Air Canada Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy have just expanded their partnership. It has long been possible for Bonvoy members to transfer points to Aeroplan, and as of recently, it’s possible for Aeroplan elite members to transfer points to Bonvoy. We’re now seeing the introduction of reciprocal elite status between programs, which is pretty cool.
In this post:
Aeroplan & Bonvoy roll out reciprocal elite status
Higher tier Air Canada Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy members can now take advantage of elite status matches with the other program:
- Aeroplan 50K, 75K, and Super Elite members, can receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold status
- Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members can receive complimentary Aeroplan 25K status
The joint members must link their Air Canada Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy accounts to take advantage of this. This is an ongoing perk with no published end date, so this isn’t a one-time thing.
Marriott Bonvoy Gold status offers perks like late check-out subject to availability, enhanced room upgrades subject to availability, 25% bonus Bonoy points, and more. Meanwhile Air Canada Aeroplan 25K status offers priority airport services, two complimentary checked bags, eUpgrade credits, complimentary preferred seats, and more.
It’s always nice to see more reciprocal opportunities
It’s not uncommon to see airline and hotel loyalty programs partner, given that those who frequently stay at hotels are also more likely to frequently fly.
Marriott Bonvoy has close partnerships with a couple of airlines, including the carrier’s Rewards Plus partnership with United MileagePlus, and Your World Rewards partnership with Emirates Skywards. Now we’re seeing closer ties with yet another airline.
This partnership won’t change your life, but if you’re loyal to one of the brands and travel with the other brand with any frequency, this offers some solid incremental perks. Given that something is being added without anything being away, it’s entirely positive. Then again, I suppose when everyone is elite, no one is elite. 😉
Bottom line
Air Canada Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy have expanded their partnership. Aeroplan 50K, 75K, and Super Elite members, can now receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold status, while Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members can now receive complimentary Aeroplan 25K status. It’s nice to get status at no opportunity cost, so I’m a fan!
What do you make of this expanded Air Canada and Marriott partnership?
I am a UA Platinum so normally this would be useless but I am wondering if I used my Marriott Titanium to get AC 25k if it opens up any additional benefits if you are trying to redeem Miles on AC. I have heard that AC awards are sometimes a better deal and I have plenty of points with Amex, Chase and C1 VX which could be transferred into AC.
Are there any benefits for redemptions with 25k? Additional award space or anything else?
Naturally you need to be titanium since I have lifetime platinum.
My thoughts exactly, but Aeroplan Gold would be valuable since AC and Star Alliance partners are my most common airlines. Unfortunately, you can only earn up to 25K (maybe 35K) Aeroplan status through spend and you really need butt-in-seat miles for that level.
75K with Aeroplan and Platinum with Marriott, nothing but greater competition for upgrades for me
I wonder if they will granted this for 50k status that was "gifted" through amex in Canada. Not that I really stay at marriott properties anymore. I really try and avoid them.
How do you get Aeroplan 50K from Amex? Is this a perk of one of the cards? If so, which one? Thanks!
Amex has a card above the Aeroplan Reserve, sort of a centurion for Aeroplan. They just call it the American Express air Canada card (super creative name). It gets you automatic 50k status.
I'm not an AC elite but it's saying I am, so match is disallowed :(
Note how they are careful not to include all the Marriott golds who got that status via Amex platinum. Not that I’ve noticed much upside to Marriott gold. Benefits subject to availability aren’t really guaranteeing anything. It’s like dynamic pricing.
Just used my Marriott status to get 25K. Even though they said "up to 2 business days", the update on AirCanda's website was instantaneous. Better than a hole in the head!
No difference really to United silver that Marriott status also provides, though the AC lounge access in addition to checked bags is nice.
Trying to see if this is something that I would be interested in -
I am a Ambassador with Marriott - but ending this year
I think I have an Aeroplan account, but franking, very rarely (less than 1x per ear) fly A/C
- usually just fly United (where I have status)
would this new status get me any benefits while flying *A in the US even if not flying AC?
It seems the word 'match' means something different to Aeroplan and Marriott than to the rest of us.
What a lacklustre promo.
Not accepting my aeroplan number.