Aeroplan points expire after 18 consecutive months of account inactivity. If no qualifying earning, redeeming, or transferring activity occurs within an 18-month window, the full balance of points in the account is forfeited. However, any eligible activity resets the 18-month countdown timer for the entire balance, and several key exemptions completely protect points from expiring.
Maintaining an active Aeroplan balance is straightforward once you understand the mechanics of Air Canada's loyalty program rules. This guide explains the precise inactivity conditions, the automatic exemptions available to cardholders and status members, step-by-step methods to keep your points safe, and the options available for reinstating points if they have already expired.
Understanding the Aeroplan Expiration Policy
The Aeroplan program operates under an inactivity-based expiration model. Rather than forcing points to expire on a hard calendar deadline from the date they were earned, Aeroplan measures the time elapsed since your last eligible account transaction.
If your Aeroplan account registers no qualifying earning or redemption activity for 18 consecutive months (approximately 547 days), your point balance drops to zero.
[Qualifying Activity Day 0] ------------ (18 Months Inactive) ------------> [Points Expire] ^ | [New Activity Resets Clock to 0 Days]
How the 18-Month Clock Works
The 18-month inactivity clock starts on the date of your last confirmed qualifying transaction.
- Single Activity Reset: A single qualifying transaction—whether earning 1 point on an online purchase or redeeming 1,000 points for merchandise—resets the clock for all points in your account.
- Whole Balance Protection: You do not need to refresh each point individually. The expiration date applies to the account as a whole, not to specific point batches.
- Transaction Posting vs. Activity Date: The clock resets based on the date the qualifying activity occurs, though points must successfully post to your account to update your profile status.
Who Is Exempt from Aeroplan Points Expiration?
Air Canada provides blanket exemptions from the 18-month inactivity rule for specific categories of Aeroplan members. If you fit into any of the following three categories, your Aeroplan points will not expire even if you register zero qualifying account activity for years.
1. Primary Holders of Aeroplan Co-Branded Credit Cards
If you hold an active, primary Aeroplan co-branded credit card in good standing, your Aeroplan points will never expire. Air Canada maintains partnerships with financial institutions across North America to offer these protections:
- Canada: TD Aeroplan credit cards, CIBC Aeroplan credit cards, and American Express Aeroplan cards.
- United States: The Chase Aeroplan Card.
Important Credit Card Conditions:
- Primary Cardholder Status: Only the main account holder receives the expiration exemption. Authorized users (secondary cardholders) do not automatically qualify for inactivity protection on their personal Aeroplan accounts unless they hold their own primary card or qualify under another exemption.
- Card Cancellation Impact: If you cancel or downgrade your Aeroplan co-branded credit card to a non-Aeroplan product, the expiration exemption immediately ends. The 18-month inactivity countdown begins on the exact date your card account is closed or changed.
2. Aeroplan Elite Status Members
Members who achieve any tier of Aeroplan Elite Status (25K, 35K, 50K, 75K, or Super Elite) enjoy complete immunity from point expiration. As long as you hold active Elite status, your points remain valid regardless of account activity.
If your status drops back to general member status, the standard 18-month inactivity clock begins counting down from the date your status officially expires (typically January 1 of the following status year).
3. Members Under 18 Years of Age
Aeroplan accounts belonging to minors are automatically exempt from point expiration. Points earned by a member who is under 18 years old will not expire due to inactivity.
Once the member reaches their 18th birthday, the standard 18-month inactivity timer activates. The member then has 18 months from their 18th birthday to complete a qualifying transaction before any existing points expire.
Summary of Aeroplan Expiration Exemptions
| Category / Member Status | Points Expire After 18 Months? | Exemption Criteria & Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| General Aeroplan Member | Yes | Must complete 1 eligible earning or redemption activity every 18 months. |
| Primary Credit Cardholder | No (Exempt) | Must maintain an active primary Aeroplan card from TD, CIBC, Amex, or Chase. |
| Secondary Cardholder | Yes | Exemption applies only to primary card accounts. |
| Aeroplan Elite Member | No (Exempt) | Valid across all status tiers (25K up to Super Elite). |
| Minor (Under 18 Years Old) | No (Exempt) | Exemption lifts on the member's 18th birthday; 18-month clock starts then. |
How to Prevent Aeroplan Points from Expiring
If you do not hold an Aeroplan credit card or Elite Status, you must complete at least one qualifying activity every 18 months to protect your balance. Fortunately, Aeroplan offers numerous accessible, low-cost, and free ways to trigger a clock reset.
1. Earn Points Through Retail Partnerships (Fastest & Easiest)
You can earn points on everyday expenses without spending extra money or traveling:
- Starbucks Rewards: Link your Aeroplan account to your Starbucks Rewards account. Earning points on qualifying Starbucks purchases or reloading your digital gift card automatically resets your Aeroplan expiration clock.
- Uber and Uber Eats: Link your Aeroplan account with your Uber profile. Earning points on eligible rides or food delivery orders counts as qualifying activity.
- Journie Rewards: Link your Aeroplan account with Journie Rewards to earn points when fueling up or buying convenience items at participating Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar, and Chevron stations in Canada.
2. Shop Online via the Aeroplan eStore
The Aeroplan eStore features hundreds of major retailers, including Apple, Amazon, Dyson, Sephora, and Walmart.
- Log into the Aeroplan eStore using your Aeroplan number and password before completing your online shopping.
- You will earn at least 1 Aeroplan point per dollar spent at participating retailers.
- Processing Caution: Points earned through the eStore can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to post to your account. Do not rely on eStore purchases if your points are expiring within 72 hours.
3. Transfer Points from Flexible Partner Programs
Converting points from a partner loyalty program into Aeroplan is an effective way to reset the inactivity clock:
- American Express Membership Rewards: Transfer MR points directly to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio (in Canada). Transfers are usually instant.
- Marriott Bonvoy: Transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Aeroplan at a 3:1 ratio.
- Other Financial & Travel Partners: Programs such as Chase Ultimate Rewards (US) and Coast Capital allow point conversions into Aeroplan accounts.
4. Redeem Points for Small Rewards
Redeeming points resets your expiration clock just as effectively as earning them. If you need an immediate account reset, consider low-threshold redemptions:
- Gift Cards & Merchandise: Redeem a small balance of points for a digital gift card (e.g., coffee shops or retail stores) through the Aeroplan Rewards catalog.
- Air Canada In-Flight Wi-Fi: Use points to pay for internet access during an Air Canada flight.
- Charitable Donations: Donate as few as 1,000 Aeroplan points to an approved partner charity via the Aeroplan Member Donation Program. This instantly processes as an eligible redemption activity.
5. Take an Eligible Flight
Flying on an eligible paid ticket with Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge, or any Star Alliance partner airline (such as United Airlines, Lufthansa, or ANA) resets your clock, provided you enter your Aeroplan number on the passenger booking record.
- Note on Partner Flights: Points from partner flights can take several days or weeks to post. Ensure the ticket class booked is eligible for Aeroplan accumulation.
6. Purchase Points Directly
If you need an immediate reset and have no other options, you can buy Aeroplan points directly through the Air Canada website. Purchasing the minimum allowable point package will instantly update your account activity status.
Comparison of Methods to Reset Aeroplan Expiration
The following table breaks down common reset methods by cost, processing speed, and practical effort:
| Reset Method | Minimum Cost | Average Processing Time | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Link Starbucks / Uber Account | $0 (if already spending) | 24–72 hours | Everyday prevention |
| Aeroplan eStore Purchase | Variable ($5+) | 3 to 14 days | Standard online shopping |
| Donate Points to Charity | 1,000 Points | Instant to 24 hours | Fast emergency reset |
| Transfer Amex / Chase Points | 1,000 Partner Points | Instant to 24 hours | Quick, low-cost activity |
| Redeem for Gift Card | Variable | Instant to 48 hours | Non-flyers with surplus points |
| Air Canada / Star Alliance Flight | Ticket Cost | 1 to 7 days post-flight | Active travelers |
| Buy Aeroplan Points | Minimum purchase fee | Instant | Immediate last-minute emergency |
What Happens When Aeroplan Points Expire?
If your account remains inactive for 18 consecutive months without an active exemption, Air Canada will remove your point balance. You will receive an account notification indicating that your points have expired due to inactivity.
Aeroplan Point Restoration Policy
Air Canada provides clear reinstatement rules for members whose points have recently expired. If you lose your points due to inactivity, you can restore them through specific recovery pathways:
[Points Expire] ---> (Within 6 Months) ---> [Complete Reinstatement Action] ---> [Points Restored]
- The 6-Month Grace Period Flight Option: If your points expired within the last 6 months, Aeroplan will automatically reinstate all expired points if you book and complete a qualifying flight operated by Air Canada.
- Apply for an Aeroplan Credit Card: Opening a new approved Aeroplan co-branded credit card within 6 months following point expiration can qualify your account for point restoration under promotional policy terms.
- Fee-Based Reinstatement: In certain administrative circumstances, Aeroplan offers members the option to pay a reinstatement fee plus applicable taxes to restore expired points. The cost depends on the size of the expired point balance.
To request account reinstatement, contact Aeroplan Customer Centre directly to verify your exact eligibility dates.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Accidental Expiration
Many members lose their Aeroplan points due to simple misunderstandings of program terms. Avoid these common pitfalls:
1. Relying on Non-Qualifying Transactions
Not every transaction involving Air Canada updates your Aeroplan clock. For example:
- Searching for flights or logging into your account does not count as activity.
- Canceled bookings: Booking a flight or reward redemption and subsequently canceling it for a full refund will revert the transaction, leaving your original expiration date unchanged.
2. Assuming Family Sharing Protects All Accounts
Aeroplan Family Sharing allows up to eight family members to pool their points together into a shared balance. However, Family Sharing does not alter individual expiration rules.
Each individual account within the family pool maintains its own 18-month inactivity clock based on that specific member's earning and redemption activity. If one family member remains inactive for 18 months and holds no individual exemption (such as a credit card or status), that specific member's contributed points can expire out of the shared pool.
3. Delays in Point Posting
If you attempt to save your points a few days before the 18-month deadline using a method with delayed processing (such as certain eStore retailers or rental car partners), the points may post after the expiration cutoff date. If the activity date registered by the partner occurs after your 18-month deadline, the activity will not prevent point forfeiture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Aeroplan points expire if I have a credit card?
No. As long as you are the primary cardholder of an active Aeroplan co-branded credit card (from TD, CIBC, American Express, or Chase) in good standing, your Aeroplan points will not expire. If you close your credit card account, the 18-month inactivity countdown starts on the day of closure.
How do I check when my Aeroplan points expire?
Log into your account on the Air Canada website or the Air Canada mobile app. Navigate to your account profile or points summary screen. If your account is at risk of expiration, your profile will display your current account activity status and expiration deadline. If you hold an active credit card or status exemption, the app will reflect that your points are protected.
Can I buy something small to stop my Aeroplan points from expiring?
Yes. Purchasing any item through the Aeroplan eStore, making a small purchase at a partner store linked to your account (like Starbucks), or making a small point redemption (such as donating 1,000 points to charity) counts as eligible activity and resets your expiration clock for another 18 months.
Can expired Aeroplan points be recovered?
Yes. Aeroplan allows point reinstatement if you act within 6 months of expiration. You can generally recover your points by booking and completing an Air Canada flight, opening a primary Aeroplan credit card, or paying a restoration fee through Aeroplan Customer Care.
Does transferring points into Aeroplan reset the expiration clock?
Yes. Transferring reward points from partner programs like American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, or Marriott Bonvoy into your Aeroplan account counts as eligible earning activity. It instantly resets your 18-month expiration timer.
Recommended Next Steps
To ensure your Aeroplan balance remains safe:
- Check Your Account Status: Log into the Air Canada app or website today to verify your last account activity date.
- Link Daily Partners: Connect your Aeroplan account to Starbucks Rewards, Uber, and Journie Rewards. This automates point earning through routine daily expenses.
- Consider an Aeroplan Credit Card: If you carry a significant balance of Aeroplan points, holding an entry-level or no-fee Aeroplan co-branded card eliminates the need to track 18-month inactivity windows entirely.
- Set a Calendar Reminder: If you do not hold an exempt credit card or status, set a reminder for 15 months after your last flight or transaction to leave a 3-month safety buffer for processing activity.
