Aeroplan vs WestJet Rewards for Canadian Travelers in 2026
If you fly within Canada or across North America with any regularity, you’ve almost certainly been pitched on one of these two programs. Aeroplan runs on Air Canada’s network and connects to Star Alliance partners worldwide. WestJet Rewards ties directly to WestJet’s own flights and a handful of partners. Both have their defenders, and both have real shortcomings. Let’s look at what the numbers actually say.
The Basic Structure
These two programs work fundamentally differently, which matters more than most comparison articles admit.
Aeroplan uses a points currency. You earn points on Air Canada flights, partner airlines, credit card spending, and retail partners. Those points are then redeemed for flights, merchandise, or other travel. The value of your points fluctuates depending on what you redeem them for — business class awards to Europe can yield exceptional value, while merchandise redemptions are usually poor.
WestJet Rewards uses WestJet dollars — essentially a cash-back-style currency pegged at roughly 1 WestJet dollar = $1 CAD in flight value. There’s no award chart complexity. What you earn is what you spend. That simplicity has real appeal, but it also means the ceiling on value is lower.
Earning Rates at a Glance
| Category | Aeroplan | WestJet Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Base flight earning | 25%–100% of miles flown (varies by fare) | 2%–8% of ticket value (varies by tier) |
| Credit card earn (entry level) | ~1–1.5 points per $1 CAD | ~1.5% back in WestJet dollars |
| Credit card earn (premium) | ~2 points per $1 on travel/groceries | ~2% back on WestJet purchases |
| Hotel partners | Marriott, IHG, Hilton, and others | Very limited |
| Retail partners | Extensive (LCBO, Home Hardware, etc.) | Minimal |
| Dining partners | Aeroplan dining network (select cities) | None |
Redemption Value: Where the Real Difference Lives
This is where Aeroplan pulls ahead for travelers willing to put in some effort — and where WestJet Rewards becomes more attractive for people who just want it to be simple.
Aeroplan points are worth roughly 1.5 to 2.2 cents CAD each when redeemed for flights in economy, and can stretch to 3–5 cents each on business or first class awards through Star Alliance partners. Redeeming Aeroplan points for a business class seat to Japan or Europe that would otherwise cost $6,000–$8,000 is where this program genuinely stands apart.
WestJet dollars are worth exactly 1 cent per WestJet dollar. Always. No exceptions, no sweet spots, no way to extract extra value. A WestJet dollar saved is a Canadian cent saved toward your next flight. It’s predictable and honest, but the ceiling is the floor.
| Redemption Type | Aeroplan (cents per point) | WestJet Rewards (cents per dollar) |
|---|---|---|
| Economy North America | 1.3–2.0¢ | 1.0¢ (fixed) |
| Business class international | 3.0–5.0¢ | 1.0¢ (fixed) |
| Merchandise/gift cards | 0.6–0.9¢ (poor) | N/A |
| Hotel stays | 0.8–1.2¢ (mediocre) | Not available |
| Seat upgrades on own airline | Good, but requires availability | Straightforward, points cover fare difference |
Status Tiers and Elite Benefits
Both programs have elite tiers, but the experience of earning and holding status differs considerably.
Aeroplan elite status (25K, 35K, 50K, 75K, Super Elite 100K) is earned through a combination of Status Qualifying Miles and Status Qualifying Dollars — meaning Air Canada wants you to spend money on pricier fares, not just fly a lot on discount tickets. Benefits include priority boarding, lounge access at higher tiers, upgrade priority, and bonus points earning. The Super Elite 100K tier gets meaningful perks, but reaching it requires serious commitment and spending.
WestJet Rewards tiers (Blue, Silver, Gold, Platinum) are simpler to understand. Silver starts at 15 WestJet flights or $3,000 spent per year. Platinum requires 60 flights or $15,000 spent. Benefits include free checked bags, priority boarding, and bonus earning rates. The earning boost at Gold (6% back) and Platinum (8% back) is meaningful if you’re a frequent WestJet flyer.
| Status Benefit | Aeroplan (50K equivalent) | WestJet Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | Yes (Maple Leaf Lounges) | No |
| Free checked bags | Yes | Yes (first bag free) |
| Upgrade priority | Yes, confirmed upgrades possible | Complimentary upgrades when available |
| Bonus points earning | 50%–100% bonus on flights | 6% back on ticket value |
| Global partner recognition | Star Alliance status recognition | No international recognition |
Credit Cards: Your Biggest Earning Lever
For most Canadians, the airline credit card attached to these programs will generate more points than flying ever will. Here’s how the flagship cards compare in 2026.
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite runs around $139/year, earns 1.5 points per $1 on Air Canada purchases and groceries, and 1 point per $1 elsewhere. The welcome bonus typically covers two return economy flights within Canada. The American Express Aeroplan Reserve at $599/year earns faster and comes with Maple Leaf Lounge access, making it worthwhile for frequent Air Canada flyers.
The RBC WestJet World Elite Mastercard at $119/year earns 2% back on WestJet purchases and 1.5% on everything else. It also includes one companion voucher annually (a round-trip within Canada and the continental US for $119 or less) — which is genuinely useful and can easily pay for the card’s fee on its own.
The companion voucher is one of WestJet’s most concrete, tangible benefits. Unlike upgrade certificates or lounge day passes that require the right circumstances, a companion voucher works reliably if you travel with another person at least once a year.
Partner Networks: A Significant Gap
Aeroplan’s position within Star Alliance gives it access to over 40 airline partners. That means you can earn Aeroplan points on United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and dozens of others — and redeem Aeroplan points for seats on those carriers. A business class ticket on Singapore Airlines to Southeast Asia, booked with Aeroplan points, is one of the most-cited examples of premium travel value available to Canadians.
WestJet operates its own international routes and has a codeshare arrangement with Delta, but the partner network is substantially smaller. If you fly internationally on carriers other than WestJet, this program offers limited earning or redemption options.
When to Pick Aeroplan
- You fly internationally, especially to Europe or Asia, and want access to business class awards at reasonable point costs
- You’re willing to learn the award chart and spend time finding availability on partner airlines
- You fly Air Canada regularly and want to pursue elite status with lounge access and upgrade priority
- You hold multiple credit cards and want a program with strong transfer partners and retail earning options
- You travel for work and your employer books pricier flexible fares — Aeroplan rewards spend on premium tickets proportionally
When to Pick WestJet Rewards
- You fly primarily within Canada or to sun destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean
- You want a loyalty program you can understand in five minutes and never think about again
- You travel with a partner or family member regularly and the companion voucher fits your travel pattern
- You prefer knowing exactly what your rewards are worth without tracking point valuations
- You’re a moderate traveler who doesn’t want to chase elite status but still wants to accumulate something useful
- WestJet’s routes simply work better for where you live — particularly in Western Canada, where WestJet has strong service from smaller airports
The Honest Bottom Line
Aeroplan has higher ceilings and more flexibility, but it rewards the traveler who’s willing to do homework — understanding partner awards, finding saver-level availability, and timing transfers correctly. If you nail that, the value is real and substantial. If you don’t, you might just redeem your points for economy flights at rates similar to what WestJet Rewards gives you automatically.
WestJet Rewards asks less of you. What you earn is what you get. That’s not a weakness so much as an honest trade — you give up upside potential in exchange for simplicity and predictability. For many Canadian families who fly two or three times a year, that trade makes complete sense.
The practical answer for most people: if you already prefer one airline due to routes and service, stick with that airline’s program. If you’re genuinely choosing between the two from scratch and you travel internationally, Aeroplan is worth the learning curve. If you stay mostly within North America and want the path of least resistance, WestJet Rewards will serve you well.
Related reading:
- Best Travel Credit Cards in Canada for 2026: Ranked by Real-World Value
- How to Get Maximum Value from Aeroplan Points: A Practical Redemption Guide
- WestJet vs Air Canada for Domestic Flights: Which Airline Wins on Price, Routes, and Experience
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