
- Avianca
- Brussels Airlines
- Copa
- Croatia Airlines
- Egyptair
- Ethiopian Airlines
- EVA Air
- LOT Polish
- Lufthansa
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- Swiss
- TAP Air Portugal
- Thai Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
Non-Alliance Partners
While many programs restrict redemptions to alliance partners, Aeroplan goes beyond. It has an impressive roster of non-alliance partners, including regional carriers and international airlines with premium cabins:
- Air Creebec
- Air Dolomiti
- Air Mauritius
- Air Serbia
- Azul Brazilian Airlines
- Bamboo Airways
- Calm Air
- Canadian North
- Cathay Pacific
- Discover Airlines
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- Eurowings
- Flydubai
- GOL
- Gulf Air
- Juneyao Airlines
- Lufthansa City Airlines
- Olympic Air
- Oman Air
- PAL Airlines
- SunExpress
- Virgin Australia
With 47 partner airlines in total, Aeroplan provides coverage almost anywhere you’d want to travel, whether you’re exploring far-flung corners of the globe or hopping between regional airports.
Unique Features of Aeroplan
- Mix Partners on a Single Award: Combine multiple airlines in one itinerary.
- No Surcharges on Awards: Aeroplan doesn’t add fuel surcharges to partner award tickets
- Stopovers for 5,000 Points: Add a stopover on one-way flights for just 5,000 extra points.
These perks make Aeroplan a favorite for travel hackers looking to create complex, cost-effective itineraries.
My Experience with Aeroplan
Aeroplan still uses a set price for partners, which is based on the zones traveled in North America (red), Atlantic (blue), Pacific (purple), and South America (tan). There is also a separate distance-based award chart specific to awards on Emirates.
I have limited experience using Aeroplan, but the one time I did use them was to book a short-haul trip on Singapore Airlines. Since the entire trip was within the Pacific Zone and less than 1,000 miles, I had to pay 8,000 points per ticket.
When booking this award, I learned Aeroplan adds a 39 CAD fee to booking flights with partner airlines. There’s also an additional fee for booking through the call center. However, they didn’t charge me this fee since my flight was not showing on the website.
Earning Aeroplan Points
You don’t need to fly Air Canada to rack up Aeroplan points. The program partners with several major credit card programs, including:
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Capital One Miles
- Bilt Rewards
You can also transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Aeroplan, and transfer bonuses are frequently available. Additionally, Chase offers an Aeroplan co-branded credit card in the U.S., providing even more earning opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Aeroplan is a program that truly sets itself apart with its unmatched network of 47 partner airlines, flexible redemption options, and valuable features like stopovers and no surcharges. Its partnerships with major credit card programs also make it easy to earn points, even if you never set foot on an Air Canada flight. For frequent flyers and travel enthusiasts alike, Aeroplan delivers a level of versatility and value that’s hard to beat.
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