United MileagePlus vs. Air Canada Aeroplan: Which program has the most affordable redemption charges?

If you’re a United Airlines MileagePlus member, it’s been a rough few months.

The program recently made a series of no-notice devaluations to almost all awards, with some prices increasing by more than 100%. While devaluations are an unfortunate reality of loyalty programs, these changes were hard to swallow — especially since United didn’t warn its members to allow them time to book awards at the previous rates.

Fortunately, if you have transferable credit card points and still wish to fly United or its Star Alliance partner airlines, you have several options. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program has long been an underrated Star Alliance favorite here at TPG. While dynamic pricing for Air Canada-operated flights has meant some flights are no longer reasonable, plenty of great deals remain.

So, in a world where award charts are quickly becoming a thing of the past, which is the best program to redeem your points and miles through? We crunched the numbers to popular destinations on both United and partner airlines.

Domestic flights

Fortunately, domestic flights on United were spared from the recent devaluations. That means you can still redeem as few as 15,000 United miles for economy class and 30,000 miles for business class for a transcontinental flight for the lowest-level award space.

Meanwhile, there are still economy-class awards for under 5,000 United miles on short-haul routes like from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Booking the same United flights through Aeroplan will cost you 6,000 miles in economy on short-haul routes under 500 miles, or 12,500 miles in economy and 25,000 miles in business class on transcontinental flights.

Winner: Aeroplan for shorter flights, MileagePlus for longer flights

Related: Sweet Spot Sunday: Use Avianca LifeMiles to save on United domestic short-haul awards

Flights to Europe

United recently increased award rates to Europe. They now start from 40,000 (economy) and 80,000 (business) miles on most award flights operated by United. Premium Plus awards remain unchanged from 45,000 miles one-way — that’s just 5,000 miles more than economy-class awards, and we think it’s worth the extra cost.

You might still find some economy-class award rates under 30,000 miles, though this will only be for super-off-peak travel. For flights operated by partner airlines, pricing starts at 43,900 miles in economy or 97,100 miles in business class, and prices increase according to demand.

Aeroplan uses a distance-based award chart for Europe, with the shortest transatlantic flights, such as from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Dublin Airport (DUB), on United costing 35,000 Aeroplan points in economy or 55,000 points in business class. Longer flights on United, such as from San Francisco to Munich Airport (MUC), will cost you 50,000 points in economy, or 75,000 in business class. You will be charged the same amounts for other partner airlines like Lufthansa and Brussels Airlines.

For flights to Europe operated by Air Canada, Aeroplan prices awards dynamically, starting from 35,000 points in economy and 55,000 points in business class for the shortest transatlantic journeys. Longer journeys price out at 45,000 points in economy and 75,000 in business class, though prices can easily double over peak periods. If you’re traveling over the summer, look for flights operated by partner airlines, as they are likely to be cheaper than Air Canada.

You can book Lufthansa first class at the last minute for 121,000 United miles each way, or 90,000-130,000 Aeroplan points, depending on the flight length.

Winner: Aeroplan

Related: How to book Star Alliance business-class flights to Europe for 45,000 miles each way

Flights to South America

For flights operated by United from the U.S. to Brazil, MileagePlus rates start at 45,000 miles in economy, 55,000 miles in premium economy and 80,000 in business class. Flights operated by partner airlines will now cost 49,500 miles in economy or 87,800 miles in business class.

The same distances using Aeroplan will cost you 40,000 points in economy or 60,000 points in business class, whether flying United or other Star Alliance partner airlines.

Winner: Aeroplan in all classes

Flights to Asia

United will now charge you 55,000 miles each way in economy and 100,000 miles in business class to Asia. For flights operated by partner airlines like All Nippon Airways, the prices are slightly higher at 60,400 miles each way in economy and 110,000 miles in business class.

Aeroplan’s award chart for flights between North America and the “Pacific” (including all of Asia) charges 50,000/75,000 points for economy/business for shorter journeys, like from the West Coast of the United States to Japan, and 60,000/87,500 points for longer journeys, like from U.S. East Coast to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). This is for flights operated by partner airlines, including United, Asiana Airlines and ANA.

For flights operated by Air Canada, the pricing is dynamic, starting from 45,000/75,000 points for shorter journeys in economy/business, to 50,000/85,000 for longer journeys, with prices rising sharply depending on demand.

Winner: Aeroplan in all classes

Related: Feels like first class: Flying ANA The Room business class from LA-Tokyo

Flights to Australia

Saver awards between the U.S. and Australia often started at 40,000 United miles in economy and 80,000 miles in business class. After the recent devaluation, they’ll now cost 55,000 miles in economy and 100,000 miles in business class. Premium economy can be booked for 70,000 miles.

Aeroplan’s award chart places Australia and New Zealand in the same zone as Asia. So the same prices apply, with most itineraries costing 60,000 points in economy class and 87,500 in business. You’ll need 110,000 points for most routings if you can find rare first-class availability.

The very longest, most complex itineraries from the East Coast of North America to the West Coast of Australia may push the distance into the highest bracket of the Aeroplan award chart. Economy class would price at 75,000 points each way while business class would cost 115,000 points.

Winner: MileagePlus for economy and premium economy flights, Aeroplan for business class

Related: United unveils largest-ever expansion in Australia, New Zealand with 6 new and upgraded flights

How to earn United miles

In addition to taking flights with United, there are a number of other ways to earn United MileagePlus miles. Here’s a look at the sign-up bonuses and earning rates on some of our favorite United credit cards:

• United Explorer Card: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open. The card earns 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, dining and direct hotel purchases, and 1 mile per dollar elsewhere.
• United Quest Card: Earn 70,000 bonus miles plus 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The card earns 3 miles per dollar on United purchases; 2 miles per dollar on dining, travel and select streaming services; and 1 mile per dollar elsewhere.
• United Business Card: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. The card earns 2 miles per dollar on United purchases, gas stations, dining (including eligible delivery services), office supply stores, local transit and commuting (including ride-hailing services, taxicabs, train tickets, tolls and mass transit), and 1 mile elsewhere. You’ll also earn 5,000 bonus miles on each card anniversary when you have both the United Business Card and a personal United credit card.
• United Club Infinite Card: Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 1,000 Premier qualifying points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. The card earns 4 miles per dollar spent on purchases with United and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other travel purchases, dining and eligible food delivery services. All other purchases earn 1 mile per dollar spent.

You can also instantly transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points as well as Bilt Rewards points to United at a 1:1 ratio.

Read more: The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers

How to earn Aeroplan points

Beyond crediting paid Star Alliance tickets to Aeroplan, there’s only one card currently available to consumers in the U.S. that allows you to earn Aeroplan points:

• Aeroplan Credit Card: Earn 50,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar on Aeroplan purchases, grocery stores and dining, plus 1 point per dollar on other purchases. You’ll get Aeroplan 25K status when opening your account, keep it for the following calendar year and receive two one-time passes to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf lounges plus 20 eUpgrade credits to upgrade from economy to premium cabins on Air Canada-operated flights. You’ll also enjoy a free first checked bag on Air Canada flights and up to $100 in reimbursement for your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application (once every four years).

Also, you can transfer your points or miles from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio. All of these transfers generally process instantly, so don’t do so until you’re ready to book an award ticket.