When most people think of using Aeroplan points, their minds go straight to business class flights to Europe or Asia — and hey, I love a good lie-flat seat as much as the next points nerd. But here’s the thing: there are still some very solid redemptions hiding right here in North America.
Yes, I’m talking about using points to fly within Canada, or between Canada and the U.S., Mexico, or the Caribbean. Whether you’re planning a coast-to-coast trip to visit family, escaping winter with a quick jump to Florida, or just avoiding a $700 last-minute fare to Montreal (true story), Aeroplan has some sweet spots that are surprisingly easy to book.
Now, let me be real with you — Aeroplan pricing has changed. In the olden days (okay, like before March 2025), you could rely on fixed pricing for partner airlines like United. But those days are gone. Thanks to the magic of dynamic pricing, even partner flights can now fluctuate wildly based on demand, time of day, or possibly the phase of the moon.
That said, don’t panic. There are still plenty of redemptions that offer great value, especially if you know where to look and how to book. In this guide, I’ll walk you through some of the best Aeroplan flight redemptions within North America — with a special focus on routes starting or ending in Canada. These are all based on real data, real trips, and sometimes real frustration at seeing the same flight cost 12,000 points one day and 42,000 the next.
If you’re brand new to Aeroplan or need a refresher on how it all works, check out my Aeroplan 101: Beginner’s Guide. But if you’re ready to dive into the best ways to stretch your points across the continent — let’s get into it.
Key Takeaways
- Great Value Exists Close to Home: You don’t need to fly overseas to get solid value — many domestic and short-haul international routes still offer excellent returns on points.
- Dynamic Pricing is the New Normal: Aeroplan now applies dynamic pricing even to partner airlines like United, so award costs fluctuate based on demand and timing.
- Aim for Strong CPP (Cents Per Point): A good redemption generally gets you at least 1.4¢/pt — anything above 2.0¢/pt is great value.
- Top Domestic Sweet Spots: Look for redemptions like Toronto–Vancouver, Montreal–Calgary, and Vancouver–Whitehorse for high-value bookings.
- U.S. Routes Still Shine: Flights to New York, Florida, California, and Miami often offer great value, especially during peak cash fare seasons.
- Beach Deals from Canada: Mexico and the Caribbean routes can be Aeroplan goldmines in winter — especially to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Mexico City.
- Pro Tips for Maximizing Value:
- Book early (or last-minute)
- Be flexible with dates and airports
- Mix cash and points when necessary
- Compare partner vs. Air Canada flights
- Don’t redeem if the value isn’t there
What Makes a Good Aeroplan Redemption?
Before we dive into specific flights, let’s talk about what actually makes a redemption “good.” Because not all points bookings are created equal — and if you’ve ever seen Aeroplan trying to charge 61,000 points for a two-hour flight to Chicago, you know what I mean.
Cent-Per-Point (CPP): The Math Behind the Magic
A good Aeroplan redemption typically gives you solid value per point — this is measured using something called “cents per point” or CPP. Here’s the simple formula:
(Cash price – taxes and fees) ÷ points used = CPP
Let’s say a flight costs $350, and taxes/fees are $50. If you book it for 15,000 points, that’s:
($350 – $50) ÷ 15,000 = 2.0¢/pt
Anything above 1.4¢/pt is decent. Above 2.0¢/pt? That’s considered great. Above 3.0¢/pt? You’re basically a wizard and should start telling strangers about it at parties.
Of course, CPP isn’t the only factor. Travel experience, cabin class, convenience, and how badly you want to avoid that middle seat in economy all matter too.
Aeroplan Pricing in 2025: What You Should Know
If you’re booking a flight within Canada, chances are you’re flying with Air Canada — and dynamic pricing has always applied here. So yeah, that weird range of 9,400 to 28,200 points for the same Toronto–Vancouver flight? That’s not a glitch — that’s just Air Canada doing Air Canada things.
But what’s changed more recently is this: partner airlines like United are no longer safe from the chaos. Up until March 2025, United-operated flights within North America used to stick to Aeroplan’s fixed award chart — predictable and easy to plan. But now? Even partner flights are priced dynamically, meaning you’ll see some wild swings there too.
So while redemptions can still be excellent — especially in economy and off-peak — it’s more important than ever to:
- Be flexible with your dates
- Check multiple departure times
- Consider booking early (or weirdly late, when prices sometimes drop again)
Alright — now that we’ve got the strategy covered, let’s get into the fun part: the best Aeroplan redemptions within North America.
Best Domestic Aeroplan Redemptions Within Canada
Let’s start at home. While we all dream of sipping champagne over the Atlantic, some of my most satisfying Aeroplan redemptions have been much closer to home — and let’s be honest, sometimes a quick domestic flight saves more stress than a business class bed.
Even though most of these routes are on Air Canada (and yes, priced dynamically), you can still get great value if you book smart — especially in economy and if you’re willing to travel mid-week or off-season.
Here are some of the best redemptions I’ve found within Canada:
Toronto to Vancouver (or vice versa)
The heavyweight champ of Canadian redemptions. This cross-country haul often clocks in at 4–5 hours, making it one of the longest domestic flights you can book.
Economy: Look for as low as 10,800 points in Economy + ~$50 in taxes
Business: I’ve booked seats (look for a 787 aircraft for lie-flat) starting around 25,000–30,000 points +~$50 in taxes
Montreal to Calgary or Edmonton
East to West with consistently high cash fares = points value goldmine.
Economy redemptions here are often 11,000–14,000 points s +~$50 in taxes
Bonus: It’s a great way to see the Rockies without going full Toronto–Vancouver
Toronto to Halifax or St. John’s
Don’t sleep on Eastern Canada — especially in summer or the holidays when cash prices mysteriously triple.
I’ve flown this for 11,000–14,000 points when cash fares were over $400
Perfect for family visits, scenic getaways, or lobster runs
Vancouver to Whitehorse or Yellowknife
These Northern routes are notoriously expensive in cash — but points pricing often stays reasonable.
Expect to pay 12,000–17,000 points, even when cash fares are $600+
Great value, unique destination, and bragging rights for flying to the Arctic Circle
Short-Haul Hops (Toronto–Ottawa, Calgary–Edmonton, etc.)
These routes may be short, but they pack value if you’re booking last-minute or around holidays when fares spike.
You can often snag these for 6,000–8,000 points one-way
Not glamorous, but a great way to avoid dropping $350 for a flight shorter than your Uber to the airport
Bottom line? Domestic redemptions can still be Aeroplan gold — especially when you dodge peak pricing and keep your eyes peeled for deals. And let’s face it, not every trip has to involve sushi in Tokyo. Sometimes it’s just about getting to Nanaimo without remortgaging your house.
Best Aeroplan Redemptions to the U.S.
While domestic flights can be a smart use of Aeroplan points, cross-border trips to the U.S. are where things start to get spicy. Whether it’s a weekend in New York, escaping to Florida in January, or hitting up California’s coast, flights from Canada to the U.S. can offer incredible value — especially when cash fares are ridiculous and Aeroplan still gives you a decent deal.
But remember what we said earlier: partner flights like United now use dynamic pricing too, so those once-predictable sweet spots are a bit more unpredictable these days. That said, the redemptions below still pop up with good availability, especially in economy. Let’s take a look:
Toronto to New York City (YYZ–JFK/LGA/EWR)
This is one of the most competitive and frequently flown routes, and it’s perfect for a quick getaway or business trip.
- Points range: As low as 6,000–8,000 points one-way in economy
- Cash fares can get silly for a 90-minute flight — so even a 1.4¢/pt value is common here
- Tip: Try to avoid peak weekends or book midweek for the best prices
Toronto to Florida (MIA, FLL, TPA, MCO)
This is a classic snowbird escape route, and it’s where Aeroplan points can really shine — especially when every Canadian and their snow shovel is trying to go south in January.
- Points range: 10,000–16,000 in economy (business can climb quickly)
- Great value when cash prices go $500+ in peak season
- Bonus: Multiple Florida airports give you more flexibility to search for the lowest price
Montreal to Miami or Fort Lauderdale
Another excellent winter sun route, and often easier to find availability than from Toronto.
- Points range: 12,000–17,000 in economy
- Tip: Try United flights if Air Canada prices are inflated (but be aware of dynamic pricing now, even for partners)
Vancouver to California (LAX, SFO, SAN)
A transborder redemption that’s perfect for both business and leisure travelers. It’s long enough to make the points feel “worth it” — and lie-flat seats on some flights to LAX are a nice bonus.
- Points range: 12,500–18,000 in economy, 25,000+ in business
- Tip: Look for widebody aircraft on select Air Canada flights to Los Angeles for that business class flat-bed goodness
- Dynamic pricing alert: Watch for wild swings on both Air Canada and United
Final thought? While dynamic pricing means you might have to work a little harder to score a great deal, these U.S. routes still regularly deliver excellent value — especially if you book early or remain flexible with your dates. And hey, it beats paying $700 to fly to New York in the middle seat.
Best Aeroplan Redemptions to Mexico & the Caribbean
Sometimes, you just need to ditch winter and disappear into a beach chair with a drink that comes with a tiny umbrella. And when it comes to using Aeroplan points for warm-weather getaways, flights to Mexico and the Caribbean from Canada can offer some of the best bang for your buck — if you play your cards right.
These redemptions are especially appealing because cash fares during peak season are painful, and Aeroplan points can shield you from the financial frostbite. While dynamic pricing still applies (thanks again, Air Canada), you can often score great deals if you’re early, flexible, or lucky. Here are some hot routes worth considering:
Toronto or Calgary to Cancun / Puerto Vallarta
Two of Canada’s favourite beach escape hatches. These routes are incredibly popular in winter, which also means cash fares can hit $800+ without blinking.
- Points range: 15,000–22,000 in economy, 30,000+ in business
- Tip: Look for partner flights (like United or Avianca) for more predictable pricing, but be warned — even partners now have dynamic pricing
- Bonus: WestJet doesn’t play in the Aeroplan space, so these are solid Air Canada routes to target
Vancouver to Mexico City
A bit more “culture and cuisine” than “resort and relax,” but a super underrated redemption.
- Points range: 17,000–25,000 in economy
- Cash fares to MEX can be surprisingly high, so your points go further
- Tip: Use this as a jumping-off point to explore further into Latin America (maybe even with a stopover on a multi-city ticket)
And just a quick note: Aeroplan does cover other sun destinations like Montego Bay, Punta Cana, and Nassau — but award availability tends to be tougher on those routes, and cash deals from Canadian charter airlines (like Sunwing or Flair) often undercut the value. So unless you’re loyal to Star Alliance, Mexico is your best beach bet for Aeroplan value.
Pro Tips to Maximize Value (Even With Dynamic Pricing)
Aeroplan pricing isn’t what it used to be. With dynamic pricing now applying to both Air Canada and partner flights, redemptions can swing wildly depending on the day, route, and even the time of search. But with a few simple strategies, you can still get great value for your points with the best Aeroplan Redemptions — and avoid the dreaded “did I just burn 25,000 points on a $150 flight?” moment.
Book Early (Or At Odd Times)
Aeroplan tends to reward the planners. Some of the best pricing shows up when you book three to six months in advance. That said, I’ve also seen point costs drop just a few days before departure — even when cash fares remain stubbornly high. It never hurts to check again before you book.
Be Flexible With Dates and Airports
Shifting your flight by just one or two days can lead to huge differences in point cost. And depending on the region, flying into an alternate airport — like Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami — can unlock better pricing and more availability. It’s a simple trick, but it works.
Mix Cash and Points (Especially One-Way Flights)
Sometimes only one direction of your round-trip flight offers a good deal with points. When that happens, don’t hesitate to book one leg with points and pay cash for the other. It often works out better than booking both ways with points, especially if dynamic pricing hits one direction hard. Just make sure to compare taxes and fees — return flights from certain regions (like the U.S. or Mexico) can include higher surcharges.
Compare Partner Flights Too
United and some other partners are now priced dynamically within North America, just like Air Canada. But don’t count them out — they can still offer better value, particularly for routes where Air Canada pricing gets inflated. When you search, try filtering by airline and comparing the totals side by side.
Don’t Force a Redemption
If a flight costs 18,000 points and the cash fare is $150, you’re probably better off saving your points. I usually aim for 1.4¢ per point in value, and ideally more. If your redemption falls short of that, consider paying cash and holding onto your points for a future trip where they’ll stretch further.
Final Thoughts: Are North American Redemptions Worth It?
Absolutely — if you know where to look.
While Aeroplan’s dynamic pricing has made things more unpredictable (and sometimes downright confusing), there are still plenty of valuable redemptions across Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean. Domestic long-hauls, transborder flights during peak seasons, and sunny winter getaways all offer strong value if you’re strategic.
The key is being flexible, comparing your options, and knowing when to mix points with cash. You don’t have to chase first class flights to get great value — sometimes saving $400 on a flight to Vancouver in the middle of July is just as satisfying.
Now that you know some of the best Aeroplan Redemptions in North America, if you’re looking to level up your Aeroplan game or just getting started, check out these next reads:
- Aeroplan 101: Beginner’s Guide – Start here if you’re new to the program
- How to Earn Aeroplan Points Fast – Build your balance quicker
- Best Credit Cards for Aeroplan Points in Canada – The top cards to boost your rewards strategy
Aeroplan points are more powerful when you use them well — and hopefully, this guide helps you do exactly that.