The Complete Guide to Aeroplan Stopovers: Add a Second Destination for Just 5,000 Points

An Aeroplan stopover lets you add a second destination to most international award bookings for just 5,000 extra Aeroplan points. You stay more than 24 hours in a connecting city before continuing to your final destination on the same ticket—turning what could be a single flight into a multi-country journey.

I discovered the power of this strategy by accident. In 2015, I flew through Iceland to France without realizing Icelandair had a stopover program. That missed opportunity cost me days exploring Reykjavik. Now, I pay close attention to routing rules, and the Aeroplan stopover has become one of my most-used strategies for premium travel.

Here’s why: I used this exact strategy to take my grandmother to both Switzerland and Singapore on the same Aeroplan business class booking. We flew Toronto → Zurich → Singapore for 92,500 Aeroplan points plus $232 CAD per person in taxes. Those two business class segments alone would have cost around $19,000 CAD / $13,600 USD in cash. Instead, we got five days in Switzerland to explore the mountains, cruise Lake Lucerne, visit Mount Pilatus, and relax at Hürlimannbad Spa—all before continuing to Singapore on the same award.

That’s the real value of stopovers. They’re not just about efficiency; they’re about making long-haul travel more comfortable and richer.

What Is an Aeroplan Stopover? (Definition)

An Aeroplan stopover is a stay of more than 24 hours in a connecting city on your way to your final destination, booked as part of a single one-way award ticket.

Key distinction: A stopover is intentional. You’re planning to spend time there—exploring, resting, experiencing the destination. A layover is just a connection under 24 hours that you pass through.

For international bookings, Aeroplan allows you to add one stopover for 5,000 additional points. On a round-trip (two one-way journeys), you can add up to two stopovers—one in each direction—for 10,000 points total.

Why the Aeroplan Stopover Is Underrated

Most people book points like they book cash flights: pick a destination, find the fastest route, get there as quickly as possible.

But points programs reward flexibility. And the Aeroplan stopover is one of the clearest examples of that reward system working in your favor.

Three reasons to use stopovers:

1. You barely pay extra for a second destination Stopovers cost just 5,000 points. If you’re already flying halfway across the world to Singapore, Australia, or India, why not stop in another country on the way? It’s one of the best points-per-experience ratios in travel rewards.

2. Long-haul travel becomes more manageable Fifteen to twenty hours of travel time with multiple connections can be brutal, especially if you have chronic pain or migraines. A stopover lets you break up the journey. Sleep in a real bed. Adjust to the time zone. Explore somewhere new. Then continue rested.

3. You see more of the world on one trip Instead of one destination, you get two—or more. You’re not just passing through; you’re actually visiting.

How Aeroplan Stopover Rules Work

For a complete breakdown of technical requirements and edge cases, see [Aeroplan Stopover Rules & Requirements 2026]. Here are the essentials:

Before booking, understand these core rules:

Cost: 5,000 Aeroplan points per stopover per person
Duration: Minimum 24 hours; maximum 45 days
Location: Anywhere except Canada or the United States (stopovers in Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, and all other zones are allowed)
Booking: Online via Aeroplan.com or by phone ($30 fee if you call)
Frequency: One stopover on a one-way booking; two stopovers on a round-trip (one in each direction)

Stopover vs. Layover vs. Open Jaw

These three routing options often get confused. Here’s the difference:

Type	Duration	Cost	Purpose
Layover	Under 24 hours	No extra charge	Connection between flights
Stopover	24 hours–45 days	+5,000 points	Intentional destination stay
Open Jaw	Varies	No extra charge*	Fly into one city, return from another (e.g., Paris in → Rome out)

*Open jaw bookings can pair with stopovers to create complex multi-city trips.

Where Can You Stop? Best Stopover Cities

The best stopover cities have three things in common:

1. They’re major Star Alliance or partner hubs (ensuring good onward connections)
2. They appear naturally in Aeroplan search results (meaning routing exists)
3. They’re genuinely worth visiting (so the stopover feels valuable)

Top Stopover Destinations & Why

Zurich, Switzerland

• Swiss Airlines hub with excellent onward connections to Asia and Europe
• Best for: Mountains, train travel, relaxing slower travel, luxury experiences
• Why it works: Natural routing point for Asia-bound flights; five days barely scratches the surface

For more Switzerland-specific travel planning, check out [Ascension Day in Switzerland] and [What to Eat in Switzerland].

Frankfurt, Germany

• Lufthansa hub with enormous routing flexibility across Europe and Asia
• Best for: Practical connections, short European stopovers, onward partner availability
• Why it works: One of the most flexible hubs; easy to add 3–5 days without complicating your booking

Tokyo, Japan

• ANA hub; one of the best stopovers if you’re continuing to Southeast Asia or Australia
• Best for: Food, culture, city exploration, breaking up ultra long-haul trips
• Why it works: Incredible experiences in a concentrated area; great for jet lag recovery

Istanbul, Turkey

• Turkish Airlines hub positioned between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East
• Best for: Maximizing routing flexibility, affordable luxury, adding another continent
• Why it works: Opens up unusual routing to Central Asia, Africa, or beyond

Lisbon, Portugal

• One of the more underrated Aeroplan stopover cities
• Best for: Southern Europe trips, Portugal itineraries, combining Europe with Brazil or Africa routings
• Why it works: Gateway to Atlantic routes with strong partner availability

Singapore

• Singapore Airlines hub; excellent for Pacific-bound travel
• Best for: Culinary exploration, compact city experiences, gateway to Southeast Asia
• Why it works: Short flight connections to everywhere; easy to navigate on stopover days

Real-World Stopover Examples

Example 1: Toronto → Zurich → Singapore (One-way with stopover)

The itinerary:

• Depart Toronto on Lufthansa to Frankfurt, connect to Zurich
• 5-day stopover in Switzerland
• Continue Zurich to Singapore on Swiss Airlines in business class

Cost: 92,500 Aeroplan points + $232 CAD per person in taxes/fees
Value: Two business class flights ($19,000+ CAD value) + 5 days exploring mountains, lakes, and Swiss cities

What we did in Zurich:

• Wandered Zurich’s old town and lakefront
• Day trip to Mount Pilatus and Lake Lucerne
• Relaxed at Hürlimannbad (public thermal spa)
• Ate incredible Swiss food
• Took the train through Alpine valleys

The takeaway: The stopover completely changed the trip. Instead of arriving exhausted in Singapore after long-haul travel, we slowed down, rested, and created a separate memory. Switzerland alone could have been its own trip, but we got it as a bonus.

Example 2: Vancouver → Tokyo → Bangkok (One-way with stopover)

The itinerary:

• Depart Vancouver on ANA to Tokyo
• 4-day stopover in Tokyo
• Continue Tokyo to Bangkok on Thai Airways

Cost: ~70,000 Aeroplan points + taxes
Value: Two premium cabin flights ($8,000+ USD value) + 4 days in one of the world’s best food cities

Why this works: Tokyo is a natural hub for Asia-bound travel. A 4-day stopover gives you enough time to recover from jet lag, experience the food and culture, and continue refreshed.

Example 3: Montreal → Lisbon → Rome (One-way with stopover)

The itinerary:

• Depart Montreal on Air Canada to Lisbon
• 7-day stopover in Lisbon
• Continue Lisbon to Rome on partner airline

Cost: ~60,000 Aeroplan points + taxes
Value: Two transatlantic/European flights ($6,000+ USD value) + 7 days in two Mediterranean cities

Why this works: Opens up Southern Europe exploration at a fraction of the cost of separate bookings.

How to Search for Aeroplan Stopovers

If you’re ready to search but want to deepen your understanding of Aeroplan’s partner network first, read [How to Use Aeroplan Points on Partner Airlines]. Here’s your step-by-step process:

Step 1: Identify Your Desired Destination

Start with where you actually want to go (e.g., Singapore, Bangkok, Sydney).

Step 2: Look at Natural Routing Hubs

Search that destination on Aeroplan.com and notice which cities appear repeatedly as connections:

• Zurich
• Frankfurt
• Tokyo
• Istanbul
• Lisbon
• Singapore

These hubs appear because they have strong Star Alliance partner airlines flying to them.

Step 3: Cross-Reference with FlightConnections.com

Use FlightConnections to confirm that the routing you want actually exists—that the airlines you prefer fly those routes on the days you want to travel.

Example: If you want to fly Swiss Airlines from Zurich to Singapore, check FlightConnections to confirm Swiss operates that route and how often.

Step 4: Build Your Search on Aeroplan.com

Go to Aeroplan.com → “Book with points” → Select “Multi-city”

Enter:

• Origin city (e.g., Toronto)
• Stopover city (e.g., Zurich)
• Final destination (e.g., Singapore)
• Stopover length (e.g., 5 days)
• Travel dates

Aeroplan’s search engine will automatically price the stopover at +5,000 points.

Step 5: Use Filters & Flexibility

• Adjust stopover length (longer stopovers still cost only 5,000 points if under 45 days)
• Test different departure dates if award availability is tight
• Filter by cabin class and preferred airlines
• Note the flight numbers you want

Step 6: Book Online or Call

If you can build your itinerary online—great. If the routing is too complex (more than 4 flight segments per direction), call Aeroplan at the contact centre. There’s a $30 non-refundable booking fee, but for complex itineraries, it’s worth it.

Aeroplan Stopover Rules: The Complete List

What You CAN Do

Add one stopover on a one-way ticket (5,000 points)
Add two stopovers on a round-trip (10,000 points total—one per direction)
Make stopovers anywhere except Canada or the US (Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America all allowed)
Keep stopovers up to 45 days (longer stays are priced separately)
Add multiple layovers under 24 hours (no extra charge)
Build complex itineraries with up to 6 flight segments per one-way journey
Mix and match airlines (no limit to partner airlines on the same ticket)
Book online or by phone (online is free; phone calls have a $30 fee)

What You CANNOT Do

Stopover within Canada or the United States (treated as separate one-way bookings instead)
Backtrack on your itinerary (you can’t fly forward then backward)
Leave a segment open between your stopover and your next flight (all flights must be booked)
Stopover longer than 45 days (becomes a separate booking at that point)
Exceed the routing rules (can’t fly more than 100% of the direct distance)
Add stopovers to round-trip bookings within the same zone (e.g., can’t do Montreal-Paris-New York with stopover, because Montreal and New York are both in North America zone)

How to Book an Aeroplan Stopover Online

Aeroplan makes this surprisingly straightforward now.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Go to Aeroplan.com and sign in to your account

2. Select “Book with points”

3. Choose “Multi-city” (not “Round-trip” or “One-way”)

4. Click “Add a stopover for Flight 1” A new search field appears for your stopover city.

5. Enter your cities and dates:

• Origin: Toronto
• Stopover city: Zurich
• Destination: Singapore
• Outbound date: [your date]
• Stopover length: 5 nights

6. Search and review results Aeroplan shows multiple flight options. The 5,000-point stopover fee is already included in the pricing.

Example: Toronto → Zurich → Singapore = 92,500 points (87,500 for flights + 5,000 for stopover).

7. Select your flights and book Choose your preferred flights, enter passenger details, and complete the booking.

Important: How Stopover Days Are Counted

If you depart on a daytime flight:

• Arrive at stopover city same day
• Stay the nights you selected
• Depart to next destination after your stopover ends

Example: Depart Toronto morning August 1 → Arrive Zurich evening August 1 → Stay 5 nights → Depart Zurich evening August 6

If you depart on a red-eye/overnight flight:

• Arrive at stopover city next morning
• The clock starts when you land
• Stay the nights you selected from that point

Example: Depart Toronto evening August 1 → Arrive Frankfurt morning August 2 → Stay 5 nights → Depart Frankfurt evening August 7

What if You Can’t Book Online? Phone Booking

Not every stopover itinerary can be built on Aeroplan’s online search engine—especially complex multi-segment trips.

When to call:

• Your itinerary has more than 4 flight segments per direction
• You want unusual routing that doesn’t show in search results
• You’re trying to piece together partner availability on specific dates

The process:

1. Call Aeroplan Contact Centre
2. Work with an agent to build your custom itinerary
3. Pay a $30 non-refundable booking fee
4. Agent prices the stopover at 5,000 points

Pro tip: Not all agents are comfortable with stopover bookings. If your agent resists or tries to price it as two separate one-way bookings, ask to speak with a supervisor or call back another day. Persistence pays off.

The Math: Is an Aeroplan Stopover Worth 5,000 Points?

Let’s look at the value proposition.

Toronto → Zurich → Singapore Example

Retail flight costs (cash prices, circa 2025):

• Lufthansa Toronto to Zurich business class: ~$8,000 CAD
• Swiss Airlines Zurich to Singapore business class: ~$11,000 CAD
• Subtotal for flights alone: $19,000 CAD

Hotel costs for 5 nights in Zurich:

• Mid-range hotel: ~$150–200 per night = $750–1,000
• Luxury hotel: ~$300+ per night = $1,500+

Total value added by stopover: $2,250–2,500+ in cash

Cost to add stopover via Aeroplan: 5,000 points

At 2 cents per point (conservative valuation), 5,000 points = $100. That means you’re getting $2,250+ in value for $100 worth of points.

Verdict: The stopover is almost always worth it.

Open Jaw Bookings: Extend Your Stopover Strategy

An open jaw means you fly into one city and return home from another—without the round-trip constraint.

Example: Fly into Paris, travel through Europe, fly home from Rome.

Open jaws pair beautifully with stopovers to create flexible multi-city itineraries. For more on open jaw strategies, check out [Aeroplan Open Jaw Bookings]. The key is: combining stopovers with open jaws lets you maximize your route flexibility even further.

Stopover Booking Examples: What Others Have Done

Montreal → Lisbon → Casablanca → Marrakesh (One-way with stopover)

Routing: Montreal to Casablanca with stopover in Lisbon, then fly Casablanca to Marrakesh

Cost: ~35,000 Aeroplan points in economy
Value: Explore two underrated European/African destinations + low cost of living = budget-friendly premium travel

Why it works: Both are underrated stopover cities; tourism costs are low; you get diversity (European charm + Moroccan culture).

Tokyo → Fukuoka → Seoul (One-way with stopover)

Routing: Tokyo to Seoul with stopover in Fukuoka

Cost: ~13,000 Aeroplan points in economy (8,000 + 5,000)
Value: Explore three distinct East Asian cities + experience southern Japan

Why it works: Short regional distances keep costs low; jet lag recovery in Japan before moving to Korea; incredible food experiences in each city.

Montreal → Vienna → Abu Dhabi → Male (Stopover) → Singapore

Routing: Multi-segment routing ending in Singapore, with stopover in Male (Maldives)

Cost: ~92,500 Aeroplan points in business class (87,500 + 5,000)
Value: Tropical beach stopover (Maldives) + Asia destination + multiple business class flights

Why it works: Unusual routing maximizes the stopover value; Maldives is expensive to book separately; stopover makes premium access affordable.

Zurich → Rome → Cairo (One-way with stopover)

Routing: Zurich to Cairo with stopover in Rome

Cost: ~17,500 Aeroplan points in economy (12,500 + 5,000)
Value: Two Mediterranean destinations + gateway to North Africa

Why it works: Opens up Egypt travel + combines European culture + regional pricing advantage.

Common Aeroplan Stopover Questions

Comparing Aeroplan to Other Programs

Not all airline loyalty programs offer stopovers the same way.

• Air France KLM Flying Blue: Free stopovers (more generous, but fewer partner airlines)
• British Airways Club: No stopovers; pricing is distance-based instead
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: Stopovers on Advantage awards only, not Saver redemptions
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles: No stopovers on one-way bookings
• Aeroplan: 5,000 points per stopover + flexible routing = strong value

Aeroplan’s combination of low stopover cost (5,000 points) + extensive partner network (45+ airlines) + flexible routing rules makes it one of the best stopover programs in the world.

When to Use Stopovers vs. Other Strategies

Use a stopover when:

• You’re flying long-haul and want to visit two destinations
• One city is a natural hub on your route to the other
• You want to break up a grueling journey
• The stopover city adds real value to your trip

Consider open jaw instead when:

• You want to fly into one city and out of another, with travel time between
• Your two destinations aren’t naturally on the same routing

Book two separate one-ways when:

• Both destinations are within Canada or the US (stopovers aren’t allowed there)
• You have flexible timing and want to optimize each leg independently

Next Steps: Build Your Stopover

1. Identify your destination. Where do you want to go?
2. Look for natural routing hubs. Which cities appear in Aeroplan searches to that destination?
3. Check FlightConnections. Confirm the routing and airlines actually fly it.
4. Search Aeroplan.com. Build your multi-city itinerary and see what’s available.
5. Calculate your value. Use the cash price comparison to confirm the stopover is worth 5,000 points.
6. Book online or call. Complete your booking and start planning your stopover.

Ready to maximize your Aeroplan points? Start with How to Use Aeroplan Points Without Wasting Them to understand routing rules, then Aeroplan Stopover Rules & Requirements 2026 for the technical details. If you’re building your Aeroplan balance from scratch, First Class Calculator helps estimate how many points you’ll need for different premium cabin redemptions.