At Frequent Miler, we keep a database of point valuations called “Reasonable Redemption Values.” These are estimates of the “worth” of airline miles, hotel points, transferable points, and more. The idea is that we try to identify the point at which it is “reasonable” to get that much value or more from your points.
This information is critical for making informed decisions. In fact, it’s a key component of the First Year Value information shown on our Best Credit Card Offers page, and it’s similarly used to show which cards offer the best value for everyday spend and which offer the best category bonuses.
When we first started looking at the value of airline miles, we used a laborious manual process to create estimates, but we now have a much better way of pinning down their value.
Points Path, which is a Google Flights extension, keeps records of both the point prices and cash prices of all searches done via its platform. Points Path founder and former Frequent Miler writer, Julian Kheel, has made this data available to us for the purpose of identifying rewards program point values.
Thanks to Julian and Points Path, we now have access to the results of just shy of 900,000 domestic US and international Aeroplan search results that show both the cash and award prices for the same flight (including partner flights). Using this data, we can provide a far better estimate of the “Reasonable Redemption Values” than we were ever able to obtain by using manual calculations.
Based on an analysis of Points Path’s data, we’ve concluded that the new Reasonable Redemption Value (RRV) for Air Canada Aeroplan points = 1.4 Cents Per Mile.
Points Path Data
Listed below is a summary of the raw data from Points Path. There are two values that are important to us. The median is the point that half of the observed results offered better point value and half offered worse value. We also have the average value of all the searches, in total and by booking class.
Domestic (US)
Cabin | Median Value (cpp) | Average Value (cpp) | Number of data points |
---|---|---|---|
Economy | 1.20* | 1.62* | 120,313 |
Business | 2.10 | 2.57 | 753 |
Combined | 1.20 | 1.62 | 121,066 |
International
Cabin | Median Value (cpp) | Average Value (cpp) | Number of data points |
---|---|---|---|
Economy | 1.08* | 1.34* | 559,854 |
Premium | 1.29 | 1.53 | 26,263 |
Business | 1.53 | 2.33 | 173,633 |
First | 2.26 | 3.67 | 1,621 |
Combined | 1.17 | 1.57 | 761,371 |
Combined
Cabin | Median Value (cpp) | Average Value (cpp) | Number of data points |
---|---|---|---|
Economy | 1.09* | 1.39* | 680,167 |
Premium | 1.29 | 1.53 | 26,263 |
Business | 1.53 | 2.34 | 174,386 |
First | 2.26 | 3.65 | 1,621 |
Combined | 1.18 | 1.58 | 882,437 |
Calculations
For our airline RRV values, we’re going to use the midpoints between the average value and the median. The reason is that the difference between the two is an indicator of how often more valuable sweet spots can be found in a given category.
If the median is 1 cent per point, that means that half of all searches produced a value of less than 1 cent per point, and the other half above 1 cent per point. However, if the same data showed an average of 2 cents per point it would mean that some of the 50% of searches that were above 1 cent per point were so far above that they doubled the result to 2 cents per point. Likely, that would indicate a higher prevalence of available sweet spot awards with outsized redemption value…something we like to see.
Here’s what we found with Aeroplan:
- Points Path Median Observed Value for Air Canada Aeroplan redemptions: 1.18 cents per Point based on the past 365 days of data as of February 25, 2025)
- Points Path Mean Observed Value for Air Canada Aeroplan redemptions: 1.58 Cents Per Point (based on the past 365 days of data as of February 25, 2025)
- Range: 1.18 to 1.58.
- For our RRV, we’ll pick the middle point between 1.18 and 1.58 and then round it to one decimal, or 1.4 Cents Per Point.
Note that, for Aeroplan, the average value is ~34% higher than the median. That indicates that, even though only half of the searches Points Path tracked showed redemptions above 1.18 cents per mile, enough of those searches produced such outsized value that it raised the average redemption number significantly, all the way to 1.58 cents per mile. To us, this means that there’s significant opportunity for excellent value to be had when using Aeroplan points. This is especially prevalent in for international business class redemptions.
Conclusion
The exercise described above resulted in an slightly increased Reasonable Redemption Value (RRV) for Aeroplan points of 1.4 cents each. That’s the point at which most readers are likely to get that much value or more.
Please keep in mind that this does not mean that you will always get 1.4 cents per point value. In practice, you’ll sometimes find better redemptions and sometimes you’ll find worse. However, we believe that 1.4 cents is a “reasonable” expectation for what your Aeroplan points are “worth” when used towards award flights.
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Your math is not accurate. It faults to look at the increase in points needed for flights to a given location. For example, to fly to Paris, France today VS 18 months ago requires dramatically more points. Also, to buy points cost alot more. To buy 300,000 points this year VS two years ago has increased over 40 percent.
If you were desperate in wanting to book a flight at 1.18, you should pay cash with the card and use PYB at 1.25 cpp (travel purchase).
I’d fully value Aeroplan points if I’m 95% sure of my flight at the time of booking. With their cancellation/change fees compared to other North American companies, I always consider the risk as part of the equation. I know you can’t factor that into the basic number, but it’s an example of how each person will have a different perspective. If you’re a person who seldom has to cancel or change a booking, you’ll see it differently. If you’d offer me, say, my choice of 100k American, United, Alaska or Aeroplan miles, Aeroplan would be my fourth choice.
USD or CAD?
FM always goes with USD unless they specify otherwise.
A cogent method for valuation that I suspect neither you nor I would never actually follow for redemptions. It’s a great yardstick but without substantial changes I don’t see myself being agreeable with redeeming Aeroplan points below 1.5 cents per point. Would you do that excluding emergencies?
I generally go with around 2 cents per mile although I’ll occasionally go lower if there’s an outside factor like included checked bags, seat selection, or cash tickets having an onerous cancellation policy compared to awards.