Air Canada Rolls Out Revamped Aeroplan
New loyalty program retains six membership levels, rewards points on all Air Canada flights and enhances benefits
Air Canada has revealed the details of its revamped Aeroplan frequent flyer program, ahead of the scheduled relaunch on Nov. 8.
In 2018, a consortium led by Air Canada announced an agreement to purchase marketing and loyalty analytics company Aimia – to which Air Canada had previously sold its loyalty program. Since then the group has acquired Aimia, thus in effective bringing the frequent flyer program back in-house.
Key changes to the scheme highlighted by Air Canada include:
• Members will be able to redeem Aeroplan points against any Air Canada seat that is available for sale, without restriction
• Members will only pay cash for taxes and third-party fees when redeeming reward flights – fuel surcharges will be eliminated
• Members will also have the option to pay for a portion of reward flights with cash
• A new Points Predictor tool gives members “a likely range of points required for the flight you want”
• Aeroplan points will be earned on all Air Canada flights booked on the carrier’s website or app, including Economy Basic fares
• Members will be able to combine points with others in their household for free
• Points can now be used to bid for upgrades, as well as to pay for services including inflight WiFi or lounge access
The announcement points out that when a customer redeems points against flight rewards with partner airlines, there is a new CA$39 ($30) flat fee (although this can also be paid for with points).
The new program still has six membership levels – the entry-level Aeroplan Debut, followed by Aeroplan 25K, 35K, 50K, 75K and Super Elite. New status benefits include:
• The ability to earn Priority Rewards vouchers entitling members to 50 percent off the required points needed for a reward flight. Members with Aeroplan 35K status or higher will automatically receive Priority Rewards when the program launches.
• Eligible elite status members can share benefits including priority boarding and lounge access with friends and family, even if they are not traveling together
• Points earned from eligible retail, travel and Aeroplan credit card partners will now count towards elite status qualification
The Aeroplan co-branded credit cards issued in Canada offer new benefits including preferred pricing on reward flights, free checked luggage and lounge access.
For details of the new Aeroplan program, visit aircanada.com/aeroplan.
“Air Canada promised an outstanding new Aeroplan that would be among the best travel loyalty programs in the world, and we are fulfilling that promise,” noted Calin Rovinescu, Air Canada’s president and chief executive. “The new Aeroplan program, which has been extremely well thought through, has been eagerly anticipated as a key driver of our ongoing transformation. This is more important than ever as airlines compete to earn and retain customer loyalty in a rapidly changing environment.”
