Aeroplan vs Avios: Which Points Program is Better?
Two of the most valuable transfer partners for Canadian AMEX cardholders are Aeroplan and British Airways Avios. Both transfer 1:1 from AMEX MR, but they excel in very different situations. Here's the complete breakdown.
🍁 Aeroplan
Air Canada's loyalty program
🇬🇧 Avios
British Airways / Qatar / Iberia
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Aeroplan Winner | Avios |
|---|---|---|
| Europe Business Class | ~70K one-way | ~90K+ one-way |
| Short-Haul (US) | 15K-25K | 7,500-15K Win |
| Asia Business | 75-85K Win | 100K+ |
| Stopovers | 1 free stopover Win | Not allowed |
| Routing Rules | Very flexible | Distance-based Win |
| Fuel Surcharges | Lower Win | Can be high |
| Ease of Booking | Easy via aeroplan.com Win | Multi-airline complexity |
Aeroplan Sweet Spots
Europe Business Class
70KToronto/Montreal/Vancouver to Europe in lie-flat business class. Fly Air Canada, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, or any Star Alliance airline.
Value: ~$2,800 → 4¢ per point
Asia Business Class
75-85KNorth America to Japan, China, or Southeast Asia. EVA Air, ANA, Singapore, and more.
Value: ~$3,500+ → 4-5¢ per point
US Domestic (Short-Haul)
15KUnited and other Star Alliance carriers within the US. Better for longer routes.
Value: ~$300 → 2¢ per point
Avios Sweet Spots
Avios uses distance-based pricing — shorter flights cost fewer points. This makes it incredible for short-haul US flights.
Short-Haul (Under 650 miles)
7,500American Airlines or Alaska within the US. This is the absolute best value in points. YYZ→BOS, YVR→SEA, YVR→LAX all under 650 miles.
Value: ~$250 → 3¢+ per point
Mid-Haul (651-1,150 miles)
12,500Still cheap on American or Alaska. Think YVR→Chicago, Toronto→Denver.
Value: ~$400 → 3¢ per point
Qatar Qsuite
70KTransfer to Qatar Avios (same currency). Qsuite is often called the best business class in the world.
Value: ~$3,000+ → 4¢+ per point
Flying Blue: The Wildcard
Flying Blue (Air France / KLM) is the wildcard in your points arsenal. They run monthly Promo Awards with 25-50% off award rates.
Promo Awards (Monthly)
50KBusiness class to Europe from North America. Promo Awards drop on the 1st of each month. From Toronto/Montreal to Paris, Amsterdam, or London for ~50K instead of 70K+.
Value: ~$2,500 → 4-5¢ per point (during promos)
Economy to Europe
25-30KEven standard economy rates are solid. 25-30K to Europe in economy is competitive with Aeroplan.
Value: ~$800 → 2.5-3¢ per point
Why Flying Blue is Worth Having
- ✈️ Monthly Promo Awards (1st of each month)
- ✈️ No fuel surcharges on Air France / KLM
- ✈️ 1:1 transfer from AMEX MR
- ✈️ Flying Blue members get extra baggage
When to Use Which Program
Choose Aeroplan when:
- ✈️ Flying to Europe (best rates)
- ✈️ Flying Star Alliance (Air Canada, United, Lufthansa, Swiss, ANA)
- ✈️ Want a free stopover on a connecting flight
- ✈️ Booking complex multi-city itineraries
- ✈️ Want lower fuel surcharges
Choose Avios when:
- ✈️ Short-haul US flights (under 650 miles = 7,500 Avios)
- ✈️ Booking American Airlines or Alaska Airlines
- ✈️ Want to fly Qatar Qsuite
- ✈️ Flying Iberia to Spain (often cheaper than BA)
- ✈️ Want distance-based pricing (shorter = cheaper)
🏆 The Verdict
For most Canadians: Aeroplan is the default better choice. Lower rates to Europe and Asia, free stopovers, easier to book, and lower fees.
But don't sleep on Avios if you're doing any short-haul US trips. The 7,500 Avios rate for sub-650 mile flights is unbeatable anywhere in the points game.
Pro tip: Transfer to Avios for short-haul, Aeroplan for long-haul, Flying Blue for monthly promos. All three are 1:1 from AMEX — use whichever gives the best rate for your specific route.
Ready to Transfer?
Both programs transfer 1:1 from AMEX MR points. Make sure to check award availability before transferring. See our AMEX MR Guide for step-by-step transfer instructions.