Air Canada Aeroplan and World of Hyatt Partnership: How It Works in Canada

Aeroplan and World of Hyatt now let Canadian travellers earn, move, and redeem points across flights and hotel stays. The partnership launched on July 15, 2026, and members can link their accounts to access hotel rewards through Aeroplan, Air Canada flight rewards through World of Hyatt, status challenges, and extra earning for eligible Canadian Aeroplan credit cardholders. See the Hyatt announcement and Air Canada's live partnership page for the current program details.

The partnership in one glance

What the partnership is

Aeroplan is Air Canada's loyalty program. World of Hyatt is Hyatt's hotel rewards program. The new relationship connects the two programs across earning, point transfers, hotel and flight redemptions, and elite status.

You still hold separate Aeroplan and World of Hyatt accounts. Linking them creates more ways to use both balances. Most benefits require linked accounts, your first and last names must match on both profiles, and only one Aeroplan account can connect to a World of Hyatt account.

How to link the accounts

• Join Aeroplan and World of Hyatt if you do not already have both accounts.
• Open Hyatt's Aeroplan relationship page and follow the link-account prompt.
• Confirm that your name matches on both profiles and that both accounts remain in good standing.
• If you hold a Canadian Aeroplan credit card, confirm that the card is also linked to your Aeroplan account before making Hyatt purchases.

How to earn points at Hyatt

All Aeroplan members can choose to earn 500 Aeroplan points per eligible stay at a participating Hyatt hotel instead of World of Hyatt points. You must select Aeroplan points at or before checkout and provide your Aeroplan number. The 500-point option replaces the usual World of Hyatt earning for that stay.

Eligible Canadian Aeroplan credit cardholders have a separate dual-earning structure when they link their accounts and make eligible purchases directly with participating Hyatt properties.

A C$500 eligible Hyatt purchase on a linked Premium Business Aeroplan card earns 1,000 World of Hyatt Bonus Points and 1,250 Aeroplan points through the partnership rate. The World of Hyatt points earned through Aeroplan card spending are bonus points and do not count toward World of Hyatt tier status.

Link the card before the purchase. Air Canada says the card benefits activate within 72 hours after successful linking, while Aeroplan points may take longer to post. Eligible spend must be made directly with participating Hyatt properties. Restaurants and shops that operate independently inside a hotel, Homes & Hideaways, Mr & Mrs Smith properties, and other listed exclusions do not qualify for the card earning benefits.

How point transfers work

• World of Hyatt to Aeroplan: convert at 2:1, with a minimum of 5,000 World of Hyatt points and 1,000-point increments after the first transfer. Hyatt's terms say this direction does not require account linking.
• Aeroplan to World of Hyatt: linked Aeroplan Elite members can convert at 2:1, with a minimum of 500 Aeroplan points, up to 100,000 points per day and 250,000 points per week.

The transfer ratio works in both directions only for Aeroplan Elite members. Other members can move World of Hyatt points to Aeroplan but cannot send Aeroplan points back to Hyatt through this relationship.

How to redeem points for flights and hotel nights

Linked Aeroplan members can redeem Aeroplan points for World of Hyatt Free Night Awards at participating properties. Hyatt's launch release confirms Category 1-4 and Category 1-7 awards, starting at 25,000 Aeroplan points. The launch breakdown from Rewards Canada lists the following prices:

World of Hyatt members can also redeem points for an Aeroplan Flight Reward Certificate. Air Canada's current FAQ lists 50,000 World of Hyatt points for a certificate worth 30,000 Aeroplan points. The certificate covers the base fare in Aeroplan points for one passenger. Taxes, partner fees, and other charges remain separate.

How the status challenges work

Aeroplan Elite members and eligible Canadian Aeroplan Premium cardholders can register for a 90-day World of Hyatt status challenge. The challenge offers temporary Explorist status during the trial period and uses qualifying nights to determine the final tier.

• Stay 4 qualifying nights to earn Discoverist.
• Stay 10 qualifying nights to earn Explorist.
• Stay 20 qualifying nights to earn Globalist.

Aeroplan Elite members receive one challenge attempt per calendar year. Premium Aeroplan cardholders receive two attempts. Eligible members must register by December 31, 2026. The current Hyatt challenge page lists Aeroplan 25K, 35K, 50K, 75K, and Super Elite members, plus eligible Premium cardholders, as qualifying groups.

Linked Canadian Aeroplan Premium primary cardholders also receive complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status and five World of Hyatt tier-qualifying night credits each calendar year. These card benefits apply while the eligible account remains open and in good standing.

World of Hyatt Discoverist, Explorist, and Globalist members receive a $20 CAD Air Canada flight credit after linking their accounts and once per calendar year while they maintain both elite status and the account link. Explorist and Globalist members are expected to receive an Aeroplan status challenge later in fall 2026.

Who benefits most

• Aeroplan Elite members: the strongest status path, two-way point conversion, and a 90-day Hyatt challenge.
• Canadian Aeroplan Premium cardholders: immediate Discoverist status, five annual Hyatt qualifying nights, two challenge attempts, and dual earning at Hyatt properties.
• World of Hyatt elites: an annual $20 Air Canada credit and a future path to Aeroplan status.
• Occasional travellers: a free account link, 500 Aeroplan points per eligible stay, and new redemption choices without opening a credit card.

If you are considering a new Aeroplan card, compare the annual fee, insurance, welcome offer, and everyday earning before applying. The Hyatt rate belongs in the comparison, not above it. Canooq's Canadian credit card comparison can help you review current options.

What people are saying online

The first reaction from Canadian points users has been strongly positive. In r/churningcanada, users focused on the Hyatt earning rates and the new status fast track. In r/Aeroplan, users praised the five annual Hyatt tier-qualifying nights and the breadth of the airline and hotel connection.

The main criticism concerns the 2:1 transfer ratio. Users see the status benefits and five-night credit as the strongest features, while treating point transfers as a top-up tool rather than an automatic place to move a large balance.

Reddit users also asked whether the deal ends Air Canada's Marriott relationship and whether U.S.-issued cards qualify. Nothing in the official announcement says the partnership replaces Marriott. The current program page specifically describes the extra card benefits as available to eligible Canadian Aeroplan cards.

How to use the partnership well

• Link the accounts before your next Hyatt stay.
• If you hold a qualifying Aeroplan card, confirm both the card link and the account link before spending.
• Register for the Hyatt challenge if you can complete the required nights inside the 90-day period.
• Choose Aeroplan's 500-point stay option only when it fits your redemption plan, because it replaces the standard World of Hyatt earning for that stay.
• Transfer points when you have a specific hotel night, flight, or certificate in mind.

Bottom line

This is one of the most substantial airline and hotel loyalty partnerships currently available to Canadians. Aeroplan Elite members and Canadian Premium Aeroplan cardholders get the biggest upgrade through status challenges, annual Hyatt night credits, and dual earning. World of Hyatt elites receive an annual Air Canada credit and a future path to Aeroplan status. Everyone else gets a simple new way to earn Aeroplan points at Hyatt and use each program's balance across more of a trip.