Only $375/pp
(all taxes, fees, one checked bag, carry-on, and handbag/pp)
During our last trip to Europe, I explained how we used the Capital One Venture card and a free Aeroplan account to transfer miles to our United Airlines MileagePlus program. This gave us enough miles to book two one-way tickets to Germany. You can find more details here.
Air Canada's Aeroplan: For our 2025 trip to Belize, I opted for a more straightforward approach with a new program using Aeroplan miles through Air Canada. I'm excited to share the costs in both dollars and miles and the benefits we experienced (and some we missed) while booking our flights through Air Canada's Aeroplan Program. Keep reading to learn how we maximized our frequent flyer miles and the lessons we learned along the way!
New to the Airline Miles Game?
No worries! Click the button below to access a step-by-step guide we created just for you, which is packed with helpful tips on how to choose the right credit cards and earn airline miles. The guide uses our trip to Mexico as an example. Here's what you can expect to find when you tap the For Beginners >> button:
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Step 1: Pick a Credit Card With a Signup Bonus
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Step 2: Double Down on Miles With Bonus Offers
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Step 3: Strategic Spending for Maximum Miles
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Step 4: Be a Savvy Traveler
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Step 5: Best Article On Canceling Credit Cards
UNLOCK BIG SAVINGS
Travel Hacking for Two
Exploring Aeroplan Frequent Flyer Miles
Today’s travel hack is about using Air Canada’s Aeroplan frequent flyer program to plan our Belize trip. As part of the Star Alliance, Aeroplan lets you earn and redeem miles with Air Canada and 25 other airlines worldwide—whether you’re headed to Belize, Europe, or Asia.
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Pro Tip: To earn the 100,000 bonus miles twice, each of us had to apply for our own card. A joint account only qualifies for one bonus per family. This applies to any adult family member in the household who can apply for their own card.
An Easy Choice: While we already have enough miles for our Belize trip through Dave’s Aeroplan account, I applied for a new card to start adding miles for next year’s adventures. The generous sign-up bonus and ongoing earning potential sealed the deal.
Here’s the full list of benefits:
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100,000 bonus miles? Yep!
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75,000-point bonus ($1,280 in travel) after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months? Yep, check!
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Monthly bonus points: Earn 500 bonus Aeroplan points for every $2,000 spent (up to 1,500 points). Maximize spending in 3X categories, and we could rack up 19,500 points in a single month. Absolutely, check!
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An additional 25,000 points ($375 value) after spending $20,000 in a year? Definitely, check!
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Complimentary checked baggage for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation with Air Canada? Double check!
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Up to $120 statement credit every 4 years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS? You bet, check!
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Can you select seats in advance when booking a trip with frequent flyer miles? Of course, check!
Disclaimer: This offer was available in 2024 but is subject to change. Be sure to review the current offers and terms before applying to ensure you receive the best benefits for your travel plans.
Let's Get Started
Belize Bound:
Using Frequent Flyer Miles
STEP ONE: Apply for the Aeroplan Card and Start Earning Miles
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Apply for the Aeroplan card to begin earning miles. You can apply here: Aeroplan Card Application.
STEP TWO: Check Flights from Chicago to Belize
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Sign in to your Aeroplan account (it's free to join) and begin by checking Air Canada's flight schedules to see if they offer direct flights from Chicago O'Hare to Belize. You can do that here: Air Canada Flight Schedules.
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Oops! Air Canada doesn’t operate direct flights from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Belize City Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE).
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STEP THREE: Next, check the Star Alliance flight schedules to see if any of the 26 partner airlines fly this route so we can still use Air Canada points.
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You can do that here: Star Alliance Flight Schedules.
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Yes! United Airlines offers several flights from Chicago to Belize.
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Note the Airline partner's code (UA) and go to step four.
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STEP FOUR: Find the partner airline on Air Canada's schedule. You can do that here: Air Canada Flight Schedules
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Sign in to your Aeroplan account, or create one if you haven't yet.
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Click on the "BOOK WITH AEROPLAN POINTS" box.
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Enter your travel dates (a rough estimate is okay).
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Scroll down or sort the results to find the best value.
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We found a United Airlines flight with one connection in Houston for 25,000 points for two one-way tickets.
STEP FIVE: Book With Miles
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Select your desired flight (see step 3).
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Click the "preview seats" link (note: since United Airlines is a Star Alliance partner airline with Air Canada, you won’t see seat options here, but they’ll appear later).
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Click the "details" link for a final preview before booking.
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Choose Economy or Business Class. Here, you’ll see additional options and their costs.
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I selected the Standard Reward for 25,000 Aeroplan points plus approximately $200 in taxes and fees for two one-way tickets.
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This will take you to the trip review and payment confirmation page.
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From there, enter passenger details and payment options.
25,000 miles to paradise
We did Belize for $375 round-trip/pp
For those of you who love planning ahead (and saving big), our Belize trip is a perfect example. We strategically booked our flights a year in advance, using Dave's Aeroplan points to secure two one-way tickets for an incredibly low 25,000 points and $251.80 total. This price included all taxes, fees, and baggage (one checked bag, carry-on, and personal item per person). The return flight, 60 days out, wasn't yet available for booking. Here's a detailed breakdown of the costs and the incredible value we received:
LESSON LEARNED: Here's a travel lesson we learned the hard way. While booking one-way tickets gave us the flexibility we craved – allowing for open-ended adventures, the chance to snag cheaper last-minute deals, or even have a backup plan in case of emergencies – it came with a hidden cost. We discovered that booking two separate one-way tickets effectively doubled the taxes and fees compared to a traditional round-trip - we'd have likely paid those taxes only once.
January 8, 2025
Chicago to Houston to Belize
Flight Details:
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Flight 1: ORD to IAH on United Flight #UA1995
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Flight 2: IAH to BZE on United Flight #UA1569
Cost:
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Total (including taxes and fees): $157.20
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Airline Miles: 25,000
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Baggage: $94.60
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One 50lb checked bag per person: $47.30 each
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Note: Complimentary checked bags only apply when flying Air Canada.
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Additional Benefits:
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TSA PreCheck: As Global Entry members, we enjoy TSA PreCheck and expedited customs processing.
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Lounge Access: While Aeroplan offers complimentary lounge passes to 75K and Super Elite members, we didn't receive any. However, as United MileagePlus members, we receive two complimentary United Lounge passes each year.
March 8, 2025
Belize to Chicago
Flight Details:
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Flight: BZE to ORD on United Flight #UA1511
Cost:
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Total (including taxes and fees): $388.80
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Airline Miles: 25,000
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Baggage: $109.60
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One 50lb checked bag per person: $47.30 each
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Note: Complimentary checked bags only apply when flying Air Canada.
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Additional Costs for Departing Belize and Entering the U.S.:
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$157.20 - Air transportation charges, U.S. tax recovery, and general taxes/fees for both departure and arrival tickets.
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$100.70 - Airport, conservation, security, and passenger service fees for departing Belize.
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$24.30 - Animal and plant inspection fees when entering the U.S.
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$39.00 - Partner fee charged by United Airlines.
Flight Details:
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Flight 1: ORD to IAH on United Flight #UA1995
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Flight 2: IAH to BZE on United Flight #UA1569
Cost:
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Total (including taxes and fees): $157.20
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Airline Miles: 25,000
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Baggage:
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One 50lb checked bag per person: $47.30 each ($94.60 total)
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Note: Complimentary checked bags only apply when departing or arriving from Canada.
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Additional Benefits:
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TSA PreCheck: As Global Entry members, we enjoy TSA PreCheck and expedited customs processing.
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Lounge Access: While Aeroplan offers complimentary lounge passes to 75K and Super Elite members, we didn't receive any. However, as United MileagePlus members, we receive two complimentary United Lounge passes each year.
TIP: Always check baggage requirements for the airline your flying. For our flights, we reviewed United Airlines' carry-on and baggage size/weight limits on their website to ensure we were compliant.
Be a Savvy Traveler. We love airline miles, but let's be honest: annual fees can leave your wallet feeling lighter than your carry-on. So, we found a travel hack that keeps our wallets happy and our miles soaring. Once we use the card enough to get those bonus miles, we tuck it away and cancel in two years.
Here’s a Friendly Tip: Banks might get suspicious if you frequently close accounts within a year. To avoid losing future sign-up bonuses, try to keep your accounts open for at least two years. For more info on canceling credit cards: https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/close-credit-card-one-year/
A Gentle Reminder: This is our travel hacking story, and the best card for you depends on your travel habits and priorities. Please research whether this card aligns with your travel goals and spending habits. We hope it inspires you to explore your mileage-boosting options and take flight on amazing adventures!
Join Us for Tips & Trips
Do you have questions about capturing amazing deals, racking up those precious airline miles, or navigating the world of airline sign-up bonuses? We're always ready to chat travel, and share our best tips.
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Shoot us a text at 715-252-3326 or
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email us at alloverthemaptravelventures@gmail.com
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