Aeroplan Miles Expiration Rules and How to Keep Your Points Active

Aeroplan points (formerly referred to as Aeroplan miles) expire after 18 consecutive months of account inactivity. To keep your balance active, you must complete at least one qualifying transaction—such as earning, redeeming, or transferring points—within that 18-month timeframe. Primary Aeroplan credit cardholders, Elite Status members, and account holders under 18 years old are exempt from point expiration.

Understanding Aeroplan Expiration Rules

Air Canada’s loyalty program underwent a comprehensive redesign, shifting its currency terminology from "miles" to "points" while updating account activity requirements. Under current program terms, Aeroplan does not enforce a hard expiration cap on points. Instead, account balances remain valid indefinitely as long as the account shows periodic activity.

The core mechanics of the expiration system rely on a rolling 18-month clock (547 consecutive days). The clock begins on the exact date your last qualifying activity posts to your Aeroplan profile. If 18 consecutive calendar months pass without a single qualifying earn, redemption, transfer, or status-based exemption, your entire accumulated point balance forfeits to zero.

1. Qualifying Activity Date
   • 18 Months of Inactivity: Points Expire
   • Any New Qualifying Activity: Clock Resets for 18 Months

Unlike loyalty programs that impose fixed expiration dates regardless of engagement, Aeroplan’s rolling model allows members to maintain large point balances over decades. Resetting the timer requires only a single qualifying transaction before the 18-month deadline.

Complete Exemptions from Point Expiration

Certain account holders are protected from the 18-month inactivity rule. If you meet any of the following criteria, your points will not expire even if you perform no transactions for 18 months or longer.

1. Primary Aeroplan Credit Cardholders

Holding an active, co-branded Aeroplan credit card provides continuous protection against expiration. This benefit applies to primary cardholders of eligible cards issued by financial partners such as TD, CIBC, and Scotiabank in Canada, or Chase in the United States.

• Primary vs. Authorized User Status: Exemption applies specifically to the primary cardholder. Authorized users (secondary cardholders) do not automatically receive point expiration protection on their individual Aeroplan accounts unless they hold their own primary co-branded card or qualify under another exemption.
• Automatic Protection: As long as the primary credit card account remains open and in good standing, Air Canada automatically flags the linked Aeroplan profile to pause the expiration timer.
• Card Cancellation Impact: If you cancel your co-branded credit card and hold no other exempt status, the 18-month inactivity clock starts immediately from the date of cancellation or your last qualifying transaction, whichever is later.

2. Aeroplan Elite Status Members

Members who achieve and maintain Air Canada Aeroplan Elite Status (25K, 35K, 50K, 75K, or Super Elite) receive complete point protection.

• Duration of Protection: Exemption remains active throughout the duration of your Elite Status recognized benefit year.
• Status Expiration Transition: If your Elite Status lapses at the end of a benefit year without renewal, your point balance does not immediately disappear. Instead, the standard 18-month inactivity timer resumes from the date your status officially expired or your last qualifying account transaction.

3. Account Holders Under 18 Years of Age

Aeroplan protects younger members by exempting minors from inactivity rules.

• Minor Protection Window: Accounts registered to individuals under 18 years of age will not experience point expiration.
• Post-18 Transition: Once an account holder reaches their 18th birthday, the standard 18-month expiration rule takes effect. The account must record a qualifying activity within 18 months following the member's 18th birthday to keep the accumulated balance active.

Qualifying Activities That Reset the 18-Month Clock

To keep your account active without holding an exempt credit card or Elite Status, you must complete at least one qualifying activity within every 18-month window. Both earning and redeeming points count as activity.

Earning Activities

Any transaction that adds new Aeroplan points to your balance will reset your expiration timer:

• Flying with Air Canada and Partners: Complete a paid flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge, or any Star Alliance partner airline (such as United Airlines, Lufthansa, ANA, or Singapore Airlines) and credit the flight distance to your Aeroplan number.
• Shopping via the Aeroplan eStore: Log into the official online Aeroplan eStore portal and navigate to partner retailers (including Apple, Dyson, Sephora, and retail brands) to earn points on everyday online purchases.
• Partner Financial Point Transfers: Convert reward points from partner programs into Aeroplan points. Eligible transfer partners include American Express Membership Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Coast Rewards.
• Travel Partner Earns: Book hotel stays (e.g., Marriott, Hilton, IHG) or car rentals (e.g., Avis, Budget) directly through Aeroplan travel portals or present your Aeroplan card at participating hotel and rental locations.
• Direct Point Purchases: Buy points directly through the Air Canada Aeroplan point purchase tool. Even purchasing the minimum allowable point block resets your 18-month expiration counter.

Redemption Activities

Using your existing points for travel or lifestyle rewards also counts as account activity:

• Flight Rewards: Redeem points for award travel on Air Canada or any of its partner carriers.
• Travel Redemptions: Use points to pay for hotel stays, car rentals, or vacation packages through the Aeroplan travel portal.
• Merchandise and Gift Cards: Redeem points for gift cards, tech gadgets, or home goods through the Aeroplan rewards catalog.
• Charitable Donations: Donate points to supported non-profit organizations through the Aeroplan Member Donation Program.

• Qualifying Account Transactions:
  • Earning Points:
    • Partner Flights
    • eStore Shopping
    • Amex Transfers
    • Hotel Stays
  • Redeeming Points:
    • Flight Awards
    • Hotel Bookings
    • Merchandise
    • Point Donations
  • Outcome: Resets 18-Month Expiration Clock

Non-Qualifying Actions (Activities That Do NOT Reset the Clock)

Certain account actions do not register as qualifying activity. Relying on these actions will result in accidental point expiration:

• Logging In: Logging into your Air Canada account online or via the mobile application does not constitute account activity.
• Browsing Search Engines: Searching for award flights or hotel availability without completing a booking transaction does not reset the timer.
• Profile Updates: Updating contact information, changing passwords, or managing communication preferences.
• Unsuccessful Retro-Claims: Submitting a retroactive claim for flight credits that is ultimately rejected due to ineligible fare classes or mismatched passenger details.

Aeroplan Expiration & Activity Reference Table

The following table summarizes common scenarios, activity types, and their impact on your 18-month account expiration window:

How to Verify Your Aeroplan Expiration Date

Monitoring your account status prevents unexpected point forfeiture. You can check your account history through Air Canada’s official digital channels:

1. Access Your Account: Navigate to the Air Canada homepage or open the official Air Canada Mobile App and log in using your Aeroplan number or registered email address alongside your password.
2. View Aeroplan Dashboard: Select your profile name or navigate to the Aeroplan tab to view your current points balance and status level.
3. Review Activity History: Select Activity to view your full ledger of posted transactions. Identify the top entry, which represents your most recent posted transaction.
4. Calculate Deadlines: Add 18 calendar months (547 days) to the posting date of that most recent transaction. If no exempt status applies, that calculated date represents your expiration deadline.

If your account approaches expiration within 60 to 90 days, Air Canada typically displays an informational banner or reminder notice within your online dashboard. However, members remain responsible for maintaining account activity regardless of whether automated notifications are received.

What Happens When Points Expire: Reinstatement Options

If your 18-month inactivity clock runs out, your full point balance is removed from your account. Air Canada provides temporary restoration avenues to recover expired points.

The 6-Month Policy Reinstatement Window

Aeroplan offers a standard 6-month grace period following the date of expiration during which members can restore forfeited points by taking specific corrective actions.

1. Points Expire
2. 6-Month Grace Period Window
   • Points Permanently Lost (if inactive)
   • Reinstatement Options (Points Fully Restored to Account):
     • Open Credit Card
     • Fly Air Canada
     • Pay Reinstatement Fee

Methods to Reinstate Expired Points

If you act within 6 months of point expiration, you can generally reclaim your balance through one of the following methods:

1. Open an Aeroplan Co-Branded Credit Card: Apply and receive approval for an eligible co-branded Aeroplan credit card (issued by TD, CIBC, Scotiabank, or Chase). Once linked to your expired account during or shortly after approval, your expired balance will be reinstated.
2. Fly an Eligible Air Canada Route: Book and complete a paid flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, or Air Canada Rouge within the 6-month reinstatement window. Once flight credits post to your account, contact Aeroplan Customer Care to request balance restoration.
3. Pay a Reinstatement Fee: Contact Aeroplan Customer Care directly to request point restoration by paying a administrative fee. Fees are structured based on the volume of points being recovered plus applicable sales taxes.

After the 6-month grace period lapses, expired points are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered through standard operational policy.

Common Misconceptions About Aeroplan Expiration

• Misconception 1: "Aeroplan miles expire after 7 years regardless of activity."
  • Fact: Old legacy rules prior to 2013 enforced a hard 7-year shelf life on miles. That policy was abolished. Modern Aeroplan points never expire due to overall age, provided you complete a qualifying activity every 18 months.
• Misconception 2: "Family Sharing automatically protects every member in the pool."
  • Fact: While Aeroplan Family Sharing lets family members pool points for award bookings, individual accounts within the pool maintain their own activity timers. A primary cardholder's exemption protects their individual account balance, but non-exempt family members in the pool must still generate individual account activity or rely on shared redemption actions as governed by program rules.
• Misconception 3: "Booking a flight for next year resets my clock today."
  • Fact: For paid cash flights, the points only post—and the clock only resets—after the flight is completed. If you book a flight today for travel 10 months from now, your clock does not reset on the booking date. Conversely, for award redemptions using points, the point deduction occurs immediately upon booking, which instantly resets your 18-month clock.

Strategic Recommendations to Maintain Your Points Balance

To protect your Aeroplan balance without unnecessary spending, incorporate these simple account maintenance habits:

1. Set Calendar Notifications: Create an annual reminder at the 12-month mark following any major travel activity. This gives you a 6-month buffer to complete a simple activity.
2. Use the Aeroplan eStore for Small Purchases: Make one small online purchase per year (such as an e-book or office supplies) through the Aeroplan eStore portal. This generates a valid earn transaction with zero risk of expiration.
3. Transfer Credit Card Points: If you hold transferable rewards cards like American Express Membership Rewards, execute a minimal point transfer (e.g., 1,000 points) once a year to reset your 18-month clock instantly.
4. Hold an Entry-Level Co-Branded Card: If you live in Canada or the US, maintaining an entry-level or no-annual-fee co-branded Aeroplan credit card eliminates expiration tracking entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Aeroplan points expire if I hold an active Aeroplan credit card?

No. Primary holders of an open, active co-branded Aeroplan credit card (issued by TD, CIBC, Scotiabank, or Chase) are completely exempt from point expiration. Your points will not expire as long as your credit card account remains open and in good standing.

How long do I have to recover my Aeroplan points if they already expired?

Air Canada provides a 6-month reinstatement window following the date of expiration. During these 6 months, you can restore your points by opening an Aeroplan credit card, flying a qualifying Air Canada flight, or paying a reinstatement fee through customer service.

Does transferring points from American Express reset my Aeroplan expiration date?

Yes. Converting points from partner loyalty programs—such as American Express Membership Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy—into Aeroplan points counts as an active earning transaction, which immediately resets your 18-month inactivity clock.

Does logging into the Air Canada app keep my Aeroplan account active?

No. Logging into your account via the app or website, searching for flights, or updating personal profile settings does not count as a qualifying activity. You must complete an earn, redeem, or transfer transaction to reset the timer.

What happens to points when an account holder turns 18?

Accounts held by minors under 18 years of age are exempt from point expiration. Upon reaching their 18th birthday, the standard 18-month inactivity clock begins. The member must complete a qualifying transaction within 18 months following their 18th birthday to maintain their point balance.

Next Steps for Managing Your Aeroplan Account

To safeguard your rewards balance today:

1. Log into your account at Air Canada Aeroplan and check your Activity Ledger.
2. Identify the date of your last completed transaction.
3. If your last activity was more than 12 months ago, perform a quick qualifying transaction—such as making an eStore purchase or transferring a small block of partner points—to ensure your balance remains secure for another 18 months.