Air Canada’s Aeroplan and World of Hyatt have joined forces, giving members new ways to earn, redeem and convert points while opening the door to valuable elite status opportunities.
The partnership was announced last night (July 14) at an invitation-only launch party at the beautiful Park Hyatt Toronto. I attended the event with my wife, where Hyatt and Air Canada executives revealed how the two loyalty programs plan to connect the flight and hotel portions of a traveler’s journey.
Members can now link their Aeroplan and World of Hyatt accounts to unlock benefits across both programs. The collaboration connects Aeroplan’s network of more than 1,300 destinations with World of Hyatt’s portfolio of more than 1,500 hotels and all-inclusive properties.
“Together, Aeroplan and World of Hyatt are creating more value for our members across the entire travel journey—with new ways to earn, redeem and enjoy benefits across both programs,” said Scott O’Leary, vice president of loyalty and product at Air Canada.
Here’s what travelers need to know.
Redeem Aeroplan points for Hyatt free night awards
Aeroplan members can now use their points for World of Hyatt Free Night Awards at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts.
A Category 1-4 Free Night Award costs 25,000 Aeroplan points, while a Category 1-7 award costs 75,000 Aeroplan points.
This could be useful when Hyatt hotel rates are particularly high but standard award rooms remain available. However, travelers should compare the cash rate and the number of World of Hyatt points Hyatt would normally charge before transferring or redeeming Aeroplan points.
In many situations, travelers will still receive better value by using Aeroplan points for flights and World of Hyatt points for Hyatt stays.
Redeem World of Hyatt points for Aeroplan flight rewards
World of Hyatt members can also redeem 50,000 World of Hyatt points for an Aeroplan certificate worth 30,000 points.
The certificate can be applied toward eligible flight rewards on Air Canada and its airline partners.
Again, this provides flexibility, but it may not offer the best value for most members. World of Hyatt points are among the most valuable hotel points because Hyatt’s award pricing is often considerably lower than the points prices charged by other major hotel programs.
Before exchanging 50,000 Hyatt points for 30,000 Aeroplan points, compare how much value those Hyatt points could provide toward hotel stays.
Earn Aeroplan points on Hyatt stays
Aeroplan members staying at participating Hyatt hotels can choose to earn 500 Aeroplan points per eligible stay instead of earning World of Hyatt points.
This option may make sense on a very inexpensive Hyatt stay or for someone who does not regularly use the World of Hyatt program. However, most frequent Hyatt guests will probably be better off earning World of Hyatt points, especially on longer or more expensive stays.
Canadian Aeroplan cardholders can earn in both programs
One of the most interesting parts of the partnership is the ability for eligible Canadian Aeroplan credit cardholders to earn both Aeroplan and World of Hyatt points on qualifying Hyatt purchases.
The earning rates depend on the type of Aeroplan credit card:
Aeroplan Premium Credit Cardholders earn two World of Hyatt Bonus Points and two Aeroplan points per eligible $1 CAD spent at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts.
Aeroplan Premium Business Credit Cardholders earn two World of Hyatt Bonus Points and 2.5 Aeroplan points per eligible $1 CAD spent.
Aeroplan Core Business Cardholders earn one World of Hyatt Bonus Point and two Aeroplan points per eligible $1 CAD spent.
Aeroplan Core Cardholders earn one World of Hyatt Bonus Point and 1.5 Aeroplan points per eligible $1 CAD spent.
Air Canada’s Scott O’Leary described the ability to earn in both programs as an industry first.
“When you use your Aeroplan credit card at any Hyatt hotel and resort, you will earn Aeroplan bonus points and World of Hyatt points,” O’Leary said during the launch event. “Not one or the other. Both.”
These extra benefits currently apply to eligible Aeroplan credit cards issued in Canada.
Members can transfer points between Aeroplan and Hyatt
World of Hyatt members can convert Hyatt points into Aeroplan points at a 2:1 ratio, beginning with a minimum transfer of 5,000 Hyatt points. Additional transfers can be made in increments of 1,000 points.
That means 10,000 World of Hyatt points would become 5,000 Aeroplan points.
Linked Aeroplan Elite Status members can also transfer Aeroplan points into World of Hyatt points at a 2:1 ratio. Transfers begin at 500 Aeroplan points and are limited to 100,000 Aeroplan points per day or 250,000 points per week.
Unfortunately, a 2:1 transfer ratio in either direction is unlikely to represent a good value in most situations. Travelers should generally keep their Aeroplan points for flights and their Hyatt points for hotel stays unless they need a small number of points for a specific redemption.
Fast-track to World of Hyatt elite status
The most valuable part of the partnership may be the new 90-day World of Hyatt status challenge.
Aeroplan Elite Status members and eligible Aeroplan premium credit cardholders who link their accounts can register for an annual challenge and earn:
- World of Hyatt Discoverist status after four qualifying nights
- World of Hyatt Explorist status after 10 qualifying nights
- World of Hyatt Globalist status after 20 qualifying nights
World of Hyatt Globalist status normally requires 60 qualifying nights in a calendar year, so earning it after just 20 nights is a significant opportunity.
Globalist benefits can include complimentary breakfast or club lounge access, room upgrades when available and 4 p.m. late checkout. Breakfast benefits generally apply to up to two adults and two children registered to the room.
Travelers should keep in mind that members earning Globalist through a challenge may not receive all the Milestone Rewards that would normally be earned while completing 60 qualifying nights.
Still, for someone who can complete 20 Hyatt nights within 90 days, this could be one of the easiest available paths to top-tier World of Hyatt status.
Premium Aeroplan cardholders receive additional Hyatt benefits
Eligible Aeroplan premium credit cardholders will also receive complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status after linking their accounts.
Discoverist benefits can include elite check-in, preferred rooms and 2 p.m. late checkout when available.
Premium cardholders will also receive five World of Hyatt Tier-Qualifying Night credits each calendar year and two opportunities per year to participate in the 90-day status challenge.
The ability to earn five qualifying nights automatically, receive Discoverist status and attempt the accelerated challenge twice each year makes this a particularly attractive partnership for eligible Canadian Aeroplan premium credit cardholders.
Hyatt elites receive a $20 Air Canada flight credit
World of Hyatt Discoverist, Explorist and Globalist members who link their accounts will receive an annual $20 CAD Air Canada flight credit.
It is not an especially valuable benefit on its own, but it is essentially free money for members who already fly Air Canada.
Later in 2026, World of Hyatt Explorist and Globalist members are expected to receive opportunities to participate in annual challenges that provide a faster path to Aeroplan Elite Status.
Details about those Aeroplan status challenges have not yet been announced.
My experience at the launch party
The partnership was unveiled during a three-hour, invitation-only event called “Best of Both Worlds” in the Terrace Room at the Park Hyatt Toronto. I just happened to be in town, so the timing couldn’t have been better. It was also great to catch up with friends I hadn’t seen in a while and meet plenty of new faces from the travel industry.
Air Canada brought two of its new lie-flat Signature Class seats from the Airbus A321XLR for guests to try. I only sat in it for a minute, but my first impression was very positive. It offers excellent privacy and looks like a comfortable way to fly long haul. The only potential downside I noticed is that if you’re traveling with your spouse or companion, having a conversation could be a little awkward unless one of you stands up. But who wants to talk on a long overnight flight?
The event also featured destination-inspired cocktails based on Hyatt hotels around the world, wine and chocolate pairings and an aura portrait station tied to Hyatt’s focus on wellness. My wife and I both had our auras read, and the woman running the station was surprisingly accurate about our personalities. My wife actually got goosebumps.
What other travel experts are saying
Travel loyalty experts generally agree that the elite status challenge is the partnership’s standout benefit. They are less enthusiastic about the transfer ratios and some of the redemption options.
Gary Leff of View From the Wing highlighted the opportunity for Aeroplan elites to earn World of Hyatt Globalist status after only 20 nights instead of the usual 60. Leff called the Globalist challenge the most valuable element of the partnership, noting that Globalist provides benefits such as complimentary breakfast, late checkout and room upgrades when available.
Ben Schlappig of One Mile at a Time described the partnership as extensive but concluded that many of the earning, redemption and transfer opportunities do not provide particularly strong value. He identified the Hyatt status challenge and the annual $20 CAD Air Canada credit for Hyatt elites as the most appealing benefits.
The Points Guy called the partnership exciting, particularly for Aeroplan elite members and Canadian Aeroplan cardholders. However, it noted that the current benefits favor Aeroplan members more heavily than World of Hyatt members. That may change later in 2026 when Hyatt Explorist and Globalist members receive access to Aeroplan Elite Status challenges.
Bottom line
The new Air Canada Aeroplan and World of Hyatt partnership offers travelers more ways to connect their airline and hotel rewards, but not every option provides equal value.
The 2:1 point transfer ratios are unlikely to make sense for most travelers, and redeeming 50,000 Hyatt points for a 30,000-point Aeroplan certificate could mean giving up significant value.
The real winners are Aeroplan Elite Status members and eligible premium Aeroplan credit cardholders who can fast-track their way to World of Hyatt elite status.
Earning World of Hyatt Globalist after 20 nights instead of 60 could provide substantial value, especially for families who can take advantage of complimentary breakfast, potential room upgrades and 4 p.m. late checkout.
As always, travelers should compare the cash price, award price and value of their points before transferring or redeeming them through a partner program. But for travelers active in both Aeroplan and World of Hyatt, this new partnership creates several interesting opportunities from the runway to the room key.
