Buying Air Canada Aeroplan points

[RB]

How come buying points is so buggy? I never get an email from Aeroplan on it but on the app it tells me 90%. When I go to buy points only 75% option is available

Have you taken into account the volume you are buying?

 

[rigram]

HUGE difference between taxes using Aeroplan vs. Qantas.

Got notification from SeatsAero booking Canadian Aeroplan:



Whilst Qantas:


Aeroplan taxes CAD 89.50 = $91
QF taxes = $619

Difference is considerable: $528

 

[WilsonM]

HUGE difference between taxes using Aeroplan vs. Qantas.

Got notification from SeatsAero booking Canadian Aeroplan:

View attachment 507655

Whilst Qantas:

View attachment 507656
Aeroplan taxes CAD 89.50 = $91
QF taxes = $619

Difference is considerable: $528

While I appreciate the point you're making (EK surcharges are very high), this is not a good example. In your example, you save $528 while spending 166,500 points more, valuing the extra points at 0.31 cents per point (worse than gift cards). And that's if you equate a Qantas point to an Aeroplan point (I don't, Aeroplan points are worth more IMO).

Aeroplan doesn't pass on fuel surcharges on EK, but makes up for that lost money by selling EK awards as dynamically priced, making up for that lost revenue with increased point requirements.

 

[elanshin]

HUGE difference between taxes using Aeroplan vs. Qantas.

Got notification from SeatsAero booking Canadian Aeroplan:

View attachment 507655

Whilst Qantas:

View attachment 507656
Aeroplan taxes CAD 89.50 = $91
QF taxes = $619

Difference is considerable: $528

As its already pointed out the difference is in the points costs. You can compare an EK flight on Aeroplan to say SQ and it suddenly becomes very clear how much more expensive it is points wise for roughly the same distance bracket.

QFF actually charges the same taxes as EK's own skyward (or very close to). Its basically a different model in pricing EK tickets.

 

[elanshin]

While I appreciate the point you're making (EK surcharges are very high), this is not a good example. In your example, you save $528 while spending 166,500 points more, valuing the extra points at 0.31 cents per point (worse than gift cards). And that's if you equate a Qantas point to an Aeroplan point (I don't, Aeroplan points are worth more IMO).

Aeroplan doesn't pass on fuel surcharges on EK, but makes up for that lost money by selling EK awards as dynamically priced, making up for that lost revenue with increased point requirements.

I agree with your point although the currency in the example might be USD exDUB. $600 AUD seems a bit cheap for EK surcharges.

Also i have 2 different valuations - cost of acquisition and redemption. Aeroplan is worth more for redemption (at least for now though that's rapidly going down with each enhancement). But their cost of acquisition is much higher typically than QFF for us here in Aussieland.

 

[WilsonM]

I agree with your point although the currency in the example might be USD exDUB. $600 AUD seems a bit cheap for EK surcharges.

Also i have 2 different valuations - cost of acquisition and redemption. Aeroplan is worth more for redemption (at least for now though that's rapidly going down with each enhancement). But their cost of acquisition is much higher typically than QFF for us here in Aussieland.

exDXB (Assume you meant Dubai instead of Dublin ) it's in AUD. ~$600 is pretty standard for DXB-Asia/Europe in J/F I've found.

100% agree that how much it costs you to acquire your points should also factor in - if you consider that, it makes the example given even worse in value tbh

 

[Bbjai]

Have you taken into account the volume you are buying?

Yes was prepared for top volume but 75% is my max option

 

[RooFlyer]

Colour me surprised. I've bought miles frequently in the past - my max bonus 75%, kicking in at 30K.

 

[SathiRamesh]

In late March/April 2026, I purchased 130,000 Aeroplan points at approximately AUD $2,600 during a promotional offer (approximately 90% bonus). I redeemed 115,000 points for a business class redemption: London (LGW) to Melbourne (MEL) — not the fastest route home, but certainly the most scenic, with a 2-night stopover in Delhi. The routing was Singapore Airlines business class (LGW–DEL) and Air India business class (DEL–MEL). The base redemption was 110,000 points with an additional 5,000 points for the stopover. Sometimes the long way round is worth it.

 

[MELso]

In late March/April 2026, I purchased 130,000 Aeroplan points at approximately AUD $2,600 during a promotional offer (approximately 90% bonus). I redeemed 115,000 points for a business class redemption: London (LGW) to Melbourne (MEL) — not the fastest route home, but certainly the most scenic, with a 2-night stopover in Delhi. The routing was Singapore Airlines business class (LGW–DEL) and Air India business class (DEL–MEL). The base redemption was 110,000 points with an additional 5,000 points for the stopover. Sometimes the long way round is worth it.

Nice one! And welcome to AFF!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

In late March/April 2026, I purchased 130,000 Aeroplan points at approximately AUD $2,600 during a promotional offer (approximately 90% bonus). I redeemed 115,000 points for a business class redemption: London (LGW) to Melbourne (MEL) — not the fastest route home, but certainly the most scenic, with a 2-night stopover in Delhi. The routing was Singapore Airlines business class (LGW–DEL) and Air India business class (DEL–MEL). The base redemption was 110,000 points with an additional 5,000 points for the stopover. Sometimes the long way round is worth it.

Wow!

I’m super surprised they allowed that routing with the significant back-track SIN-DEL!

So well done!