Aeroplan has just launched its first hotel transfer bonus since 2019, and this might be of interest to some members.
In this post:
Convert Bonvoy points to Aeroplan with 20% bonus
Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is offering a 20% bonus when you transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to the program by May 31, 2022. There’s no registration required, but rather you just need to make an eligible transfer, and then the bonus points will be posted on Aeroplan’s end.
Marriott Bonvoy points typically convert into Air Canada Aeroplan points at a 3:1 ratio, and you receive 5,000 bonus Aeroplan points for every 60,000 Bonvoy points transfered. In other words, if you transfered 60,000 Bonvoy points with this bonus, you’d receive a total of 30,000 Aeroplan points (60,000 Bonvoy points converts into 20,000 Aeroplan points, then you get 5,000 bonus Aeroplan points, and then you get a 20% bonus on top of that).
Bonus Aeroplan points can take four to six weeks to post. You need to transfer a minimum of 3,000 Bonvoy points to take advantage of this, and you can transfer up to 240,000 Bonvoy points in a 24-hour period.
On the surface this could be a useful deal. Based on my valuation of points, I value Aeroplan points at 1.5 cents each and Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents each. So given the potential 2:1 transfer ratio, there’s value there.
There are lots of ways to earn Aeroplan points
There’s a lot to love about the Air Canada Aeroplan program, including the stopover policy on awards. The major consideration here is that there are several ways to earn Aeroplan points, including programs that are easier to earn points with than Marriott Bonvoy:
- Aeroplan is 1:1 transfer partners with Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, and Chase Ultimate Rewards
- There’s the Aeroplan® Credit Card (review), which offers a great bonus and some unique perks
- Aeroplan often sells points at an attractive cost
- Lastly, Aeroplan often sells points at a reasonable cost
Bottom line
Aeroplan has launched its first hotel transfer bonus since 2019. Aeroplan is offering a 20% bonus when you convert Marriott Bonvoy points into Air Canada Aeroplan points. With this, 60,000 Bonvoy points could be converted into 30,000 Aeroplan points.
I’d say this could be a decent value, though personally I’d prefer to save Bonvoy points for hotel stays, and instead transfer other points to Aeroplan.
Do you plan on taking advantage of this Aeroplan transfer bonus?
I'm trying to figure out if this is a good deal compared to transferring points from me other Amex cards. Given the Bonvoy devaluation it becomes a calculation which you have probably included in your numbers (if every Bonvoy point has to be divided by three etc ). Having the Bonvoy amex along with the gold/platinum I try to save Bonvoy points for transfers to United/Alaska or other airlines not transferrable otherwise. I'm still sad...
I'm trying to figure out if this is a good deal compared to transferring points from me other Amex cards. Given the Bonvoy devaluation it becomes a calculation which you have probably included in your numbers (if every Bonvoy point has to be divided by three etc ). Having the Bonvoy amex along with the gold/platinum I try to save Bonvoy points for transfers to United/Alaska or other airlines not transferrable otherwise. I'm still sad about Lufthansa no longer being an option.
Given the poorer redemption rates now and difficult to find availability at any Bonvoy property worth staying at, it seems like a practical transfer. After you can rebuild the coffers at Bonvoy and be ready for when leisure travel begins to wane a bit and better redemptions/space start opening up.
Aeroplan continues to separate themselves from the pack. I'm going to do this transfer today - so thanks for the info!
I think there is still value on Bonvoy just not on the high end, for example. I just spent 15k a night on two nights this weekend in at a Marriott in Tulsa. Sure there is absolutely nothing exciting about this property except its next to the site of the PGA and paid rates are $800 a night for this weekend. So still tons of value on big event weekends. Thats how im using my Bonvoy points (actually still old SPG points ive accrued).
I live in Tulsa! On any other weekend I could never see why anybody would be willing to spend $800 a night to come here lol
Do agree though, the lower hotels can still be had for good value