Aeroplan HotelSavers: Using Aeroplan Points to Stay at Hotels for Less
The Aeroplan HotelSavers program is a new hotel-focused extension of Aeroplan. They’ve partnered with 11 hotel chains representing 39 hotel brands with the goal of offering exclusive rates and opportunities for members. I’ve had the chance to use Aeroplan HotelSavers, and I’m breaking down how (and why) it works.
Aeroplan has officially launched HotelSavers, a program that aims to accomplish a few things. For one, this is Aeroplan’s major foray into the hotel booking side of things, as previously travellers largely only thought about using Aeroplan points to book flights.
More than that, it’s also Aeroplan’s move to use their network for our advantage. One main tenant of the HotelSavers program is that members can book stays for preferential rates at a range of acclaimed hotels around the globe. They note that you can “save up to 30% when you book stays at our select partner hotels.”
Scott O’ Leary, Vice President of Loyalty & Product at Air Canada, summed up their aims rather succinctly recently when noting that, “no one has focused on delivering Canadians a great hotel rewards program – that changes today. With HotelSavers, we're now offering Aeroplan members great options to book hotels using their points – without compromising the excellent value they've come to expect.”
What’s Aeroplan HotelSavers All About?
Bri and I recently had the chance to use the Aeroplan HotelSavers program to take a trip to Mexico, and stay at the SLS Cancun. I’ll have a full article out covering the hotel shortly, since I know readers tend to appreciate hotel reviews, but for now you can get an overview with this TikTok video.
@travelingmitch #ad Let’s take a tour of the #SLScancun, a property we have fallen in love with thanks to using @aeroplan’s #HotelSavers new platform. This property is stunning! It’s a boutique property with only 40 rooms, well-designed suites, a gorgeous beach bar and two infinity pools. Head to our link in bio to learn more! #AeroplanPartner @Air Canada #pointsandmiles #points #hoteltour #traveltiktok #traveltips ♬ I Wanna Know You - BLVKSHP
By the way, if at any point you want to check out the HotelSavers program in more depth, head here.
Hotel Partnerships
For HotelSavers, Aeroplan has partnered with 11 leading hotel chains which span a total of 39 hotel brands. The idea is that there’s a little something for everyone because you can use your points to stay at some of the world’s most unique and luxurious properties, but you can also use your points to stay at an economy property.
Currently, there’s a roster of about 7000 HotelSavers properties, and I’ve been assured that number is growing by the day as they continue to build out this program.
One thing that I appreciate personally is that you can use your points to stay with some hotel brands that don’t have a points program (Germain Hotels, for example) meaning HotelSavers is the only way you’re going to stay there for free.
Here’s an overview of all the hotel brands on board as of the time of publication.
Being an Economical Choice for Travellers
The value that HotelSavers brings to the table comes largely through the exclusively negotiated deals that Aeroplan has put into play for members. On average, travellers spend about three times as much on hotels as they do on flights, so HotelSavers is aiming to provide some options, and at a good rate.
When you’re booking your stay through the platform, you’re looking for the red HotelSavers tag. HotelSavers properties are split into 8 hotel categories. We can think of HotelSavers category 1 as representing economy, and then HotelSavers category 8 representing luxury.
Here’s a chart to help paint this picture, but the takeaway is that there’s a stay for every budget.
The program is focused on “predictable pricing,” meaning members can see how much in points any property in any category will cost per night, with taxes always included.
Ease of Use
For starters, I like that when I log-in there’s a red tag to denote HoteSavers properties. They designed this member exclusive platform with that at the forefront, so it’s easy to spot HotelSavers properties.
They’ve also publicly said that with Aeroplan HotelSavers, there are never any restrictions on room availability (so you’re not going to get snubbed simply because it’s a busy travel time).
You’ve also got some flexibility. You can book your reservation to be fully cancellable/refundable if that’s something at the top of your travel booking list. Moreover, you’ve got some flexibility in payment. You can pay in paints, pay with points and cash, or pay in cash and earn.
Here’s an example:
Better Stays for Fewer Points
I’ve been an Aeroplan member for long enough that I understand why I program like this is, in a word, a game-changer. Like many members, I’ve long associated my Aeroplan points strictly with flights, but now I’ve got some serious flexibility in how I can use these points to accomplish my travel goals.
I’ve spent more time than you want to know looking at credit cards that aid my travels, and points programs that ensure I can travel how and when I want, and I’m grateful that I’ve now got the flexibility that I’ve long desired with Aeroplan.
It’s already paid dividends, and I’m optimistic that the rewards that I reap from the HotelSavers program will continue to be a major factor in the way I traverse this magical globe of ours.
I want to humbly thank Air Canada (and HotelSavers) for hosting me as media. All opinions are completely my own.
If you appreciated this article, you’ll love our newsletter, as well as our Facebook group!