Aeroplan Miles: Flying To Australia, How Many Needed?

how many aeroplan miles to fly to australia

Australia is a popular destination for travellers, and getting there can be half the fun—especially if you're redeeming flight points. If you're an Aeroplan member, you can use your points to book flights to Australia through Air Canada and its partner airlines. The number of points required for a flight to Australia varies depending on factors such as the distance travelled and the class of travel. For example, a one-way business class flight from Toronto to Australia via Abu Dhabi, totalling over 14,000 miles, would cost 115,000 points. On the other hand, a business class flight from North America to Australia, falling under the Ultra-Long category, would cost 110,000 miles.

Characteristics Values
Miles Calculation Method Flat rate according to booking class for continental flights; booking class x distance flown for intercontinental flights
Miles Calculation Tools Travel Calculator by Miles & More
Miles Calculation for Bookings via Travel Agency or Online Travel Agent Calculated based on the ticket number
Miles Calculation for Fare-Based System Airfare (ticket price + surcharges levied by the Miles & More airline partner) x factor = number of miles earned
Miles Calculation for Miles & More Members who are not Frequent Travellers, Senators, or HON Circle Members Airfare (ticket price + supplements charged by the Miles & More airline partner) x 4
Miles Calculation for Members with Frequent Flyer Status Airfare x 6 for flights operated by Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Lufthansa City, and SWISS or United Airlines; Airfare x 5 for Eurowings and other Miles & More airline partners
Executive Bonus for Frequent Travellers, Senators, or HON Circle Members 25% for flights with Eurowings and other Miles & More airline partners; 50% for flights with Air Canada, All Nippon Airways, Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Lufthansa City, and SWISS or United Airlines
Aeroplan Points Redemption Redeemable for flights, hotel bookings, merchandise, gift cards, etc.
Aeroplan Elite Status Member Benefits Special privileges, travel benefits, family sharing, etc.
Aeroplan Points Earning Methods Shopping, traveling, co-branded credit cards, transferring points from American Express Membership Rewards, Amex US MR, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, etc.
Aeroplan Points Redemption for Flights to Australia 87,500 points for flights below 11,000 miles; 115,000 points for a one-way flight from Toronto to Australia via Abu Dhabi; 180,000-300,000 points for a one-way flight from North America to Australia via Dubai

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Earning Aeroplan points

Firstly, you can earn points by flying with Air Canada and its partners. The number of points you earn depends on the distance of the flight and the fare class. For example, a flight from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) in premium economy earns 4,445 points one-way. You can also earn points by flying with one of the Star Alliance carriers, with up to 200% of miles flown with some carriers.

Secondly, you can earn points through everyday spending on co-branded Aeroplan credit cards. The Aeroplan Credit Card from Chase, for example, offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. Additionally, you can earn points by shopping online with retail partners such as Starbucks, Journie Rewards, Uber, and Uber Eats.

Thirdly, you can transfer credit card rewards from other programs to your Aeroplan account. For example, in the US, you can acquire the Aeroplan Credit Card, which earns 3x points per dollar spent on dining, groceries, and Air Canada, as well as 1x point per dollar spent elsewhere.

Finally, you can earn points through other travel partners such as hotels and car rental services. So, even if you're not flying, you can still earn points to put towards your next trip to Australia.

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Booking with partner airlines

When booking with partner airlines, it's important to note that the number of Aeroplan points required for a flight to Australia can vary depending on the airline and the specific route. Here are some key considerations:

Firstly, direct flights between North America and Australia are typically classified as Ultra-Long flights, and the pricing reflects this. For example, a business class flight on Emirates from North America to Australia via Dubai can range from 180,000 to 300,000 points for a one-way trip. This is because such flights fall into the 12,001+ distance band on the Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart.

However, adding a connecting flight from Canada to Australia can help keep the total distance below 11,000 miles, which may result in a more manageable points range of around 87,500. This could involve flying from a hub city in Canada or the US to destinations such as Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane.

Another option is to consider flying with Singapore Airlines, which has a strong presence in Australia, serving multiple cities. Booking with Singapore Airlines through the Aeroplan program is a great way to secure business class seats, and there are numerous ways to earn Aeroplan points, including through co-branded credit cards and transferring points from various rewards programs.

Additionally, keep an eye out for partner airlines that offer special pricing or promotions. For instance, Etihad Airways, which operates the Toronto to Australia route via Abu Dhabi, offers a fixed price of 115,000 points for a one-way business class flight. By adding a stopover, you can expect to pay slightly more, at 120,000 points.

Lastly, it's worth noting that booking well in advance or taking advantage of last-minute availability can significantly impact the number of points required. The best strategy is to monitor flight prices and book as early as possible, as soon as flights become available on Aeroplan, which is typically 355 days before departure.

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Calculating flight miles

Calculating Miles Based on Airfare

The Miles & More program uses a fare-based system to calculate miles. Under this system, miles are calculated as follows: airfare (ticket price + surcharges levied by the Miles & More airline partner) x factor = number of miles earned.

For example, if you are a Miles & More member but not a Frequent Traveller, Senator, or HON Circle Member, your airfare (ticket price + supplements charged by the Miles & More airline partner) is always multiplied by a factor of 4. So, if your airfare is $1000, you would earn 4000 miles.

Calculating Miles Based on Distance Flown and Booking Class

The other method for calculating flight miles is based on the distance flown and the booking class. For continental flights, the number of miles is a flat rate according to the booking class. For intercontinental flights, the calculation is booking class x distance flown.

For example, a flight from Toronto to Australia via Abu Dhabi measures over 14,000 miles. This would fall into the 12,001+ distance band on the Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart.

Using a Travel Calculator

You can also use a travel calculator to determine the number of miles for a flight. These calculators can be found online and may offer both Easy Mode and Expert Mode. Easy Mode can be used to calculate miles before booking a flight, while Expert Mode provides a more precise calculation that takes into account factors such as the booking class and is useful after booking.

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Redeeming points

Redeeming your Aeroplan points for a flight to Australia is a great way to benefit from the program. The number of points you will need to redeem depends on several factors, including the distance flown, the class of travel, and the airline.

If you are flying from North America to Australia, the distance is over 11,000 miles, and the flight falls under the Ultra-Long category. For this distance, you can expect to redeem around 87,500 points for a business class seat. However, if you are flying from Toronto to Australia via Abu Dhabi, the distance increases to over 14,000 miles, and the points required increase to 115,000 for a one-way business class flight. Adding a stopover will cost you a little more, at 120,000 points.

If you are looking for a more luxurious experience, consider flying with Emirates. While it will cost more than other partner airlines, you can expect an ostentatious in-flight experience. For a one-way business class flight from North America to Australia via Dubai, which is over 12,000 miles, you will need to redeem between 180,000 and 300,000 points.

There are also ways to earn points through the Aeroplan program, such as through co-branded credit cards, transferring points from other reward programs, and earning points when you shop or travel. You can also take advantage of family sharing, where you can share points with family members for free, helping you reach your reward goals sooner.

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Preferred pricing

Aeroplan is Air Canada's loyalty program and has been a favourite for years. The price you pay in points is related to the price of the ticket in cash. Air Canada provides a simple reward chart that gives you the likely range of points required for your flight. The number of points required for a flight reward depends on the distance you fly.

Primary Aeroplan Credit Cardholders can redeem flights for fewer points as Preferred Pricing is automatically applied when shopping for a flight reward. If you are in an Aeroplan Family Sharing pool, everyone in the pool benefits. Elite Status Members can also use Priority Reward vouchers to get 50% off flight rewards.

Aeroplan points can be earned through co-branded credit cards, transferring points from American Express Membership Rewards, Amex US MR, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and other ways. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market, offering a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Aeroplan points can be redeemed to fly on the majority of Air Canada's partner airlines, including Air Mauritius, Azul Brazilian Airlines, Emirates, Etihad, Oman Air, Virgin Australia, and more. However, some agreements only allow you to earn points when flying those airlines.

Frequently asked questions

110,000 miles.

180,000-300,000 miles.

115,000 miles.

120,000 miles.

87,500 miles.

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