Air Canada Aeroplan, explained
One of the most useful Star Alliance programs for U.S. travelers: a published distance chart, a flat partner booking fee, and four banks that transfer in. What changed in June 2026, and where Aeroplan points go furthest.
Aeroplan is Air Canada’s program, but it has become one of the most important programs for travelers in the United States. It books Lufthansa, Swiss, ANA, Turkish and other Star Alliance airlines on a published chart priced by distance, with a flat CA$39 partner booking fee plus taxes, and Amex, Chase, Capital One and Bilt all transfer to it at 1:1. A June 2026 update raised prices on longer flights, but the best prices held.
Air Canada · Star Alliance
At a glance
Air Canada Aeroplan
Business class on Star Alliance partners to Europe and Asia at fixed chart prices.
- Typical value per point
- 1.5¢
- Points to Europe in business, from the East Coast
- 60,000
- Points for a stopover on a one-way award
- 5,000
- Amex, Chase, Capital One, Bilt
- 4 banks
How the chart worksWhere Aeroplan points go furthestFees and rulesHow to earn Aeroplan pointsThe credit card
How the chart works
Aeroplan prices partner flights by the distance actually flown, connections included, and by the regions traveled between. Air Canada’s current chart has two tables: a dynamic one for Air Canada and a few "select partners" (including United and Emirates) with "starting at" prices, and a fixed one for every other partner. These are one-way prices on fixed partners such as Lufthansa, Swiss, ANA and Turkish, from Air Canada’s June 2026 chart:
| North America to Europe, Middle East, Africa | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 4,000 miles | 32,500 | 60,000 | 90,000 |
| 4,001–6,000 miles | 42,500 | 75,000 | 120,000 |
| 6,001–8,000 miles | 60,000 | 90,000 | 150,000 |
| 8,001+ miles | 75,000 | 110,000 | 165,000 |
| North America to Asia and Oceania | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5,000 miles | 32,500 | 55,000 | 90,000 |
| 5,001–7,500 miles | 50,000 | 85,000 | 120,000 |
| 7,501–11,000 miles | 65,000 | 102,500 | 140,000 |
| 11,001+ miles | 70,000 | 115,000 | 150,000 |
Within North America, prices start at 6,000 points for flights up to 500 miles and run to 22,500 in economy and 35,000 in business on the longest partner routes. United flights are now priced dynamically from those floors.
Where Aeroplan points go furthest
Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, TAP and others
East Coast to Europe in business
60,000points one-way, up to 4,000 flown miles
New York or Boston to Frankfurt, Zurich, Brussels or Lisbon nonstop fits the band. Air Canada lists only a CA$39 partner booking fee plus taxes and airport fees on partner awards; check the cash total before transferring.
One of the best prices left
Fixed partners to Europe
Lufthansa first class
90,000points one-way, up to 4,000 flown miles
The same short-band price for first class from the East Coast.
Flexible dates needed
ANA and other fixed partners
Japan in business
55,000–85,000points one-way
55,000 when the flown distance stays under 5,000 miles on a fixed partner such as ANA (check the carrier: Air Canada and United flights are priced dynamically); 85,000 from most U.S. gateways.
Japan from the West Coast
Within North America
Hawaii from the West Coast
from 12,500points one-way in economy · 25,000 business
On United, now a "starting at" price that rises with demand.
Compare with Atmos
Within North America
Short hops
from 6,000points one-way, up to 500 miles
Useful when short cash fares are high.
Plus taxes and fees
The stopover
Aeroplan allows a stopover on a one-way international award for 5,000 points: a few days in Frankfurt on the way to Rome, or in Tokyo on the way to Singapore, for little more than the one-way price.
Fees and rules
- Partner booking fee: CA$39 per ticket that includes a partner flight.
- Taxes and third-party charges: beyond the partner booking fee, Air Canada lists only taxes and third-party charges, such as airport fees, on partner awards.
- Changes and cancellations cost CA$75 and CA$150 online on the lowest fares, more by phone; Latitude and flexible premium fares change and cancel free. Cancellation within 24 hours of booking is free.
- Family Sharing pools up to eight people, though Air Canada says creating new pools is temporarily unavailable.
- Expiry: points expire after 18 months of inactivity, according to Air Canada.
How to earn Aeroplan points
Transfer from a bank
Capital One at 1:1, according to Capital One; American Express, Chase and Bilt at 1:1. Citi does not transfer to Aeroplan.
Marriott
60,000 Marriott points become 25,000 Aeroplan points, according to Marriott.
The Chase Aeroplan card
See below.
The credit card
Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Card
Refreshed on September 10, 2026: automatic Aeroplan 25K status, 15% off Air Canada flight rewards, up to $100 a year in Air Canada credits; the offer is 75,000 points after $4,000 in three months plus 40,000 after $20,000 in twelve months, according to Chase. A free first checked bag remains.
Current offer at the issuer →Existing cardholders should check their renewal notice for when the $195 fee applies.
Where it shines
- A published chart priced by distance, with fixed prices on most partners
- The 60,000-point East Coast–Europe business price survived 2026
- 5,000-point stopovers on one-way awards
- Four of the five big banks transfer in
Where it falls short
- Longer flights cost more since June 2026
- United is now priced dynamically
- Change and cancellation fees on most awards
- Family pools cannot currently be created
The Atelier Take
For Star Alliance business class, Aeroplan is usually the first place to price a seat; transfer only once the seat is confirmed.
Airline, hotel and card names and logos are trademarks of their owners, used only to identify their programs. Points Atelier is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.
