If you have a substantial collection of transferable points and miles and are considering flying United Airlines at a lower rate, your first thought might be to transfer them to United’s MileagePlus program. However, you might want to explore Air Canada’s Aeroplan loyalty program—United’s Star Alliance partner. Often, you can book the same United-operated flights with Aeroplan points, sometimes at a lower cost than if booked with United miles.
This guide outlines when it’s advantageous to use Aeroplan points for United flights, the process for making these bookings online, and the best strategies for earning Aeroplan points.
Related: Why Air Canada Aeroplan has become my top choice among Star Alliance loyalty programs
When to Choose Aeroplan for United Flights
Both Aeroplan and MileagePlus now implement dynamic pricing for United-operated award flights, meaning the points or miles required can vary based on demand.
When deciding whether to redeem United MileagePlus miles or Aeroplan points for your next flight, you can easily compare costs using the handy Seats.aero tool.
Here are instances where booking United flights with Aeroplan points can be more beneficial than using other mile currencies, including MileagePlus miles:
- On close-in, short-haul flights during busy holiday periods: MileagePlus might charge more than Aeroplan, as seen recently during the Thanksgiving rush.
- If you’re willing to connect on long-haul itineraries to save points: For example, a nonstop United Polaris business class flight to Europe typically starts at 80,000 Aeroplan or MileagePlus miles. However, if you’re open to connecting flights, you might book an itinerary, such as Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Lisbon Airport (LIS) via Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), for as low as 60,000 Aeroplan points.
- During transfer bonuses to Aeroplan: Occasionally, transferable rewards programs offer bonuses when you transfer points to specific airline loyalty programs. For instance, until January 5, 2026, you can receive up to 25% extra points when transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards to Air Canada’s Aeroplan, reducing the number of Chase points needed for United flights.
Related: United introduces next-generation Polaris cabins with luxurious amenities
How to Book United Flights with Aeroplan Points
You can reserve United-operated flights with Aeroplan points directly through the Aeroplan website. Simply enter your origin, destination, and travel dates, ensuring you select ‘Book with Aeroplan points.’
On the subsequent page, you can choose your desired flights, along with the associated points rates and applicable taxes and fees (noting that prices are quoted in Canadian dollars; for reference, CA$47 is approximately $34).
Next, select the mix of points and cash for payment. Generally, the best value comes from using the points figure from your previous searches (e.g., selecting 15,000 points).
Afterward, you’ll pay any taxes and fees by card, and the necessary Aeroplan points will be deducted from your account.
How to Earn Aeroplan Points
New applicants for the Chase Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees) can earn an impressive welcome offer of up to 100,000 bonus points, including 75,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months, plus an additional 25,000 points after spending $20,000 in the first year.
You can also transfer various credit card rewards to Aeroplan at a 1:1 transfer ratio, including:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 within six months.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first three months.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
- American Express® Gold Card: Check your offer, potentially earning up to 100,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $6,000 in the first six months.
- American Express Platinum Card®: Check your offer, potentially earning up to 175,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 in the first six months.
Additionally, holders of the Aeroplan Credit Card can receive a 10% bonus when transferring at least 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points to Aeroplan (up to 25,000 bonus points per year).
Related: Why transferable points hold greater value than other rewards
Conclusion
While Air Canada’s Aeroplan program can provide valuable savings for certain United-operated redemptions, it isn’t a foolproof cheaper alternative. Both Aeroplan and MileagePlus now use dynamic pricing for United awards, and not all award seats will be available to partner programs.
Nevertheless, you can find great deals using Aeroplan—especially for close-in, short-haul flights during peak times, if you’re willing to connect for long-haul travel, or when taking advantage of transfer bonuses.
Before finalizing your United award booking, always compare prices in both MileagePlus and Aeroplan, taking into account any current transfer bonuses from your preferred currency.
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