Aeroplan Award Chart Changes 2026: What Canadians Need to Know About New Travel Rewards Updates
Canadian points enthusiasts and frequent flyers have a lot to unpack this month. Air Canada has announced significant changes to its Aeroplan flight‑reward chart that take effect June 1, WestJet is deepening its loyalty partnerships, and Neo Financial is launching a United MileagePlus credit card for Canadian customers. Here’s everything you need to know.
Air Canada Aeroplan Devalues Premium Rewards
Air Canada quietly published an updated Aeroplan award chart in late April, and the new pricing takes effect for bookings made on or after June 1 2026. Most of the increases target long‑haul business‑ and first‑class flights on Star Alliance partners, while there are small reductions for short‑haul economy and intra‑Europe business travel. Existing bookings are not affected, but new searches already show the higher prices.
Quick Summary of Changes
| Route & Distance (one‑way) | Cabin | Previous cost (pts) | New cost (pts) |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America → Europe (Atlantic) | Economy (0–4,000 mi) | 35,000 | 32,500 |
| Business (4,001–6,000 mi) | 70,000 | 75,000 | |
| First (4,001–6,000 mi) | 100,000 | 120,000 | |
| Business (8,001 mi+) | 100,000 | 110,000 | |
| North America → Asia/Pacific | Business (5,001–7,500 mi) | 75,000 | 85,000 |
| Premium Economy (7,501–11,000 mi) | 87,500 | 102,500 | |
| Europe ↔ Asia (Atlantic‑Pacific) | Economy (2,501–5,000 mi) | 30,000 | 40,000 |
| Business (2,501–5,000 mi) | 50,000 | 60,000 | |
| Economy (7,001 mi+) | 40,000 | 60,000 | |
| Business (7,001 mi+) | 60,000 | 100,000 | |
| First (7,001 mi+) | 100,000 | 130,000 | |
| Intra‑Europe | Business (0–1,000 mi) | 15,000 | 12,500 |
| Business (1,001–2,000 mi) | 25,000 | 22,500 | |
| Business (2,001–4,000 mi) | 45,000 | 40,000 | |
| North America Zone | All classes | Mostly unchanged | Mostly unchanged |
Key takeaways:
- Premium price hikes: Business‑ and first‑class flights between North America and Europe/Asia see increases of 5–20%, while long‑distance Europe–Asia routes climb up to 67%.
- Short‑haul bargains: Economy flights under 4,000 miles to Europe and Asia drop from 35,000 to 32,500 points. Intra‑Europe business‑class flights fall to 12,500 points for flights under 1,000 miles.
- North America stays steady: Flights within Canada or between Canada and the U.S. largely retain their existing pricing.
For more detail, see Milesopedia’s breakdown or Air Canada’s own chart updates in the Air Canada app.
WestJet Partners With Petro‑Canada for Cross‑Earning
On April 15 WestJet and Petro‑Canada announced a new loyalty partnership that’s slated to launch in early 2027. Once live, members will be able to link their WestJet Rewards and Petro‑Points accounts to unlock several benefits:
- Earn your preferred currency (WestJet points or Petro‑Points) on fuel, car washes and convenience‑store purchases.
- Enjoy 20% more Petro‑Points on all Petro‑Canada purchases.
- Redeem WestJet points at Petro‑Canada for fuel, car washes and in‑store items.
- Convert Petro‑Points into WestJet points.
- Access exclusive contests and promotions, including chances to win WestJet vacation packages and flights.
This tie‑up, detailed in WestJet’s news release, bridges everyday spending and travel, giving Canadians more ways to earn and redeem.
WestJet & Canadian Tire: Spend Once, Earn Twice
WestJet is also deepening its partnership with Canadian Tire’s Triangle Rewards program. Members who link their accounts can “spend once and earn twice.” In practice, this means earning both WestJet points and Canadian Tire Money on purchases at Canadian Tire, SportChek and Mark’s, and earning Canadian Tire Money on top of WestJet points when booking flights, vacation packages or extras via WestJet. WestJet points can also be converted into Canadian Tire Money. You can read more about this dual‑earning opportunity in WestJet’s press release.
United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard Debuts in Canada
The most exciting credit‑card development in mid‑April is the launch of the United MileagePlus Neo World Elite Mastercard. Issued by Calgary‑based Neo Financial, this is the first Canadian credit card that directly earns United MileagePlus miles. Stand‑out features include:
- Priority boarding and a free checked bag on United flights.
- Bonus miles when booking on United and other Star Alliance carriers.
- Access to Neo’s network of 10,000+ merchants across Canada for accelerated earning.
- A welcome bonus up to 20,000 miles and an extra 5,000 miles every year the card remains active with eligible spending.
- Earning rates of 1.25 miles per $1 on United/Star Alliance flights, 1 mile per $1 on dining and groceries, and 0.75 miles per $1 on other purchases.
- A modest annual fee of $89, with income requirements of $80,000 personal or $150,000 household. A secured version will be available for newcomers to Canada.
This card fills a gap for Canadians who frequently fly United or connect through hubs like Chicago and Houston. For more details, see Milesopedia’s guide or Fintech.ca’s announcement.
Other News: Fuel Surcharges & Points Program Changes
A few additional updates are worth mentioning:
- Rising fuel surcharges: WestJet companion vouchers now incur a $60 fuel surcharge. Air Canada Vacations adds a $50 per‑passenger surcharge to new package bookings, and Porter Airlines has introduced peak‑season surcharges on reward bookings.
- Scene+ earn rate drops: From May 13, Scene+ members will earn fewer points on Cineplex purchases. Standard movie tickets drop from 5 points per $1 to 3 points per $1.
- Chexy accepts Mastercards: Chexy, a platform for paying rent and other bills with your credit card, now accepts Canadian‑issued Mastercards. This makes it easier to earn rewards on large monthly expenses, though its 1.75% fee remains.
FAQ
When does the new Aeroplan award chart take effect?
The updated Aeroplan pricing applies to bookings made on or after June 1 2026. Existing bookings will not change.
Are my existing Aeroplan bookings affected by the devaluation?
No. If you booked your flight before June 1 2026, the points cost and taxes remain the same. Only new bookings will reflect the new pricing.c
How can I benefit from WestJet’s partnership with Petro‑Canada?
Once the program launches in early 2027, link your WestJet Rewards and Petro‑Points accounts. You’ll earn extra Petro‑Points on fuel purchases, be able to redeem WestJet points for fuel, and even convert Petro‑Points to WestJet points.
What does linking WestJet and Triangle Rewards accounts do?
Linking lets you earn both WestJet points and Canadian Tire Money on qualifying purchases at participating Canadian Tire retailers and on WestJet flights. You can also convert WestJet points into Canadian Tire Money.
What perks does the United MileagePlus Neo World Elite card offer?
The card comes with priority boarding, a free checked bag on United flights, an attractive welcome bonus, and accelerated earning across a large merchant network. It’s the first Canadian card that lets you earn MileagePlus miles directly.
Do fuel surcharges or Scene+ changes affect my rewards strategy?
Yes. WestJet, Air Canada Vacations, and Porter have introduced or increased fuel surcharges on certain bookings. Scene+ earn rates will drop for Cineplex purchases starting May 13. Always check surcharges and point‑earning rates before booking or buying.
Where can I see the full updated Aeroplan chart?
For a comprehensive look, check out Milesopedia’s detailed analysis or visit Air Canada’s app for the official chart.