Aeroplan Family Sharing: How to Transfer Points to Sell
Everything you need to know about Aeroplan Family Sharing in 2026. This comprehensive guide covers how the feature works, step-by-step setup instructions, requirements and limits, and how Family Sharing is used when selling points to a broker.
If you're looking to transfer Aeroplan points to a family member, pool points for a vacation, or sell your points to a broker for cash, Aeroplan Family Sharing is the feature you need to understand. It's one of the most useful and underutilized features of the Aeroplan program.
Family Sharing allows up to 8 Aeroplan members to combine their points into a shared pool at no cost. This means you can transfer unlimited points between family members without paying any fees—unlike other loyalty programs that charge per-point transfer fees.
Quick Summary:
Aeroplan Family Sharing lets you pool points with up to 8 members for free. No same-address requirement, no transfer fees, and instant transfers. It's the preferred method for selling Aeroplan points to brokers because it's an official Aeroplan feature that doesn't require sharing your password.
In this guide, we'll cover everything from basic setup to advanced use cases, including how points brokers use Family Sharing to facilitate transactions.
What is Aeroplan Family Sharing?
Aeroplan Family Sharing is an official feature offered by Air Canada's Aeroplan loyalty program. It was introduced to make it easier for families to combine their points for larger redemptions—like that dream vacation everyone's been saving for.
Key Features
- Up to 8 members: Create a family group with up to 8 Aeroplan accounts, including the administrator
- Free transfers: Pool and transfer points between members at absolutely no cost
- No address requirement: Members do NOT need to live at the same address (common misconception)
- Instant pooling: Once members are added, point transfers are immediate
- Shared redemptions: Any member can use pooled points for flights, upgrades, or other rewards
How It Differs from Point Transfers
Many people confuse Family Sharing with regular point transfers. Here's the key difference:
Regular Point Transfers
- • Usually cost money (fees per point)
- • Often have annual limits
- • One-time transaction
- • Points leave your account permanently
Family Sharing
- • Completely free, no fees
- • No limits on points pooled
- • Ongoing shared access
- • Points go to a shared pool
This is why Family Sharing is the preferred method for both legitimate family pooling AND for selling points to brokers—it's free, it's an official feature, and it doesn't require sharing your login credentials.
Aeroplan Family Sharing Requirements & Limits
Before setting up Family Sharing, make sure you understand the requirements and limitations:
Membership Requirements
- Each member must have their own Aeroplan account
- Members can only belong to ONE family group at a time
- No same-address requirement (this changed in recent years)
- Members can be located anywhere (Canada or international)
- No age restrictions for family members
Group Limits
- Maximum 8 members per family group (including administrator)
- One administrator per group who manages members
- No limit on the number of points that can be pooled
- No limit on how often you can pool points
Important Limitations
- Once points are pooled, they cannot be "un-pooled" back to individual accounts
- If you leave a group, your contributed points stay in the pool
- Adding new members can take 24-48 hours for Aeroplan to process
- The administrator cannot be changed without dissolving the group
Myth Busted: Same Address Requirement
Many Canadians still believe that Family Sharing members must live at the same address. This was true in older versions of the program, but Aeroplan removed this requirement. Today, your "family" can include anyone with an Aeroplan account, regardless of where they live. This makes it much more flexible for both legitimate family use and for selling points.
How to Set Up Aeroplan Family Sharing: Step-by-Step
Follow these detailed instructions to create a Family Sharing group and start pooling points:
Log Into Your Aeroplan Account
Go to aeroplan.com and sign in with your email address and password. If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it.
Make sure you're logging into the account that will be the administrator of the family group. The administrator has control over adding and removing members.
Navigate to Family Sharing
Once logged in, click on your account name or profile icon in the top right corner. From the dropdown menu, select "Family Sharing".
Alternatively, you can find Family Sharing by going to "My Aeroplan" → "Account" → "Family Sharing".
Create Your Family Group
If you don't already have a family group, you'll see an option to "Create a family group" or "Start Family Sharing". Click this button to begin.
You'll be asked to confirm that you want to become the administrator. Review the terms and accept to create your group.
Add Family Members
Now you can add members to your group. Click "Add a member" and enter the following information:
- • Aeroplan member number (9-digit number)
- • First and last name (must match their Aeroplan account)
- • Date of birth (must match their Aeroplan account)
The person you're adding will receive an email invitation to accept joining your family group.
Wait for Approval (24-48 Hours)
After the member accepts the invitation, Aeroplan needs to verify and process the addition. This typically takes 24-48 hours, though it can sometimes be faster.
Both you (the administrator) and the new member will receive email confirmation once the addition is complete.
Pool Your Points
Once the member is successfully added, go back to the Family Sharing section. You'll see the option to "Pool points" or "Contribute points".
Select how many points you want to add to the shared family pool. You can pool all your points or just a portion—the choice is yours.
Confirm and Complete
Review the transfer details and click Confirm. The points will be transferred instantly to the shared family pool.
Any member of the family group can now use the pooled points for redemptions. The points appear in everyone's account as "Family Pool" points.
Pro Tips for Setup
- • Have the member's information ready before starting (Aeroplan number, full name, DOB)
- • Make sure the information exactly matches what's on their Aeroplan account
- • Ask them to check their email (including spam folder) for the invitation
- • If setup fails, verify the Aeroplan account is in good standing
How Family Sharing is Used When Selling Points to a Broker
If you're selling your Aeroplan points for cash, Family Sharing is the standard method that reputable brokers use. Here's exactly how the process works:
The Selling Process Using Family Sharing
Get a Quote from the Broker
Contact a reputable Canadian broker and tell them how many Aeroplan points you want to sell. They'll provide a quote showing the rate per point and total CAD amount you'll receive.
Accept the Quote
If you're happy with the rate, confirm your acceptance. The broker will then provide you with the details of the Aeroplan account you need to add to your Family Sharing group.
Add the Broker's Account to Your Family
Using the steps above, add the broker's designated Aeroplan member to your Family Sharing group. You'll need their member number, name, and date of birth.
Wait for Member Approval
The broker will accept the family invitation. Once Aeroplan processes the addition (24-48 hours), you can proceed with pooling your points.
Pool Your Points
Transfer the agreed-upon number of points to the shared family pool. The transfer is instant. Notify the broker that the points have been transferred.
Receive Your Payment
Once the broker confirms receipt of the points, they'll send your payment via Interac e-Transfer. This typically happens within 24 hours of the point transfer.
Why Brokers Prefer Family Sharing
No Password Sharing Required
You never share your Aeroplan login credentials. The entire process uses Aeroplan's official features.
Free Transfers
Unlike other transfer methods that charge fees, Family Sharing is completely free, which means better rates for you.
Instant Point Transfer
Once a member is added, point pooling is immediate. No waiting days for transfers to process.
Official Aeroplan Feature
Family Sharing is a legitimate, designed feature of Aeroplan—not a loophole or workaround.
Important Note About Terms of Service
While Family Sharing is an official Aeroplan feature, selling points for cash may violate Aeroplan's terms of service. This is a private contractual matter (not a legal issue). Most sellers who use this method once or occasionally experience no problems. For a detailed discussion of risks, see our guide: Is Selling Loyalty Points Safe in Canada?
Benefits of Aeroplan Family Sharing
Whether you're using Family Sharing for legitimate family pooling or for selling points, here are the key advantages:
100% Free
No fees for adding members, no fees for transferring points. Compare this to Marriott Bonvoy, which charges 10+ cents per point for transfers.
Instant Transfers
Once members are approved, pooling points is immediate. No waiting days or weeks for points to appear.
No Password Sharing
You control your own account. No need to share login credentials with anyone—ever.
Flexible Membership
Up to 8 members, no address requirements, and members can be located anywhere in the world.
Family Sharing vs. Other Transfer Methods
| Feature | Family Sharing | Direct Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Not available for Aeroplan |
| Speed | Instant | N/A |
| Setup Time | 24-48 hours (one-time) | N/A |
| Limits | Unlimited points | N/A |
| Password Required | No | N/A |
Common Questions and Troubleshooting
Here are solutions to the most common issues people encounter with Aeroplan Family Sharing:
"I can't add a family member—what's wrong?"
Common causes and solutions:
- • Incorrect information: Double-check the Aeroplan number, name spelling, and date of birth match exactly
- • Already in a family: The person may already be in another family group (they can only be in one)
- • Account issues: Their Aeroplan account may be inactive, frozen, or have outstanding issues
- • Try again later: Aeroplan systems occasionally have glitches—wait 24 hours and retry
"How do I leave a Family Sharing group?"
Log into your Aeroplan account, go to Family Sharing, and select "Leave family group." Warning: Any points you've already pooled will remain in the family pool—you cannot take them back when leaving.
"Can I be in multiple Family Sharing groups?"
No. Each Aeroplan member can only belong to one family group at a time. If you want to join a different group, you must first leave your current group.
"What happens to pooled points if the administrator closes their account?"
If the administrator's account is closed, the family group is dissolved. Pooled points that haven't been redeemed could be lost. This is why it's important to only pool points you intend to use or transfer soon.
"Can I remove a member from my family group?"
Yes, the administrator can remove members from the family group. However, points that member has already pooled will remain in the shared pool.
"How long does it take for points to appear after pooling?"
Point pooling is instant. As soon as you confirm the transfer, the points appear in the family pool. If you don't see them immediately, try refreshing your browser or logging out and back in.
Complete Walkthrough: Selling Aeroplan Points Using Family Sharing
Ready to sell your Aeroplan points? Here's a detailed walkthrough of the entire process from start to finish:
Total Time: 2-4 days | Your Active Time: ~30 minutes
Day 1: Request a Quote
Time required: 5 minutes
- 1. Visit a reputable Canadian points broker (like megamilesbroker.com/sell)
- 2. Enter your Aeroplan points balance
- 3. Provide your email for the quote
- 4. Submit your quote request
- 5. Wait for a response (usually within 24 hours)
Day 1-2: Review and Accept Quote
Time required: 5 minutes
- 1. Receive quote via email showing rate per point and total CAD amount
- 2. Compare with current market rates (typically $0.010-$0.015/point in 2026)
- 3. If happy, reply to accept the quote
- 4. Broker will send you the Family Sharing details (Aeroplan #, name, DOB)
Day 2: Add Broker to Family Sharing
Time required: 10 minutes
- 1. Log into your Aeroplan account at aeroplan.com
- 2. Navigate to Family Sharing
- 3. Create a family group if you don't have one
- 4. Click "Add a member"
- 5. Enter the broker's Aeroplan details exactly as provided
- 6. Submit and wait for Aeroplan to process (24-48 hours)
Day 3-4: Pool Points and Get Paid
Time required: 10 minutes
- 1. Receive confirmation that the member was added
- 2. Log into Aeroplan and go to Family Sharing
- 3. Click "Pool points" and enter the agreed amount
- 4. Confirm the transfer (instant)
- 5. Notify the broker that points have been transferred
- 6. Receive Interac e-Transfer payment (usually within 24 hours)
- 7. Deposit your cash
What You'll Need Ready:
- • Your Aeroplan account login credentials
- • Your Aeroplan member number
- • The broker's Aeroplan member details (provided after accepting quote)
- • An email address for communication
- • A Canadian bank account for Interac e-Transfer
Ready to Sell Your Aeroplan Points?
Now that you understand how Aeroplan Family Sharing works, you're ready to turn your unused points into cash. The process is straightforward, secure, and typically takes just 2-4 days from quote to payment.
- Free transfers using Aeroplan's official Family Sharing feature
- Competitive rates of $0.010-$0.015 CAD per point in 2026
- Fast payment via Interac e-Transfer within 24 hours
- No password sharing required—you control your account
- Canadian-owned broker with 10+ years experience
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aeroplan Family Sharing?
Aeroplan Family Sharing is an official Air Canada Aeroplan feature that allows up to 8 members to pool their points together in a shared family pool. Members can contribute points and any member can use the pooled points for redemptions. The feature is completely free with no transfer fees.
Do Aeroplan Family Sharing members need to live at the same address?
No, Aeroplan Family Sharing members do NOT need to live at the same address. This is a common misconception. Aeroplan removed the same-address requirement, so family members can be located anywhere in Canada or internationally.
How many members can be in an Aeroplan Family Sharing group?
An Aeroplan Family Sharing group can have up to 8 members, including the administrator. Each member must have their own Aeroplan account. Members can only belong to one family group at a time.
Is there a fee to transfer Aeroplan points through Family Sharing?
No, transferring Aeroplan points through Family Sharing is completely free. There are no transfer fees or per-point charges. This is one of the major advantages of using Family Sharing compared to other point transfer methods.
How long does it take to add a Family Sharing member?
Adding a new member to your Aeroplan Family Sharing group typically takes 24-48 hours for Aeroplan to process. Once approved, point transfers between members are instant.
Can I use Family Sharing to sell my Aeroplan points?
Yes, Family Sharing is the most common method used when selling Aeroplan points to a broker. You add the broker's designated Aeroplan account to your family group and transfer your points. This method is preferred because it's free, instant, and uses an official Aeroplan feature.
What happens if I leave an Aeroplan Family Sharing group?
When you leave a Family Sharing group, any points you contributed to the pool that haven't been used will remain in the family pool. You cannot reclaim contributed points after leaving. However, any points still in your individual account remain yours.
How do brokers use Aeroplan Family Sharing?
Brokers provide you with an Aeroplan member number and details to add to your Family Sharing group. Once you add them and pool your points, they can access the shared points for redemption. The broker then pays you via Interac e-Transfer, typically within 24 hours of receiving the points.
Mega Miles Broker Team
Points Brokerage Specialists
Loyalty points experts with 10+ years experience and 10,000+ transactions since 2014.