A Guide to the Air Canada Flight Pass: Where Can It Take You?
Mar 26, 2025
Written by
Written by
Brianna Harrison (Credit Card & Travel Writer)
Brianna Harrison (Credit Card & Travel Writer)
Table of contents
Title
Title
Title
If you’re a frequent Air Canada traveller, the Flight Pass could be a game-changer. This prepaid package of one-way flights offers fixed pricing, flexibility, and potential savings vs. booking an individual ticket with cash.
But are Air Canada Flight Passes worth it? Keep reading to find out how they work, pricing, and key benefits. Plus, we’ll explore how you can earn free flights faster by paying rent and bills with an American Express or Aeroplan credit card.
What Are Air Canada Flight Passes?
An Air Canada Flight Pass is a prepaid package of one-way flights to a destination of your choice that you can use whenever you want. The travel zones include Canada, the US, Sun destinations, and some international destinations.
At this time, Air Canada offers 48 types of Flight Passes that fall into these categories:
Romantic Getaway: A package of 8 flight credits for two travellers to 7 destinations
The Weekend Pass: A package of 8 flight credits for travel on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in North America
Student Pass: A package of 4 or 6 flight credits in either Standard or Flex that can be used in North America or international destinations
Student Pass - International: A package of 4 or 6 flight credits in either Standard or Flex that can be used for international destinations
Business Travel: A package of 30, 60, 100, or 200 credits that can be shared by multiple employees in Flex, Latitude and Business Class
Plus, the Commuter, Regional, Transcontinental, Transborder, Sun Destinations, and International categories.
Most Flight Passes include a certain number of credits; however, Air Canada has unlimited Flight Passes, too, where you can travel to and from your selected geographical region as often as you want within a month.
Do Flight Pass credits expire?
AC flight passes are valid for up to 12 or 15 months, depending on the credit options you choose when you purchase them. There is also a flexible benefits option.
When can you fly?
You can use your flight pass to book up to one hour before departure within North America and up to two hours before departure for international destinations. Keep in mind that sometimes you need to book at least 3 days before.
Who can purchase a Flight Pass?
You must be an Aeroplan member in good standing to purchase and use Flight Pass credits. The good thing is that you don’t need to have reached Aeroplan Elite Status; it’s available for all members.
How Much Does an Air Canada Flight Pass Cost?
The cost of a Flight Pass depends on how many credits you buy and which type of Flight Pass you select. It can be as low as $1,071 for 6 flight credits for the Alberta Commuter Flight Pass or as high as $1,452,000 for 200 flexible credits for up to 500 employees.
Now, let’s assume you’re not a millionaire (sadly) and want to travel between the US and Canada a few times a year. The Weekend Pass will cost you around $2,296 to $3,869 for 8 flight credits. This works out to be $287 to $483 per flight, which, in most cases, is cheaper than buying the flight in cash.
However, you need to ensure you’ll use all the credits within 12 or 15 months; otherwise, you’ll lose money.
How to Choose a Flight Pass
To choose the Flight Pass that’s right for you, you’ll need to:
1. Determine Your Travel Zone: Browse the large travel zones you want to fly to (e.g. North America, International), then narrow it down based on your needs (e.g. Canada, the US, Europe).
2. Determine How Many Credits You Need: 1 credit = 1 one-way trip for one person, with a connecting flight included. You can purchase between 6 and 200 credits (unlimited options are also available).
3. Choose Your Fare: Choose from Standard or Flex in Economy and Flex, Latitude or Business Class on Business Class flights.
Once you’ve chosen your Flight Pass, you can book flights online or using the Flight Pass mobile app. Be sure to read the terms and conditions before purchasing so you’ll know how long you have to use all your credits.
How to Purchase a Flight Pass
To purchase a Flight Pass, go to the Air Canada website and log into your Aeroplan account (or continue as a guest). Choose the type of Flight Pass you want to purchase.
In this case, I’m going to buy a Weekend Pass for Eastern short-haul trips to select destinations between Canada and the United States.
For this Flight Pass, I can only choose the Standard fare at $2,538 (with each flight costing around $317).
There are a few terms and conditions to note, including:
You must book flights at least 3 days in advance
You can only travel on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
You can travel within this zone for 12 months, or you can extend it for three more months for $250
You can change the flight online anytime for a fee of $100
You can change the name on the pass for a $125 fee
Ensure you read all the terms and conditions before purchasing your pass, as you’ll be charged extra fees to change the date, name, and duration of the flight pass. To make it truly worth it, you don’t want to spend anything more than the $2,538.
You can preview flight availability before purchasing the pass. It’s a good idea to check, especially if you plan to travel within the next few months. Here, there are only nine seats left, and one of the flights is completely sold out.
Accept and continue, and you’ll go onto the payment page. Pricing will be determined based on your province. I live in Quebec, so here is the breakdown of how much this Flight Pass costs:
After purchasing, you can use the Flight Pass app to book your travel.
Benefits of Air Canada Flight Passes
Besides being able to travel whenever and wherever you want within the geographical location you chose, the AC Flight Pass has some other cool perks, including:
Earning Aeroplan points as you would with any Air Canada flight
You can choose your seat in advance for free
You can easily modify or cancel your booking online or on the app
As an Aeroplan Elite Status member, you’ll earn extra benefits with every eligible Flight Pass activity
You can use Flex Pay to spread the cost of your purchase over fixed monthly payments
Are Air Canada Flight Passes Worth It?
Let’s use the same example from before, where we are buying a Weekend Pass for Eastern short-haul trips. The Flight Pass costs $2,495 for eight one-way flights, or around $317 per flight. Depending on the time of year and destination, you’d be paying more or less for a flight using cash.
Here are a few examples of how much a one-way flight from Toronto to destinations in the Eastern US can cost you in cash:
This flight from Toronto (YYZ) to New York (LGA) on April 19, 2025, costs only $207, making it a poor use of your Flight Pass credits.
On the other hand, this flight from Toronto (YYZ) to Philadelphia (PHL) on July 4, 2025, is $464. The Flight Pass would offer a better value.
As you can see, you need to be strategic about when you use your credits. It can be worth it if you’re flying on a holiday or a busy day of the year.
If you have enough Aeroplan points from paying rent with your Aeroplan or American Express credit card, it might be worth skipping buying a Flight Pass and using your points instead.
This is where Chexy comes in–you can use your high-reward credit card, like the American Express Platinum or the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, to pay your rent and bills. This allows you to earn a supercharged amount of points that you can use on future Air Canada flights. This might be a better option than purchasing a Flight Pass unless you’re a frequent traveller and know you’ll get enough value from it.
Air Canada Credit Cards to Use To Buy a Flight Pass
These two credit cards are top-tier for everyday purchases (including rent and bills) and for buying a Flight Pass. Since all Flight Pass purchases fall into the Air Canada category, you’ll earn a lot of points on the purchase.
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is one of the best for Air Canada purchases and travel perks. Although it has a $599 annual fee, frequent flyers get so much value. You’ll get 3x the Aeroplan points when you purchase a Flight Pass.
Some other benefits include:
Free unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access for you and a guest
Priority airport treatment
Free first checked bags
Annual Worldwide Companion Pass
Premium travel insurance
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card†
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card† is the runner-up when it comes to Air Canada perks. It also has a $599 annual fee and gets you very similar benefits. You’ll earn 2x the Aeroplan points when you purchase a Flight Pass using this card.
$599 annual fee 20.99% purchase APR 20.99% cash advance APR
Benefits include:
Free first checked bags
Priority airport treatment
Reach and maintain Aeroplan Elite Status faster
Use your eUpgrades for 24 months instead of 12
Visa Infinite Benefits
An Air Canada Flight Pass can be a smart choice for frequent flyers, but earning Aeroplan points that you can turn into free flights might be even better. With Chexy, you can pay your rent and bills using your American Express or Aeroplan credit card and rack up points fast–getting you closer to your next vacation.
Get started with Chexy today and start earning points on your biggest monthly expenses.
Subscribe to our newsletter below for up-to-date credit card, travel, and rental content.
If you’re a frequent Air Canada traveller, the Flight Pass could be a game-changer. This prepaid package of one-way flights offers fixed pricing, flexibility, and potential savings vs. booking an individual ticket with cash.
But are Air Canada Flight Passes worth it? Keep reading to find out how they work, pricing, and key benefits. Plus, we’ll explore how you can earn free flights faster by paying rent and bills with an American Express or Aeroplan credit card.
What Are Air Canada Flight Passes?
An Air Canada Flight Pass is a prepaid package of one-way flights to a destination of your choice that you can use whenever you want. The travel zones include Canada, the US, Sun destinations, and some international destinations.
At this time, Air Canada offers 48 types of Flight Passes that fall into these categories:
Romantic Getaway: A package of 8 flight credits for two travellers to 7 destinations
The Weekend Pass: A package of 8 flight credits for travel on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in North America
Student Pass: A package of 4 or 6 flight credits in either Standard or Flex that can be used in North America or international destinations
Student Pass - International: A package of 4 or 6 flight credits in either Standard or Flex that can be used for international destinations
Business Travel: A package of 30, 60, 100, or 200 credits that can be shared by multiple employees in Flex, Latitude and Business Class
Plus, the Commuter, Regional, Transcontinental, Transborder, Sun Destinations, and International categories.
Most Flight Passes include a certain number of credits; however, Air Canada has unlimited Flight Passes, too, where you can travel to and from your selected geographical region as often as you want within a month.
Do Flight Pass credits expire?
AC flight passes are valid for up to 12 or 15 months, depending on the credit options you choose when you purchase them. There is also a flexible benefits option.
When can you fly?
You can use your flight pass to book up to one hour before departure within North America and up to two hours before departure for international destinations. Keep in mind that sometimes you need to book at least 3 days before.
Who can purchase a Flight Pass?
You must be an Aeroplan member in good standing to purchase and use Flight Pass credits. The good thing is that you don’t need to have reached Aeroplan Elite Status; it’s available for all members.
How Much Does an Air Canada Flight Pass Cost?
The cost of a Flight Pass depends on how many credits you buy and which type of Flight Pass you select. It can be as low as $1,071 for 6 flight credits for the Alberta Commuter Flight Pass or as high as $1,452,000 for 200 flexible credits for up to 500 employees.
Now, let’s assume you’re not a millionaire (sadly) and want to travel between the US and Canada a few times a year. The Weekend Pass will cost you around $2,296 to $3,869 for 8 flight credits. This works out to be $287 to $483 per flight, which, in most cases, is cheaper than buying the flight in cash.
However, you need to ensure you’ll use all the credits within 12 or 15 months; otherwise, you’ll lose money.
How to Choose a Flight Pass
To choose the Flight Pass that’s right for you, you’ll need to:
1. Determine Your Travel Zone: Browse the large travel zones you want to fly to (e.g. North America, International), then narrow it down based on your needs (e.g. Canada, the US, Europe).
2. Determine How Many Credits You Need: 1 credit = 1 one-way trip for one person, with a connecting flight included. You can purchase between 6 and 200 credits (unlimited options are also available).
3. Choose Your Fare: Choose from Standard or Flex in Economy and Flex, Latitude or Business Class on Business Class flights.
Once you’ve chosen your Flight Pass, you can book flights online or using the Flight Pass mobile app. Be sure to read the terms and conditions before purchasing so you’ll know how long you have to use all your credits.
How to Purchase a Flight Pass
To purchase a Flight Pass, go to the Air Canada website and log into your Aeroplan account (or continue as a guest). Choose the type of Flight Pass you want to purchase.
In this case, I’m going to buy a Weekend Pass for Eastern short-haul trips to select destinations between Canada and the United States.
For this Flight Pass, I can only choose the Standard fare at $2,538 (with each flight costing around $317).
There are a few terms and conditions to note, including:
You must book flights at least 3 days in advance
You can only travel on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
You can travel within this zone for 12 months, or you can extend it for three more months for $250
You can change the flight online anytime for a fee of $100
You can change the name on the pass for a $125 fee
Ensure you read all the terms and conditions before purchasing your pass, as you’ll be charged extra fees to change the date, name, and duration of the flight pass. To make it truly worth it, you don’t want to spend anything more than the $2,538.
You can preview flight availability before purchasing the pass. It’s a good idea to check, especially if you plan to travel within the next few months. Here, there are only nine seats left, and one of the flights is completely sold out.
Accept and continue, and you’ll go onto the payment page. Pricing will be determined based on your province. I live in Quebec, so here is the breakdown of how much this Flight Pass costs:
After purchasing, you can use the Flight Pass app to book your travel.
Benefits of Air Canada Flight Passes
Besides being able to travel whenever and wherever you want within the geographical location you chose, the AC Flight Pass has some other cool perks, including:
Earning Aeroplan points as you would with any Air Canada flight
You can choose your seat in advance for free
You can easily modify or cancel your booking online or on the app
As an Aeroplan Elite Status member, you’ll earn extra benefits with every eligible Flight Pass activity
You can use Flex Pay to spread the cost of your purchase over fixed monthly payments
Are Air Canada Flight Passes Worth It?
Let’s use the same example from before, where we are buying a Weekend Pass for Eastern short-haul trips. The Flight Pass costs $2,495 for eight one-way flights, or around $317 per flight. Depending on the time of year and destination, you’d be paying more or less for a flight using cash.
Here are a few examples of how much a one-way flight from Toronto to destinations in the Eastern US can cost you in cash:
This flight from Toronto (YYZ) to New York (LGA) on April 19, 2025, costs only $207, making it a poor use of your Flight Pass credits.
On the other hand, this flight from Toronto (YYZ) to Philadelphia (PHL) on July 4, 2025, is $464. The Flight Pass would offer a better value.
As you can see, you need to be strategic about when you use your credits. It can be worth it if you’re flying on a holiday or a busy day of the year.
If you have enough Aeroplan points from paying rent with your Aeroplan or American Express credit card, it might be worth skipping buying a Flight Pass and using your points instead.
This is where Chexy comes in–you can use your high-reward credit card, like the American Express Platinum or the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, to pay your rent and bills. This allows you to earn a supercharged amount of points that you can use on future Air Canada flights. This might be a better option than purchasing a Flight Pass unless you’re a frequent traveller and know you’ll get enough value from it.
Air Canada Credit Cards to Use To Buy a Flight Pass
These two credit cards are top-tier for everyday purchases (including rent and bills) and for buying a Flight Pass. Since all Flight Pass purchases fall into the Air Canada category, you’ll earn a lot of points on the purchase.
American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card is one of the best for Air Canada purchases and travel perks. Although it has a $599 annual fee, frequent flyers get so much value. You’ll get 3x the Aeroplan points when you purchase a Flight Pass.
Some other benefits include:
Free unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access for you and a guest
Priority airport treatment
Free first checked bags
Annual Worldwide Companion Pass
Premium travel insurance
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card†
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card† is the runner-up when it comes to Air Canada perks. It also has a $599 annual fee and gets you very similar benefits. You’ll earn 2x the Aeroplan points when you purchase a Flight Pass using this card.
$599 annual fee 20.99% purchase APR 20.99% cash advance APR
Benefits include:
Free first checked bags
Priority airport treatment
Reach and maintain Aeroplan Elite Status faster
Use your eUpgrades for 24 months instead of 12
Visa Infinite Benefits
An Air Canada Flight Pass can be a smart choice for frequent flyers, but earning Aeroplan points that you can turn into free flights might be even better. With Chexy, you can pay your rent and bills using your American Express or Aeroplan credit card and rack up points fast–getting you closer to your next vacation.
Get started with Chexy today and start earning points on your biggest monthly expenses.
Subscribe to our newsletter below for up-to-date credit card, travel, and rental content.
Disclaimer:
† Terms and Conditions apply.
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