GUIDES AND CHEATSHEETS
Mexico on Points (the How-To Guide)
Save thousands on a family trip to Mexico for March break
March break is one of the most expensive times of year for Canadian families to travel to Mexico. Airfare for a family of 4 costs over $3000, round-trip that’s over $6,000.
I’m going to show you how you can save thousands of dollars on those same seats, and for only a fraction of the points.
Real March break examples for 2027
Canadians tend to look only at Air Canada or WestJet flights, but there’s another alliance partner to consider that offers seats on the exact same plane for a fraction of the points – Flying Blue. If you have been using points and miles for a while, you have heard that Air France flies from Canada to Europe. They offer some good promotional rates on the transatlantic flights–sometimes as low as 24,000 points for Economy and 60,000 points for Business Class.
But here is what many people don’t fully appreciate:
Yes, Flying Blue is the loyalty program for Air France and KLM, but Flying Blue partners with airlines around the world–including WestJet. This means you can use Flying Blue points to book the exact same WestJet flight, often for far fewer points.
That’s why I love flexible points.
Instead of being locked into just Air Canada or just WestJet, the points I collect can be transferred to airlines that will give me the best options for my points.
How to earn Flying Blue points
AMERICAN EXPRESS MEMBERSHIP REWARDS
Flying Blue is a transfer partner with American Express Membership Rewards. That means you can earn Amex points in Canada and transfer them directly to Flying Blue when you’re ready to book.
My #1 pick:
Groceries are the biggest monthly expense for most Canadian families, so that 5x bump makes the Cobalt one of the fastest ways there is to earn points.
WHAT ABOUT WESTJET?
The WestJet World Elite Mastercard currently offers a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 WestJet Rewards. However, as the examples above show, Mexico flights often require significantly more WestJet Rewards points than Flying Blue miles.
If you have WestJet cards that give you companion vouchers, do the math to figure out if it’s worth it to pay that cash for the flights.
WHAT ABOUT AEROPLAN?
There are several Aeroplan credit cards available in Canada. Typical welcome bonuses range from 40,000 to 50,000 points.
Aeroplan is a great program and can offer excellent value. However, for the Mexico routes shown above, Aeroplan has the highest points cost.
This is why flexible points are so valuable. You can compare programs and transfer your points into whichever one offers the best deal.
WHY I LOVE THE AMEX COBALT FOR MEXICO
A family of four, travelling round-trip from Toronto to Cancun during March break, needs about 116,000 Flying Blue miles for their flights.
The Amex Cobalt can earn over 100,000 points per year from everyday grocery and restaurant spending, plus the welcome bonus.
Instead of paying more than $6,000 in airfare, you can dramatically reduce the cost simply by using the right card for purchases you’re already making. And the best part? You can do this year after year, and get free travel from just 1 credit card.
Your Action Plan
STEP 1: OPEN AN AMEX COBALT CARD
The Amex Cobalt is my favourite card for earning points toward Mexico flights, but you can use any American Express card that earns Membership Rewards.
STEP 2: CREATE A FREE FLYING BLUE ACCOUNT
Flying Blue is the loyalty program used by Air France and KLM. It’s free to join and you’ll need an account before transferring points. Create your account now so you’re ready when it’s time to book.
Join Flying Blue for free right HERE
STEP 3: START EARNING POINTS
Put your grocery and restaurant spending on your Amex Cobalt. Remember: $1,500 per month on groceries & restaurants can earn over 100,000 points per year. You’ll be on your way to Mexico in no time!
STEP 4: BOOK YOUR MARCH BREAK TIME OFF
The best award flights are usually available 10-12 months before departure.
If Mexico is your goal, start planning early.
Request your vacation time now and put a reminder in your calendar to begin searching for flights.
STEP 5: STICK TO THE FORMULA
One card. One welcome bonus. One trip. Repeat.
Your next family trip could be just one credit card away. For years, I believed family vacations cost thousands of dollars and that’s all there was to it. Today, I use the same grocery budget, the same household expenses, and the same spending I was already doing to earn points toward family travel.
The Amex Cobalt is my everyday spending card, and I earn over 100,000 points every year.
I didn’t change my spending–I changed how I pay. And, for me, that’s exactly what points and miles are all about: turning everyday spending into family vacations.
Key takeaways
You don’t need to be an expert to save money on travel.
Start by earning points on purchases you’re already making.
As you learn more, strategies like this can help you stretch those points even further.
Want help setting it up so it’s easy? Book a call!
RBC Avion Rewards (the How-To Guide)
Best for: flexible travel, domestic Canada, Europe
What is RBC Avion Rewards
RBC Avion is one of Canada’s most flexible travel rewards programs. Unlike airline-specific programs, Avion points can be redeemed in several different ways depending on your travel goals.
- Use the Air Travel Redemption Schedule
- Transfer points to airline partners
- Book travel through the RBC Travel Portal
- Redeem points toward travel purchases
This flexibility allows you to choose the options that make the most sense for your trip.
Who should get RBC Avion
If this sounds like you, this might be the right choice for your cornerstone card.
Why I like RBC Avion Rewards
There are three reasons RBC Avion remains one of my favourite travel rewards programs for Canadian families.
FLEXIBILITY
You don’t need to decide immediately how you’ll use your points. You can collect Avion points today and decide later whether you want flights, hotels, Europe travel, domestic travel, or business class.
STRONG WELCOME BONUSES
RBC regularly offers attractive welcome bonuses that can help families earn a meaningful amount of points quickly.
GREAT VALUE WITHOUT COMPLEXITY
Many travel rewards programs require advanced knowledge before you see value. RBC Avion offers simple redemption options for beginners while still providing advanced opportunities for experienced travellers.
One of the things I like most about RBC Avion is that it grows with you. You can start with simple redemptions through the Travel Portal and eventually move into airline transfers, premium cabin travel, and more advanced redemption strategies as your confidence grows.
The best ways to use RBC Avion Rewards
Many people run for the hills if it’s more than point & click. It can be that easy, but this program is globally connected, meaning if you’re willing to move some things around a little bit, it can really pay off. I promise it’s not rocket science. You can do all of this.
OPTION 1: THE AIR TRAVEL REDEMPTION SCHEDULE
This is my favourite redemption option for most Canadian families. The Air Travel Redemption Schedule allows you to redeem a fixed number of points for flights up to a certain dollar value. Some examples:
- 35,000 points = up to $750 in North America travel
- 65,000 points = up to $1,300 in Europe travel
- 100,000 points = up to $2,000 in worldwide travel
For most redemptions, you’ll receive approximately 2 cents per point in value.
A helpful resource: RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule & Travel Information
Domestic Canadian Travel
RBC Avion points works for domestic Canadian travel because there are no blackout dates, no award seat restrictions, and expensive domestic routes often provide excellent value. Some examples:
- Vancouver to Kelowna
- Vancouver to Whitehorse
- Calgary to Halifax
- Toronto to St. John’s
- Vancouver to Prince George
A Personal Example
One of my favourite ways to use RBC Avion is for expensive domestic flights. When flights to Montreal are too expensive through Aeroplan or WestJet, I love checking RBC Avion because I may be able to book a return flight for 35,000 points through the Air Travel Redemption Schedule.
It may not always be the flashiest redemption, but when cash prices are high and you need practical flights that work for your family, Avion points can be incredibly useful.
OPTION 2: TRANSFER TO BRITISH AIRWAYS AVIOS
RBC Avion points transfer to British Airways Avios at a 1:1 ratio. Avios can be useful for:
- Europe flights
- Ireland flights on Aer Lingus
- Hawaii routes
- Qatar Airways Qsuites
- Royal Air Maroc
- Oneworld partner airlines
One of the major advantages of Avios is that you can move your points between several airline programs including British Airways, Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways, Finnair and Iberia.
Several times throughout the year, RBC offers transfer bonuses to Avios, often adding 30% more points during promotional periods. Hint: wait for the 30% transfer bonus. This is where the real value of RBC Avion starts to shine.
A helpful resource: Combine Avios Tool (British Airways)
OPTION 3: RBC TRAVEL PORTAL
The RBC Travel Portal allows you to redeem Avion points directly for:
- Flights
- Hotels
- Vacation packages
- Car rentals
Most redemptions provide approximately 1 cent per point in value.
While this isn’t usually the highest value redemption, it’s the easiest. To access the RBC Travel Portal, log into your RBC online banking account and navigate to the Avion Rewards Travel section.
OPTION 4: TRANSFER TO ASIA MILES OR AADVANTAGE
These strategies take a little more work, but the deals can be incredible. If you’re interested in learning how it’s done, book a consultation with me for the complete plan.
My Favourite Example
One of my favourite RBC Avion redemptions was a flight to Vietnam in Business Class for my mom and I.
We opened two RBC Avion cards, transferred the points to Asia Miles, and booked seats that would have cost about $5,000.
The redemption cost just 88,000 points.
That’s 5.68 cents per point in value.
For comparison:
- Travel portal ≈ 1 cent per point
- Air Travel Redemption Schedule ≈ 2 cents per point
- Vietnam Business Class redemption ≈ 5.68 cents per point!
Same points. Very different strategies.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Asia Miles can provide excellent value for flights to Asia and premium cabin travel on Oneworld partner airlines. Currently, it’s the only option that transfers 1:1 to Asia Miles.
American Airlines AAdvantage
Although the transfer ratio is lower than Avios, AAdvantage can occasionally unlock excellent value on premium cabin flights and Oneworld partner airlines.
WHICH OPTION SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Should you use Avion points for WestJet flights?
It’s possible to transfer your Avion points to WestJet Rewards to book a WestJet flight, but I don’t usually recommend it. The reason why might blow your mind a little bit.
In many cases, the RBC Air Travel Redemption Schedule can often provide better value for the exact same flight.
If the WestJet flight fits within one of RBC’s fixed-point redemption bands, instead of redeeming WestJet points at 1 cent per point, you may be able to book the same flight for fewer Avion points. It’s always worth a look.
Yep, I just gave you that for free. There’s one more level deeper than that, too. Book a call!
Which Avion card should you use?
Why are all the names so similar? I don’t know. But it’s confusing and a mistake can cost a lot of points potential. So let’s go slowly.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite
[tap to apply] Best for most families. Strong welcome bonuses and excellent flexibility.
Best for:
- Most Canadian families
- Frequent travellers
- Higher household income earners
RBC Avion Visa Platinum
[tap to apply] A great option if you don’t qualify for the Visa Infinite income requirements.
Best for:
- Students and seniors
- Lower income households
- Anyone building their first points strategy
RBC Avion Visa Infinite privilege
[tap to apply] The premium Avion card.
Best for:
- Frequent travellers
- Higher spenders
- Premium travel benefits
The RBC Ion+ Strategy
[tap to apply] Here’s another bombshell I’ll give you for free. This is a powerful secret weapon that most RBC Avion Infinite cardholders aren’t aware of. By itself, the card earns points you can redeem for gift cards, which is fine. The points are generous:
- 3x on groceries
- 3x on restaurants
- 3x on gas
- 3x on transit
- 3x on ride sharing
The magic happens when you pair the Ion+ (not the Ion, which is a different card with different earning rates) with your RBC Avion Visa Infinite or RBC Avion Visa Platinum and transfer Ion points to your Avion account 1:1. Want to know how to do it? Book a call with me.
How to earn Avion points faster
welcome bonuses
The fastest way to earn Avion points is through welcome bonuses, credited to you after you make the minimum spend.
Use The Right Card
Use the card that earns the most points in each spending category. It can take practice to remember which card to use when, but it’s not as hard as it sounds.
Watch For Promotions
RBC occasionally offers transfer bonuses and promotions throughout the year.
Use Two-Player Mode
Couples earn points faster when they both apply for cards for double the welcome bonus.
Start With A Goal
It’s much easier to earn points when you know where you’re trying to go. You’ll know which airlines you need points for, and the hotels, cars, and everything else.
How i would earn my first 100,000 points
If I were starting from scratch today, I would:
- Open an RBC Avion Visa Infinite card when there is an elevated welcome bonus
- 90 days later open an RBC ION+
- Put groceries and restaurants on the ION+
- Transfer the ION+ points into Avion
- Save Avion points for Europe or domestic Canadian travel
Depending on the welcome offers available at the time, this strategy can easily generate over 100,000 Avion points within one year.
Common RBC Avion mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Redeeming for merchandise
- Redeeming for gift cards
- Ignoring the Air Travel Redemption Schedule
- Transferring points without a plan and they expire
- Collecting points without a goal
The RBC Avion Cheatsheet
IMPORTANT NOTE: Credit card welcome bonuses, annual fees, eligibility requirements, and transfer partnerships can change over time. Always verify the current offer before applying.
My rating
Final thoughts
If Aeroplan is Canada’s most powerful airline loyalty program, RBC Avion is Canada’s most flexible travel rewards program.
It works for beginners who want simple travel redemptions and it works just as well for advanced travellers chasing premium cabin experiences.
Most importantly, it gives Canadian families options.
Whether you’re booking a quick flight to Montreal, planning a family trip to Europe, or flying Business Class to Vietnam, RBC Avion can help get you there.
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WestJet Rewards (the How-To Guide)
Best for: families who frequently fly WestJet
What is WestJet Rewards?
WestJet Rewards is WestJet’s loyalty program. Members earn WestJet points through flying, credit card spending, vacation packages, and select partners. Those points can then be used to reduce the cost of future WestJet flights and travel purchases.
If you’re looking for a straightforward travel rewards program that is easy to understand, WestJet Rewards does a good job. If you’re looking for maximum value and flexibility, there are stronger options available.
Unlike programs such as Aeroplan, British Airways Avios, or Flying Blue, WestJet points are designed to stay within the WestJet ecosystem. There are no airline transfer partners and no complicated award charts to learn. For many Canadians, this simplicity is one of the program’s biggest strengths.
What are WestJet points worth?
The easiest way to think about WestJet points is as travel cashback.
In most situations, WestJet points are worth approximately 1 cent per point. This means that 10,000 points will generally provide about $100 in value toward a booking, while 50,000 points will provide approximately $500 in value.
This predictable value makes WestJet Rewards easy to understand. The tradeoff is that there are few opportunities to get significantly more value from your points.
How do you earn WestJet Points?
WestJet points can be earned through flying WestJet, booking WestJet Vacations, spending on an eligible WestJet RBC credit card, and through select partners.
When earning points from flights, your earning rate depends on your WestJet Rewards tier. Members with Silver, Gold, or Platinum status earn more points on eligible flights than entry-level members. This allows frequent WestJet travellers to build their balances more quickly.
For most Canadians, however, the primary source of WestJet points is credit card spending.
The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard earns:
- 2 WestJet points per dollar spent on:
- WestJet purchases,
- groceries,
- gas, transit, rideshare,
- select travel purchases.
- Most other spending earns 1.5 WestJet points per dollar.
Since WestJet points are generally worth about 1 cent each, this translates to approximately a 1.5% to 2% return on spending.
The earn rate is simple and predictable, but it is important to understand that other travel rewards programs can generate points significantly faster. Programs such as American Express Membership Rewards often earn 5 points per dollar on groceries and restaurants, creating the opportunity to accumulate travel rewards much more quickly.
Why so many Canadians love WestJet Rewards
When I review travel rewards strategies for Canadian families, I see the WestJet card again and again. There are several good reasons for this.
Many Canadians fly WestJet regularly and enjoy the convenience of earning rewards with the airline they already use. Others appreciate the free checked bag benefit, which can save a family hundreds of dollars over the course of a year. Some cardholders are working toward Silver or Gold status and want to maintain those benefits.
The Companion Voucher is also one of the most recognizable travel perks available on a Canadian credit card.
Most importantly, WestJet Rewards is simple. You earn points, apply them to travel, and reduce your out-of-pocket cost. There is very little learning required.
The Companion Voucher explained
The Companion Voucher is one of the most misunderstood benefits in Canadian travel rewards. Many people believe it provides a free ticket.
In reality, the voucher allows a companion to travel for a reduced base fare. You still pay for the primary passenger’s ticket. The companion passenger must still pay the “base rate” (which starts at $119–$499), taxes, fees, and other applicable charges.
This doesn’t mean the voucher lacks value. In fact, it can provide substantial savings on certain routes, particularly for families travelling together. However, the savings are often less dramatic than many people expect.
The Companion Voucher tends to provide the best value on longer and more expensive flights where airfare is higher. On cheaper domestic routes, the savings may be much smaller.
Before renewing your card each year, it is worth asking yourself one question:
“Did I actually use my Companion Voucher last year?”
For many cardholders, the answer determines whether the annual fee is worthwhile.
What I like about WestJet Rewards
I think the biggest strength of WestJet Rewards is its simplicity. There is no need to learn airline alliances, transfer partners, award charts, or routing rules.
Families who primarily travel within Canada, to the United States, or to popular sun destinations can often find value simply by collecting WestJet points and applying them to future trips.
The free checked bag benefit is also valuable for families. Even one or two trips per year can offset a significant portion of the card’s annual fee.
For frequent WestJet travellers, the status benefits and the Companion Voucher can further increase the
overall value of the program.
What I don’t like about WestJet Rewards
Honestly, in my opinion, there is limited upside to WestJet Rewards.
Unlike Aeroplan, Flying Blue, or Avios, there are no opportunities to transfer points to other airline programs. There are no hidden sweet spots and very few opportunities to get outsized value from your points.
50,000 WestJet points will almost always be worth roughly $500.
While this predictability can be helpful, it also means your rewards potential is capped.
This is why many experienced points collectors eventually move toward more flexible points currencies like, for example, American Express Membership Rewards. Flexible points can often be transferred to multiple airline programs, giving travellers more options and potentially much higher value.
How fast do WestJet points really add up?
This is where most cardholders get disappointed.
Let’s imagine a family spends $2,000 per month on their WestJet credit card. Over the course of a year, that equals $24,000 in spending.
Depending on spending categories, that may generate approximately 36,000 to 48,000 WestJet points. While that sounds impressive, it typically translates into about $360 to $480 in travel value.
In other words, a full year of spending may only reduce the cost of a family vacation rather than pay for the entire trip.
For some travellers, that may be fine. For others, it comes as a surprise that a full year of spending may not cover an entire family vacation.
Should you transfer RBC Avion points to WestJet?
This is a question I hear quite often.
While there are ways to use RBC Avion points toward WestJet travel, I generally do not recommend using flexible RBC Avion points for fixed-value WestJet travel redemptions. The reason is simple: RBC Avion points are more valuable than WestJet points.
Avion points can be transferred to programs such as British Airways Avios, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and American Airlines AAdvantage. These programs can often provide significantly more value than redeeming points at approximately 1 cent per point.
You can even book a WestJet flight through Avion’s Fixed Travel Portal for fewer RBC Avion points than it costs through WestJet. That’s because of the flat rate that Avion posts on the fixed travel redemption schedule.
Before you transfer your RBC Avion points to WestJet, it’s definitely worth checking the travel portal to see if it costs less and compare the outcomes.
Once flexible points are converted into a fixed-value travel currency, you lose many of the opportunities that make transferable points so powerful.
That doesn’t mean using Avion points toward WestJet flights is always wrong. If it helps you take a trip you otherwise couldn’t afford, it may be the right decision for your situation.
However, if your goal is maximizing the value of your rewards, I would usually keep RBC Avion points flexible and look at transfer partners before using them for WestJet travel.
In my experience, flexible points become more valuable as your travel goals become bigger.
Who should get the WestJet card?
The WestJet card can be a good fit for the right traveller.
If you fly WestJet regularly, check bags when you travel, and appreciate a simple rewards program, the card can provide meaningful value. Families who take one or two trips per year often find that the free checked bag benefit and Companion Voucher help offset the annual fee.
The card may be less attractive for travellers whose goals include Europe, Asia, premium cabin travel, or maximizing the value of every point earned. In these situations, a flexible points program often provides more opportunities and greater long-term value.
Like most travel rewards programs, the best card depends on your travel goals. The WestJet card is not the best card or the worst card for most. It is simply designed for a specific type of traveller.
Should you keep your WestJet card?
The answer depends on how you travel.
If you regularly fly WestJet, use the free checked bag benefit, and redeem your Companion Voucher each year, the card may continue to provide excellent value.
However, if your goal is maximizing points, travelling to Europe, or building a more flexible travel rewards strategy, you will outgrow the WestJet card.
Many travellers start with WestJet Rewards because it is easy to understand. As they gain experience, they often add programs such as Aeroplan, Flying Blue, Avios, or American Express Membership Rewards to increase their options.
What I would do today
If I already had a WestJet card today, I would start by looking at whether I was fully using the benefits that come with the card.
For example, if my family regularly checked bags, I would calculate how much I was saving each year on baggage fees. A family checking three bags on a round-trip flight can often save hundreds of dollars. Remember that the flight must be purchased with your WestJet credit card in order for the free checked bag benefit to apply.
I would also look at whether I was actually using the Companion Voucher. While it is not a free ticket, it can provide meaningful savings when used strategically. If the voucher expires unused year after year, its value to you is zero.
Next, I would ask whether the WestJet card is helping me reach my travel goals. If my primary goal was reducing the cost of WestJet flights and enjoying practical travel benefits, the card may be doing exactly what I need it to do.
However, if my travel goals included Europe, Asia, premium cabins, or maximizing the value of my rewards, I would take a serious look at stronger earning cards and transferable points programs such as American Express Membership Rewards.
What I would not do is assume that the WestJet card is automatically the best card for everyday spending. This is where many Canadians leave thousands of dollars of potential travel rewards on the table.
The WestJet card does a good job of providing practical travel benefits. Flexible points programs do a better job of helping you earn points for bigger trips.
My rating
Final thoughts
The WestJet card isn’t a bad card. In fact, for many Canadian families, it’s a great place to start.
The challenge is that many travellers assume it is the best travel rewards strategy available when it’s really just one option among many.
If you fly WestJet regularly, enjoy the checked bag benefit, and make use of the Companion Voucher, then you might already have found the right card for you.
But if you’re looking for bigger travel goals, more flexibility, or faster ways to earn rewards, it’s time to expand beyond WestJet Rewards.
The WestJet card is where many Canadians start their travel rewards journey. It doesn’t have to be where the journey ends.
Book WestJet with Flying Blue (the How-To Guide)
This is one of my favourite points and miles tricks because sometimes the exact same WestJet flight can be booked for far fewer points through Flying Blue. See my Mexico guide for getting Flying Blue Miles.
STEP 1: SEARCH WESTJET FIRST
Start by searching for your flight on WestJet.com.
Take note of:
- The cash price
- The flight times
- The WestJet Rewards price
This gives you the benchmark to compare against.
STEP 2: CREATE A FLYING BLUE ACCOUNT
Flying Blue is the loyalty program for Air France and KLM.
Create your free account HERE.
Bonus: Flying Blue allows families to pool points together through a Family Account.
STEP 3: SEARCH ON AIR FRANCE
Go to AirFrance.ca and log in using the account details you just made with Flying Blue.
When searching, make sure to select Book with Miles. Important: WestJet flights generally only appear when you’re searching with miles. I usually search one-way flights because it gives me more flexibility.
AirFrance shows the total price for ALL the passengers combined. So if you had 2 people in your search, it shows 2x the cost/seat. Divide the total cost by the number of passengers to compare it directly to the WestJet cost.
STEP 4: COMPARE THE RESULTS
Look at:
Flying Blue Miles cost vs WestJet cash price vs WestJet Rewards cost
Sometimes the difference can be dramatic.
Example:
WestJet: 78,200 points
Flying Blue: 19,500 Miles
Same flight. Same airline. Different redemption.
STEP 5: TRANSFER YOUR POINTS
When you find a flight you want to book, transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points to Flying Blue [more about that]. Transfers typically happen within minutes, but it’s always a good idea to log into your Flying Blue account and confirm that the miles have arrived before proceeding with your booking.
IMPORTANT: Once points are transferred, they cannot be moved back to American Express. That’s why I always recommend: Find the flight first. Transfer the points second.
STEP 6: COMPLETE YOUR BOOKING THROUGH AIR FRANCE
Once your Flying Blue miles are in your account, complete your booking through the Air France website.
Double-check passenger names, dates, and flight details before confirming.
You should be able to add your WestJet Rewards number during the booking process.
STEP 7: MANAGE YOUR FLIGHT
After booking, you may need to visit WestJet to select seats and manage your reservation.
If your Air France confirmation number doesn’t work on the WestJet website, use the Air France chat feature and ask for the WestJet booking reference number. They can usually provide the information you need to access your booking directly through WestJet.
STEP 8: ENJOY THE SAVINGS
Sometimes the best way to book a WestJet flight isn’t with WestJet points.
A few minutes of comparison can save you a surprising number of points and dollars.
Now go enjoy that coconut drink by the pool.
Want help setting it all up? Book a call.
Mastering Aeroplan (the How-To Guide)
Best for: families, flexible travellers, international, business class, points maximizers
What is Aeroplan?
Aeroplan is Air Canada’s loyalty program and one of the most popular travel rewards programs in Canada.
Aeroplan points can be redeemed for flights on Air Canada as well as more than 50 partner airlines around the world.
This flexibility is the reason Aeroplan has become my second favourite travel rewards program.
What are Aeroplan points worth?
Like most travel rewards programs, the value is in how you redeem them.
Many travellers redeem Aeroplan points for 1.5 to 2 cents per point. However, premium cabin flights can provide significantly more value. I will aim for at least 1.5 cents per point when booking economy, but the best value is often found in business class where redemptions can exceed 5 cents per point.
The key isn’t knowing exactly what your points are worth. The key is understanding where the best value is found.
How do you earn Aeroplan points?
CREDIT CARDS
Aeroplan credit cards from TD, CIBC, and American Express allow you to earn Aeroplan points on everyday spending while also providing travel benefits such as free checked bags and preferred pricing.
AMERICAN EXPRESS MEMBERSHIP REWARDS
One of my favourite ways to earn Aeroplan points is through American Express Membership Rewards. Cards like the Amex Cobalt earn Membership Rewards points that transfer to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.
For most Canadians, however, the primary source of WestJet points is credit card spending.
FLYING WITH AIR CANADA AND PARTNER AIRLINES
You earn Aeroplan points when flying on Air Canada and many of their partner airlines.
SHOPPING THROUGH THE AEROPLAN ONLINE STORE
Make the Aeroplan eStore your first stop when shopping online to earn additional points when shopping with participating retailers.
EVERYDAY PARTNERS
Earn more points with your everyday shopping:
- Starbucks
- Uber
- Uber Eats
- Journie Rewards
- and more
MY FAVOURITE AEROPLAN EARNING STRATEGY
If I could only use two cards, I’d choose:
This combo gives me Aeroplan benefits when flying Air Canada while I’m earning transferable points quickly on everyday spending.
Aeroplan cards explained
There are several Aeroplan credit cards available in Canada, and the right one for you depends on how often you travel and what benefits matter most to you.
ENTRY TIER
These cards have a low annual fee, or none at all, and require minimal annual income. The trade-off is that they do not offer any additional Aeroplan perks such as free checked bags or lounge access.
CORE TIER
For most Canadians, I recommend starting with either of these cards:
These cards typically offer strong welcome bonuses, a free checked bag on Air Canada flights, and preferred pricing on some Aeroplan redemptions.
PREMIUM TIER
If you travel frequently or value airport perks, you may want to consider:
These cards offer benefits such as airport lounge access, priority airport services, and additional Air Canada perks.
BUSINESS TIER
If you run a business, you might consider:
BOTTOM LINE
For most families, the Visa Infinite cards provide the best balance between cost and value.
Aeroplan Welcome Bonus rules
Aeroplan has become stricter about how welcome bonuses are earned. You can only earn the welcome bonus once per tier.
The best approach is simple:
- Apply for cards you genuinely plan to use
- Avoid opening multiple Aeroplan cards at the same time
- Focus on earning and redeeming points rather than chasing every available bonus
Rules and offers can change, so always review the current terms before applying.
Why families love Aeroplan
One of the biggest advantages of Aeroplan is that every seat on Air Canada flights can be booked using points. Any seat, no artificial limits, no blackout periods.
That doesn’t mean the redemption will always be a good deal, but it does mean families have access to more reward inventory than most other programs.
Family Sharing is another major benefit. It allows family members to pool their Aeroplan points into one shared balance, making it easier to save for meaningful trips.
Who should get an Aeroplan card?
Aeroplan isn’t the right fit for everyone, but it might be the best program in Canada for certain types of travellers.
Aeroplan is a great choice if:
you want maximum flexibility
Aeroplan points can be used on Air Canada and more than 50 airline partners, giving you far more options than most airline-specific loyalty programs.
you travel internationally
Some of the best Aeroplan redemptions are found on international routes when flying partner airlines.
you travel as a family
Family Sharing makes it easy to pool points from multiple family members into one account.
you want premium cabin travel
Aeroplan is a great way for Canadians to book business class flights using points.
you already collect membership rewards points
If you have an American Express Cobalt card, Aeroplan becomes even more powerful because Membership Rewards transfer to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.
An Aeroplan card may not be the best fit if:
you only fly within Canada
Aeroplan still works, but domestic routes don’t usually offer the same value as international partner redemptions.
you want the simplest program possible
There is a learning curve to getting the most out of Aeroplan. If you want something more straightforward, programs like WestJet Rewards may feel easier.
you just want cash back
If your goal is simply reducing everyday expenses, a cash back card may be a better fit.
My takeaway
If I was getting started with points, and I wanted to travel more with my family, Aeroplan is a strong contender for the first program I would learn.
It isn’t the easiest program to master in Canada, but, in my opinion, it’s one of the most rewarding.
How I would earn my first 100,000 Aeroplan points
If I were starting from scratch today, here’s exactly what I would do.
Step 1: get an Aeroplan Visa Infinite card
I would start with either:
These cards frequently offer strong welcome bonuses and provide benefits like a free checked bag when flying Air Canada.
These cards frequently offer strong welcome bonuses and provide benefits like a free checked bag when flying Air Canada.
Step 2: have my partner get one too
Many Canadian families focus on earning points through spending, but the fastest way to build a balance starts with the welcome bonus.
If both partners earn a welcome bonus, you accelerate your progress dramatically.
Step 3: set up family sharing
Aeroplan Family Sharing allows multiple family members to combine points into a single pool.
Instead of having two smaller balances, you’ll have one larger pool working toward your next trip.
Step 4: add the Amex Cobalt card
Once the Aeroplan cards are in place, I would add an American Express Cobalt card. This is my favourite everyday spending card because Membership Rewards points transfer to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.
Groceries, restaurants, food delivery, and many everyday purchases can help build your Aeroplan balance quickly.
Step 5: set my travel goal
Don’t collect points just to collect points. Pick a destination. As my husband likes to say, you can’t get there unless you know where you’re going!
Whether it’s Hawaii, Europe, Mexico, or a family visit across Canada, having a goal makes it much easier to know which cards to open, how many points you need, and most importantly – when you’re ready to book!
What this could look like
A couple following this strategy can earn enough points for meaningful travel within their first year.
The exact number will depend on the welcome offer, day-to-day spending, and which cards are available at the time, but reaching 100,000 Aeroplan points is an absolutely attainable goal for many Canadian families.
So what does 100,000 get you?
How far does that get me?
One of the most common questions I get is:
“How many Aeroplan points do I actually need?”
The answer depends on where you’re going and how you want to get there.
Hawaii
- Economy: 40,000–70,000 points
- Business Class: 100,000+ points
Mexico
- Economy: 35,000–60,000 points
- Business Class: 80,000+ points
Europe
- Economy: 60,000–90,000 points
- Business Class: 70,000+ points one-way on partner airlines
Asia
- Economy: 70,000–120,000 points
- Business Class: 75,000–120,000+ points one-way
Real world example
This summer we’re flying Lufthansa Business Class to Nice, France. Lufthansa is a Star Alliance member, so some of their flights show up when booking with Aeroplan points.
- The South of France
- 70,000 Aeroplan points per person
- Flat-bed seats
The same routing on Air Canada flights was pricing at more than 235,000 Aeroplan points per person. This is exactly why I encourage people to learn Aeroplan’s partner airlines.
Why Aeroplan is different
Most Canadians think Aeroplan and Air Canada are the same thing.
They’re not.
Air Canada is just one airline. Aeroplan gives you access to more than 50 airline partners around the world.
Many airline loyalty programs only allow you to redeem points on one airline.
Aeroplan is different. When you earn Aeroplan points, you’re gaining access to a network of airlines that can take you
almost anywhere in the world.
This is huge. Air Canada flights typically use dynamic pricing. Pricing for partner airlines uses distance-based fixed pricing which often offers the best value in the program.
My favourite redemption
This summer my family is flying Lufthansa, Business Class, to Nice, France.
The South of France
Flat-bed seats
70,000 Aeroplan points per person.
When I searched similar Air Canada-operated flights, the price was over 235,000 Aeroplan points per person.
For me, the best Aeroplan value comes from learning how to use partner airlines.
Features worth knowing about
Family sharing
Combine points with all family members.
Stopovers
Aeroplan allows stopovers on many international itineraries for just 5,000 additional points. This can be a great way to visit two destinations on one trip.
Example:
Vancouver → Lisbon (5 days) → Paris
Instead of visiting one destination, you get two.
Preferred pricing
All Aeroplan primary credit card holders receive preferred pricing on Air Canada reward flights.
Elite status explained
Elite status is earned through frequent flying on Air Canada and Star Alliance airline partners, spending on eligible credit cards, and making purchases through Aeroplan’s partners. Benefits can include:
- Priority boarding
- Free checked bags
- Lounge access
- eUpgrade credits
- Priority airport services
For most families, I recommend focusing on earning and redeeming points first. Elite Status is nice to have, but it’s not necessary to get tremendous value from Aeroplan.
What I don’t like about Aeroplan
Aeroplan isn’t perfect. A few things frustrate me:
- Air Canada uses dynamic pricing–higher demand, higher cost
- Reward prices can vary dramatically
- Finding great redemptions takes some searching
- Popular routes and peak travel dates can be expensive (I mentioned dynamic pricing)
- The program has a learning curve for beginners
The good news is that once you understand where the value is hiding, Aeroplan becomes much easier to use.
Common Aeroplan mistakes to avoid
Mistake #1: Aeroplan ≠ Air Canada
Some of the best value comes from partner airlines.
Mistake #2: gift cards
Gift cards typically provide poor value compared to flights.
Mistake #3: searching only domestic flights
So many people assume points couldn’t possibly cover an international trip. Not true! Many of the best Aeroplan redemptions are international.
Mistake #4: collecting points without a goal
How will you know when you’ve got there? It’s much easier to maximize Aeroplan when you have a destination in mind.
My rating
Final thoughts
Aeroplan isn’t perfect, and finding great redemptions can be frustrating when you’re first starting out.
But if you’re willing to be a little flexible, spend some time learning the program and how to maximize, the rewards can be incredible. I’ve flown from Mexico City to Vancouver in business class for only 1,000 more points than flying economy.
And my family is flying to Nice, France for just 70,000 Aeroplan points per person–in Business Class!
That’s what keeps me coming back to Aeroplan. The best travel experiences I’ve ever booked would have been completely out of reach if I had paid cash.
I’d love to help you make Aeroplan work for you. Book a consult with me here.
Disclaimer: The information in this content may become outdated over time. For the most accurate and up-to-date details, please visit the links provided. This is my personal experience. Your results may vary.