Aeroplan has just announced changes coming to their loyalty program which will be effective November 8, 2020 and I wanted to summarise the key changes below.
Whats in a name?
The loyalty program will be changed from Aeroplan Miles to Aeroplan Points.
Your existing balance will be converted on a 1:1 basis.
Your account number will also remain the same.
Also, between now and November 8, 2020 you can still view your account or make bookings at aeroplan.com.
Every available seat is bookable with points
Aeroplan is doing away with the distinction between Fixed Mileage Flight Rewards and Market Fare Rewards. So if there is a seat available for purchase on AirCanada, then it will be bookable by redeeming Aeroplan points for it with no black out periods.
(Read as albeit with higher points aka devaluation)
End of Fuel Surcharges
Aeroplan is also doing away with additional airline surcharges on flights operated by Air Canada when purchased using points. You will only be charged taxes and third-party fees (such as airport fees) cash, and you can elect to use your points to cover those too.
However, there is an introduction of a flat “Partner Booking Fee” of $39 when booking a flight reward on another airline – this too can be covered using Aeroplan Points. Its not clear if multiple fees will apply if booking an itinerary with multiple other airlines.
So, heres another devaluation.
Predictable Pricing
The price you pay in points will be related to the price of the ticket in cash. Aeroplan has introcuded a range and your flight reward will fall into that range during normal times and will be higher for flights in a high demand period similar to booking with cash.
Also, when I checked the amount of points needed for a oneway business class flight on AC from Toronto to Mumbai, it has increased from the current 75000 Miles to a minimum of 85000 Points.
This is a devaluation.
The good news is that points needed on partner airlines remain fixed. The bad news is that the amount of points needed has increased. I did a quick comparison of miles/points needed now and then between Abu Dhabi and Toronto on Etihad in business class and we notice another devaluation.
Aeroplan Family Sharing
Finally some bit of good news.
With Aeroplan Family Sharing, you can combine Aeroplan points with family members, so you can accumulate points faster together and redeem for rewards sooner.
– Up to 8 family members can group together.
– All points earned by members are added into a shared balance, including their existing points balances.
– You can redeem for rewards using points from your shared balance.
– If you have an Elite Status Member or a primary Aeroplan Credit Cardholder in your group, everyone gets to benefit from their preferred pricing.
Additional perks with Points
You will be able to use your points for popular travel extras – e.g. bid on upgrades, in flight wifi (coming in December 2020) etc.
Expiry of points
This period has been permanently increased from 12 months to 18 months. So, as long as there is activity on your account i.e. you earn or redeem a single point within 18 months, your points wont expire.
Additionally, your points won’t expire if you’re the primary cardholder of an Aeroplan credit card, or you hold Aeroplan Elite Status.
Flexible changes and cancellations
The current rules are staying in place:
– You can cancel your flight reward, at no charge, within 24 hours of making your booking.
– Up until two hours before you fly, you can cancel or change any flight reward. While a fee does apply, in the case of a cancellation, you’ll get a refund of all of your points back into your account, along with any eligible third-party taxes, fees and surcharges associated with the unused value of your travel.
Credit Card Benefits
There will be changes and new offers through the co-branded credit cards to offer preferred pricing on flight rewards for the Primary Cardholder and Air Canada travel benefits like your first checked bag free.
I will do an in-depth review and evaluation shortly but quickly wanted to summarise the changes that we will see in the new revamped loyalty program.
What are your thought? Please comment below.
Written by Dominic Fernandes aka CanadaPointsGuy.
Image courtesy of aeroplan.com
I wish that the Royal Bank was involved but since they have their own Avion program, another bank will be partnering up with this program. There was a lot to learn about the old system and the new system will surely take just as long to learn. Will there be Consierge option(s) for different levels? Will the Maple Leaf lounges re-open soon in the smaller airports?