United MileagePlus vs Air Canada Aeroplan — compared in 2026
Two Star Alliance heavyweights for North America awards: dynamic pricing at United, a distance chart at Aeroplan. What that means for buyers and sellers.
| Feature | MileagePlus | Aeroplan |
|---|---|---|
| Official transfer | ja | ja |
| Family pooling | ja | ja |
| Gift points | ja | ja |
| Award for others | ja | ja |
| Processing time | Mostly instant. | Transfers are usually instant. |
| Transfer fees | MileagePlus transfers cost a fee (indicative: around USD 7.50 per 500 miles plus a fixed processing fee). Family pooling is free. | Aeroplan point transfers cost a fee (indicative: about CAD 0.01 per point plus a fixed transaction fee). Family Sharing is free. |
| Minimum transfer | 500 miles | 1,000 points |
| Expiry rules | MileagePlus miles do not expire. | Points expire after 18 months without earning or redeeming activity. |
| Currency | Miles | Points |
| Region | North America | North America |
Our verdict
Aeroplan is more predictable thanks to its stopover rule and fixed chart; United wins on no surcharges and solid partner availability.