Aeroplan transfer bonus now 35%, Marriott travel package eligible for bonus again?

The initial public offer of the latest Aeroplan transfer bonus promotion was a 25% bonus. However, Aeroplan has reached out to certain members with a targeted offer of 35% bonus miles. The promotion runs until April 16th, 2018 and members can transfer as many times as needed. Based on the total points converted, the bonus is a flat 35%.

Targeted 35% Aeroplan transfer bonus

In the past, the best way to leverage the transfer bonus promotion was through the Marriott Hotel+Air package.

You could convert 90K SPG to 270K Marriott points (1:3), just enough to purchase 7 Nights + 120K miles (Aeroplan in this case) package. The 120K Aeroplan would earn a 35% bonus and yield 162K Aeroplan miles in total. Essentially, converting 90K SPG would fetch you 162K Aeroplan miles and 7-nights Marriott certificate for Category 1-5.

However, last iteration of the Aeroplan transfer bonus excluded the above trick by adding the following to their Nov, 2017 offering;

This offer is not applicable to Hotel+Air package redemptions offered by Marriott Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest.

But in the latest 2018 promotion, Aeroplan has softened that language and the related March 2018 t&c now reads;

Please note that some hotel loyalty programs have hotel and flight redemption packages where Aeroplan Miles are issued. It is at the discretion of each Hotel Program if these miles are deemed a conversion of points to miles or simply a bonus earned for the redemption.

Does this mean the conversion from Marriott Hotel+Air package will now qualify for the bonus, as long as as Marriott codes the transfer as before? Not only is that condition softer, its vague – How can a hotel program control what Aeroplan does with a transferred points?

I contacted Marriott to seek clarification and they confirmed that nothing had changed at their end and they will continue to code the transfer of ‘air package’ as before. Interesting. Anyone brave enough to test it? 😉

Aeroplan Bonus Conversion March 2018 – Terms and Conditions:

Bonus offer valid only on conversions received from eligible hotel partner loyalty programs points into Aeroplan Miles made between March 12 and April 16, 2018 (11:59 EDT). Bonus Aeroplan Miles will be issued by Aeroplan as follows: once the total Aeroplan Miles are earned by exchanging points from any combination of eligible partner programs during the promotion, the bonus miles deposited will represent 35% of the total miles earned from the exchange, BONUS MILE CREDITING: Bonus Aeroplan Miles may take up to 4-6 weeks to be credited after the promotional offer end date of April 16, 2018.

This exclusive 35% bonus offer is NON-TRANSFERABLE and is only intended for the recipient of this e‑mail.

**The total amount of miles received from the conversion of hotel loyalty program points into Aeroplan miles must be greater than or equal to 5,000 Aeroplan Miles in order to be eligible to receive the 35% bonus.

While the conversion of Membership Rewards^® points from American Express Card members accounts into Aeroplan Miles is still possible, it is not eligible for this bonus miles promotion.

Although eligible CIBC Aventura cardholders as of October 1, 2013, can convert their Aventura points into Aeroplan Miles, these conversions are not eligible for this bonus miles promotion.

Bonus Aeroplan Miles received from the exchange of hotel loyalty program points into Aeroplan Miles are not eligible for status in the Aeroplan program.

Please note that some hotel loyalty programs have hotel and flight redemption packages where Aeroplan Miles are issued. It is at the discretion of each Hotel Program if these miles are deemed a conversion of points to miles or simply a bonus earned for the redemption.

SPG Promo Stack

Regardless of your SPG points balance, this stack opportunity can be pretty sweet.  For Aeroplan aficionado’s, the above transfer bonus can be stacked further with the current SPG promotion – to buy Starpoints on 35% discount. Until March 16, 2018, SPG points are available at 35% discount,  on all purchases of 5,000 or more Starpoints. 30K SPG points are available for $682.50 USD.

SPG adds a 5,000 bonus on every 20K transferred. So top up your accounts to maximize on this great promotion stack opportunity.

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