Aeroplan Preferred Pricing: Who Can Book Cheaper Award Flights?

What You Should Know

• Eligibility Determines Pricing: Aeroplan Preferred Pricing allows eligible credit cardholders and Elite Status members to access lower points rates on qualifying Air Canada award flights.
• Not All Flights Qualify: Air Canada-operated flights generally qualify, while partner-only redemptions typically do not. Certain mixed-carrier itineraries may qualify under FLY15OFF.
• Discounts Are Applied Automatically: When you sign in to your eligible Aeroplan account, preferred redemption rates are generally reflected in the displayed award price without a promo code.
• A Fixed 15% Discount Is Coming: FLY15OFF already offers eligible Canadian cardholders 15% off qualifying base award fares as a promotion and becomes a permanent benefit on January 12, 2027.
• The Lowest Price Isn’t Always the Best Value: Compare taxes, redemption rates, and alternative flight options before transferring points. A discounted award can still cost more points than another available itinerary.

Why does one traveler need 60,000 Aeroplan points for a flight while another can book the same itinerary for fewer points? The difference may come down to Aeroplan Preferred Pricing.

If you hold an eligible Aeroplan credit card or have Aeroplan Elite Status, you may qualify for lower redemption rates on select Air Canada flights. However, the discount you receive depends on your eligibility, flight selection, and applicable reward rules.

So, who actually gets cheaper award flights, and how can you check whether you’re paying the lowest available points price?

What Is Aeroplan Preferred Pricing and How Does It Work?

Aeroplan Preferred Pricing is a benefit within the Air Canada Aeroplan loyalty program that allows eligible members to book certain flight rewards using fewer Aeroplan points. Unlike a cash fare discount, it reduces the points required for an eligible redemption.

To understand how aeroplan preferred pricing works, consider these factors:

• Dynamic Award Pricing: Air Canada uses variable redemption rates. The number of points required can change based on travel dates, routes, demand, and available inventory.
• Member Eligibility: Your Aeroplan Elite Status or eligible co-branded credit card can affect the redemption price displayed when you search for flights.
• Automatic Application: Eligible preferred pricing is generally incorporated into the flight reward price when you sign in to your Aeroplan account.
• Separate Reward Benefits: Aeroplan Priority Rewards are different from preferred pricing. Eligible Elite members can use Priority Reward vouchers to receive 50% off the points portion of qualifying flight rewards.
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You can reference the Air Canada award chart for 2026 to understand typical redemption ranges, but your actual booking price may differ.

Who Qualifies for Aeroplan Preferred Pricing?

Aeroplan preferred pricing eligibility primarily depends on your membership benefits. Eligible co-branded credit cardholders and Aeroplan Elite Status members may receive lower award prices than regular members.

Aeroplan Credit Cardholders

Holding an eligible Aeroplan credit card is one of the main ways to access aeroplan preferred pricing benefits. Your card must be associated with your Aeroplan account, and applicable eligibility conditions must be satisfied.

Examples of Aeroplan co-branded credit cards include:

• TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite: Offers eligible Canadian primary cardholders preferred redemption benefits.
• CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite: Provides qualifying primary cardholders access to preferred award pricing.
• American Express Aeroplan Card: Offers eligible basic cardmembers preferred pricing on qualifying flight rewards.
• Chase Aeroplan Credit Card: Provides eligible US cardholders with Air Canada award redemption benefits under its applicable terms.

The exact conditions depend on your issuer, card agreement, and current promotional offers.

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Aeroplan Elite Status Members

You may also qualify for aeroplan elite status preferred pricing through your membership tier.

Aeroplan’s Elite Status program includes five levels:

• Aeroplan 25K.
• Aeroplan 35K.
• Aeroplan 50K.
• Aeroplan 75K.
• Aeroplan Super Elite.

Your status can influence eligible award pricing, but there is no universal discount percentage guaranteed across all tiers and itineraries.

Members With Both Elite Status and an Aeroplan Credit Card

If you hold both Aeroplan Elite Status and an eligible credit card, your account may qualify for additional pricing advantages.

However, keep two distinctions in mind:

• Combined Eligibility: Multiple benefits may influence your redemption price, but you should not assume their discounts stack at fixed percentages.
• Separate Benefits: Your Elite Status may also provide access to Priority Rewards vouchers, which operate under different rules.

Which Flights Qualify for Aeroplan Preferred Pricing?

Aeroplan Preferred Pricing primarily applies to eligible Air Canada flight rewards. However, the airline operating your flight matters, particularly when your itinerary includes partner carriers.

Here is how eligibility generally differs across flight types:

The 2026 FLY15OFF promotion and upcoming permanent benefit can include certain mixed-carrier itineraries when the booking meets Air Canada’s published conditions.

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Other considerations include:

• Cabin Class: Eligible economy, premium economy, and business class redemptions may receive discounted points pricing.
• Award Availability: A lower redemption rate does not guarantee that a reward seat is available on your preferred flight.
• Additional Charges: Taxes, fees, and applicable surcharges remain separate from the discounted base points fare.

You can review Star Alliance award options when comparing Air Canada redemptions with flights operated by partner airlines.

How Do You Get Aeroplan Preferred Pricing When Booking?

You generally do not need to manually apply aeroplan preferred pricing when booking eligible flight rewards. Air Canada displays qualifying rates when you search through your signed-in Aeroplan account.

Follow these steps to check your eligibility and redemption price:

1. Sign In: Log in to your Aeroplan account through Air Canada’s website or mobile app.
2. Verify Eligibility: Confirm that your eligible Aeroplan credit card is linked correctly or that your Elite Status appears in your account.
3. Search Award Flights: Enter your departure city, destination, travel dates, and cabin preference, then select the option to book with points.
4. Check Redemption Rates: Review the Aeroplan points required for available flights and confirm any applicable fees.
5. Compare Pricing: Where practical, compare the same itinerary with an Aeroplan account that does not have equivalent benefits.
6. Complete Your Booking: Confirm the final points requirement before proceeding with the redemption.

If you are eligible, the discounted rate may already be reflected in the displayed price.

For additional booking guidance, see this step-by-step guide to booking award flights.

How Much Can Aeroplan Preferred Pricing Save You?

Your Aeroplan points savings depend on the flight’s base redemption price and the discount available to your account. Traditional preferred pricing does not provide one guaranteed percentage across every itinerary.

However, the current FLY15OFF offer provides a clearer calculation for eligible cardholders.

Consider a hypothetical Air Canada business class booking with the following redemption costs:

With two passengers, that same discount would save 18,000 points, assuming both tickets qualify.

Before redeeming, consider:

• Total Booking Cost: Compare the points required alongside taxes and fees.
• Redemption Value: Calculate how much cash airfare you avoid for the points spent.
• Alternative Dates: Check whether changing your travel dates produces a lower award price, even without additional discounts.

You can use the cents per point calculator to estimate the value of your redemption.

What Is Changing With Aeroplan Preferred Pricing in 2027?

Air Canada announced changes to its credit card rewards benefits in September 2026. The existing credit card preferred pricing arrangement is being replaced by FLY15OFF, which provides eligible cardholders with a defined 15% reduction on qualifying base award fares.

Here is the transition timeline:

Air Canada’s published terms establish several important conditions:

• Discount Amount: Eligible cardholders receive 15% off the base points fare of qualifying Air Canada flight rewards.
• Booking Eligibility: You must meet the applicable cardholder conditions and sign in to your Aeroplan account.
• Excluded Charges: The discount does not reduce taxes, fees, surcharges, or other charges.
• Eligible Itineraries: Certain journeys containing Air Canada and partner-operated segments may qualify.

The Canadian promotional offer also has specific booking and travel deadlines. US-issued Chase Aeroplan cards have separate applicable terms.

How Can Flightpoints Help You Find Better Aeroplan Award Flights?

Even when you qualify for aeroplan preferred pricing, the discounted redemption may not represent the best use of your points. A different flight date, transfer partner, or routing could offer greater value.

Flightpoints helps you research award availability and compare flight redemption opportunities before committing your credit card points.

For example, if you want to book business class from New York to Paris, you can:

• Search Air Canada Awards: Use the Air Canada reward flight finder to explore available redemption opportunities.
• Compare Routes: Review Air Canada award flight routes to assess possible itineraries.
• Check Transfer Options: Evaluate whether transferring your Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards points to an eligible airline program makes sense.
• Monitor Availability: Use Flightpoints alerts to track award opportunities that match your travel plans.

Flightpoints helps you evaluate redemption options, while Air Canada determines your personalized Aeroplan Preferred Pricing at booking.

Conclusion: Is Aeroplan Preferred Pricing Worth Using?

Aeroplan Preferred Pricing can help you spend fewer points on eligible Air Canada award flights, particularly if you hold a qualifying credit card or Aeroplan Elite Status.

However, eligibility alone does not guarantee the best redemption value. Compare award availability, taxes, and alternative routes before transferring or redeeming your points.

Want to find better premium cabin redemptions without spending hours comparing flights? Get Flightpoints Pro to explore award opportunities and make more informed booking decisions.

FAQs

Q. Does Aeroplan Preferred Pricing Reduce Taxes and Fees?
A: Preferred pricing changes the number of Aeroplan points required, not the cash portion of your booking. You still need to pay applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges, even when your account qualifies for a lower award rate.

Q. Can a Flight With Aeroplan Preferred Pricing Still Be Expensive?
A: Yes. A discounted award can still be expensive when demand is high. Compare the final points requirement across dates and cabin options, then check the cash fare to judge whether redeeming points offers worthwhile value.

Q. Is the Aeroplan Preferred Pricing Discount Always the Same?
A: No. The number of points you need can change with demand, itinerary, cabin, and the benefits attached to your account. Traditional preferred pricing does not guarantee a fixed percentage reduction on every eligible Air Canada flight.

Q. Can You Get Aeroplan Preferred Pricing With Transferable Credit Card Points?
A: Not necessarily. Your bank’s transferable rewards may be eligible for transfer to Aeroplan, but holding those points alone does not establish preferred pricing eligibility. Check your Aeroplan account benefits before transferring any points, because transfers are often irreversible.

Q. Does Aeroplan Preferred Pricing Guarantee Award Seat Availability?
A: No. Aeroplan uses separate rules for award pricing and reward availability. A lower points rate only matters when you can actually book the flight and cabin you want, so check available seats before planning a transfer.

Q. Does FLY15OFF Apply to Round-Trip and Connecting Flights?
A: Under the announced FLY15OFF rules, the discount applies to the eligible base points fare, not taxes or fees. For round trips, each direction must meet the conditions. Mixed-carrier itineraries may qualify when Air Canada indicates eligibility during booking.