Air Canada Extends Altitude Status

Air Canada is boosting its profile on the airline loyalty rewards bandwagon this week with several updates for Altitude members. The airline wants to ensure Altitude members that their status remains in effect until they are able to resume flying. The changes include the extension of current status until the end of 2021, the ability to share any status achieved in 2020 with a loved one, and new opportunities to qualify for Altitude status and earn Aeroplan Miles from home.

“Loyalty is a two-way street – certainly in good times, but especially so in hard times. Altitude members have shown outstanding commitment to Air Canada, and to provide some certainty during these uncertain times, we are extending members’ current Altitude status to the end of 2021. We’re also making it easier to share status with a loved one, and earn both status and Aeroplan miles from home.” said Mark Nasr, Vice President, Loyalty and eCommerce at Air Canada. “The entire Air Canada team is looking forward to welcoming all customers back in the skies when the time is right.”

In order to provide greater ease and flexibility, changes for Air Canada Altitude customers include:

Automatic Extension of 2020 Altitude Status

All Altitude status for 2020 will automatically be extended through to the end of 2021. Should a member reach a higher status before the end of this year, they will enjoy it upon qualification, and maintain it through 2021 as well.

Share Altitude Status with Friends and Family

With Altitude status secure through 2021, members who have already achieved this status for next year, or expect to do so by the end of 2020 can gift their status to a friend or family member.

Earn Altitude Status and Aeroplan Miles from Home

While at home, a member can still earn Aeroplan Miles, progress towards Altitude status and make a difference with their miles. Through April 30, for every five Aeroplan Miles a member donates to a charity engaged in fighting the COVID-19 crisis, the member will receive one Altitude Qualifying Mile – up to a maximum of 25,000 AQM – all of which count towards 2021 status for the member, and a loved one.

These improvements come in addition to other changes for all Aeroplan members already announced:

Cancel any Flight Reward for Free

Through April 30, all members can cancel any Flight Reward free of charge and receive all of their Aeroplan Miles back in their account, plus a full refund of any associated taxes, fees and surcharges on the unused value of their travel. This is available for flight itineraries departing any date in the future.

Aeroplan Miles Expiration Moratorium

Air Canada has paused miles expirations until May 14, 2020. This means that between now and May 14, any Aeroplan Miles that would have expired now will not. Effective May 15, normal expiration policies will once again be in effect and miles will expire if an eligible transaction has not been completed prior to this date.

Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic and international airline and, as Canada’s flag carrier, is among the 20 largest airlines in the world. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance.