May 6, 2026
Travel PointsAeroplan Prices Are Going Up: Quick Guide on What's Changing
If you've been sitting on a pile of Aeroplan points and waiting for the right moment to pull the trigger, that moment is now.
Air Canada has announced a big, meaningful update to the Aeroplan program, with changes taking effect on June 1, 2026. While not every route is affected, some of the most exciting redemptions in the program are about to get more expensive. Here's everything you need to know in a few minutes read.
What's Changing
The increases apply to partner airline bookings in specific distance bands. There are a number of changes across the chart, but we're zeroing in on the two that will affect the majority of Canadians when they travel. Here's a breakdown:
Partner Airlines to Europe (4,000 to 6,000 Mile Band)
This is your Toronto or Montreal to Frankfurt routing on Lufthansa and similar carriers.
| Cabin | Old | New | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 40,000 | 42,500 | +6% |
| Business | 70,000 | 75,000 | +7% |
| First | 100,000 | 120,000 | +20% |
Economy class is also seeing a bump, moving from 40,000 to 42,500 points. Business class is going from 70,000 to 75,000 points. First class is jumping from 100,000 to 120,000 points, which is a significant 20% increase if you were eyeing that Lufthansa first class cabin.
Pacific Zone (7,501 to 11,000 Mile Band)
This one stings the most. Think Vancouver or Toronto to Bangkok or Singapore.
| Cabin | Old | New | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | 60,000 | 65,000 | +8% |
| Business | 87,500 | 102,500 | +17% |
| First | 130,000 | 140,000 | +8% |
Economy and first class are both seeing increases too, up 8% each. But the hardest change is business class, which is moving from 87,500 to 102,500 points, a 17% increase. If a lie-flat seat to Southeast Asia has been on your radar, this is the increase that should get you moving.
What's NOT Changing
The good news is that a lot of the most popular Canadian redemption patterns are completely untouched.
- Within North America: all distance bands, all cabins
- Between North America and South America: all distance bands, all cabins
- Within South America: all distance bands, all cabins
- Between Atlantic and South America: all distance bands, all cabins
- Between Pacific and South America: all distance bands, all cabins
A few specific sweet spots are also holding steady. Vancouver to Tokyo in business class stays at 55,000 points. Toronto or Montreal to Taipei on EVA Air remains at 75,000 points. Domestic Canada, the Caribbean, Florida, and Latin America are all unchanged.
If most of your redemptions fall in those categories, this update is largely a non-event for you. You can check where your favourite routes fall on the Aeroplan zone map.
There Were Some Improvements
Not everything went up, and a few of the changes actually work in your favour.
The Inter-Europe business class band dropped from 15,000 to 12,500 points. Admittedly, that's not a routing most Canadians are booking through Aeroplan, but it's a nice touch.
More practically, short-haul economy across the Atlantic dropped from 35,000 to 32,500 points (a decrease of 2,500 points). Think Toronto or Montreal to Reykjavik on Icelandair — a popular Canadian bucket-list trip that just got a little cheaper in points.
Similarly, short-haul North America to Asia economy also dropped from 35,000 to 32,500 points (saving you 2,500 points each way). The best Canadian example here is Vancouver to Honolulu, which now sits at 32,500 points one-way on a partner airline.
The Bottom Line: You Have Until May 31, 2026
Here's your key action item: you can still book at the current, lower prices until May 31, 2026.
If you have the points and a trip in mind that falls in one of the affected bands, especially that Pacific routing, lock it in before the end of the month. Award space can be competitive, so the sooner you search, the better your options.
Happy travels!
