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Air Canada is making slight changes to free baggage allowances next year for select Aeroplan elite tiers. Some changes are good, while others are not so much. These adjustments will affect members with 25K and 35K status, while those with higher status won’t see any changes.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s coming so you’re not caught off guard on February 1, 2026 — the day these changes take effect.
Air Canada to Reduce Free Checked Bag Allowance for 25K Elites
Starting February 1, 2026, 25K members will be able to check one free bag, down from the previous allowance of two. This allowance comes in addition to any baggage allowance included with the fare purchased.
For example, economy fares (including basic fares) that don’t include any checked bags will now allow only one bag for 25K members. Standard economy fares that already include a checked bag will allow one extra bag with 25K status. While this only affects a subset of flyers and fare types, it’s still a reduction in elite benefits.
Keep in mind that Aeroplan® Credit Card(Rates & Fees) holders get one complimentary checked bag as a card perk, and that benefit stacks with Aeroplan 25K allowance. Thus, cardholders can add one more bag at no charge on top of the allowances above.
- Earn up to 100,000 bonus points
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 25,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months.
- $95 Annual Fee
- Redeem points for both international and domestic flights with the Aeroplan® Credit Card.
- Fly to another continent and travel the world with the Aeroplan® Credit Card.
- Earn 3X points for each dollar spent at grocery stores, on dining at restaurants, and Air Canada directly. Earn 1X point for each dollar spent on all other purchases.
- 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month - up to 1,500 points per month.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 3x points directly with Air Canada
- 3x points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- 3x points at grocery stores
- 1x point on all other purchases
Related: Major Overhaul Coming To Air Canada Aeroplan Loyalty Program — What To Know
Extra Checked Bag for 25K and 35K Elites on Select Carriers
There’s also some good news. Starting February 1, 2026, 25K and 35K elites (Star Alliance Silver) will be able to check one additional bag beyond what their fare allows when flying select Star Alliance partners. This benefit applies on:
- Air Dolomiti
- Austrian Airlines
- Brussels Airlines
- Discover Airlines
- Lufthansa (including Lufthansa City)
- SWISS
- United
That means if your fare includes one bag, you’ll now be able to check two. Previously, this extra bag wasn’t complimentary. But to take advantage of the added allowance, members will need to attach their Aeroplan number to the Star Alliance booking.
However, it's important to note that this benefit doesn’t apply to “light” fares on Lufthansa Group airlines.
Bottom Line
Although these changes are relatively minor, frequent Air Canada flyers with status should take note. For 25K members, the reduced baggage allowance means being a bit more mindful when packing. If that extra bag is important, getting the Aeroplan Card for the added allowance could be worth it. But on the other hand, 25K and 35K members flying with the Star Alliance partners listed above will welcome the new complimentary bag starting next February.
- Earn up to 100,000 bonus points
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 25,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months.
- $95 Annual Fee
- Redeem points for both international and domestic flights with the Aeroplan® Credit Card.
- Fly to another continent and travel the world with the Aeroplan® Credit Card.
- Earn 3X points for each dollar spent at grocery stores, on dining at restaurants, and Air Canada directly. Earn 1X point for each dollar spent on all other purchases.
- 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month - up to 1,500 points per month.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 3x points directly with Air Canada
- 3x points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- 3x points at grocery stores
- 1x point on all other purchases
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Aeroplan® Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
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