I have to say, Air Canada Aeroplan is impressing me more than just about all other airline loyalty programs combined nowadays. The amount of innovation and positive changes we’re seeing from Aeroplan is simply fantastic.
Last month Air Canada and Etihad Airways formed a new frequent flyer partnership, and today Air Canada has added another airline partner.
In this post:
The new Air Canada & Azul partnership
A new partnership has been announced between Air Canada and Azul Brazilian Airlines, offering members of both airline loyalty programs reciprocal mileage earning and redemption opportunities as of today. With this development, Aeroplan is up to 36 airline partners.
This gives Aeroplan members greatly expanded access to Latin America, as Azul serves over 100 destinations.
What is Azul Brazilian Airlines?
For those of you not familiar with Azul, the Brazilian airline has a fleet of 145 aircraft, including ATR72 turboprops, Embraer 190s, Airbus A320 family aircraft, and Airbus A330s (including some new A330-900neos) for long haul flights.
The airline was founded by David Neeleman, the same person behind JetBlue, which should give you a sense of the vibe of the airline.
In terms of flights to North America, the airline flies A330s to gateways in Fort Lauderdale, New York, and Orlando. Long haul flights operate to Belo Horizonte, Campinas, and Recife.
Redeem Air Canada Aeroplan miles on Azul
You can redeem Air Canada Aeroplan miles on all Azul flights, at the Aeroplan Fixed Mileage Flight Reward Chart. Here are the rates:
When redeeming Aeroplan miles on Azul:
- You can book directly through Aeroplan’s website, or by phone if you prefer (how cool is it that they’re allowing online redemptions from day one?!)
- There will be no fuel surcharges
- You can combine Azul with Air Canada or other partner flights on a single ticket
- Note that the new Aeroplan program is launching later this year, so we may see an adjustment in award pricing
Just to give some examples of redemption rates:
- For one-way travel between the US and Brazil you can expect to pay 30,000 miles in economy or 55,000 miles in business class
- For one-way travel between Brazil and Europe you can expect to pay 40,000 miles in economy or 75,000 miles in business class
- For one-way travel within Southern South America you can expect to pay 15,000 miles in economy (there’s no business class on short haul flights)
Air Canada Aeroplan is transfer partners with Amex Membership Rewards and Capital One, so if you have transferrable points this is a great program to book through.
Earn Air Canada Aeroplan miles on Azul
With this new partnership, Aeroplan members can earn miles on all Azul flights. Here’s the rate at which miles are earned:
Bottom line
Air Canada and Azul have an exciting new frequent flyer partnership. It’s always great to see airlines add partners that don’t otherwise belong to one of the major alliances, since it opens up so many great redemption opportunities.
This is a huge win for Aeroplan — while United MileagePlus already had a partnership with Azul, best I could tell business award redemptions weren’t available (or at least were blocked most of the time). Now Aeroplan members, and those with transferrable points, have a great new way to redeem miles to & from Brazil.
Are you excited about the new Air Canada & Azul partnership?
@George
Thank you!
@David
Bafore the pandemic, Azul used to fly from Campinas (Viracopos) to Lisbon and Porto. They were suposed to fly to Orly when Aigle Azur stopped operating that flight but I’m not sure if they ever did...
Azul has a new flight to JFK as well but inaugural was postponed to September
@Paul
It still maintains the partnership.
Ben, do you know if they are allowing US to Europe via Brazil awards? I think Azul flies to Lisbon and Paris.
What is happening with Aeroplan's relationship with GOL?
Aeroplan has been issueing refunds with no question. I just canceled an award. The free cancelation policy goes until August 31.
Air Canada, on the other hand (which is separate from Aeroplan), isn't processing any refunds even when a customer is entitled to one.
Yet more of your AC cheerleading Ben? Why no comment that AC is refusing to refund passengers on the flights the airline cancelled due to COVID19 - in defiance of law in many countries (including the US)?
@ Banan -- I have commented on that, and one thing has little to do with the other. Do you think the people overseeing the loyalty program have any say in how refunds work for revenue flights? I completely agree that Air Canada has handled refunds horribly. Period. End of story. You don't see me defending that.
But I think it's possible to believe that while also giving credit to the people running the loyalty...
@ Banan -- I have commented on that, and one thing has little to do with the other. Do you think the people overseeing the loyalty program have any say in how refunds work for revenue flights? I completely agree that Air Canada has handled refunds horribly. Period. End of story. You don't see me defending that.
But I think it's possible to believe that while also giving credit to the people running the loyalty program, who have been doing a phenomenal job innovating.