Aeroplan Sweet Spots: Best Air Canada Redemptions (2026)
Aeroplan is one of the most powerful programs for Star Alliance premium cabins — especially Lufthansa First Class, ANA Business to Japan, and generous stopovers. Here's where the points actually pay off.
Short-Haul
From 6,000 points
Transatlantic Biz
60,000-70,000 one-way
Lufthansa First
100,000-110,000 one-way
Stopover Add-On
+5,000 points
North America Short-Haul
Sub-500-mile Star Alliance flights
Flights under 500 miles on Star Alliance carriers (e.g. SFO-LAX, BOS-YUL, ORD-DTW) for just 6,000 Aeroplan points one-way. Among the cheapest award flights in North America.
Tip: Aeroplan distance bands are based on great-circle distance. Use a flight distance calculator before booking.
501-1,500 mile flights
Flights between 501-1,500 miles (e.g. LAX-DFW, YYZ-MIA, SEA-DEN) are 10,000 points one-way. Great for positioning or booking short one-ways you'd otherwise pay cash for.
Tip: Latitude/flex fares on Air Canada are ~$150 cash for these routes — aim for 1.5 cpp or better.
Hawaii from mainland US in Business
North America to Hawaii in Star Alliance business class (United Polaris on LAX-HNL or SFO-OGG) for 40,000 points. United charges 45,000 on its own miles for the same flight.
Tip: Aeroplan does not pass fuel surcharges on United metal. Pure mileage redemption.
Legendary Partner Awards
Lufthansa First Class to Europe
Lufthansa First Class is the single best reason to collect Aeroplan. 100K from North America East, 110K from West. Released to partners only 14-30 days before departure — which is also why Aeroplan is one of very few programs that can book it.
Tip: Set alerts on ExpertFlyer or seats.aero for LH First availability. It disappears within hours.
ANA Business to Japan
ANA The Room business class from North America to Tokyo for 75K (West Coast) or 87.5K (East Coast). Aeroplan has no fuel surcharges on ANA — a significant saving over United MileagePlus.
Tip: ANA releases partner space 355 days out. Check United.com for availability then transfer and book via Aeroplan.
Swiss Business / First to Europe
SWISS First Class is a boutique, rarely-available product. SWISS Business uses lie-flat seats with excellent food. Both book with minimal surcharges through Aeroplan.
Tip: SWISS First is released mostly to HON Circle status holders first — partner space opens close to departure.
EVA Air Royal Laurel to Taipei
EVA Air Royal Laurel business class to Taipei is consistently rated a top-5 business class product. Aeroplan prices it competitively and releases more space than partner programs.
Tip: EVA Air's saver inventory via Aeroplan is good on JFK-TPE and LAX-TPE.
Turkish Airlines to Istanbul
Turkish Airlines business class IST routes. Now that Turkish Miles&Smiles devalued (Feb 2025), Aeroplan is a solid alternative for the same seats at similar pricing.
Tip: Turkish runs generous award space on its Istanbul routes, especially from JFK and ORD.
Long-Haul Business Class
North America to Europe, Business
Transatlantic business class on Star Alliance (United, Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, TAP) from 60,000 points one-way off-peak. Dynamic pricing, but 60-70K is typical for saver space.
Tip: Book LH/LX/OS on Aeroplan to avoid the heavy fuel surcharges those carriers pass through other programs.
North America to Asia, Business
EVA, ANA, Asiana, Singapore (limited) and Thai in business class. Among the cheapest Star Alliance business class pricing available.
Tip: LifeMiles is sometimes cheaper than Aeroplan for the same Star Alliance metal — always compare before booking.
Stopover for 5,000 points
Add a stopover of up to 45 days on any one-way award for just 5,000 additional points. One of the most generous stopover rules in the award world — effectively two cities for one award.
Tip: Combine a Europe stopover with an onward Asia leg to turn one trip into two destinations.
Avoid These (Poor Value)
Aeroplan 'Marketplace' portal
Aeroplan's travel portal prices flights at a fixed ~1 cent per point. Almost always worse than transferring or saving for a partner redemption.
Tip: Only use the portal if you absolutely cannot find partner award space and need a specific flight.
Aeroplan Preferred Pricing upgrades
Upgrading a cash ticket with Aeroplan points is priced much higher than booking a reward seat outright in the higher cabin.
Tip: Book the reward seat directly — don't upgrade existing cash tickets with points.
Cancellation fees
Aeroplan charges some of the highest cancellation fees in the industry — up to CAD 150 per person. Changes within 22 days of travel incur additional fees.
Tip: Be confident about dates before booking, or hold via avianca.com (LifeMiles) to confirm availability first.
Transferring to Marriott Bonvoy
Aeroplan → Marriott transfers at 3:1 is a terrible ratio. Never move Aeroplan to a hotel program.
Tip: Aeroplan earns on flights. Use them for flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Aeroplan sweet spots?
The legendary Aeroplan sweet spot is Lufthansa First Class to Europe at 100,000-110,000 points one-way — Aeroplan is one of very few programs that can book it, since LH First is released to partners only 14-30 days before departure. Other standouts: ANA Business to Japan at 75,000-87,500 (no fuel surcharges via Aeroplan), sub-500-mile North America flights at 6,000 points, and the 5,000-point stopover rule that lets you add a second destination cheaply.
Does Aeroplan pass fuel surcharges on partner airlines?
Not on most partners. Aeroplan suppresses fuel surcharges on ANA, United, EVA Air, Singapore, Turkish and others. The main exceptions are Air Canada's own metal (moderate surcharges) and some Lufthansa Group routes (smaller than through United MileagePlus, but not zero). This clean-surcharge behaviour makes Aeroplan dramatically better than Miles&More or BA Avios for the same flights.
How do Aeroplan stopovers work?
Aeroplan allows one stopover of up to 45 days on a one-way award ticket for an additional 5,000 points. Round-trips can include two stopovers (one each direction) for 10,000 additional points. This is one of the most generous stopover rules in the award world — effectively two destinations for the price of one ticket plus a small points surcharge.
Which credit cards transfer to Aeroplan?
Amex Membership Rewards (1:1), Bilt Rewards (1:1), Capital One Miles (1:1), and Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1) all transfer to Aeroplan. Marriott Bonvoy transfers 3:1.1 (poor). Amex is the most common source and occasionally runs transfer bonuses of 15-30% to Aeroplan.
When does Aeroplan release award space?
Air Canada metal opens 337 days before departure. Partner availability varies — ANA releases 355 days out, Lufthansa First releases only 14-30 days before departure to partners. Saver space on popular routes disappears quickly. Use seats.aero or ExpertFlyer to monitor availability and set alerts.
Is Aeroplan better than United MileagePlus for Star Alliance?
For most premium cabin international redemptions, yes. Aeroplan has wider partner availability, no (or lower) fuel surcharges on key partners, a generous stopover rule, and distance-based pricing that often beats United's dynamic pricing. United is better for domestic economy and last-minute US flights due to the Excursionist Perk.
Are Aeroplan cancellation fees really that high?
Yes — up to CAD 150 per passenger is among the highest in the industry. Aeroplan Elite Status members get reduced or waived fees. If you might need to cancel, book via Avianca LifeMiles or other programs that have lower fees, even if the points cost is slightly higher.
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