In May 2017 it was initially revealed that Air Canada would be dumping Aeroplan as their loyalty program. Over a decade ago Air Canada spun off their loyalty program to raise cash, and Aeroplan has run their program ever since. The news was that in 2020 their contract ended and they didn't intend to renew…
Continue reading: Air Canada’s Acquisition Of Aeroplan Is Complete
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Sorry, in no way this will be a positive - except that balances wont be lost.
When this program is unveiled, most valuable Aeroplan redemptions will be gone, YQ will be added to all partners, and there will be a transition to dynamic pricing (current "market" fares) for AC flights.
Right now, there is a certain amount of seats that is reserved for low-level ("classic") redemptions. Expect Delta-esque pricing.
I agree with @Bob, balances won't be lost and that's the only good thing I can see. I recently burned most of my Aeroplan miles for reward flights this coming year because I figure the "new" program won't provide any added benefit in terms of flight redemptions, and there's a good chance the end result will be worse. The cynic in me predicts a rebranded program with a new name and guess what - more miles required for flights, all wrapped up in fancy corporate marketing doublespeak that obscures the truth. So until the new program takes flight, I'll just keep on earnin' 'em and burnin' 'em.
I’m in the midst of planning a huge long-haul J trip for my extended family using post-2020 Aeroplan. I am not looking forward to explaining how all that work to acquire enough miles was a waste of time.
Crossing my fingers that Cathay has no big error fares that year because I think the whole trip will now be on Alaska Miles.
I see it as negative overall after the take over, more monopoly and points would be devalued and more restriction on redemption etc...Hope i am wrong.
All marketing that says "choice", "convenience" or frankly any word but "VALUE" is the shiny thing in the left hand. What's he doing in his right hand, behind his back? Devaluing your Aeropesos.
"The news was that in 2020 their contract ended and they didn’t intend to renew it. What has happened since then has been quite interesting, to put it mildly."
Oh the 2020's...
So long ago...
I'll consider moving my personal spend from TD Aeroplan Visa to either WestJet Mastercard (I mean, c'mon...a free checked bag for me an 8 friends? Jackpot) or something like the RBC Avion where you simply redeem their points for a seat. I have a few friends that swear by it, but to me, it's like redeeming Amex MR for a flight. Ugh.
I can't wait for AC to take Aeroplan back. After nothing but problems with the Aimia version of Aeroplan (extra charges, a website that always seemed to be on the fritz, availability that made some flights simply ridiculous, and an inability to get flights on airlines I want) glad to see them go. Will it be better? I hope so but it's been pretty average so far.
I started switching away from Aeroplan when all the sell/no sell uncertainty was in full swing. For me Aeroplan was already loosing its value for flight purchases. Flights from secondary airports are next to impossible to get without 2-3 connections that extend a 1 connection 6-8 hour trip to 15-20+ hours ... and the flight will still cost you 50% of a purchased ticket.
I have spent a lot of time/too much time searching route options on the Aeroplan website and more and more often end up purchasing a ticket on Westjet. Time is money and Aeroplan takes a lot of my time and generally does not deliver.
The best value I have found for my Aeroplan points are USA to USA flights on United ... fees are $12-$15 per segment compared to $200-$250 from a Canadian airport.