New to travelling the world on points? You’re not alone. Most people don’t realize that leveraging travel rewards to their full potential can truly transform the way you travel—but only if you avoid the costly mistakes that trip up beginners.
After helping thousands of Canadians optimize their points strategies, I’ve identified the most common errors that prevent new travelers from unlocking the full value of their rewards. These mistakes can cost you thousands of dollars in lost value every year. Here’s how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Treating All Points as Equal
The error: Assuming one point equals one cent, or that all points programs offer similar value.
The reality: Point values vary dramatically across programs and redemption methods.
Aeroplan points are currently valued at 1.4 cents per point, while American Express Membership Rewards points hold a value of 2.1 cents per point. That means 50,000 Membership Rewards points are worth $1,050 in travel value, while 50,000 Aeroplan points are worth $700.
Real-world impact: A new traveler might choose a credit card offering 60,000 Aeroplan points over one offering 50,000 Membership Rewards points, thinking they’re getting more value. In reality, the Membership Rewards offer is worth $350 more.
How to avoid it: Check our Quarterly Valuations to understand what different points currencies are actually worth. Make decisions based on real value, not point quantities.
Mistake #2: Redeeming Points for Merchandise or Gift Cards
The error: Using points for Amazon purchases, electronics, or gift cards because it seems convenient.
The reality: This is the fastest way to destroy your points value.
When you redeem Aeroplan points for merchandise, you typically receive 0.5-0.7 cents per point in value. That’s less than half the 1.4-cent value you’d get from flight redemptions. Redeem 100,000 points for a $500 gift card, and you’ve just thrown away $900 in potential travel value.
Real-world scenario: Sarah accumulated 75,000 Aeroplan points and redeemed them for a $400 Best Buy gift card. If she’d used those points for a flight to Europe instead, she could have booked a $1,050 ticket—a difference of $650.
How to avoid it: Reserve your points exclusively for travel redemptions. If you need cash or merchandise, use a cash back card for those purchases instead.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Transfer Partners
The error: Redeeming points directly through your credit card’s travel portal without exploring transfer options.
The reality: American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to multiple airline and hotel partners, often unlocking significantly better value.
Booking a business class flight to Asia through the Amex travel portal might cost 200,000 points. Transfer those same points to Aeroplan, and you could book the identical flight for 75,000-100,000 points—saving 100,000+ points for future travel.
Real-world example: Michael wanted to fly business class to Tokyo. The Amex travel portal showed flights for 180,000 points. By transferring his Membership Rewards points to Aeroplan, he found the same flight for 90,000 points, effectively doubling his points value.
How to avoid it: Before booking through any travel portal, research transfer partner options. The 10 Best Ways to Fly Business Class to Australia on Points demonstrates how transfer partners unlock premium redemptions at a fraction of the cost.
Mistake #4: Letting Points Expire
The error: Accumulating points without tracking expiration policies or account activity requirements.
The reality: Aeroplan points don’t expire as long as you have account activity every 18 months. However, many other programs have stricter rules. Let your points expire, and you’ve lost 100% of their value instantly.
The numbers: If 50,000 Aeroplan points expire (worth $700), you’ve essentially thrown away the equivalent of earning 4% cash back on $17,500 in spending.
How to avoid it: Set calendar reminders for programs with expiration policies. Make a small purchase, transfer points, or book a cheap redemption to keep accounts active. Even a $25 transaction can preserve thousands of dollars in points value.
Mistake #5: Booking Flights with Cash While Sitting on Points
The error: Paying cash for flights because points redemptions seem complicated or confusing.
The reality: This defeats the entire purpose of accumulating points in the first place.
Real-world scenario: Jennifer had 100,000 Aeroplan points but felt overwhelmed by the redemption process. She booked a $1,200 flight to London with her credit card instead. That flight would have cost just 60,000 Aeroplan points—meaning she paid $1,200 in cash while sitting on $1,680 worth of points.
How to avoid it: Check out our guides on How Do Air Canada Flight Passes Work and similar resources to demystify the redemption process. The learning curve is minimal, and the savings are substantial.
Mistake #6: Focusing Only on Sign-Up Bonuses
The error: Chasing welcome bonuses without considering ongoing earning rates.
The reality: While sign-up bonuses provide excellent value, your long-term earning strategy matters more.
The American Express Cobalt Card offers 5 points per dollar on eligible dining and groceries—categories where most Canadians spend $15,000-$25,000 annually. Over five years, that’s 375,000-625,000 points from regular spending alone, worth $7,875-$13,125 in travel value.
The calculation: A card with a 50,000-point welcome bonus but 1 point per dollar earning rate will generate far less value over time than a card with a 30,000-point bonus but 5x earning on your top spending categories.
How to avoid it: Choose cards based on where you spend most, not just the biggest sign-up offer. Match your spending patterns to earning rates for maximum long-term value.
Mistake #7: Not Understanding Award Charts and Sweet Spots
The error: Assuming all destinations cost the same number of points or booking without researching optimal redemption values.
The reality: Award charts have sweet spots where you get exceptional value, and pricing varies dramatically by route and program.
Aeroplan charges 60,000 points for business class to Europe during off-peak periods, but 70,000 points during peak season. That 10,000-point difference represents $140 in value. Some routes to Asia cost 75,000 points in business class, while others cost 120,000 points for similar distances.
Real-world impact: David redeemed 100,000 points for a business class flight to London worth $4,000. His friend Emma used 75,000 points for a business class flight to Tokyo worth $6,500. Emma got 63% more value by understanding award chart sweet spots.
How to avoid it: Research award charts before accumulating points. Target programs and routes that offer the best value for your travel goals.
Mistake #8: Paying Unnecessary Fees and Surcharges
The error: Accepting high carrier-imposed surcharges without exploring alternatives.
The reality: Some airlines add hundreds of dollars in fees to award tickets. Flying Air Canada from Toronto to London might cost 60,000 points plus $600 in taxes and fees. Flying a partner airline on the same route could cost 60,000 points plus only $150 in fees.
The math: That $450 difference effectively reduces your points value from 1.4 cents to 0.9 cents per point—a 36% loss in value.
How to avoid it: When booking with Aeroplan, compare partner airlines for the same route. Airlines like Turkish Airlines, LOT Polish, and TAP Air Portugal often have significantly lower surcharges than Air Canada or Lufthansa.
Mistake #9: Ignoring Promotional Opportunities
The error: Earning and redeeming points at standard rates while missing limited-time bonuses.
The reality: Promotional offers can increase your earning or redemption value by 20-100%.
Aeroplan regularly runs promotions like the recent Points Back Offer: 20% Points Back on Hotel Redemptions. Book a hotel for 50,000 points, get 10,000 back—effectively reducing your cost by 20%.
American Express frequently offers Double Refer-a-Friend Bonuses, allowing you to earn 30,000 points per referral instead of the standard 15,000. Refer three friends during a promotion, and you’ve earned an extra 45,000 points worth $945.
How to avoid it: Subscribe to our Sunday newsletter to get weekly updates delivered straight to your inbox. Staying informed about promotions can add thousands of dollars in value annually.
Mistake #10: Not Diversifying Your Points Portfolio
The error: Putting all your points in a single program.
The reality: Program devaluations happen. Award charts change. Having points in multiple programs provides flexibility and protection.
Strategic approach: Maintain balances across 2-3 major programs. Keep Aeroplan points for North American and European travel, American Express Membership Rewards for flexibility and transfers, and perhaps hotel points for accommodation.
Real-world benefit: When Aeroplan doesn’t have award availability for your desired dates, you can transfer Membership Rewards points to another airline partner that does. Flexibility prevents you from being stuck or forced into poor-value redemptions.
Mistake #11: Overlooking Non-Flight Redemptions
The error: Thinking points are only valuable for flights.
The reality: Hotel redemptions, car rentals, and experiences can offer excellent value when booked strategically.
Aeroplan allows hotel bookings where you can get 1.0-1.4 cents per point in value—matching or approaching flight redemption values. During promotional periods with points back offers, hotel redemptions can actually exceed flight values.
How to avoid it: Evaluate all redemption options for your trip. Sometimes booking flights with points and hotels with cash makes sense. Other times, the reverse provides better overall value.
Mistake #12: Not Tracking Your Points Strategy
The error: Accumulating points randomly without a clear goal or tracking system.
The reality: Without a strategy, you’ll likely accumulate insufficient points for meaningful redemptions or miss opportunities to optimize earning.
The solution: Set specific travel goals. Want to fly business class to Europe next summer? You need 60,000-70,000 Aeroplan points per person. Working backward, you can calculate exactly which cards to use and how much spending is required to reach your goal.
Strategic planning: Create a simple spreadsheet tracking your points balances, expiration dates, and redemption goals. Review it quarterly to ensure you’re on track.
The Path Forward: From Mistakes to Mastery
These mistakes aren’t just theoretical—they represent real value lost by thousands of Canadian travelers every year. The difference between making these errors and avoiding them can easily exceed $2,000-$5,000 annually in lost travel value.
The good news? Every mistake is avoidable with the right knowledge.
Check out our Newbie’s Guide to equip you with all the basic knowledge you need for racking up the points and travelling the world. Understanding these common pitfalls is your first step toward leveraging travel rewards to their full potential.
Remember: points programs reward those who invest time in learning the system. The complexity that intimidates beginners is the same complexity that creates opportunities for exceptional value. Master these fundamentals, avoid these mistakes, and you’ll join the ranks of travelers who fly business class internationally, stay in luxury hotels, and experience the world—all while spending less than those who pay cash for economy.
Your home for smarter travel starts with avoiding these costly errors. The knowledge is here. The opportunities are waiting. The only question is: are you ready to transform the way you travel?
