In advance of launching the new program next year, Aeroplan has introduced some changes to the program that go into effect today.
Here are changes summarized in brief:
1. Complimentary, full refunds within 24 hours of booking
Beginning July 15, 2019, Aeroplan members will be able to cancel and
refund Flight Rewards for free within 24 hours of booking. This does
not apply to bookings made through the call centre as the $30 fee is not
refundable.
2. Option to refund your Flight Reward up to 2 hours before departure
Previously, Aeroplan Flight Reward bookings could not be refunded within
21 days of departure. (The work around was to do a change to a flight
beyond 21 days and then cancel.)
As of July 15, 2019, Aeroplan members can cancel and refund their Flight
Reward booking for a fee up until 2 hours prior to the departure time
of the first flight in the reservation.
3. Reduction of the aeroplan.com Refund Fee
As of July 15, 2019, Aeroplan will lower the Refund Fee to $125 for
refunds completed via aeroplan.com. The new, lower fee will apply to all
bookings, including those made prior to the new policy coming into
effect.
Now for the doom and gloom part….
1. Multi-City Flight Reward Bookings
Beginning September 1, 2019, members can continue to make Flight Reward
bookings to multiple cities, but will be limited to a maximum of one
stopover or one open jaw, in addition to the point-of-turnaround.
(Currently, depending on their itinerary, Aeroplan members can book
Flight Rewards which include up to two stopovers, or one stopover and
one open jaw, in addition to the point-of-turnaround. )
Also effective today, for travel within the same continent (except for
travel wholly within North America), one open jaw is permitted but
stopovers are not permitted.
2. Around the World Flight Rewards
Around the World Flight Rewards will be discontinued as of September 1, 2019.
So what does all this mean?
Aeroplan is making is easier to cancel but limiting what you can book.
This will affect some of us who book complex itineraries as its limiting us from get the maximum bang for our accumulated miles.
This will not have a major impact on the majority of the travellers who book simple point A to point B and return.
Will I continue collecting Aeroplan?
Absolutely, as there are sweet redemptions on Swiss Air and Turkish Airlines for e.g. with low taxes.
It will be interesting to see what the program evolves into next year
and heres hoping they introduce more positive changes to retain their
customer base.
Image courtesy of Aeroplan.com
Written by
Dominic Fernandes aka CanadaPointsGuy