How Much Are Aeroplan Points Worth If They Never Expire? Keeping Your Miles Alive in 2026

Last updated: June 3, 2026

Quick Answer: Aeroplan points do not expire as long as you record at least one qualifying activity in your account every 18 months. As of 2026, Air Canada has paused all point expiry until November 30, 2026 — giving every member a clean window to act. After that date, the standard 18-month rolling expiry resumes. The good news: keeping your account active costs almost nothing.

Key Takeaways

• Aeroplan points do not expire as long as you have qualifying account activity at least once every 18 months.
• Air Canada paused all point expiry through November 30, 2026 — no points will expire before that date, regardless of prior inactivity.
• After November 30, 2026, the 18-month rule resumes and dormant accounts lose all points instantly on that date.
• Qualifying activity includes earning points via flights or credit cards, redeeming for any reward, transferring points, donating, or converting points.
• You do not need to fly to keep your account active — shopping portal purchases, small redemptions, and co-branded card spend all count.
• Aeroplan points are valued at approximately 1.4–1.6 cents USD for average redemptions, with premium cabin sweet spots reaching 2.0+ cents per point (CPP).
• Holding an Aeroplan co-branded credit card essentially eliminates expiry risk, since monthly card spend generates continuous activity.
• Members receive email notices up to 60 days before expiry; you can also check your expiry status in the Aeroplan dashboard under the “Activity” tab.
• If your account is close to expiring, a single low-cost action — such as a small eStore purchase or a points donation — resets the 18-month clock.
• For members hesitant to redeem due to dynamic pricing changes, this guide explains when saving vs. redeeming makes sense.

Do Aeroplan Points Expire? The 2026 Rules Explained

Aeroplan points do not expire permanently — but they do expire if your account goes inactive. The program uses an 18-month rolling activity window: as long as you earn, redeem, transfer, donate, or convert points at least once every 18 months, your balance is safe indefinitely.

Here is the critical 2026 update every member needs to know:

Air Canada paused all Aeroplan point expiry through November 30, 2026. This means no points will expire before that date, regardless of how long your account has been dormant. The pause was announced in late 2025 and confirmed on Air Canada’s site as of early 2026. It applies to all members automatically — no action required to benefit from the pause.

After November 30, 2026, the standard rules return:

• Any account with no qualifying activity in the prior 18 months will have all points expire instantly on that date.
• Going forward, the 18-month rolling clock resets with each qualifying activity.
• Air Canada sends email notifications up to 60 days before an account reaches expiry status — but do not rely on email alone. Check your expiry date directly in the Aeroplan dashboard under the “Activity” tab.

What this means practically: If your account has been completely inactive since May 2025 or earlier, November 30, 2026 is your hard deadline. One qualifying action before that date resets the clock to 18 months from that activity date.

Common mistake: Assuming that simply logging into your Aeroplan account counts as activity. It does not. You must complete a transaction — earning, redeeming, transferring, donating, or converting points.

What Counts as Qualifying Activity for Aeroplan Points?

Almost any transaction involving your Aeroplan points counts as qualifying activity — you do not need to book a flight or spend hundreds of dollars. The activity requirement is intentionally broad.

Confirmed qualifying activities (as of 2026):

Best for budget-conscious members: The Aeroplan eStore (Air Canada’s online shopping portal) is the lowest-friction option. A single qualifying purchase — even a small one — resets the clock. Similarly, donating a small number of points to a charity partner costs almost nothing and counts immediately.

Best for frequent earners: Holding an Aeroplan co-branded Visa or Mastercard (available through TD, CIBC, American Express Canada, and others) means every month of card spend generates activity. These cardholders effectively never need to think about expiry.

Edge case: Earning points through a partner that has a delayed posting time (some hotel partners post 4–6 weeks after checkout) may not register before a deadline. If you are racing against an expiry date, choose an activity with same-day or next-day posting, such as a small eStore purchase or a points redemption.

For a broader look at how expiry rules compare across programs, see the complete guide to airline miles expiration rules in 2026.

Simple Ways to Keep Your Aeroplan Account Active on a Budget

Keeping an Aeroplan account active does not require flying or significant spending. The following options are low-cost, quick to execute, and confirmed to reset the 18-month activity clock.

Ranked by ease and cost:

1. Shop through the Aeroplan eStore Browse Air Canada’s partner shopping portal and make any qualifying purchase. Many retailers offer 1–3 points per dollar, so even a small household purchase generates activity and earns a few points.

2. Donate points to a charity partner Aeroplan allows members to donate as few as 500 points to partner charities. This counts as a redemption and resets the clock. It costs you a small number of points but zero dollars.

3. Redeem for a small reward Redeeming points for a magazine subscription, a gift card, or a small merchandise item counts as activity. This is not the best use of points from a CPP standpoint, but it is a valid rescue option.

4. Use an Aeroplan co-branded credit card Any purchase on a co-branded card earns Aeroplan points and counts as activity. If you already hold one of these cards, your account is almost certainly active by default.

5. Book a flight (any cabin, any partner) Earning points on a Star Alliance flight or an Air Canada codeshare resets the clock. This is the most natural activity for regular travelers.

6. Transfer points to or from a family pool If you participate in Aeroplan Family Sharing, transferring points between members counts as activity for the transferring account.

Not worth it: Buying Aeroplan points solely to reset the clock. The purchase price (typically around 3.5 cents CAD per point) far exceeds the value of the points you would save unless your balance is very large. Explore the free options above first.

For members evaluating whether an Aeroplan co-branded card makes sense as a long-term strategy, the Aeroplan 2026 changes guide covering revenue earning and SQC rules covers the current card landscape in detail.

Rescue Plans If Your Aeroplan Points Are Close to Expiring

If your account is approaching the November 30, 2026 deadline — or any future 18-month expiry date — the fix is straightforward: complete one qualifying activity before the deadline. The plan below is tiered by urgency.

90 Days Out: Low urgency, many options

• Set up an Aeroplan eStore account and make a small purchase from any partner retailer.
• Book an upcoming trip on Air Canada or a Star Alliance carrier and credit the points.
• Apply for an Aeroplan co-branded card if you do not already hold one (the welcome bonus alone generates significant activity).

60 Days Out: Moderate urgency, act this week

• Complete an eStore purchase immediately — do not wait for a “better” deal.
• Donate 500–1,000 points to a charity partner through the Aeroplan portal.
• Make a small points redemption for a gift card or merchandise item.
• Check the “Activity” tab in your dashboard to confirm the activity has posted.

30 Days Out: High urgency, act today

• Log into your Aeroplan account and initiate a points donation or small redemption immediately.
• Confirm the transaction posts within 24–48 hours (eStore and redemptions typically post quickly).
• If you have a co-branded card, make any purchase today — points from card spend typically post within a few days.
• Do not rely on flight activity if travel is more than 2–3 weeks away; posting delays can be 2–4 weeks.

Critical reminder: After November 30, 2026, the 18-month clock resets from your last activity date — not from November 30. So if you act on October 1, 2026, your next expiry date will be approximately April 1, 2028.

For members managing multiple loyalty currencies at once, the end-of-year points and miles reset checklist for 2026 is a useful companion resource.

How Much Are Aeroplan Points Worth? Valuation in 2026

Aeroplan points are worth approximately 1.4–1.6 cents USD for average redemptions, with premium cabin bookings reaching 2.0 cents or more per point (CPP). Understanding this range helps members decide whether to redeem now or hold for a better opportunity.

Valuation benchmarks:

The sweet spots remain in business class on Star Alliance partners — particularly routes where Air Canada’s dynamic pricing has not yet pushed rates to peak levels. For a full breakdown of current sweet spots and how to find them, see the Air Canada Aeroplan 2026 guide to maximizing your miles.

For a primer on how CPP math works across programs, the 2026 guide to cents-per-point award travel math walks through the calculation step by step.

Dynamic pricing context

Aeroplan moved to dynamic pricing on Air Canada-operated flights, meaning award rates fluctuate based on demand — similar to how cash fares work. This has made some members hesitant to redeem, fearing they will “waste” points on a high-priced date.

The practical response: Dynamic pricing most directly affects Air Canada-operated awards. Partner airline awards (booked through Aeroplan but operated by United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and other Star Alliance carriers) still follow more predictable pricing structures. If you are holding a large balance and waiting for the “perfect” redemption, partner airline Business Class awards are often a better target.

Devaluation risk note: No points program is immune to devaluation. Holding a very large Aeroplan balance indefinitely while waiting for a perfect redemption carries real risk. A reasonable approach is to redeem for confirmed high-value bookings (1.8+ cents CPP) rather than waiting for a theoretical maximum.

For members comparing Aeroplan against transferable point currencies like Amex Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards, the best transferable points programs guide for 2026 provides a neutral side-by-side comparison.

When to Redeem vs. Save Aeroplan Points After Dynamic Pricing Changes

Redeem when you have a confirmed high-value use case. Save when you do not have a specific trip in mind within the next 12–18 months. This framework avoids both panic-redeeming at poor rates and indefinitely hoarding points that face devaluation risk.

Decision framework:

Redeem now if:

• You have a specific trip planned and can find partner airline Business Class availability at 1.8+ cents CPP.
• Your account is approaching the 18-month inactivity threshold and you have no other cheap activity option.
• A transfer bonus from Amex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, or Bilt to Aeroplan is currently active, improving the effective earn rate.

Wait if:

• You have fewer than 30,000 points and no near-term premium cabin trip planned — the best redemptions require meaningful balances.
• You are accumulating toward a specific aspirational redemption and are within 6 months of having enough points.
• Award availability on your target route is currently poor — holding for better release windows is a valid strategy.

Not worth it:

• Redeeming for gift cards or merchandise at 0.6–0.9 cents CPP just to “use” points. This destroys value. If you need to generate activity, donate a small number of points instead and preserve the rest.

For members planning premium cabin bookings, the step-by-step guide to booking business class with points in 2026 covers the full process from award search to ticketing.

Aeroplan vs. Other Programs: How Does the Expiry Policy Compare?

Aeroplan’s 18-month activity requirement is stricter than most major North American programs. Understanding the comparison helps members decide whether to consolidate earning or diversify.

The criticism from points community analysts is fair: most major U.S. programs have moved away from expiry entirely, and Aeroplan’s resumption of the 18-month rule after November 2026 is a step backward by industry standards. That said, the activity bar is low enough that any engaged member — particularly one holding a co-branded card — will never realistically hit it.

The counterargument worth noting: Aeroplan’s Star Alliance network, strong partner list, and premium cabin sweet spots (especially on Air Canada Signature Class and select partner routes) continue to make it one of the higher-value programs for Canadian travelers and U.S.-based members targeting transatlantic or transpacific premium cabins. The expiry policy is a manageable constraint, not a disqualifying one.

For members evaluating whether points programs align with their 2026 travel goals, the award travel trends and strategies guide for 2026 provides broader context on where the industry is heading.

FAQ: Do Aeroplan Points Expire?

Q: Do Aeroplan points expire if I don’t fly? No. Flying is not required. Any qualifying activity — including shopping portal purchases, small redemptions, or points donations — resets the 18-month clock.

Q: When do Aeroplan points expire in 2026? No Aeroplan points will expire before November 30, 2026, due to Air Canada’s current pause on expiry. After that date, accounts with no qualifying activity in the prior 18 months will have all points expire instantly.

Q: Does logging into my Aeroplan account count as activity? No. Logging in does not count. You must complete a transaction: earn, redeem, transfer, donate, or convert points.

Q: How do I check when my Aeroplan points expire? Log into your Aeroplan account and navigate to the “Activity” tab on the dashboard. Your expiry date is displayed there. You will also receive email notifications up to 60 days before expiry.

Q: Does having an Aeroplan credit card prevent points from expiring? Effectively yes. Any purchase on a co-branded Aeroplan card earns points, which counts as qualifying activity. Regular card use means your account will almost never go 18 months without activity.

Q: What is the minimum activity needed to reset the Aeroplan expiry clock? Any single qualifying transaction resets the full 18-month window. There is no minimum points threshold — even donating 500 points to a charity partner counts.

Q: Can I recover expired Aeroplan points? Air Canada does not have a standard reinstatement policy for expired points. Once points expire, they are generally gone. This is why acting before the deadline is critical.

Q: Do Aeroplan points expire for family pool members? Each member’s account is subject to the 18-month rule individually. Being part of a family pool does not automatically generate activity for all members — each person needs their own qualifying transaction.

Q: Are Aeroplan points worth keeping vs. converting to cash? At 1.4–2.0+ cents USD per point in premium cabin redemptions, Aeroplan points are worth significantly more than most cash-back equivalents. Redeeming for cash or gift cards (0.6–0.9 cents CPP) destroys value. Keep the points and use them for travel.

Q: How does Aeroplan’s expiry policy compare to transferable points programs? Transferable currencies like Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One miles, Citi ThankYou points, and Bilt points do not expire as long as your credit card account remains open. They offer more flexibility but typically lower per-point value than Aeroplan in premium cabin redemptions.

Conclusion

Aeroplan points do not expire as long as your account stays active — and in 2026, the bar for “active” is genuinely low. The current pause through November 30, 2026 gives every member a clear window to act, whether that means making a small eStore purchase, donating a handful of points to charity, or finally booking that business class redemption you have been putting off.

Your immediate next steps:

1. Check your account now. Log into your Aeroplan dashboard and confirm your activity status and expiry date under the “Activity” tab.
2. If your account is inactive, act before November 30, 2026. A single qualifying transaction resets the clock to 18 months from that date.
3. If you hold a co-branded Aeroplan card, you are likely already protected — confirm by reviewing recent point-earning transactions.
4. If you have a large balance and no trip planned, identify one or two target redemptions at 1.8+ cents CPP and start monitoring award availability. Dynamic pricing makes flexibility valuable.
5. For ongoing management, consider the end-of-year points and miles reset checklist as a recurring audit tool.

The expiry policy is a manageable constraint, not a reason to abandon Aeroplan. The program’s Star Alliance network and premium cabin sweet spots remain among the strongest available to North American members. Keep the account active, redeem strategically, and the points will hold their value.

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Content on Award Travel Hub is independently created by Award Travel Hub Editorial Desk and, where noted, reviewed by Award Travel Hub Review Desk. Some pages may contain affiliate links, but compensation does not determine our coverage, opinions, or methodology.