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The Air Canada and Emirates partnership has now been enhanced with the introduction of Emirates Premium Economy award redemptions. At the same time, Aeroplan has introduced new eligibility requirements for Emirates First Class awards, bringing its policy in line with Emirates Skywards, which requires Silver status or higher for Skywards members to redeem in the same cabin. What does not change is Aeroplan members’ ability to redeem points across the Emirates network and earn Aeroplan points on eligible Emirates flights.
Here is everything you need to know about the latest changes.
Can Aeroplan members redeem points for Emirates Premium Economy?
Yes. Beginning July 21, 2026, Aeroplan members can redeem Aeroplan points for Emirates Premium Economy, making Emirates the first Aeroplan partner airline to offer reward flights in First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy.
As Emirates continues to retrofit more aircraft with Premium Economy, Aeroplan members will gradually have access to an increasing number of routes offering this cabin.
Emirates First Class redemptions now require Aeroplan 35K status or higher
Consistent with the rules of the Emirates Skywards program, Emirates First Class reward bookings are now only available to Aeroplan members who hold Aeroplan 35K Elite Status or higher at the time of redemption.
Members without Aeroplan 35K, 50K, 75K or Super Elite status are no longer eligible to redeem Aeroplan points for Emirates First Class. This restriction applies only to the ability to make a First Class redemption.
In addition, Emirates continues to maintain its existing age restrictions for First Class reward travel.
- Infants and children under 9 years of age are not permitted to travel in Emirates First Class on Aeroplan redemption tickets.
As a reminder, Emirates redemptions on Aeroplan are part of the Select Partners group which use the same dynamic pricing as Air Canada metal. Emirates currently flies to two Canadian cities (YYZ and YUL), both of which fall within the third distance band (6001-8000 miles). First Class redemption from YYZ-DXB (6899 miles) starts at 120,000 points, and Business Class redemption from YUL-DXB starts at 90,000 points.
Aeroplan Flight Redemption Chart
Reciprocal elite benefits continue for eligible members
The reciprocal loyalty partnership between Aeroplan and Emirates Skywards also provides additional benefits for eligible Elite members. Aeroplan 50K, 75K and Super Elite members receive access to:
- International Maple Leaf Lounges at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) when travelling on Emirates.
- Emirates Business Class Lounges in Dubai (DXB) when travelling on either Air Canada or Emirates in any cabin.
The itinerary must include a flight segment between Canada and Dubai operated by either Air Canada or Emirates, regardless of the direction of travel.
Takeaway
Aeroplan has aligned its Emirates First Class redemption policy with Emirates Skywards (Silver status and above) by limiting First Class award bookings to members holding Aeroplan 35K Elite Status or higher, while continuing to prohibit First Class redemption bookings for children under the age of nine.
