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Aeroplan has announced the addition of Bearskin Airlines as a redemption partner. While this news is not exactly earth-shattering, it does add another string to the bow of the Aeroplan frequent flyer program, making it even stronger. But if you're wondering what Bearskin Airlines is, where it flies, and what awards through Aeroplan cost, you've come to the right place.
Let's go over everything there is to know about Bearskin Airlines.
What Is Bearskin Airlines and Where Does It Fly?
In a nutshell, Bearskin Airlines is a very niche Canadian regional carrier that serves destinations in the province of Ontario, except for one route to Winnipeg in the province of Manitoba. A quick glance at the route map below shows how small the airline's footprint is.
In terms of aircraft, the airline again has a very limited inventory and operates only Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner A227-AC aircraft, each capable of carrying 19 passengers.
The airline’s main hub is Thunder Bay, and it focuses on the city of Sudbury. While it has an additional hub in the city of Sioux Lookout. The airline also does its part for the community by operating flights for Hope Air, a charity that provides free non-medical flights to people in financial distress in remote communities.
You Can Now Redeeem Aeroplan Points for Bearskin Airlines Flights
When redeeming Aeroplan points for Bearskin Airlines awards, Aeroplan is less than generous. But there's still better-than-average value on the table. A quick look at the Air Canada Aeroplan award chart (PDF link) shows that you would expect awards to be priced in the 6,000-to-15,000-point range.
Interestingly, in almost every case, awards are priced in at the higher end of 15,000 points plus. For example, an award from Red Lake to Winnipeg will set you back 15,000 points plus 39 CAD in taxes and fees.
While an award from Sault Ste. Marie to Sudbury will set you back 15,000 points plus 84 CAD in taxes and fees.
Finally, an award from Sioux Lookout to Deer Lake will set you back 15,000 points plus 39 CAD in taxes and fees.
While the price may seem a little high, the real value appears when you compare it to the cash price of some of these fares. For instance, the cash price for an award from Red Lake to Winnipeg on the same day as the award booking above is ~648 CAD (~$461.03).
Crunching the numbers, that is a value of 2.89 CAD cents per point. Which, when you consider that on average, AwardWallet members have been able to leverage their Aeroplan points for 1.86¢ per point. Using your Aeroplan points for Bearskin Airlines flights is about as good as it gets in terms of value. What's more, you'll get to fly on an aircraft that very few airlines fly nowadays, so there might be added value in the nostalgia element, too.
Need More Aeroplan Points?
If you’re short the Aeroplan points you need to book an award on Bearkin Airlines or any of Aeroplan’s several dozen redemption partners, you’re in luck. There are plenty of ways to top off your account.
Beyond buying points, crediting Star Alliance or partner flights, or earning a welcome bonus on the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), the program also partners with several transferable points currencies.
Aeroplan transfer partners include:
Our Take
The bottom line is that this partnership is very limited in usefulness, and many readers may never have heard of Bearskin Airlines. However, if you are regularly travelling around the area or just visiting, this new Aeroplan partnership can save you a ton of cash on a few flights.
- Earn up to 115,000 bonus points
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 40,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 in the first 12 months.
- $195 Annual Fee
- Enjoy automatic 25K Aeroplan Status with benefits such as Priority Check-In, Priority Boarding (Zone 2), Additional Baggage Allowance, Star Alliance Recognition and eUpgrade Credits.
- Earn up to 5X total points for each dollar spent on Air Canada. Earn 3X points on travel purchases.
- Earn 2X points for each dollar spent at grocery stores, on dining at restaurants, and at gas stations. Earn 1X point for each dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Up to $100 in Air Canada statement credits (delivered as up to two $50 credits semi-annually).
- Save 15% on eligible Air Canada flight redemptions as a cardmember.
- Member FDIC
- Up to 5x points directly with Air Canada*
- 3x points on travel purchases
- 2x points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- 2x points at grocery stores
- 2x points at gas stations
- 1x point on all other purchases
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
