Air Canada Aeroplan: A Deep Dive

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026

The short answer: Air Canada Aeroplan is one of the most flexible Star Alliance programs, with distance-based pricing, a generous paid-stopover policy, and one of the largest partner networks including non-alliance airlines. It transfers from Amex, Chase, Capital One, and Bilt, and its website books most partners online. It is a versatile, beginner-friendly powerhouse.

This deep dive covers how Aeroplan prices awards, its standout stopover feature, how to get the miles, and how to book. Award prices and availability change constantly as programs devalue and adjust, so treat every points figure here as a rough, illustrative guide rather than a guarantee. Always confirm the current price and that an award seat is actually available on the airline own site before you transfer points, since transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed.

What Air Canada Aeroplan is

Aeroplan is the loyalty program of Air Canada, a Star Alliance member, but its reach extends well beyond the alliance, with one of the largest partner networks of any program, including non-Star carriers. It prices awards using a distance-based chart with region pairings, which rewards efficient routings and keeps pricing transparent and predictable.

Aeroplan is unusual in being both powerful and user-friendly, which makes it a favorite for newcomers and veterans alike. See our transfer partners guide.

How to get Aeroplan miles

Aeroplan is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One, and Bilt, giving it exceptionally broad access from flexible bank points, usually at a 1-to-1 ratio. That broad access means most people can reach Aeroplan from whatever flexible currency they already hold, which adds to its versatility.

Because Aeroplan books so much online and prices predictably, it is often a great default program to check first for Star Alliance and partner awards. Confirm the award before transferring, as always. See our Chase, Amex, and Bilt ecosystem guides.

Distance-based pricing and stopovers

Aeroplan distance-based chart prices awards by the distance flown within region pairings, which makes it excellent value for efficient routings and gives you a clear sense of cost before you book. It is particularly strong for routes that other programs price expensively, and its transparency helps you plan.

The standout feature is the stopover policy: for a modest fixed number of additional miles, you can add a stopover of more than 24 hours on a one-way award, effectively visiting two cities for little extra. This makes Aeroplan ideal for building multi-city trips, such as a few days in a connecting hub on the way to your final destination. See our booking tactics guide.

The partner network and booking

Aeroplan books the full Star Alliance plus a notable set of non-alliance partners, giving it one of the widest reaches of any program, so it can often book a trip that other programs cannot. Its website displays and books most partner awards online, a major convenience compared to programs that require phone calls, though a few partners may still need an agent.

Aeroplan does pass on some carrier surcharges on certain partners, so check the total cost, but on many routes it is surcharge-light. Use its online search to find space, take advantage of the stopover feature, and book online when possible. See our finding award space guide.

Who Air Canada Aeroplan is best for

Aeroplan is best for almost everyone, which is why it is so widely recommended. Its broad bank access, predictable distance-based pricing, generous stopovers, huge partner network, and usable website make it a versatile program that handles a wide range of trips well. Beginners appreciate the ease, and experts appreciate the flexibility.

It may not always be the single cheapest option for a given award, since a specialist program like Turkish or LifeMiles can undercut it on specific routes, but it is reliably good and easy across the board. It is a program almost every points traveler should know. Award prices and availability change constantly as programs devalue and adjust, so treat every points figure here as a rough, illustrative guide rather than a guarantee. Always confirm the current price and that an award seat is actually available on the airline own site before you transfer points, since transfers are one-way and cannot be reversed.

The bottom line

Aeroplan uses distance-based pricing that rewards efficient routings.
Its paid-stopover policy lets you add a city to an award cheaply.
It has one of the largest partner networks, including non-alliance airlines.
It transfers from Amex, Chase, Capital One, and Bilt.
The website books most partner awards online, unlike some rivals.

Frequently asked questions

What is Air Canada Aeroplan best for?

Versatile, flexible Star Alliance and partner awards with predictable distance-based pricing, generous stopovers, and a website that books most awards online. It is one of the best all-around programs for both beginners and experts.

Which banks transfer to Aeroplan?

Aeroplan is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One, and Bilt, usually at a 1-to-1 ratio. This exceptionally broad access means most people can reach it from a flexible currency they already hold.

How do Aeroplan stopovers work?

For a modest fixed number of additional miles, you can add a stopover of more than 24 hours on a one-way award, effectively visiting two cities for little extra. This makes Aeroplan ideal for building multi-city trips.

Does Aeroplan charge fuel surcharges?

It passes on some carrier surcharges on certain partners but is surcharge-light on many routes, so check the total cost before booking. Its distance-based chart otherwise keeps pricing transparent and predictable.

Is Aeroplan good for beginners?

Yes, unusually so. Its predictable pricing, broad bank access, generous stopovers, large partner network, and a website that books most awards online make it approachable for newcomers while still powerful enough for experts.