Air Canada Aeroplan

Air Canada Aeroplan is a flexible-points favourite. Its distance-and-region award chart is transparent, it allows stopovers on one-way awards for a modest mileage fee, and it declines to pass on carrier surcharges from many partners — a combination that makes it one of the most rewarding Star Alliance programs to spend.

How to earn Aeroplan points

Aeroplan is a transfer partner of major flexible bank currencies, which is the primary way Australians build it, alongside Star Alliance flying. That transferability makes it accessible despite the lack of local co-branded cards.

How to use Aeroplan points

Awards price on a distance-and-region chart. The signature move is adding a stopover to a one-way award for a small fixed mileage fee, and choosing partners on which Aeroplan doesn't levy fuel surcharges to keep the cash cost low.

Sweet spots

• Adding a stopover to a one-way award for a modest fixed mileage fee — excellent for multi-city trips.
• Star Alliance partner awards where Aeroplan absorbs the fuel surcharges.
• Premium-cabin partner redemptions priced off the published distance-and-region bands.

What to watch

• Some partners (certain European carriers) still attract surcharges even through Aeroplan.
• Direct earning in Australia leans on transfers rather than local cards.
• Premium award space on the best partners requires flexibility and early searching.

Alliance & partners

The largest alliance — reachable from Australia via Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand, plus United, Air Canada, ANA, Lufthansa and Turkish.

Frequently asked

Why do points collectors like Aeroplan?

A transparent distance-and-region chart, stopovers allowed on one-way awards for a small fee, no fuel surcharges on many partners, and broad transfer access from flexible bank currencies. It's one of the most spend-friendly Star Alliance programs for Australians.

How do Australians earn Aeroplan points?

Mainly by transferring from flexible bank rewards currencies that partner with Aeroplan, supplemented by Star Alliance flying. There are no Australian co-branded Aeroplan cards, so transfers do the work.