Air Canada Aeroplan: Up to 30% Discount on Purchased Points
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Air Canada’s current “buy points” promotion for Aeroplan members is offering up to a 30% discount, bringing the effective cost down to as low as 1.89¢ USD per point (2.63¢ CAD). While this isn’t the best offer we’ve seen in the past year, it may still represent a good opportunity to acquire Aeroplan points at a discount for premium cabin redemptions on Air Canada and its 40+ partner airlines.
If you’re interested in taking advantage of this offer, you’ll need to act quickly as the promotion expires on June 30, 2026. Additionally, this promotion is targeted so you may see a different bonus amount in your account.
Now, let’s examine the details and determine when buying points at this rate makes sense.
Promotion Details
- Expiration: June 30, 2026
- Targeted offer: Up to 30% discount on purchased points (check your account as your offer may vary)
- Minimum purchase: 10,000 points for a discount to kick in (may vary depending on your bonus offer)
- Maximum purchase: 250,000 points per transaction, 1,000,000 per calendar year
- Processing time: Points typically post within 72 hours
- Important note: Purchased points do not count toward elite status qualification
Discount Tiers and Pricing
The current Aeroplan Buy Points promotion offers tiered discounts based on the amount of points you’re purchasing.
Aeroplan “buy points” promotions are often targeted, so members may find that their offer details differ from the ones below; however, from our research, the most common bonus offer is for up to a 30% discount:
| Purchase Amount | Discount | Cost per Point (CAD) | Cost per Point (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,000–9,000 points | 0% | 3.75¢ | 2.73¢ |
| 10,000–19,000 points | 15% | 3.19¢ | 2.29¢ |
| 20,000–75,000 points | 20% | 3¢ | 2.15¢ |
| 80,000–95,000 points | 25% | 2.81¢ | 2.02¢ |
| 100,000+ points | 30% | 2.63¢ | 1.89¢ |
At the highest tier, you can purchase up to 250,000 Aeroplan points and receive a 30% discount. The cost to buy the maximum 250,000 points is $6,562.50 CAD (approximately $4,720 USD), resulting in an effective rate of 1.89¢ USD per point with the 30% discount.
This represents better value compared to the standard purchase price of 2.7¢ USD per point without any discount; however, it does cost more than the average valuation of Aeroplan points, which we’ll discuss just below.
Is This a Good Deal?
Based on recent AwardWallet user redemptions, Aeroplan points have provided an average value of 1.86¢ each. However, the value varies significantly depending on the type of redemption:
| Redemption Type | Average Value per Point |
|---|---|
| Short-haul economy | 1.21¢ |
| Long-haul economy/premium economy | 1.28¢ |
| Short-haul business/first | 2.56¢ |
| Long-haul business/first | 2.63¢ |
When comparing these redemption values to the purchase price of 1.89¢ per point with the 30% discount, it’s clear that buying points could potentially net you some value when redeeming for premium cabins, but that it generally doesn’t make sense for economy flights.
When It Makes Sense to Buy Aeroplan Points
There are several scenarios where purchasing Aeroplan points during this promotion could be highly advantageous:
1. Premium Cabin Sweet Spots
Aeroplan has several sweet spots for business and first class redemptions that can provide solid value when purchasing points at 1.89¢ each:
- North America to Europe in business class: 60,000-70,000 points one-way ($1,290-$1,506 worth of purchased points) for a ticket that might cost $3,000-$5,000
- North America to Asia in business class: 75,000-85,000 points one-way ($1,610-$1,710 worth of purchased points) for a ticket that might cost $4,000-$6,000
- North America to Middle East/India in business class: 85,000-100,000 points one-way ($1,710-$1,880 worth of purchased points) for a ticket that might cost $4,000-$7,000
2. Topping Off Your Account
If you’re just a few thousand points short of a specific redemption, purchasing the points you need can be a no-brainer. For example, if you have 58,000 points and need 60,000 for a business class ticket to Europe, buying the additional 2,000 points makes perfect sense.
3. Partner Airline Redemptions
Aeroplan has over 40 airline partners, including all Star Alliance members and several non-alliance partners like Etihad Airways, Emirates, and Gulf Air. This extensive partner network often provides opportunities for high-value redemptions, especially when cash fares are expensive.
Some particularly valuable partner redemptions include:
- Swiss or Lufthansa First Class: 90,000-100,000 points one-way from North America to Europe (when available)
- ANA Business Class: 75,000 points one-way from North America to Japan
- Turkish Airlines Business Class: 75,000-85,000 points one-way from North America to Europe/Asia
- Etihad Business Class: 85,000-100,000 points one-way from North America to Middle East
When You Should Not Buy Aeroplan Points
Despite the up to 30% discount, there are situations where purchasing Aeroplan points doesn’t make financial sense:
- Economy redemptions: With average values of 1.21-1.28¢ per point for economy flights, you’d be losing money by purchasing points at 1.89¢ each
- No immediate redemption plans: Points are subject to devaluation, so buying speculatively carries risk
- Account activity: If you’re only looking to keep your account active, there are cheaper ways to do so than buying points
- Cash flow concerns: Never purchase points if it means going into debt
Other Ways to Earn Aeroplan Points
Before deciding to purchase points, consider these alternative methods for acquiring Aeroplan points:
- Credit card sign-up bonuses: Several U.S. and Canadian credit cards offer substantial Aeroplan bonuses
- Transfer partners: Aeroplan is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Bilt Rewards
- Flying Air Canada: Earn points based on the distance flown and fare class
- Shopping portals: Earn points through the Aeroplan eStore when shopping online
- Hotel stays: Earn Aeroplan points with select hotel partners or by converting hotel points
How to Buy Aeroplan Points
If you’ve decided to take advantage of this promotion, here’s how to purchase Aeroplan points:
- Log in to your Aeroplan account at aircanada.com/aeroplan
- Navigate to “Buy, Gift, or Transfer Points” under the Aeroplan menu
- Select “Buy Points” and choose the amount you wish to purchase
- Complete the purchase with your credit card
Remember to check for award availability before purchasing points for a specific redemption as Aeroplan now uses dynamic pricing on some partners.
Bottom Line
Air Canada’s current promotion offering up to a 30% discount on purchased Aeroplan points represents an solid opportunity for travelers planning premium cabin redemptions. At an effective rate of 1.89¢ USD per point for the highest tier, you can potentially save thousands of dollars on business and first class flights with Air Canada and its extensive partner network.
However, this offer isn’t for everyone. If you primarily fly economy or don’t have specific redemption plans, you’re better off saving your cash and exploring other ways to earn Aeroplan points.
Remember that this promotion is targeted and expires on June 30, 2026. If you’re interested, check your Aeroplan account to see what bonus you’re eligible for and carefully consider whether purchasing points aligns with your travel goals and financial situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take for purchased Aeroplan points to post to my account?
According to Air Canada, purchased or gifted Aeroplan points typically post to your account within 72 hours of completing the transaction. However, in most cases, points appear much faster—often within a few minutes to a few hours. If you’re planning to make an immediate redemption with your purchased points, it’s advisable to allow for this processing time.
Can I make multiple purchases to reach the maximum?
Yes, the promotion allows multiple transactions up to the annual limit of 1,000,000 points per calendar year; however, an individual transaction can be up to 250,000 points during this promotion. Additionally, keep in mind that each transaction must meet the minimum threshold for the desired bonus tier.
Do purchased Aeroplan points count toward elite status qualification?
No, points purchased, transferred, or received as a gift do not count toward Aeroplan elite status qualification. Elite status with Air Canada Aeroplan is primarily earned through Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) accumulated by flying on Air Canada and its partners.
What credit card should I use to purchase Aeroplan points?
Since Aeroplan point purchases are processed by points.com and don’t code as airline purchases, use a card you’re working on for minimum spending requirements or one that maximizes everyday spending.
Additionally, since purchases are billed in Canadian dollars, cards with no foreign transaction fees and bonus points on foreign purchases (like some that offer 2-3x on international transactions) are ideal.
Are there fuel surcharges on Aeroplan award tickets?
No, one of the major advantages of the Aeroplan program is that there are no fuel surcharges on any award redemptions, regardless of which airline partner you fly. You’ll only pay the points required plus minimal taxes and fees, making award pricing transparent and predictable.
