What the Aeroplan Card sign-up bonus is
The Aeroplan Card from Air Canada offers points when you open the account and meet a spending requirement within the first few months. The exact number of points varies by card version — the standard Aeroplan Card and the premium Aeroplan Card Elite have different offers — and Air Canada changes these offers several times a year. You earn the bonus points once you've spent the required amount, not when you open the card.
The bonus is meant to give you a head start toward a flight redemption. Since Aeroplan points are Air Canada's loyalty currency, you can use them to book flights on Air Canada, Air Canada Express, and partner airlines, or to pay for seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel services. The catch is that the points have no cash value and expire if your account sits inactive for two years.
Key Takeaways
- Sign-up bonuses range from roughly 10,000 to 50,000 Aeroplan points depending on which card version you choose and when you explore, since Air Canada changes offers regularly.
- You must spend a set amount on the card within a specific timeframe (usually three to six months) to earn the bonus — opening the card alone does not trigger it.
- The bonus points are worth roughly 1 to 1.5 cents each when redeemed for flights, so a 30,000-point bonus is typically worth $300 to $450 in flight value.
- Aeroplan points expire after two years of account inactivity, so you need an active card or at least one may have access to transaction every 24 months to keep them.
- Annual fees range from $0 to $550 depending on the card tier, and the premium cards offer lounge access and other perks that may offset the fee for frequent travelers.
How much spending you need to do to earn the bonus
Air Canada sets a minimum spending threshold — typically $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the card — that you must reach within three to six months of opening the account. Only purchases count; balance transfers, cash advances, and fees do not. Once you cross that threshold, the points post to your account automatically, usually within one to two billing cycles.
The spending requirement is designed to be reachable for most cardholders without forcing you to buy things you wouldn't otherwise buy. If you already have regular monthly expenses on a credit card — groceries, utilities, subscriptions, gas — switching those to the Aeroplan Card for the first few months will usually get you there. The risk is overspending to hit the target; the bonus is not worth going into debt or carrying a balance at the card's interest rate.
What the bonus points are actually worth
Aeroplan points are not a fixed dollar amount. Their value depends on what you redeem them for and when you book. A flight that costs 25,000 points might represent a $250 ticket or a $400 ticket depending on the route, the season, and how far in advance you book. Generally, Aeroplan points are worth between 1 and 1.5 cents each when used for flights — meaning a 30,000-point bonus is typically worth $300 to $450 in airfare.
That value can swing lower if you redeem points for partner airline flights, seat upgrades, or baggage fees, where the point-to-dollar ratio is often worse. It can swing higher if you book premium cabin seats or long-haul flights during peak season, where demand pushes the point cost up and the dollar value of the ticket up with it. The best strategy is to think of the bonus as a discount on a flight you were already planning to take, not as a may provide dollar amount.
Annual fees and whether the card pays for itself
The standard Aeroplan Card has no annual fee. The Aeroplan Card Elite charges $550 per year and includes benefits like airport lounge access, travel insurance, and a statement credit toward Air Canada purchases. Whether the Elite card makes sense depends on how often you fly and whether you value lounge access.
If you fly Air Canada at least twice a year and use the lounge, the Elite card's benefits can offset the annual fee. If you fly less frequently or don't use lounges, the no-fee standard card is the better choice. Either way, the sign-up bonus alone does not cover the annual fee — you're paying for the card's ongoing benefits and earning potential, not just the first-time bonus.
How to use the bonus points once they arrive
After the points post to your account, you log into your Aeroplan account online or through the mobile app and search for flights. You can filter by Air Canada flights, partner airlines (like United, Lufthansa, and others), or a mix. The app shows you the point cost for each flight and lets you book directly. You can also call Air Canada's phone line to book, though online booking is usually faster.
Points are most valuable when you book economy flights on popular routes where the point cost is lower relative to the cash price. Booking a $600 flight for 25,000 points (worth roughly 2.4 cents per point) is a better deal than booking a $200 flight for 20,000 points (worth 1 cent per point). The app shows you both the point cost and the equivalent cash price, so you can compare before you book.
Timing: when to explore and when offers change
Air Canada changes its sign-up offers multiple times per year, usually around major travel seasons (spring, summer, winter holidays) and occasionally without warning. There is no "best" time to explore in the sense of a may provide maximum bonus — the offer you see today might be higher or lower next month. If you're planning to spend the required amount anyway within the next few months, explore now makes sense. If you're not sure, checking the offer again in a few weeks costs nothing.
The spending window is typically three to six months from the account opening date, so plan your process around when you expect to have that spending naturally. If you know you're taking a trip in two months and will book flights and hotels on the card, explore before that trip lets you count those purchases toward the bonus.
What happens to unused points and account inactivity
Aeroplan points do not expire as long as your account is active. An account stays active if you hold an Aeroplan Card, have a balance of points, or make at least one may have access to transaction (a flight booking, a card purchase, or a transfer) every 24 months. If your account goes inactive for two years with no transactions and no card, your points are forfeited.
This matters if you earn a large bonus and don't plan to use it when ready. You need to either keep the card open (even if you don't use it for purchases) or make sure you book a flight or transfer points within two years. Some cardholders keep the card in a drawer specifically to maintain account activity and preserve their points balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the sign-up bonus if I've had an Aeroplan Card before?
Most credit card issuers, including Air Canada, restrict sign-up bonuses to new cardholders or those who haven't held the card in the past 12 to 24 months. If you closed an Aeroplan Card recently, you may not be may be able to access for the bonus on a new process. Check the current offer terms before explore.
Do I have to use the bonus points on Air Canada flights?
No. Aeroplan points can be redeemed on partner airlines like United, Lufthansa, Air France, and others, though the point cost is often higher than Air Canada flights. You can also use points for seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel services. The flexibility is one reason people value Aeroplan points.
What if I don't spend enough to hit the bonus threshold?
If you don't meet the spending requirement within the timeframe, you don't earn the bonus. You still keep the card and can earn regular points on purchases going forward, but the sign-up bonus is forfeited. There's usually no second chance to earn it on the same card.
Can I transfer my Aeroplan points to someone else?
Aeroplan points are tied to your account and cannot be transferred to another person. You can book flights for family members or friends using your points, but the points themselves stay in your account. Some loyalty programs allow point transfers; Aeroplan does not.
How do I know if the bonus is worth the annual fee?
Calculate the bonus's value (points × 1 to 1.5 cents) and compare it to the annual fee. If the card is no-fee, the bonus is pure value. If the card charges an annual fee, the bonus needs to cover at least part of that fee for the first year to make sense. After year one, you're paying for the card's ongoing benefits, not the bonus.