How to Sell Aeroplan Points in Canada: Complete 2025 Guide
Thinking about selling your Aeroplan points for cash? This comprehensive guide walks you through the entire process, from understanding current market rates to completing your first transaction safely and legally.
Aeroplan points are one of Canada's most valuable loyalty currencies, but sometimes cash is more useful than travel rewards. Whether you're facing an unexpected expense, your credit card was cancelled, or you simply prefer the flexibility of cash, selling your Aeroplan points can be a practical solution.
In 2025, the market for selling Aeroplan points in Canada has become more established, with legitimate brokers offering competitive rates between $0.010 to $0.015 CAD per point. This means 100,000 Aeroplan points could be worth between $1,000 and $1,500 in cash.
Quick Answer:
To sell Aeroplan points in Canada, you transfer your points to a trusted broker using Aeroplan's Family Sharing feature. The broker pays you via Interac e-Transfer within 24 hours. The entire process takes 2-3 days and requires a minimum of 25,000 points.
Is Selling Aeroplan Points Legal in Canada?
This is the first question most Canadians ask, and the answer has two parts:
Legally speaking: Yes, it's legal
There is no Canadian law that prohibits selling loyalty points. The transaction itself is legal under Canadian law.
According to Aeroplan's Terms: Not permitted
Aeroplan's terms and conditions state that points may not be sold or transferred for cash. However, this is a private agreement between you and Aeroplan, not a legal restriction.
What does this mean for you? While selling points doesn't violate Canadian law, it does technically violate Aeroplan's terms of service. The practical risk is that Aeroplan could close your account if they detect the sale. In practice, this rarely happens when using the Family Sharing method (more on this below), but it's important to understand the terms you're agreeing to.
Many Canadians choose to sell their points when they're about to expire, when a credit card has been cancelled, or when they need cash immediately and wouldn't be able to use the points for travel anyway.
Current Aeroplan Points Market Rates (2025)
The value you'll receive for your Aeroplan points depends on several factors, including the quantity you're selling and current market demand. Here's what to expect in 2025:
Typical Rate Ranges
- 25,000 - 100,000 points: $0.010 - $0.012 CAD per point
- 100,000 - 500,000 points: $0.012 - $0.014 CAD per point
- 500,000+ points: $0.014 - $0.015 CAD per point
Example calculations:
- • 50,000 Aeroplan points = $500 - $600 CAD
- • 100,000 Aeroplan points = $1,000 - $1,400 CAD
- • 250,000 Aeroplan points = $2,500 - $3,500 CAD
- • 500,000 Aeroplan points = $5,000 - $7,500 CAD
These rates are typically 50-70% of what you might get if you redeemed the points for premium cabin flights. However, the cash value provides immediate liquidity and flexibility that travel redemptions cannot offer.
Step-by-Step: How to Sell Your Aeroplan Points
The process of selling Aeroplan points is straightforward when working with a reputable broker. Here's exactly how it works:
Get a Quote
Contact a trusted points broker (like Mega Miles Broker) and provide details about how many Aeroplan points you want to sell. You'll receive a quote typically within 24 hours showing the exact CAD amount you'll receive.
What you'll need: Your Aeroplan member number, the number of points you want to sell, and your preferred payment method (usually Interac e-Transfer).
Accept the Rate
Review the quote carefully. The broker should clearly state the rate per point, the total CAD amount you'll receive, and the timeline for payment. Rates are typically locked in for 24-48 hours.
If you're happy with the offer, confirm your acceptance. There should be no upfront fees or payment required from you.
Transfer Your Points Using Family Sharing
This is the critical step. Aeroplan's Family Sharing program allows you to pool points with family members at no cost. Reputable brokers use this method because it's:
- • Free (no transfer fees)
- • Instant (points transfer immediately)
- • Designed by Aeroplan for legitimate transfers
- • Less likely to trigger account reviews
The broker will provide you with the Aeroplan account details you need to add to your Family Sharing group. You'll log into your Aeroplan account, add the designated member, and transfer the agreed-upon number of points.
Receive Your Payment
Once the broker confirms they've received your points (this happens instantly when you transfer), they'll send your payment. Most Canadian brokers use Interac e-Transfer, which means you'll receive your money within minutes to a few hours.
Timeline: From accepting the quote to receiving your cash, the entire process typically takes 24-72 hours, with most of that time being communication and coordination rather than actual processing.
How to Transfer Aeroplan Points: Detailed Instructions
The Family Sharing method is the safest and most common way to transfer Aeroplan points. Here's the exact process:
- 1. Log into your Aeroplan account
Visit aeroplan.com and sign in with your credentials. - 2. Navigate to "Family Sharing"
Go to your account dashboard and find the "Family Sharing" section (usually under Account Settings or Manage Account). - 3. Add a family member
Click "Add a family member" and enter the Aeroplan member number provided by the broker. You may need to provide the member's name and date of birth (the broker will provide these details). - 4. Set yourself as the family pool administrator
When setting up Family Sharing, make sure you're designated as the administrator. This gives you control over the points. - 5. Pool your points
Once the family member is added (this can take up to 24 hours), click "Pool Points" and select the number of points you want to transfer. - 6. Confirm the transfer
Review the details carefully and confirm. The points transfer is instant once confirmed. - 7. Notify the broker
Let the broker know the transfer is complete. They'll verify receipt and send your payment.
Important:
There's a limit of 8 members in a Family Sharing group, and you can only be part of one family group at a time. Make sure you're not already in a family pool before starting this process, or you'll need to leave your current group first.
Tax Implications of Selling Aeroplan Points in Canada
One of the most common questions Canadians have is: "Do I need to pay taxes when I sell my Aeroplan points?"
The tax treatment depends on how you acquired the points and the amount you're selling:
Points from Personal Credit Card Spending
For most Canadians, Aeroplan points are earned through personal credit card spending. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) generally treats loyalty points as rebates or discounts rather than income. This means:
- • Points earned on personal spending are not considered taxable income when earned
- • Selling personal points for cash likely falls into a grey area
- • Small transactions (under $10,000) are rarely reported or taxed
- • The CRA hasn't issued clear guidance on selling loyalty points specifically
Points from Business Expenses
If you earned points from business expenses that were claimed as tax deductions, selling those points could be considered taxable income. Consult with an accountant if this applies to you.
Disclaimer:
This is general information only and not tax advice. Tax situations vary by individual circumstances. For transactions over $10,000 or if you regularly sell points, consult with a qualified Canadian tax professional or accountant.
Should You Sell Your Aeroplan Points or Redeem Them?
Selling your points makes sense in specific situations, but it's not always the best choice. Here's an honest comparison:
When Selling Makes Sense:
- Your points are about to expire and you can't use them in time
- You need cash immediately for an emergency or unexpected expense
- Your credit card was cancelled and points will be forfeited
- You don't travel and have no plans to use the points
- Award availability is poor for your desired destinations
When Redemption is Better:
- You have specific travel plans and can book premium cabin flights (business/first class redemptions offer 2-3¢ per point value)
- You're still actively earning and can accumulate more points for better redemptions
- You have family who could use the points through Family Sharing for legitimate travel
The bottom line: If you can redeem your points for premium cabin international flights, you'll typically get 2-3¢ per point in value, which is double what you'd get by selling. But if you need cash now, don't travel in premium cabins, or your points would otherwise go unused, selling for 1-1.5¢ per point is a practical choice.
Red Flags: How to Avoid Scams
Unfortunately, the points selling industry has some dishonest operators. Watch for these warning signs:
They ask for payment upfront
Legitimate brokers pay YOU, not the other way around. Never send money to a broker.
They ask for your password
You should never share your Aeroplan login credentials. The Family Sharing method only requires a member number.
Rates seem too good to be true
If someone offers 2-3¢ per point, they're likely a scam. Market rates are 1-1.5¢ per point.
No verifiable business presence
Look for Canadian-based companies with real addresses, phone numbers, and business registration.
Safe practice: Work with established Canadian brokers who have been in business for several years, have transparent processes, and use Interac e-Transfer for payments (which is reversible if there's fraud).
Ready to Sell Your Aeroplan Points?
Selling Aeroplan points for cash can be a practical solution when you need liquidity, your points are expiring, or you simply prefer cash over travel rewards. The process is straightforward when working with a reputable Canadian broker:
- • Get a free quote (no obligation)
- • Transfer points using Family Sharing (safe and instant)
- • Receive payment via Interac e-Transfer within 24 hours
- • Current rates: $0.010 - $0.015 CAD per point
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to sell Aeroplan points?
The entire process typically takes 24-72 hours from requesting a quote to receiving your payment. The actual point transfer using Family Sharing is instant, and most brokers send payment within 24 hours of receiving your points.
What's the minimum number of Aeroplan points I can sell?
Most Canadian brokers require a minimum of 25,000 Aeroplan points. This is because smaller transactions aren't economically viable for the broker after accounting for processing costs and transfer coordination.
Will Aeroplan close my account if I sell points?
While selling points violates Aeroplan's terms of service, account closures are relatively rare when using the Family Sharing method, as this is a legitimate Aeroplan feature. However, there is always some risk. Many people choose to sell when their points would otherwise expire or when a credit card is cancelled.
Can I sell Aeroplan points from a cancelled credit card?
Yes, as long as your Aeroplan account is still active and the points haven't been forfeited yet. When you cancel certain co-branded credit cards, you may have a grace period (often 30-90 days) to use or transfer your points before they're removed. Check your card's terms or contact Aeroplan to confirm your timeline.
How do I choose a trustworthy points broker?
Look for brokers that: (1) are based in Canada with verifiable business registration, (2) have been operating for multiple years, (3) use secure payment methods like Interac e-Transfer, (4) never ask for upfront payment or your account password, (5) provide transparent rates and clear timelines, and (6) have positive reviews from other Canadians.