Travelers holding transferable rewards often look first to United’s own MileagePlus program when planning award travel on the airline. Yet Air Canada’s Aeroplan program frequently provides an alternative route to the same United-operated flights, sometimes at a lower points cost. The approach works especially well for those who earn American Express Membership Rewards or Capital One miles, currencies that transfer directly to Aeroplan but not to MileagePlus. ([1])
When Aeroplan Pricing Can Be Advantageous
Both programs now use dynamic pricing for United flights, so award costs shift with demand. Comparing the two options side by side helps reveal which program offers better value on any given date. Tools that display availability across programs make this comparison straightforward before any points are moved. Short-haul domestic routes on busy holiday periods sometimes show lower Aeroplan rates than MileagePlus. Transatlantic journeys can also benefit when Aeroplan’s distance-based charts align favorably with the route. Occasional transfer bonuses from partner programs further improve the math for those who can time their moves.
Completing a Booking Through Aeroplan
Aeroplan’s website allows direct searches for United flights. Users select the option to pay with points, review available dates, and see the points total alongside taxes and fees in Canadian dollars. The platform then presents choices for mixing points and cash, with the default combination usually delivering the strongest value. A modest partner booking fee applies to United awards issued through Aeroplan. Travelers who prefer the contact center instead of the website encounter an additional service charge. Once payment clears, the points are deducted and the ticket is issued in the usual way.
Building an Aeroplan Balance
New Aeroplan credit cards frequently carry substantial welcome offers that can quickly establish a usable balance. Existing cardholders may also qualify for targeted spending bonuses that add thousands of points after meeting minimum thresholds. Several major rewards programs transfer to Aeroplan at a one-to-one ratio. These include American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Bilt Points. Periodic transfer bonuses, such as the current offer tied to the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan card, can increase the effective value of those moves through the end of the year.
Key Considerations Before Transferring
United does not release every award seat to partners, so availability can differ between programs. Dynamic pricing means no single option is guaranteed to be cheaper on every date. Comparing both MileagePlus and Aeroplan remains the most reliable way to identify the better redemption. Transfers cannot be reversed once completed, so confirming award space first protects against unnecessary movement of points. For many travelers, the ability to access United flights through Aeroplan simply expands the range of meaningful trips that fit within their existing rewards portfolios.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.