Aeroplan Retail Partners: What You Need to Know

Loyalty programs are always looking to build further engagement with their brand, and Aeroplan is no different, as it looks to integrate its program into the everyday lives of many Canadians. They’ve done exactly that with their handful of Aeroplan retail partners that they have added over the past few years.

Let’s get into everything you need to know about Aeroplan retail partners and how you can utilize them to grow your Aeroplan balance.

What Are Aeroplan Retail Partners?

A good loyalty program allows members to earn points in a variety of ways, and the Aeroplan program is a prime example. Members can earn Aeroplan points through flying on Air Canada and Star Alliance carriers, using co-branded Aeroplan credit cards, making purchases through the Aeroplan eStore, and more.

Aeroplan has continued with this approach as the program grows, as it has added several retail partners, which award members for their purchases. By linking their account or showing their Aeroplan digital membership card, members will receive Aeroplan points and other benefits on purchases they were already going to make.

The current list of Aeroplan retail partners includes Starbucks, Uber & Uber Eats, LCBO, Journie Rewards, and Chexy. Aeroplan has been slowly adding partners over the past years, so we hope to see this list continue to grow.

Starbucks & Aeroplan Partnership

The Starbucks Rewards loyalty program is rewarding for those Starbucks loyalists, and the Aeroplan partnership drives a bit more value for purchases those consumers would be making otherwise. In fact, when we compared the major coffee rewards programs in Canada, Starbucks was one of the best.

If you don’t already have a Starbucks Rewards account, Aeroplan members can receive 500 Aeroplan points if they create an account and make their first purchase within 7 days. 

Members will also receive 100 Aeroplan points when they load $75 or more to their digital Starbucks card in the mobile app, and 25 Aeroplan points when they load $50-$74.99 to their digital Starbucks card. While it is a paltry sum of Aeroplan points for what you are spending, it is ultimately free points if you were going to load your Starbucks card anyway.

Aeroplan members can also convert their Aeroplan points to Starbucks Rewards Stars at a rate of 400 Aeroplan points to 100 Stars. This isn’t a good value, and you would be better off using your Aeroplan points for travel.

You can learn more about the Starbucks and Aeroplan partnership here. If you want to link your Starbucks and Aeroplan accounts, you can do so here.

Uber/Uber Eats & Aeroplan Partnership

Uber and Uber Eats have become synonymous with rideshare and food delivery services, so linking your Uber and Aeroplan accounts can accelerate your earning rates if you are a heavy user of these services.

If you are hailing a ride via Uber, you will earn points based on the type of ride that is booked:

• Earn 1 Aeroplan point per $1 spent on rides to and from the airport and Premium rides with Uber
• Earn 2 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on Reserve and Premium rides to and from the airport with Uber
• Earn 3 Aeroplan points per $1 spent on Premium Uber Reserve rides to and from the airport with Uber

Plus, Uber members can earn a $20 Air Canada flight credit after every 10 Uber rides.

If you are ordering with Uber Eats, there are different requirements to earn points, whether you are ordering from a restaurant or via Uber Eats Grocery:

• Earn 1 Aeroplan point per $1 spent on eligible orders with Uber Eats of $40 or more
• Earn 1 Aeroplan point per $1 spent on eligible grocery and retail delivery orders with Uber Eats

Finally, Uber members can earn 250 Aeroplan points each month when they take one eligible ride with Uber, make one eligible delivery order with Uber Eats, and make one eligible grocery or retail delivery with Uber Eats.

You can learn more about the Uber/Uber Eats and Aeroplan partnership, plus link your accounts, here.

LCBO & Aeroplan Partnership

For those in Ontario, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) partners with Aeroplan so you can earn points on all of your alcohol purchases. This partnership is very simple, as it doesn’t require linking any accounts, and points are earned on every purchase.

Simply show your physical or digital Aeroplan card when checking out to earn 1 Aeroplan point per $4 spent, plus the ability to earn bonus points during promotional periods.

Journie Rewards & Aeroplan Partnership

Linking your Journie Rewards membership with your Aeroplan account is one of the best ways to further maximize your rewards earned at gas stations. Journie Rewards encompasses On The Run, Pioneer, Fas Gas, Ultramar, and Chevron gas stations across the country.

Journie Rewards members who link to their Aeroplan account will earn:

• 1 Journie point per litre on gas
• 2 Journie points per $1 spent in store
• Plus, linked Aeroplan members receive 300 Aeroplan points when they reach 300 Journie Rewards points

Aeroplan members can redeem their points for discounts on gas, retail purchases at gas stations, and more. While this is an option, the value is poor compared to using Aeroplan points on travel, so we would not recommend it.

You can learn more about the Journie Rewards and Aeroplan partnership, plus link your accounts, here.

Chexy & Aeroplan Partnership

Chexy is the most interesting and meaningful partnership on this list, and one that you absolutely need to be aware of when it comes to meeting minimum spending requirements.

Chexy is an important bill payment service in Canada when it comes to miles and points, as members can use this platform to pay their rent and other bills via credit card for a small percentage fee. As part of the Chexy & Aeroplan partnership, Chexy members can earn Aeroplan points on their rent and other recurring payments. 

Chexy charges 1.75% on Canadian Visa and American Express Cards (Mastercard not supported) and 2.5% on international credit cards. While these fees can seem like a lot, they are well worth it if you are on your way to earning an outsized welcome bonus on a new credit card.

You can sign up for Chexy here to receive a $15 bonus upon making your first payment. You can link your Aeroplan account once you have created a Chexy account.

Conclusion

Aeroplan retail partners aren’t meant to be a game-changer, but instead, are another opportunity for the Aeroplan program to drive value for consumers who were going to make purchases at the partnered retailers and services anyway. It’s well worth linking your accounts to earn points on the odd purchase, because otherwise, you are just leaving points on the table.