Air Canada announced on Tuesday that they will relaunch their Aeroplan loyalty program on November 8, 2020 with enhanced value and new benefits. Members will maintain their existing Aeroplan numbers and existing Miles will be honored on a one-to-one basis.
Today (August 11, 2020) Air Canada unveiled details regarding the transformation of their Aeroplan loyalty program, which will be relaunched on November 8, 2020. The transition will be seamless for existing members who will maintain their existing Aeroplan numbers and Miles will be transferred on a one-to-one basis. Under the new program, every seat for sale on every Air Canada flight will be available for flight rewards with Aeroplan points with no cash surcharges. Aeroplan will become Canada’s first loyalty program purpose-built for families with points and benefit sharing. Additional benefits include predictable pricing, new Aeroplan credit card benefits and partners as well as redemption for travel benefits such as upgrades. In Tuesday’s announcement, Air Canada’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Calin Rovinescu said,
“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. 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.”
Also commenting on Aeroplan’s transformation, Air Canada’s Vice President of Loyalty and e-Commerce, Mark Nasr added,
Since we announced our commitment to improve Aeroplan, we’ve been listening to feedback from more than 36,000 consumers; we’ve benchmarked against loyalty and frequent flyer programs from around the globe, and we’ve completely rebuilt our digital infrastructure. The result is a truly responsive and flexible loyalty program delivering a more rewarding experience so that members can travel more and travel better.”
As part of the program transformation, Aeroplan miles will now become Aeroplan points and affinity credit cards will continue to earn points. Additionally, plan members can now redeem points to purchase any available Air Canada seat without restrictions and surcharges (including fuel surcharges) will be eliminated on all flight awards. Members will only be required to pay taxes and third-party fees either with cash or Aeroplan points. Another new benefit is ‘Predictable Pricing’ which means that the number of points needed for flight rewards will be based on the actual market prices and guests can plan flights with confidence using the carrier’s ‘Point Predictor Tool,’ which will estimate points needed for their flight rewards. Aeroplan members will also be able to earn and redeem points on 35 network airlines on flights to over 1,300 global destinations. The program also provides more flexibility by allowing members to use a combination of ‘Points + Cash’ when booking flights.
The transformed Aeroplan program offers many new features including family sharing where members of the same household can combine points, earnings on any Air Canada flight (including Economy Basic) and redemption for flight upgrades to Premium Economy or Business Class. Members will also be able to use points for extras such as inflight Wi-Fi and access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf lounges. The program also allows members to earn and redeem points across their entire journey including car rentals, hotel stays and vacation packages and includes a wider range of merchandise rewards. Gift card rewards will now also be delivered electronically, making them available faster than ever.
The program will continue to offer six membership levels including the entry-level ‘Aeroplan Debut’ and five Elite Status levels (Aeroplan 25K, 35K, 50K and Super Elite). All existing Elite Status benefits remain and starting in 2021 will include exciting improvements such as Priority Rewards vouchers which will entitle members to 50 percent off the price in points on eligible Air Canada and airline partner flights. Eligible Elite Status Members will also be able to share benefits with family and friends, even when they are not traveling together, such as priority boarding and lounge access. Aeroplan points earned on everyday eligible retail, travel and Aeroplan credit card purchases will make it easier for members to reach Aeroplan Elite Status.
Finally, the transformation includes all-new Aeroplan co-branded credit cards from TD, CIBC and American Express, which include extensive Air Canada travel perks. Entry-level credit cards offer preferred pricing on flight rewards and bonus points on popular category purchases. Main-level credit cards offer the same benefits as well as a free checked bag on all Air Canada flights for the member and up to eight companions traveling on the same itinerary. Premium-level credit cards include all the previously mentioned benefits as well as Maple Leaf Lounge and Air Canada Café access as well as priority check-in and boarding. As a first for the industry, Secondary Premium credit cardholders will also enjoy a free checked bag, lounge access and airport priority benefits, even when traveling on their own.
Source: Air Canada