If you’re sitting on a healthy stash of transferable points and miles and want to fly United Airlines for less, your first instinct may be to move them to United’s MileagePlus program. But thanks to Star Alliance partner Air Canada, you can often book the same United-operated flights using Air Canada Aeroplan points instead — and, in some situations, you’ll pay fewer points than if you booked with United miles.
Aeroplan can be particularly useful if you earn American Express Membership Rewards points or Capital One miles since both transfer to Aeroplan but not directly to United MileagePlus.
Here’s when it makes sense to use Aeroplan points to book United flights, how to make these bookings online, and the best ways to earn Aeroplan points.
Why and When You Should Choose Aeroplan to Book United Flights
Both Aeroplan and MileagePlus now price United-operated award flights dynamically, meaning the number of points or miles required fluctuates depending on demand.
If you are considering whether to redeem United MileagePlus miles or Aeroplan points for your next United-operated flight, you can quickly and easily compare the prices of both at the same time using the Seats.aero tool.
Here are some occasions when it may be a better deal to book United flights with Aeroplan points than with other points and miles, such as United’s own MileagePlus miles:
- For short-haul flights on popular holiday dates: Aeroplan’s current North America chart starts at 6,000 points each way in economy for flights of up to 500 miles. United-operated awards aren’t guaranteed to be priced at that level because United is a Select Partner, but Aeroplan can still undercut MileagePlus on some dates, which can be especially handy during peak travel.
- For transatlantic United awards when Aeroplan prices favorably: For travel between North America and Aeroplan’s Atlantic zone, business-class awards operated by Air Canada or Select Partners currently start at 60,000 points for journeys of up to 4,000 miles, 75,000 points for journeys between 4,001 and 6,000 miles, 90,000 points for journeys between 6,001 and 8,000 miles, and 110,000 points for journeys over 8,000 miles. These are starting prices, not guaranteed rates, but can be much cheaper than what MileagePlus charges.
- When there is a transfer bonus to Aeroplan: Transferable rewards programs offer bonuses on transfers to select airline loyalty programs from time to time, including transfers to Air Canada Aeroplan. For example, through Dec. 31, Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card members can receive a 10% bonus when transferring at least 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to their Aeroplan account in a single transaction, up to 25,000 bonus points per calendar year.
How to Book United Flights With Aeroplan Points
You can book United-operated flights with Aeroplan points online through Aeroplan’s website. Enter your origin, destination, and travel dates, and make sure you select “Book with Aeroplan points.”
Because United awards are dynamically priced through Aeroplan, don’t assume that a United seat available through MileagePlus will be available through Aeroplan at the same price — or at all. Compare both programs before transferring any points to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your specific route and travel dates.
