Quick Points: How to save 17.5K Aeroplan points by ending a trip to India in Southeast Asia

Traveling the world in first or business class is enjoyable.

Traveling to the opposite side of the world in a premium cabin can cost you points. If I told you that you could save points by adding a destination and flying business class, what would you think?

You can end your journey in Southeast Asia with Air Canada Aeroplan if you fly to India. There is an award chart that can save you almost 17,500 points on your next trip.

Save Aeroplan points by adding a stopover

Aeroplan members can add a stop on award redemptions for an additional 5,000 points. The cost of an award ticket can be reduced if you add a stop in India.

India is part of Aeroplan's Atlantic region, which also includes Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Aeroplan requires 100,000 points for a business class trip to Delhi or Mumbai from the U.S.

Some flights on Air India will fall into the lower mileage tier, but most flights on premier carriers will always be in this highest band.

Singapore is part of the Pacific zone. If you want to add a stop in Mumbai for 5000 points, the entire itinerary would be cheaper in the Pacific zone.

The cost of this itinerary would be 87,500 Aeroplan points and it would be in the 7,700-11,000 mile distance band. If you want to fly from the East Coast to India, it's not bad.

The price goes from 115,000 points to 92,500 points if you visit Mumbai and add a business class flight to Singapore. If you end your journey in India, you'll save 17,500 points. You can fly that last segment in Singapore Airlines.

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Even if you don't visit Canada, Aeroplan is still important to you.

How to earn Aeroplan points

Aeroplan points are one of the easiest to get. You can transfer American Express Membership Reward points to Aeroplan at a 2:1 transfer ratio. 10,000 bonus Aeroplan points are added to each transfer of 60,000 Marriott points.

Some of our favorite Amex cards can be used to earn Membership rewards points.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in your first six months of cardmembership. However, some readers have been targeted for up to a 125,000-point bonus using the CardMatch tool (offer subject to change at any time). Terms apply.
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Platinum Card within the first three months of cardmembership. Terms apply.
• American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months of cardmembership. However, some readers have been targeted for up to a 75,000-point bonus using the CardMatch tool (offer subject to change at any time). Terms apply.

Aeroplan points can be earned with the Aeroplan credit card. You can get 70,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in your first three months. The Aeroplan 25K elite status for the remainder of the calendar year in which you open the card is one of the perks. In one year, you can spend $15,000 on the card.

Transferrable points should be earned.

Bottom line

Adding an extra flight saves you airline miles and also saves you miles in business class. When compared to longer Atlantic itineraries, ending a trip in Asia can sometimes lower redemption costs.

Visiting two cities, enjoying over 22 hours in business class, and saving some miles is a win-WIN.

Andrew Kunesh reports additional reporting.