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Ahead of the launch of its new loyalty program in 2020, Aeroplan announced a slew of changes to its award program. As a frequent flyer, I'm always wary of changes to loyalty programs because those changes are seldom favorable. Well, in this instance, Aeroplan's changes are a mix of pros and cons. The positive changes take effect immediately—even for award tickets booked before the announcement. Negative changes are effective on September 1st, 2019.
Positive Changes
Full Refunds Within 24 Hours of Booking
You will now get a full refund of your miles and fees if you cancel your ticket within 24 hours of booking. For tickets booked at least seven days prior to travel, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to offer one of two options:
- Allow penalty-free cancelation for 24 hours
- Allow passengers to place tickets on hold for 24 hours
Aeroplan has long exploited an exception for third-party online travel agencies. The DOT rule applies to tickets issued by airlines serving the U.S. Aeroplan was in the unique situation of being a separate entity from the airline Air Canada, and thus didn't need to accommodate the 24-hour free-cancellation rule. But in November 2018, Air Canada closed a $450M deal to buy the Aeroplan program. We aren't sure whether the new policy is a customer-friendly move or forced compliance with U.S. law following the Air Canada-Aeroplan acquisition. Regardless, it's great news for frequent flyers. For bookings made over the phone, the $30 CAD booking fee remains non-refundable.
Cancellations / Changes Allowed Up To Two Hours Before Departure
Award tickets can now be canceled/changed for a fee at least two hours before departure. Previously, cancellations and changes were only allowed up to 21 days before departure. (Changes inside 21 days were possible before, but you needed to reissue a ticket with those miles within a year.) Now, after paying the fee, miles and taxes will be fully refunded to your Aeroplan account.
Lower Fees for Cancellations / Changes
As shown in the chart above, fees for cancellations on the website range from CAD$125 to free depending on your elite status. Cancellations made over the phone are slightly more expensive, ranging from $150CAD to free, based on status.
Fee Elimination for Altitude Super Elite 100K
Altitude Super Elite 100K is Aeroplan's highest elite status level. Members at this level now benefit from waived fees for changes or cancellations as long as they are made two hours before departure.
Negative Changes
Aeroplan is “temporarily” suspending two types of awards so that it can “make important system upgrades to deliver better service and offer new, more flexible stopover options” in advance of the new loyalty program. Aeroplan states that only 0.3% of award tickets will be impacted.
Round the World (RTW) Awards
Previously, you were able to book RTW awards at the following mileage levels:
This change isn't that surprising since several airlines have done away with round-the-world (RTW) tickets. However, ANA still offers them, so you could still piece together a RTW trip. In fact, RTW awards from ANA are more flexible than those offered by Aeroplan, so this change isn't too terrible. ANA is a transfer partner of American Express, just like Aeroplan. So, if a RTW award was on your bucket list, it's still an option with ANA and for a much better rate.
Stopovers and Open Jaws
Currently, Aeroplan allows two stopovers or one stopover and one open jaw on a round-trip award. After the changes take effect, you will only be able to have one stopover or one open jaw on your round-trip ticket. Even if temporary, it's frustrating that this award is going away. If you were planning on putting together a creative round-trip award, make sure you book it before September 1st.
Our Take
The changes announced by Aeroplane are a mixed bag. It's nice that the positive changes go into effect immediately. As far as the negative changes go, there is still time to book travel before they take effect. Although Aeroplan says the changes are temporary, we're highly skeptical the old routing rules will be brought back in any way that resembles the current version. If RTW trips return, you can bet the pricing won't be the same.
The technology that manages award bookings is incredibly complex to build and manage. It seems doubtful they would go to the trouble to change routing rules temporarily. We'll continue to hope for the best, but you should probably put the claims about these changes being temporary into the fake-news category and book any RTW and/or creative roundtrips while you still can.
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The open jaw/stopover change is disappointing, but at least it’s not all negative news.
It could have been worse indeed – Still, I am disappointed in the new stopover/ open jaw policy.
Thanks for this overview — helpful as I figure out what to do with all of my Aeroplan miles.
Being able to cancel within 24 hours of booking and receive a full refund is very nice. I’m glad that loophole was closed.
I like the ability to cancel so close to departure.
As mentioned, definitely good and bad. But it could have been much worse.
Temporary changes? = enhanced away. Sorry.
Carrot Rewards no longer offers Aeroplan points. Any other simple ways to keep miles from expiring?
Transfer from Amex / Cap One / Marriott. Or you can also donate 1,000 miles to keep your balance active. https://beyondmiles.aeroplan.com/eng
https://awardwallet.com/blog/air-canada-aeroplan-miles-expire/
I was just about to thank you for introducing me to a new, useful rewards program, but then I learned it was limited to Canada. 🙁 But, like a good Canadian, I will thank you nonetheless!
Its nice to see positive changes for once. Maybe some of the other airlines should follow their lead.
Alaska upping their cancellatrion and change fees was heartbreaking. Especially for last minute changes on intra Asian flights.
Overall, these still feel like the minor changes. Calm before the storm.
It could have been worse.
So not disappointed at all.
All the more reason to look forward to Air Canada’s new rewards program in 2020, hopefully.
Glad to see they are using the standard cancelation 24 hour window now.
I really hope when the takeover is completely finished, Air Canada will get rid of YQ on award flights.
Perhaps this is only a temporary change? I certainly hope so.
I really like Aeroplan’s awards to arctic Canada on their partners. There is some phenomenal value for some of those flights.
Have you used Aeroplan for some award flight to arctic?
I would be interested to go to Churchill.
I haven’t found a lot of information online and the procedure of ticketing seems a little complicated.
A good article on the subject will be very welcome.
The game gets harder, the gamers move on (which is what the hosts want).
Are the changes better / friendlier than MileagePlus ones?
Definitely. Still remains to be seen with United long term, but I’m pretty happy with the Aeroplan changes on balance.
Depends which apply to you whether the positives or negatives rule.
I’m pretty sure that 2 Stopovers (or Stopover + OJ) are allowed only on trans-oceanic awards. On awards within North America, only one or the other is allowed now.
Aeroplan also expires your miles! I think they will do it after 12 months no activity. I usually will use United miles for trips I could book with Aeroplan miles. The easiest miles to book are Southwest, but they don’t fly everywhere.
they always gotta screw up a good thing… think they just make changes so it’s too hard to make a redemption
My long standing frustration with Aeroplan / Air Canada bookings is their sky-high taxes and fees.
I remember one ticket (multi-leg) where $400 out of the $1,200 sale price were fees and taxes.
I think this depends a lot on destination
It’s not often that we see any positive changes let alone ones that go into effect immediately, so kudos to them for doing so. Still, the loss of having the ability to book an open-jaw and stopover on a RT ticket is a real bummer. Really creative itineraries are going the way of the dodo alas.