Link: Learn more about the Aeroplan Credit Card
Continue reading: Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Card: 8 Reasons To Apply
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
For Trans-border Canadians (those with addresses and banking in both Canada and USA) I tell people this card is the most valuable US-issued credit card, because of the perpetual AC status (with USD$15k spend/yr). Status (even lowly 25k) unlocks eUpgrades, which one needs for Premium Cabin redemptions on AC metal, which are cripplingly overpriced 90% of the time. By booking economy and eUpgrading there's sometimes good value to be had. Without status, one flies AC economy or one redeems for Premium cabin seats only on partners. Newbs should be aware: "Aeroplan has more partners than any other program, and many aren't even StarAlliance" is true BUT Aeroplan is blocked from Business class on ANA, even when United has lots of availability. Ben is right to rank this program so highly but it does have its irritants. Here's one: the Call centre closes at midnight ET daily. And when it's open, queues of more than an hour are common, sometimes (unpredictably) with no callback offered.
The number 1 perk I'm looking for which these cards don't offer is a waiver on award change/cancel fees.
This is the achilles heel of the Aeroplan program and unfortunately they didn't take the opportunity to address this via a credit card benefit.
If I get an award ticket through Aeroplan on AC or with a Star Alliance partner (or even other alliances), could I get my Star Alliance (or other alliance) benefits by using my other frequent flyer number for my booking?
Let's not forget, you'd be doing all this to get in bed with Aeroplan, the biggest rug-pull program in all of loyalty.
"We have the most award partners of all loyalty programs! But wait, there's more...want to fly with a partner? Good luck! We have IT issues, or we're blocking redemptions with that partner, or the partner is blocking 99% of its availability to Aeroplan, or you'll have to fly for 82 hours with 4 lay-overs if you want to fly this partner. Don't want to take that offer? Well, there's this steal of a deal where you can pay nearly half a million points to fly a red-eye on a Wednesday from Phoenix AZ to Toronto on a Wednesday 8 months from now in the low season...aren't you lucky!"
-Aeroplan
You cannot change your frequent flyer number on an Aeroplan booking.
You can get lounge access by showing your other *G card
The blocking of partners has gotten out of control (and eerily quiet on the subject from credit card pushing blogs)
That Aeroplan 25k Status for the 'following year after the first sign-up year' isn't guaranteed and hard coded into the system. You have to call them and escalate it, what a complete joke.
For Trans-border Canadians (those with addresses and banking in both Canada and USA) I tell people this card is the most valuable US-issued credit card, because of the perpetual AC status (with USD$15k spend/yr). Status (even lowly 25k) unlocks eUpgrades, which one needs for Premium Cabin redemptions on AC metal, which are cripplingly overpriced 90% of the time. By booking economy and eUpgrading there's sometimes good value to be had. Without status, one flies AC economy or one redeems for Premium cabin seats only on partners. Newbs should be aware: "Aeroplan has more partners than any other program, and many aren't even StarAlliance" is true BUT Aeroplan is blocked from Business class on ANA, even when United has lots of availability. Ben is right to rank this program so highly but it does have its irritants. Here's one: the Call centre closes at midnight ET daily. And when it's open, queues of more than an hour are common, sometimes (unpredictably) with no callback offered.
Let's not forget, you'd be doing all this to get in bed with Aeroplan, the biggest rug-pull program in all of loyalty.
"We have the most award partners of all loyalty programs! But wait, there's more...want to fly with a partner? Good luck! We have IT issues, or we're blocking redemptions with that partner, or the partner is blocking 99% of its availability to Aeroplan, or you'll have to fly for 82 hours with 4 lay-overs if you want to fly this partner. Don't want to take that offer? Well, there's this steal of a deal where you can pay nearly half a million points to fly a red-eye on a Wednesday from Phoenix AZ to Toronto on a Wednesday 8 months from now in the low season...aren't you lucky!"
-Aeroplan
The blocking of partners has gotten out of control (and eerily quiet on the subject from credit card pushing blogs)
The number 1 perk I'm looking for which these cards don't offer is a waiver on award change/cancel fees.
This is the achilles heel of the Aeroplan program and unfortunately they didn't take the opportunity to address this via a credit card benefit.
If I get an award ticket through Aeroplan on AC or with a Star Alliance partner (or even other alliances), could I get my Star Alliance (or other alliance) benefits by using my other frequent flyer number for my booking?
You cannot change your frequent flyer number on an Aeroplan booking.
You can get lounge access by showing your other *G card
That Aeroplan 25k Status for the 'following year after the first sign-up year' isn't guaranteed and hard coded into the system. You have to call them and escalate it, what a complete joke.