Aeroplan Award Chart 2026: Star Alliance Sweet Spots Explained
Air Canada Aeroplan is the best Star Alliance program for Lufthansa awards in 2026. Fixed award chart, low YQ surcharges, stopover option, and 1:1 transfers from AMEX MR US and Chase UR. Complete 2026 chart overview with concrete sweet spots Frankfurt → Tokyo, JFK → Munich, etc.
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Quick answer: Air Canada Aeroplan is the most valuable Star Alliance program for Lufthansa bookings in 2026 — fixed award chart, low YQ, stopover option, 1:1 transfer partner from AMEX MR US AND Chase UR. Example charts as of May 2026: Frankfurt → Tokyo Business one-way 75,000 Aeroplan + ~$300 taxes, Frankfurt → New York-JFK Business one-way 70,000 + ~$220 taxes, Lufthansa First FRA-LAX 110,000 + ~$300 taxes. Aeroplan allows 1 stopover for a surcharge (5,000 points) — perfect for round-trips with a layover. Booking possible online at aircanada.com. Compared to Avianca LifeMiles: higher points requirements, but better online booking and more routing flexibility.
Air Canada Aeroplan has been the most stable Star Alliance program worldwide since the November 2020 refresh — fixed chart, transparent rules, comparatively mild YQ surcharges. Anyone who wants to fly Lufthansa premium cabin via points has a reliable partner in Aeroplan.
This article shows you the complete 2026 chart with concrete sweet spots.
Disclaimer: As of May 2026, source: aeroplan.aircanada.com/…/award-charts. Charts have been stable since 2020 — changes are usually announced 30-60 days in advance.
Aeroplan Award Chart 2026
Aeroplan splits awards into zones. Here are the most important ones for German collectors:
Zone Mapping
| Zone | Geographic Coverage |
|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Canada |
| Zone 2 | USA + Mexico + Caribbean |
| Zone 3 | South America (short) |
| Zone 4 | South America (long) |
| Zone 5 | Europe |
| Zone 6 | Africa + Middle East |
| Zone 7 | Asia 1 (South Asia, West China) |
| Zone 8 | Asia 2 (Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, East China, Australia) |
Award Table Main Routes (one-way Saver)
| Route | Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe → North America (Zone 5 → Zone 2) | 35,000 | 70,000 | 110,000 |
| Europe → Asia 1 (Zone 5 → Zone 7) | 40,000 | 75,000 | 110,000 |
| Europe → Asia 2 (Zone 5 → Zone 8) | 45,000 | 75,000 | 110,000 |
| Europe → South America (Zone 5 → Zone 4) | 35,000 | 75,000 | 110,000 |
| Europe → Africa/ME (Zone 5 → Zone 6) | 30,000 | 65,000 | 95,000 |
| North America → Europe (Zone 2 → Zone 5) | 35,000 | 70,000 | 110,000 |
| Within Europe (Zone 5 → Zone 5) | 12,500-25,000 | 22,500-45,000 | n/a |
→ Sweet spot: Europe → Asia 2 for 75k Business one-way (Frankfurt → Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul).
Taxes + YQ Surcharge on LH Awards
| Route | Taxes + YQ |
|---|---|
| Frankfurt → Tokyo Business | ~$280-320 |
| Frankfurt → JFK Business | ~$220-260 |
| Frankfurt → LAX First | ~$280-320 |
| Munich → Tokyo First | ~$300-350 |
Important: Aeroplan charges 0 YQ on Lufthansa awards (unlike LH M&M directly with €600+ YQ).
Sweet Spots May 2026
Sweet Spot 1: FRA → Tokyo Business (75k Aeroplan)
- 75,000 Aeroplan points one-way Lufthansa Business
- ~$300 taxes
- Cash comparison: ~$4,500-6,500
- Cents per point: 6-9
Sweet Spot 2: FRA → New York JFK Business (70k Aeroplan)
- 70,000 Aeroplan points one-way LH Business
- ~$220 taxes
- Cash comparison: ~$3,500-5,000
- Cents per point: 5-7
Sweet Spot 3: Munich → Singapore Business (75k Aeroplan)
- 75,000 one-way LH/Singapore Business
- ~$300 taxes
- Cash comparison: ~$4,000-5,500
- Cents per point: 5-7
Sweet Spot 4: LH First Class FRA → LAX (110k Aeroplan)
- 110,000 Aeroplan points one-way LH First
- ~$300 taxes
- Cash comparison: ~$11,000-14,000
- Cents per point: 10-13
→ Compared to Avianca LifeMiles (87k First), Aeroplan is more expensive (110k), but bookable online and with a stopover option.
Stopover Rule: 5,000 Points for a Break
Aeroplan allows 1 stopover on any award for 5,000 additional Aeroplan points:
- Frankfurt → Toronto (stopover 7 days) → Tokyo
- Munich → Zurich (stopover 3 days) → New York
- Frankfurt → Bangkok (stopover 5 days) → Sydney
Condition: the stopover must be at a Star Alliance hub, max 45 days.
Workaround: Anyone staying somewhere longer than 24h can declare it as a stopover — an expanded travel experience for 5,000 points.
How You Get Aeroplan Points
Path 1: AMEX MR US → Aeroplan (1:1)
- AMEX MR US welcome bonuses → 1:1 to Aeroplan
- Platinum US welcome (per AMEX “up to 175,000 MR, offer varies”) → 1:1 Aeroplan; with a good offer that’s enough for an LH First RT. Check your personal offer before applying at americanexpress.com.
Path 2: Chase UR → Aeroplan (1:1)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve welcome 100,000 UR (as of July 2026; the earlier 150,000 LTO has ended) = 100,000 Aeroplan
- CSP welcome 100k (LTO as of July 2026; standard 75k) = 100k Aeroplan
Path 3: Aeroplan’s Own Cards
In Canada there are Aeroplan co-brand cards. Not practical for German collectors.
Path 4: Direct Points Purchase
Aeroplan regularly offers points purchases with a bonus. At 100% bonus, Aeroplan costs you ~$0.015/point — for LH First ($11k cash, 110k Aeroplan): $1,650 + taxes instead of $11,000.
Aeroplan vs Avianca vs United
| Aspect | Aeroplan | Avianca LifeMiles | United |
|---|---|---|---|
| LH Business Europe-NA | 70,000 | 63,000 | 70,000 (Saver) |
| LH First Europe-NA | 110,000 | 87,000 | 110,000 |
| Online booking | ✅ Top | ❌ unreliable | ✅ |
| Phone booking | $30 fee | $25 fee | $25 fee |
| Stopover possible | ✅ (5k points) | ❌ (only Bogotá) | ❌ |
| YQ surcharge | 0 | 0 | occasionally |
| Saver availability | good | good | moderate |
Recommendation:
- LH First Class: Avianca (87k) if hard to book online, Aeroplan (110k) as a backup with stopover option
- LH Business: Aeroplan (70k) if online booking matters, Avianca (63k) for the lowest points price
- Stopover need: Always Aeroplan
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are the Aeroplan charts really fixed?
Yes, since November 2020 — the refresh eliminated dynamic pricing. Changes are announced 30-60 days in advance. As of May 2026 the values are stable.
Which cards transfer to Aeroplan?
AMEX MR US (1:1), Chase UR (1:1), Capital One Venture (1:1), Marriott Bonvoy (3:1 with bonus). Not: AMEX DE, M&M, PAYBACK.
How long does the AMEX-to-Aeroplan transfer take?
Typically instant (5 min) — faster than ANA. So for time-critical bookings, prefer Aeroplan over ANA.
Can I book online?
Yes — aircanada.com Aeroplan is one of the best award search systems. LH availability is shown reliably. Booking possible directly online (no phone fee).
Is the stopover workaround really legal?
Yes, the stopover is an official Aeroplan rule — you just have to declare it at the time of booking. Anyone who builds the stopover in spontaneously (e.g. a longer stay at a layover airport) has to specify it explicitly during the booking flow.
What are the minimum connection times?
Aeroplan accepts Star Alliance minimum connection times (typically 60-90 min international). Shorter connections are not guaranteed.
Who has the best booking window for LH awards?
Aeroplan opens 355 days before departure. LH saver inventory goes fast for premium cabin — 9-12 months lead time recommended.
Can I use Aeroplan points for hotels?
Yes — Aeroplan has a hotel partner, but the cents-per-point value is poor (~0.5 cents). You make hotel awards not via Aeroplan, but via Hyatt, Marriott directly, or via Chase UR (Chase UR → Hyatt: Reserve 1:1, Preferred 4:3 from Oct 2026).
Conclusion: Stability Meets Flexibility
Aeroplan is the most stable Star Alliance program for German collectors in 2026. Higher points prices than Avianca, but:
- Reliable online booking — no phone stress
- Stopover option — perfect for multi-stop trips
- Low YQ — like with Avianca
- Fast transfer from AMEX MR US or Chase UR
Anyone who books Lufthansa awards predictably and wants a stopover is better served with Aeroplan. Anyone who wants the lowest points price for LH First goes to Avianca.
Note: Transfer ratios are snapshots and change constantly (most recently Chase→Hyatt in June 2026). Always check the current rate directly with the program before transferring points. As of this article: June 2026.
Further articles:
- Avianca LifeMiles Mechanics
- Lufthansa First Class Booking Guide
- AMEX MR US Transfer Partners
- Chase UR Guide 2026
How you as a German get AMEX MR US or Chase UR cards — see the MEILENKÖNIG US Card Handbooks.
Your path to US credit cards — step by step
Welcome bonuses up to 175,000 MR, 1:1 transfer ratios, Chase & Capital One: the US handbooks show you the complete roadmap — from the US address to your first card. Without US residency, as a German.
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