Aeroplan points can be worth a lot or very little, and the difference usually comes down to a handful of avoidable mistakes. Here are seven, roughly in order of how much they cost.
1. Spending Them on Gift Cards and Merchandise
The Aeroplan eStore is the easiest way to waste points. Gift cards on the eStore return less than 1 cent per point, and a $500 Amazon gift card costs roughly 70,000 points, which works out to about 0.7 cents each. The exception is Air Canada gift cards, at 1 cent per point. Merchandise is worse, at roughly 0.41 to 0.65 cents per point.
A good flight redemption returns well over double that. The fix: save points for flights. Only use the eStore if your balance is too small to cover one.
2. Letting Them Expire
Your points expire if your account is inactive for 18 months, and activity means earning, redeeming, donating, transferring or converting points. Logging in doesn't reset the clock. Only qualifying earn or redemption activity does.
Here's the part with a deadline. Expiry has been paused, and points that would otherwise expire are protected through November 29, 2026, with the normal policy resuming on November 30. Primary holders of a TD, American Express or CIBC Aeroplan card, and members with Aeroplan Elite status, can avoid expiry entirely.
The fix: if you have dormant points and no Aeroplan card, make one qualifying transaction before the end of November. Aeroplan says expired points can be reinstated if you fly with Air Canada within 6 months, or by getting an Aeroplan credit card.
3. Transferring Amex Points Before You've Found a Seat
Amex points transfer to Aeroplan at 1-to-1. But Amex's own FAQ says a transfer can't be reversed, and tells cardholders to confirm reward availability first.
The one time to transfer without a specific booking is during a transfer bonus, and even then you should know what you're doing. The fix: find the exact flight first, then transfer only the points you need.
4. Booking Air Canada Flights on Peak Dates
Air Canada's own flights are priced dynamically, and on busy dates the price is often unreasonably high. Partner awards, by contrast, use a fixed chart, so the points price doesn't change when you book.
The fix: check partner airlines first, and look at dates a day or two either side of peak.
5. Skipping the Cents-Per-Point Check
Many people burn points on a cheap flight just because they have points. Use this formula: cash price ÷ points = cents per point.
Example (illustration only): a $300 flight for 40,000 points works out to 0.75 cents per point, and you'd be better off paying cash. The same 40,000 points on a $900 flight is 2.25 cents.
The fix: run the math every time. If it comes in under about 1.5 cents, think twice.
6. Ignoring Change and Cancellation Fees
Aeroplan awards are cheap to book and expensive to undo. Sources vary slightly, but cancelling a standard award costs CAD $150 online or $175 through the contact centre per ticket, and changes run $75 online or $100 by phone. You also have to change or cancel at least two hours before departure, or the ticket is forfeited.
There's a safety valve: Aeroplan says you can cancel a flight reward without charge within 24 hours of booking. Flexible reward options waive the fees but cost more points, so decide whether that's worth it before you book.
The fix: book when your plans are firm, cancel online rather than by phone, and use the 24-hour window to double-check your dates.
7. Not Linking Your Aeroplan Card
This is the newest mistake. Primary cardholders of any Canadian Aeroplan card save 15% on Air Canada flight rewards booked by January 11, 2027, for travel through the end of 2027. You need to be logged into your Aeroplan account when you redeem to get it. Eligible flights show a "15% savings applied" tag on the price.
The fix: make sure your card is linked to your Aeroplan account, and look for that tag before you pay.
The Bottom Line
None of these mistakes are hard to avoid. Use points on flights, keep your account active, transfer only when you've found a seat, run the cents-per-point math, and book with fees in mind.
Want a heads-up when a good redemption opens up? Subscribe to YVRPoints below.
