Aeroplan devaluation June 2026: what changes and how it affects your points

Aeroplan is raising the points cost on a wide range of award flights starting June 1, 2026. Some business class redemptions will cost 6 to 67 percent more points than they do today, depending on the route, distance band, and carrier type. If you have been sitting on a balance waiting for the right trip, that window is closing. This article breaks down exactly what is changing in the Aeroplan devaluation June 2026, which routes take the biggest hit, and the practical steps worth taking before the new award chart kicks in.

What is actually changing in the June 2026 Aeroplan devaluation

Aeroplan is raising the fixed points cost on a wide range of partner award flights. Partner airlines continue to use fixed pricing based on distance and zone, while Air Canada and select partners like United and Emirates use dynamic pricing tied to cash fares — a structure that has not changed with this update. The practical result is that the points floor on many redemptions is rising, particularly in premium cabins and on long-haul international flights operated by Star Alliance partners. Economy redemptions on short-haul North American routes are less affected, but the mid-range and aspirational redemptions that made Aeroplan compelling are the ones taking the largest increases.

These changes apply to fixed-rate partner airline bookings — Star Alliance carriers and other Aeroplan partners. Air Canada flights and select partners like United, Emirates, and Etihad use dynamic pricing and are governed by a separate chart structure.

Aeroplan points value 2026: before and after the devaluation

The table below shows estimated points costs for common redemption categories under the current chart versus the projected post-June 2026 rates. Partner airline pricing can vary by carrier and availability, so treat these figures as representative benchmarks rather than guaranteed rates.

The Aeroplan business class cost increase is the sharpest part of this devaluation. A Canada-to-Europe business class seat in the 4,001–6,000 mile band increases from 70,000 to 75,000 points after June 1. First class on the same distance band rises from 100,000 to 120,000 points. That shift changes the math for anyone who has been accumulating points specifically for a premium cabin redemption.

Which redemptions are hit hardest by the June 2026 changes

Not every Aeroplan redemption is equally affected. The devaluation is concentrated in specific categories where Aeroplan has historically offered outsized value relative to cash fares.

• Business and first class on Star Alliance partners flying transatlantic and transpacific routes — these see the largest absolute point increases, ranging from 5,000 to 25,000 additional points per one-way ticket depending on distance band and cabin.
• Complex itineraries using stopovers through European hubs, which previously allowed travellers to visit two regions for the cost of one award.
• Partner airline redemptions on carriers like Lufthansa, ANA, and Singapore Airlines, where Aeroplan has offered competitive pricing compared to those airlines’ own programs.
• Premium economy on long-haul routes, a cabin that has grown in popularity and is now being repriced closer to business class territory in points terms.
• Last-minute saver awards, which are being phased out on more routes in favour of dynamic pricing that reflects demand at time of booking.

What to do with your Aeroplan points before June 1, 2026

The deadline is real. Bookings made before June 1, 2026 are priced at current chart rates even if the travel date is months later. That gives you a meaningful window to act if you have a redemption in mind.

• Search award availability now for any trip you were planning in late 2026 or 2027 — availability opens 355 days in advance on Air Canada metal and varies by partner.
• Prioritise business class bookings first, since those face the steepest increases and the savings from booking early are largest in absolute points terms.
• If you do not have a specific trip planned, consider whether a short-haul or domestic redemption at current rates makes sense to clear a smaller balance before the chart changes.
• Check whether your Aeroplan points are close to expiring — points expire after 18 months of account inactivity, and a devaluation is not a reason to rush into a redemption you do not actually want.
• If you hold a co-branded Aeroplan credit card with a points transfer feature, confirm whether any pending transfers will land before the June 1 cutoff.

Earning Aeroplan points faster before the devaluation deadline

If you are short of the points needed for a specific redemption, the fastest legal path is a credit card welcome bonus. Several Canadian travel credit cards transfer points directly to Aeroplan or earn Aeroplan points natively, and a single welcome offer can add 40,000 to 100,000 points to your balance within the first few months. The methodology behind how credit card rewards work applies directly here — welcome bonuses are front-loaded value, and timing an application to meet a spend requirement before June 1 can close a points gap faster than organic earning alone.