How (and why) to book United flights with Aeroplan points

If you are sitting on a healthy reserve of transferable points and miles and want to fly with United Airlines for less money, your first instinct may be to move them to United MileagePlus Program. But thanks to the Star Alliance partner Air Canada Aeroplan Loyalty ProgramYou can often book the same United-operated flights using Aeroplan points, and in some situations, you’ll pay fewer points than if you booked with United miles.

Here’s when it makes sense to use Aeroplan points to book United flights, how to make these reservations online, and the best ways to earn Aeroplan points.

Related: Why Air Canada Aeroplan has become my favorite Star Alliance loyalty program

Why and when you should choose Aeroplan to book flights with United

Both Aeroplan and MileagePlus now quote United-operated award flights dynamicallymeaning the number of points or miles required fluctuates based on demand.

If you’re considering redeeming United MileagePlus miles or Aeroplan points for your next United-operated flight, you can quickly and easily compare prices for both at the same time. using the handy Seats.aero tool.

Here are some times when it may be a better deal to book United flights with Aeroplan points than other points and miles, like United MileagePlus miles:

• For nearby and short-haul flights on popular holiday dates: MileagePlus can opt for a higher price than Aeroplan, as we saw recently before the Thanksgiving holiday period.
• If you’re willing to connect on long-distance itineraries to save thousands of points: While United Polaris business class nonstop flights to Europe typically start at 80,000 Aeroplan points or 80,000 MileagePlus miles, if you book through Aeroplan and are willing to make a connection, you may be able to save. For example, if you go from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Lisbon Airport (LIS) via Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) with the first leg on United and the short second leg on TAP Air Portugal, you could book your itinerary for just 60,000 Aeroplan points.
• When there is a transfer bonus to Aeroplan: Transferable Rewards Programs offer bonuses on transfers to select airline loyalty programs from time to time. For example, until January 5, 2026, you can earn up to 25% bonus points when you transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Air Canada’s Aeroplan program, meaning you’ll need fewer Chase points to book United-operated flights.

Related: United Unveils Stunning Next-Generation Polaris Cabins with Caviar Service and More

How to Book United Flights with Aeroplan Points

You can book United-operated flights with Aeroplan points online through the Aeroplan website. Enter your origin, destination and travel dates, and make sure to select “Book with Aeroplan points.”

Then, on the next page, you can select the flights you want with the points rates, taxes, and fees listed. Please note that these prices are in Canadian dollars; 47 Canadian dollars is approximately 34 dollars.

Then, choose the ratio of points versus cash you want to pay. Typically you’ll get the best value for your points and miles by choosing the combination in the search results on the previous page (in this case, 15,000 points).

You will then pay the taxes and fees by card and the corresponding Aeroplan points will be deducted from your account.

How to earn Aeroplan points

New chase Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees) applicants can earn a high welcome offer of up to 100,000 bonus points: 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening and an additional 25,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 in the first 12 months of account opening.

You can also transfer the following credit card rewards to Aeroplan at a 1:1 transfer ratio:

Currently, the following cards offer strong welcome bonuses with points and miles that you can transfer to your Aeroplan account:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 on purchases within six months of account opening.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees): Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees): Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases within three months of account opening.
• American Express® Gold Card: Discover your offer and see if you’re eligible to receive up to 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible to receive an offer.
• American Express Platinum® Card: Discover your offer and see if you’re eligible to receive up to 175,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible to receive an offer.

Furthermore, the holders of the Aeroplan credit card can receive a 10% bonus when they transfer at least 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points to Aeroplan (up to 25,000 bonus points each year).

Related: Why transferable points are worth more than other rewards

In a nutshell

Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is not a guaranteed cheaper alternative for every United-operated redemption, as both Aeroplan and United’s own MileagePlus program now dynamically value United awards, and United will not give all award seats to partner programs.

However, there can be great opportunities to save through Aeroplan when you book nearby and short-haul flights at peak times, are happy to connect on a long-haul itinerary, or can use a transfer voucher.

Before securing a United-operated award, compare prices on both MileagePlus and Aeroplan, then take into account current transfer bonuses to Aeroplan from your preferred transferable currency.

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