Convert your Buddy Pass into 30K Aeroplan Points

Edit: We have a datapoint that this offer is valid on a Buddy Pass only for a limited time and is not valid on an Annual Worldwide Companion Pass.

This latest move will definitely have you jumping up with joy – I was certainly jumping up and down when I learnt about this.

Before we get into it, I must admit, I am impressed with all the positive changes and offers that Aeroplan has been rolling out. After we peeled off the initial layers of the new revamped Aeroplan program in November 2020, we all had mixed reactions and were not overly excited. Later, when we saw the measly sign-up bonus offers across all the co-branded credit cards issued by Amex/CIBC and TD, we were feeling more and more disappointed with the new Aeroplan.

But the surprises (in no particular order) kept coming….
– Current promo to get upto 100% bonus Aeroplan points when you purchase Aeroplan Points
– Bonus points for purchase upto 115% even though it was in limited supply
– Refreshed sign-up bonus offers a few months later
– 5X Aeroplan points at the Aeroplan e-Store (There were issues with the points posting as my transaction was processed and posted by my Credit card after the promo expired so I lost about 4x worth of Aeroplan Points on approx. $1500 spend at Apple.)
– Partnership with Starbucks
– Aeroplan Explore for more contest
– Aeroplan Big Summer Miles Offers
etc.

Heres the deal:
Aeroplan has un-officially introduced a feature where you can convert your Buddy Pass, sitting in your account into a whopping 30,000 Aeroplan points. I couldnt believe it, when I heard about it, especially as I had no interest in it due to the in-ability to use it under the current climate and also given the fact that its redeemable (generally speaking) in Economy only and that too on limited routes. To avail of this you need to call the Aeroplan Contact Centre and request to have your Buddy Pass converted into Aeroplan Points.

So, I had to jump on this offer.
Here is my experience of requesting this swap.
– I called around 8pm EST and was on hold for about 8 minutes.
– I asked the agent if I could convert my Buddy Pass into Aeroplan Points and she seemed to be aware of this feature so it saved me a HUCA.
– She said let me look into your account and a few moments later asked me to verify what credit card it was that provided me with that Buddy Pass.
– Then she said she needs to send a message to another department to have that conversion done and informed me that once processed it cannot be reversed.
– I asked how many Aeroplan Points I would receive and she confirmed that it would be 30,000 Aeroplan Points.
– She then put me on hold for about 8 minutes to process the change
– When she came back, she said to allow 10-14 business days to see the Aeroplan Points in my account.

So, overall it was a painless process and the waiting game begins to see when the points post. So if you are planning to do this conversion, just make sure your Buddy Pass has posted in your Aeroplan account as below before calling in.

There are many advantages to this conversion:
– I can book any sector
– I can book in any class
– I can book and cancel without any penalty this year and receive all Aeroplan Points re-deposited and full refund of almost all taxes and fees.
– I dont have to worry about the expiry of the Buddy Pass
etc.

Well done Aeroplan, well done indeed!!
We are well pleased with all the new surprises you keep springing on us.

Written by Dominic Fernandes aka CanadaPointsGuy.

Image Photo by JOSHUA COLEMAN on Unsplash