Table of Contents
Introduction
If you’re a frequent traveler or a points enthusiast, maximizing travel rewards is a top priority. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program stands out for its flexibility, excellent airline partners, and creative redemption opportunities, making its miles highly valued in the frequent flyer world. But what if you’re short just a few thousand points for that dream flight? Or what if you want to stack up miles during lucrative promotions? This in-depth guide uncovers all you need to know about buying Air Canada Aeroplan points, highlights the latest 100% bonus offers, provides actionable strategies, and answers all the important questions you might have1.
What Is Air Canada Aeroplan?
Aeroplan is Air Canada’s renowned frequent flyer program, known for:
- Membership in the global Star Alliance network (over 25 airlines).
- A competitive award chart and stopover privileges (add a stopover for only 5,000 points).
- Generous transfer partnerships with major Indian and international credit cards, such as HDFC, Axis Bank, HSBC TravelOne, and SBI.
- Excellent award availability, including on Air Canada and partners like Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and United Airlines.
Why Buy Aeroplan Points?
There are several scenarios when buying Aeroplan points offers real value:
- You’re a few points short of an award booking.
- Taking advantage of bonus promotions to stock up at discounted rates.
- Booking premium cabin flights (business/first class) at a fraction of the cash price.
- Maximizing partner redemptions (e.g., long-haul Star Alliance carriers).
- Using for creative routings via stopovers.
Buying miles during bonus promos can yield outsized value, sometimes letting you travel in comfort for less than what you’d pay for an economy ticket.
Latest Promotion: Up To 100% Bonus (July 2025)
Current Offer: Air Canada is running a generous 100% bonus promotion on the purchase of Aeroplan points. Here’s a quick summary1:
- Validity: Until 17th July 2025 (PT).
- Maximum Purchase: Up to 500,000 points per transaction (normally capped), and 1,000,000 points per calendar year.
- Pricing: As low as 1.27¢ (USD) or ₹1.10 per point.
Promotional Pricing Table
| Purchased Points | Bonus | Effective Price (¢/point) | ₹/Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–4,000 | 0% | 2.55 | 2.19 |
| 5,000–25,000 | 55% | 1.64 | 1.41 |
| 30,000–70,000 | 75% | 1.46 | 1.25 |
| 80,000–500,000 | 100% | 1.27 | 1.10 |
- Purchases processed via Points.com and payable in Canadian Dollars.
- Optimal to use a forex card to avoid extra conversion fees.
How To Buy Aeroplan Points: Step-by-Step
- Login to your Aeroplan account on the official Air Canada website.
- Go to the “Buy Points” section.
- Select the number of points you want to purchase (refer to the tiers for best value).
- Complete the purchase via Points.com (you’ll pay in CAD, so factor in forex charges).
- Bonus points will be credited instantly/electronically to your account.
Tip: After 35,000 points, you must buy in multiples of 5,000; after 100,000 points, multiples of 10,000 only apply1.
Aeroplan Points Purchase: Upsides and Downsides
When Does It Make Sense To Buy Points?
- Booking premium cabin tickets with high cash prices (business or first class on Star Alliance partners).
- Close-in bookings where cash fares are very high.
- When points promotions offer 90–100% bonuses, reducing your outlay.
- Topping up for a valuable redemption you’re already planning.
- Maximizing stopovers to visit multiple destinations in one trip.
When To Avoid
- If you don’t have a planned redemption in mind (devaluation risk).
- If the cash ticket is cheaper than booking with purchased points.
- If you might not redeem before expiry (points are usually safe, but always check).
Rule of Thumb: Always compare the cash fare and the equivalent points price before buying.
Historical Aeroplan Points Promotions
Knowing the pattern of past promotions helps in timing your purchase. Here’s a look at recent Aeroplan point offers:
| Start Date | End Date | Max Bonus/Discount | ₹/Point | ¢/Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14th Jul’25 | 17th Jul’25 | 100% | 1.10 | 1.27 |
| 26th Jun’25 | 3rd Jul’25 | 30% Discount | 1.53 | 1.79 |
| 15th May’25 | 4th Jun’25 | 90% | 1.15 | 1.34 |
| 8th Jul’24 | 11th Jul’24 | 125% | 0.97 | 1.13 |
| 29th Apr’24 | 12th May’24 | 100% | 1.10 | 1.27 |
Historical promos often ranged from 80% to 125% bonus1.
Aeroplan Points vs. Other Frequent Flyer Programs
When compared to various frequent flyer programs—including those of Asian carriers, the value proposition of Aeroplan is strong:
- More consistent award availability.
- Lower fuel surcharges on many partners.
- Creative routing rules, including affordable stopovers.
- Regular, generous bonus point promotions.
How To Maximize Value With Aeroplan Points
- Plan high-value redemptions: Think business/first class, not economy.
- Use stopovers: Add extra destinations for only 5,000 more points.
- Transfer credit card rewards: HDFC, Axis, HSBC, and SBI cards in India often offer transfer bonuses.
- Stack offers: Buy points during promos, then transfer and redeem for peak value.
- Leverage Star Alliance: Access global destinations and premium products.
- Avoid fuel surcharges: Choose partners that don’t levy hefty surcharges.
Indian Traveler Tips: Buying Aeroplan Points From India
- Payment in CAD: Purchases go through Points.com; use a card with low forex markup.
- Available transfer partners: Major Indian credit card programs let you transfer directly to Aeroplan, providing an alternate way to top-up.
- Legal and compliance: There are no restrictions for residents of India to buy miles for personal use, but always check the latest RBI/forex rules if transferring large sums abroad.
Real-Life Redemption Scenario
Imagine booking a Mumbai–Zurich–Montreal–New York itinerary:
- Economy ticket: Could retail for ₹120,000.
- Business through Aeroplan: May require 80,000 points (bought for ₹88,000 during 100% promo).
- Stopover in Zurich: Add for 5,000 points (₹5,500).
- Total outlay: ₹93,500 for a business class journey with a stopover—significantly less than paid fares.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is buying Aeroplan points safe?
Yes, buying directly from Air Canada’s Aeroplan portal (powered by Points.com) is secure for all users.
Are there purchase limits?
Yes, up to 500,000 points in a transaction during promos and 1,000,000 per calendar year.
Can I use any credit card?
You can use any major credit or forex card. Purchases are charged in CAD, so use cards with minimal international fees.
Are there taxes on bought points?
Points purchases are charged in CAD and are subject to GST/HST for Canadian residents; Indian buyers generally only pay the forex conversion charge, if any.
How fast do points post?
Points usually post instantly or within a few hours.
Can I transfer points to someone else?
Aeroplan lets you transfer to other accounts for a fee, but the best value is buying to your own account for personal redemptions.
Tips For Advanced Users
- Monitor for transfer bonuses: Sometimes credit card partners offer extra miles when converting to Aeroplan—plan these with buy promos for supercharged balances.
- Check award availability before buying: Confirm your award seat is open before purchasing miles.
- Move fast during flash sales: Highest bonuses (100%+) may only last 2–4 days.
- Sign up for alerts: Join Aeroplan and partner airline program emails for notifications on future sales.
Conclusion
Buying Air Canada Aeroplan points, especially during a 100% bonus offer, is one of the most effective techniques for cost-conscious travelers to unlock premium travel experiences at a fraction of cash ticket prices. With Air Canada’s leading position in Star Alliance, competitive redemption rates, and the flexibility of points from Indian card partners, this is an unmissable deal for savvy travelers.
For Mumbai-based or Indian flyers, these limited-time promotions are your gateway to luxury cabins and global adventures. Evaluate your redemption options, check for the current bonuses, and buy smartly—rewarding journeys await.
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