I Crafted an Unforgettable Journey with Aeroplan Points—You Can, Too

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As a dedicated enthusiast in the points and miles community, I’m a big admirer of Air Canada’s Aeroplan frequent flyer program. It boasts more award partners than any other loyalty program globally—45 and growing. In 2022, I achieved my travel aspirations by using points for a meaningful trip to Ecuador and Panama, enjoying all my flights in business class (for just 85,000 points total).

Here’s a breakdown of my journey, my destinations, and how you can embark on your own adventure—earning Aeroplan points to create your dream trip.

How I Arranged My Dream Escape to Latin America

In the fall of 2022, I sought a memorable experience just a short flight away from my home in South Florida, as my trip was only for a week. I decided on Ecuador, a nation teeming with biodiversity and indigenous heritage. My journey began with a night in Quito’s historic district before I headed to Mashpi Lodge, an eco-friendly retreat nestled in the Choco-Darien cloud forest. On my return, I utilized Aeroplan’s stopover option, which allowed me to enjoy two nights in Panama City for an extra 5,000 points.

For my travel dates, I successfully booked business-class tickets using Aeroplan points with Copa Airlines, a partner airline. I journeyed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Quito, Ecuador for 40,000 points, and made my way back from Quito to Fort Lauderdale, including my two-day stopover, for 45,000 points. The entire itinerary totaled 85,000 points, which would have cost around $2,000 if purchased with cash at that time.

The highlights of my adventure in Latin America

My brief yet unforgettable journey commenced with a night at the splendid Casa Gangotena, a beautifully restored mansion nestled in the heart of colonial Quito, the world’s first UNESCO World Heritage site. The boutique hotel's stunning architecture alone is a compelling reason to stay, featuring original hand-painted Belgian tin ceilings, elegant marble staircases, exquisite woodwork, and carefully selected artifacts from Quito’s archaeological museum.

The following day, I took a scheduled shuttle from Casa Gangotena to its sister property, Mashpi Lodge, relishing a -hour drive through the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes Mountains, eventually reaching the towering cloud forests of the Chocó-Darién, recognized as a biodiversity hotspot by the World Wildlife Fund.

This precious region is home to around 500 bird species, sharing the habitat with unique creatures like charming tayras (imagine land-based otters), elusive ocelots, mysterious sloths, and a variety of endemic amphibians. Over the past decade, several species new to science, including the remarkable Masphi glass frog, have been identified at Mashpi. With my deep passion for science, wildlife, and pristine environments, I found myself in a true paradise.

The lodge itself is a stunning three-story structure crafted from glass and steel, beautifully nestled among the treetops, fully surrounded by the forest. Planet Earth comes alive through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows in all guest rooms and communal spaces.

Daily activities, included with the lodging rate along with gourmet meals, highlight the region’s natural beauty from both above and below. Guided walks typically culminate at one of the many waterfalls or bird-watching platforms, where birds such as the crimson-rumped toucanet, collared trogan, and the radiant green tanager light up the sky like bursts of fireworks.

An extensive aerial system of cables and ziplines enables guests to soar above the lush landscapes via an open-air cable car known as “The Dragonfly” and an aerial bicycle. After my stay at Mashpi, I returned to Quito to catch my flight to Panama City. Unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to visit the Galápagos Islands this time, but my new travel companions were off to that Darwinian paradise with Metropolitan Touring, the same luxury outfit managing Gangotena and Mashpi.

Upon my arrival in Panama, I was utterly captivated by Casco Antiguo, the historic district of Panama City, which is undergoing a cultural and design revival. This area showcases some of the most remarkable adaptive reuse projects in the Americas, with the crown jewel being Hotel La Compañia, a three-wing hotel that features reinvented landmark buildings from different centuries. (The c. 1688 Spanish colonial section, the c. 1739 French colonial, and the c. 1905 American wing are all equally striking.) Hotel La Compañia also boasts some of the finest bars and restaurants in the city, including the French-inspired 1739 restaurant and the popular rooftop spot, Capella’s. Additionally, as part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, this gem is available for just 12,000 World of Hyatt points per night—a remarkable deal for such luxury.

With only 30 hours to explore, I spent my whirlwind visit to Panama City indulging in food, drinks, and photography throughout the hotel, wandering the nearby streets, admiring the stunning architecture—and enjoying every moment.

How to turn your dream trip into reality using Aeroplan points

While I used 85,000 points for my travel during this multi-country adventure in Latin America, those same points could have taken me to other amazing destinations through Aeroplan. For instance, a round-trip ticket from Boston to Zurich, Switzerland, on Swiss Air can be as low as 120,000 Aeroplan points in business class. If you’re willing to travel in economy, 70,000 points often suffices for a round-trip from New York City to Lisbon, Portugal, with partner TAP Portugal. The possibilities are limitless.

Fortunately, collecting Aeroplan points isn’t as daunting as it may seem. You can apply for the Chase-backed Aeroplan® Credit Card, transfer points from other credit card loyalty programs, or pool points with family members to embark on your journey to that bucket-list destination or uncover a hidden gem you never knew existed.

Get your hands on an Aeroplan® Credit Card

The current introductory offer on Air Canada’s Aeroplan® Credit Card (with an annual fee of $95) lets new cardholders earn 50,000 points after spending $3,000 within the first three months. You’ll also quickly grow your points balance thanks to the card’s impressive earning rates, which include three points for every dollar spent at grocery stores and on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services.

Transfer points from other credit card loyalty programs

Holders of Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, and Capital One Points can transfer their credit card points to the Aeroplan program at a 1:1 ratio. This feature allows you to combine points earned on your Aeroplan card with those accumulated from other general travel credit cards, helping you gather enough points for sought-after business-class tickets to distant destinations if your Aeroplan card points alone aren't sufficient.

Capitalize on cross-program promotions

Aeroplan regularly runs points-boosting promotions with its partners. For instance, in September 2022, American Express offered a 15% bonus for transferring Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan. Until November 30, 2022, those transferring Ultimate Rewards points to Aeroplan Air Canada received a 30% bonus. Additionally, until December 31, 2023, Aeroplan cardholders can earn an extra 10% bonus when transferring at least 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Aeroplan. These two Aeroplan–Ultimate Rewards offers can be combined, yielding a total bonus of 40%.

Share points

Aeroplan enables members to pool and share points with up to eight family members, making it easier than ever to accumulate enough miles for your dream award tickets.

Final thoughts

I hope my personal journey with Aeroplan inspires you to plan your own unforgettable adventure. We at Dinogo are eager for you to travel again and to put our insights and your hard-earned points to good use.

While the offers mentioned above were accurate at the time of publication, they are subject to change at any moment and may have already changed or could be unavailable.