Getting the most out of Aeroplan

I started this page because I was receiving Aeroplan newsletters every couple of weeks and had to go through all of the letters to find out about different promotions. I tried using the Aeroplan website but found that it is not an easy place to find out about all active promotions.

So, this page is designed to be a one-stop-shop for Aeroplan promotions. You may want to bookmark this page because I update it frequently.If you see that I am missing any promotions please let me know. 

This page was last updated on 05 November, 2008.

LIMITED TIME OFFERSIt’s a good time to be flying.

Until 15 December, 2008 you can get extra bonus miles for pretty much flying anywhere- 50% extra miles in North America; 40,000 extra miles for flying international economy, and 80,000 extra miles for flying Executive class. Full information here

Until 30 November 2008, double your Aeroplan Miles on your first purchase at the Aeroplan eStore. 

Until 30 November, 2008, Aeroplan is having a contest in which they are giving out 90 prizes of 25,000 Miles.  Sign up here

Until 14 December, 2008, you can earn an extra 1,000 Aeroplan Miles when you stay at Gouverneur hotels in Quebec. More info here.

Until 15 December, 2008, you can earn an triple Aeroplan Miles from your stays at choice hotels. You need to register here. 

Until 27 December, 2008, you can earn an extra 1,000 Aeroplan Miles when you stay at Delta hotels across Canada. More info here.

Until 31 December, 2008 earn extra Aeroplan Miles for your stays at Fairmount Resorts- double Miles for your first stay and triple Miles for each subsequent stay.  More info here.  

HOW CAN I COLLECT MORE AEROPLAN MILES?Most people collect Aeroplan miles on flights. But how else can you get more Aeroplan miles to help you get you a free trip faster?Credit Cards: This is the best way to collect additional miles because you can effectively collect miles whenever you pay for anything on a credit card. You have a few choices here.

1. CIBC Aerogold. You can get 1 Aeroplan mile for every 1 dollar spent. In addition you collect 1.5 Aeroplan miles for every dollar spent at gas, grocery, and drug stores. Annual fee is $120. The Aerogold card is now being replaced with the Aerogold Infinite Visa card.
2. The CIBC Aventura credit cards gives you 1 Aventura point for every 1 dollar spent. These Aventura points can be converted for the same amount of Aeroplan miles, in increments of 10,000 points. Annual fee is $120.
3. CIBC Aero Classic Visa card gives you 1 Aeroplan mile for every 2 dollars spent. Annual fee is $29.
4. American Express Aeroplan Plus Card gives you 1 Aeroplan mile for every 1 dollar spent. Annual fee is $60.
5. American Express Aeroplan Plus Gold Card gives you 1 Aeroplan mile for every 1 dollar spent. Also gives you 1.25 Aeroplan Miles for every $1 in purchases over $10,000 annually. Annual fee is $120.
6. American Express Aeroplan Plus Platinum Card gives you 1 Aeroplan mile for every 1 dollar spent. Also gives you 1.25 Aeroplan Miles for every $1 in purchases over $10,000 annually and 1.50 Aeroplan Miles for every $1 in purchases over $25,000 annually. Annual fee is $499

Gas: at Esso you can get 1 Aeroplan mile for every 3 dollars you spend

Pharmacy purchases: At Uniprix you can collect 1 Aeroplan mile for every 1 dollar you spend.

Renovations: At Home Hardware you can collect 1 Aeroplan mile for every 2 dollars you spend. Click here for more info

Insurance: At BelAir direct or at ING insurance you can collect 1 Aeroplan mile for every 2 dollars you spend. Click here for more info on Belair Direct or here for more info on ING.

Cruises: Earn one Aeroplan Mile for every two dollars you spend on a Royal Carribean or Celibrity cruise booked at Cruise Ship Centers. Click here for more info.

Wine: Join the Reserva Wine Club and you will receive 250 Bonus Aeroplan Miles when you join and 2.5 Aeroplan Miles for every dollar spent on wine.

Electronics: Earn one Aeroplan Mile for every dollar you spend at Dumoulin. Click here for more info. 

HOW MANY MILES DO I NEED TO TRAVEL TO…..Check the Reward Table on the Aeroplan Website. 

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH AEOPLAN MILES?You really have 2 options:

1. You can buy miles directly from Aeroplan. They cost 3 cents each. Just begin your booking on the Aeroplan website and it will calculate how much extra it will cost.
2. If you have friends, you can get someone to transfer miles to you. This costs 2 cents per point. Click here for more info.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO WITH AEROPLAN MILES?Aside from using your Aeroplan Miles for Flights, they can also be used for Hotels, Car Rentals, and many other Activities and Merchandise. You can find all the options here.

DO MY AEROPLAN MILES EXPIRE?YES!

It is important to note that in order to keep your Aeroplan account active, you must make a transaction on the account every 12 months. This used to be every 36 months so make sure that you do something with miles at least once a year. For example, if you collected Aeroplan miles today, February 19th, you would have to do something else by February 18th of next year.

The second element of expiry is that now all Aeroplan miles expire after 7 years. The rules are slightly different from the rules regarding keeping the account active, as they are considered earned in a year of their accumulation. All miles that are collected in 2008, for example, will be removed from the account if they are not used by December 31st, 2015.