Key Takeaways:
- Transfer Aeroplan Points to other airline rewards by using the conversion options from some credit card and hotel partners.
- The transfer ratio and time vary depending on the partner program and the amount of points transferred.
- Transferring Aeroplan points can be a good option if you want to diversify your travel rewards, access more flight options, or take advantage of lower redemption rates or fees with other airlines.
- However, transferring Aeroplan points may also result in losing some value, paying higher taxes or surcharges, or missing out on some benefits or perks offered by Aeroplan or Air Canada.
If you are an Aeroplan member, you may have accumulated a lot of points by flying with Air Canada and its partner airlines, using Aeroplan credit cards, or shopping at Aeroplan eStore. Aeroplan points are valuable and versatile, as they can be redeemed for flights, hotels, car rentals, gift cards, merchandise, and more.
But what if you want to use your Aeroplan points for other airline loyalty programs, such as WestJet Rewards, American Airlines AAdvantage, British Airways Executive Club, or Cathay Pacific Asia Miles? Is it possible to transfer your Aeroplan points to these programs and enjoy more flexibility and choice for your travel plans?
The answer is yes, but not directly. Aeroplan points cannot be transferred to other airline loyalty programs directly, as they are not part of the same alliance or partnership. However, there are some ways to convert your Aeroplan points into other airline miles through some conversion programs offered by some credit card and hotel partners.
In this article, we will explain how to transfer your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs, what are the pros and cons of doing so, and what are some tips and tricks to maximize your travel rewards.
How to transfer Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs
The main way to transfer your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs is through some conversion programs offered by some credit card and hotel partners. These partners allow you to convert your points or miles earned with them into Aeroplan points, and vice versa.
Here are some of the most popular conversion programs that allow you to transfer your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs:
- American Express Membership Rewards: If you have an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points, such as the American Express Gold Rewards Card or the American Express Platinum Card, you can transfer your points to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio. You can also transfer your Aeroplan points back to Membership Rewards at the same ratio, and then transfer them to other airline partners, such as Delta SkyMiles, British Airways Avios, or Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. The transfer time is usually instant or within a few minutes.
- Capital One Miles: If you have a Capital One Venture Rewards card, issued in the United States, you can transfer your miles to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio. You can also transfer your Aeroplan points back to Capital One Miles at the same ratio, and then transfer them to other airline partners, such as JetBlue TrueBlue, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, or Emirates Skywards. The transfer time is usually within a few business days.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: If you have a Chase card that earns Ultimate Rewards points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, you can transfer your points to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio. You can also transfer your Aeroplan points back to Ultimate Rewards at the same ratio, and then transfer them to other airline partners, such as Southwest Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus, or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. The transfer time is usually within a few minutes or hours.
- Marriott Bonvoy: If you have Marriott Bonvoy points, earned by staying at Marriott hotels or using Marriott credit cards, you can transfer your points to Aeroplan at a 3:1 ratio. You can also transfer your Aeroplan points back to Marriott Bonvoy at the same ratio, and then transfer them to other airline partners, such as Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, American Airlines AAdvantage, or WestJet Rewards. The transfer time is usually within a few days. Plus, you get a bonus of 5,000 Aeroplan points for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer.
- Hilton Honors: If you have Hilton Honors points, earned by staying at Hilton hotels or using Hilton credit cards, you can transfer your points to Aeroplan at a 10:1 ratio. You can also transfer your Aeroplan points back to Hilton Honors at the same ratio, and then transfer them to other airline partners, such as Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles, or Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles. The transfer time is usually within a few weeks.
To transfer your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs through these conversion programs, you need to have an account with both Aeroplan and the partner program, and follow the instructions on their websites or apps. You can usually transfer your points in increments of 1,000 or more, depending on the partner program.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
- Aeroplan vs AIR MILES: Which Travel Rewards Program Offers More Value and Flexibility?
- Unlocking Maximum Value: A Guide to Optimizing Your Spending and Earning with Aeroplan, Air Miles, and Avion
- How to Calculate Point Value: Aeroplan, Air Miles, and Avion
- How to Choose and Use the Best Travel Rewards Program in Canada: Aeroplan, Air Miles, or Avion?
Pros and cons of transferring Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs
Transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs can have some advantages and disadvantages, depending on your travel goals and preferences. Here are some of the pros and cons of doing so:
Pros
- Diversify your travel rewards: Transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs can help you diversify your travel rewards and avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. By having points or miles in different programs, you can have more options and flexibility for your travel plans, and hedge against any potential devaluation or changes in one program.
- Access more flight options: Transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs can also help you access more flight options and destinations, especially if you want to fly with airlines that are not part of the Star Alliance or Aeroplan’s partner network. For example, you can transfer your Aeroplan points to WestJet Rewards and fly with WestJet or its partner airlines, such as Delta, Qantas, or Air France. Or you can transfer your Aeroplan points to British Airways Avios and fly with British Airways or its partner airlines, such as American Airlines, Qatar Airways, or Japan Airlines.
- Take advantage of lower redemption rates or fees: Transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs can also help you take advantage of lower redemption rates or fees, depending on the destination, route, and availability. For example, you can transfer your Aeroplan points to American Airlines AAdvantage and fly to Europe for as low as 22,500 miles one-way in economy class, or to Asia for as low as 32,500 miles one-way in economy class. Or you can transfer your Aeroplan points to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and fly to Hong Kong for as low as 25,000 miles one-way in economy class, or to Australia for as low as 30,000 miles one-way in economy class. You may also save on taxes or surcharges, as some airline loyalty programs charge less than Aeroplan for the same flights.
Cons
- Lose some value: Transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs may also result in losing some value, as the transfer ratio and time may not be favorable. For example, if you transfer your Aeroplan points to Hilton Honors at a 10:1 ratio, you are effectively getting only 0.2 cents per point, which is much lower than the average value of 2 cents per point for Aeroplan points. Or if you transfer your Aeroplan points to Chase Ultimate Rewards and then to Southwest Rapid Rewards, you may have to wait for a few days for the transfer to complete, and miss out on some flight deals or availability.
- Pay higher taxes or surcharges: Transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs may also result in paying higher taxes or surcharges, depending on the destination, route, and availability. For example, if you transfer your Aeroplan points to British Airways Avios and fly with British Airways or its partner airlines, you may have to pay hefty fuel surcharges, which can add hundreds of dollars to your flight cost. Or if you transfer your Aeroplan points to American Airlines AAdvantage and fly with American Airlines or its partner airlines, you may have to pay higher taxes or fees, especially for flights departing from or transiting through the UK or Europe.
- Miss out on some benefits or perks: Transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs may also result in missing out on some benefits or perks offered by Aeroplan or Air Canada. For example, if you transfer your Aeroplan points to WestJet Rewards and fly with WestJet or its partner airlines, you may not be able to enjoy the preferred pricing, priority rewards, or status benefits that Aeroplan offers to its members. Or if you transfer your Aeroplan points to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and fly with Cathay Pacific or its partner airlines, you may not be able to enjoy the free checked baggage, seat selection, or lounge access that Air Canada offers to its passengers.
Tips and tricks to maximize your travel rewards
Transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs can be a good option if you want to diversify your travel rewards, access more flight options, or take advantage of lower redemption rates or fees with other airlines. However, transferring Aeroplan points may also result in losing some value, paying higher taxes or surcharges, or missing out on some benefits or perks offered by Aeroplan or Air Canada.
Here are some tips and tricks to maximize your travel rewards when transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs:
- Compare the redemption rates and fees: Before transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs, it is a good idea to compare the redemption rates and fees for the same or similar flights, and see which option gives you the best value. You can use tools like AwardHacker or AwardAce to compare the points and miles required for different programs and routes. You can also use tools like ITA Matrix or Google Flights to compare the taxes and surcharges for different airlines and airports.
- Look for transfer bonuses or promotions: Sometimes, some conversion programs may offer transfer bonuses or promotions, where you can get more points or miles for transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs. For example, American Express Membership Rewards often offers transfer bonuses of 10% to 40% to some of its airline partners, such as British Airways Avios or Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. Or Marriott Bonvoy sometimes offers transfer promotions of 10% to 25% to some of its airline partners, such as Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan or American Airlines AAdvantage. You can check the websites or newsletters of the conversion programs or the airline loyalty programs for the latest offers and deals.
- Transfer only when you need to: Transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs can be a good option if you have a specific travel goal or plan in mind, and you know that you can get a better value or availability with another program. However, if you don’t have a clear idea of when or where you want to travel, or you are not sure about the availability or fees of the flights you want, it may be better to keep your Aeroplan points in your account, and wait for a better opportunity or deal. Transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs may lock you into a specific program or airline, and limit your options and flexibility for future travel.
Conclusion
Aeroplan points are valuable and versatile, as they can be redeemed for flights, hotels, car rentals, gift cards, merchandise, and more. However, if you want to use your Aeroplan points for other airline loyalty programs, such as WestJet Rewards, American Airlines AAdvantage, British Airways Executive Club, or Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, you can do so through some conversion programs offered by some credit card and hotel partners.
Transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs can have some pros and cons, depending on your travel goals and preferences. You can diversify your travel rewards, access more flight options, or take advantage of lower redemption rates or fees with other airlines. But you may also lose some value, pay higher taxes or surcharges, or miss out on some benefits or perks offered by Aeroplan or Air Canada.
To maximize your travel rewards when transferring your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs, you should compare the redemption rates and fees, look for transfer bonuses or promotions, and transfer only when you need to.
We hope this article has helped you understand how to transfer your Aeroplan points to other airline loyalty programs, and what are the pros and cons of doing so. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below. And if you are looking for more tips and tricks on how to earn and use your travel rewards, check out our website, HustleHub, where we share the best advice and resources for hustlers like you. 🚀
Source: (1) Aeroplan Family Sharing. https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/family-sharing.html. (2) Conversion programs – Aeroplan. https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/your-aeroplan/conversion-programs.html.