Air Canada to Launch Its Own Loyalty Program in 2020

[Infiniti]

Air Canada to Launch Its Own Loyalty Program in 2020 - May 11, 2017

Time to burn through all those miles!!

[Spoon]

Does this make Aeroplan useless now?

Never collected them, but have had thoughts about going with an Aeroplan CC. Guess I should forget about it unless I plan on claiming them by 2020?

[Hehe]

I don't collect AE so it doesn't affect me much.

But what I find interesting is the time frame of the announcement.

So AC is not going to extend its contract with AMIA after the contract expires in 2020 and they announce it now?!? Like 3 years prior the actual departure? If I were an AC elite, I'd be rescheduling all my flights as there's no point (no pun intended) of continuing flying with an AE optimized flight schedule. Instead, flying UA, or even Delta/AA start to make a lot of sense.

[murd0c]

Hopefully we will be able to transfer the points over, I only have about 40,000 right now but the g/f has close to 200,000 points and we used them to go to New Orleans a year and a half ago

[Rallydrv]

i have about 150k in aeroplan, and another 100k + w/ amex. i was planning to move to aeroplan. but ill hold off.

Glad, my *g is with Asiana. that said. aeroplan is still one of the better programs,specially if u book with other * members. (once cutover happens, u can still book with AC but not other * alliance members )

hopefully AC will not fuck us over more than now.


edit. AC use to own aeroplan and then got rid of it. maybe they should bring it back inhouse

[CCA-Dave]

Originally Posted by Hehe

But what I find interesting is the time frame of the announcement.

So AC is not going to extend its contract with AMIA after the contract expires in 2020 and they announce it now?!?

I honestly think this is the most important part of the announcement. Almost like AC is strong-arming AMIA towards the 2020 contract negotiations.

I've got a good chunk saved up, but no where near my dad who's got over a million points. Wonder how he's doing today? :P

-Dave

[CCA-Dave]

Originally Posted by CCA-Dave

I honestly think this is the most important part of the announcement. Almost like AC is strong-arming AMIA towards the 2020 contract negotiations.
-Dave

Or...not?

[danned]

no more aeroplan after 2020

[TOS'd]

Originally Posted by danned

no more aeroplan after 2020

There still will be aeroplan, just no ties with Air Canada anymore.

[bcrdukes]

https://www5.aeroplan.com/aircanada-...entLanguage=en

In the link, below the letter that CCA-Dave posted (above) are a series of FAQs.

The most helpful one for me was question #5.

Originally Posted by Aeroplan

1. What does this mean to me as an Aeroplan member?
You can continue to earn miles on Air Canada eligible flights, and you can redeem for flights on Air Canada and Star Alliance member airlines until June 2020.

We are exploring a range of post-2020 options to ensure you retain access to a strong redemption offering. You will continue to be at the centre of our program, and we will keep you updated over the next three years.

2. Should I keep collecting?
Yes. With more than 5 million members, Aeroplan is Canada’s premier coalition loyalty program. You can continue to collect miles on Air Canada eligible flights, through Aeroplan-affiliated financial card partners, and through our network of over 75 world-class partners, representing more than 150 partner brands in the financial, retail, and travel sectors.

In addition to flights, you also have access to over 1,000 exciting merchandise, hotel, car rental and experiential rewards.

3. Will you stop offering flight rewards after 2020?
We know that flights rewards are a member favourite, and we are exploring a range of post-2020 options to ensure you retain access to a strong redemption offering.

In addition to flights, you also have access to over 1,000 exciting merchandise, hotel, car rental and experiential rewards.

4. What’s the impact on my current flight reward bookings?
There is no impact on current flight reward bookings. Our agreement with Air Canada does not expire until June 2020 - three full years from now.

5. What will happen to my miles if I don’t use them before June 2020?
Your Aeroplan Miles will stay with the Aeroplan program, and you will continue to have access to over 1,000 exciting merchandise, hotel, car rental and experiential rewards. We are exploring a range of post-2020 options to ensure you retain access to a strong redemption offering.

6. Will you stop offering flight rewards before 2020?
No.

7. What will happen to my Aeroplan-affiliated financial card?
Aeroplan-affiliated financial cards through TD, CIBC and American Express are extremely popular, and help members earn miles faster. You can continue earning and redeeming rewards as you normally do with your Aeroplan-affiliated financial card.

8. I thought Aeroplan was owned by Air Canada, who is Aimia?
Aeroplan has been owned and operated by Aimia since 2002. With about 2,300 employees across 15 countries, Aimia partners with groups of companies (coalitions) and individual companies to offer best-in-class loyalty programs to consumers around the world. Aimia’s coalition loyalty programs include Aeroplan in Canada and Nectar in the U.K.

9. What happens to my Air Canada Altitude status?
Air Canada Altitude is a program owned by Air Canada, and is independent from Aeroplan.

[XplicitLuder]

I just switched to AE in April , after looking up the best cards and rewards for me. Chose AE mostly for the star alliance partners who are my common airlines I use when travelling home to visit family or to Germany. Would have been nice to have kept Air Canada in the long run but I don't think I'll switch even after they leave.

[Rallydrv]

So ac will buy out aeroplan.and 1.9 $ worth of unused points.


I'm wondering how they will will change ratio for using points. I have about 140k in aeroplan +200k in American express that I can transfer 1:1 to aeroplan. Guess will wait for more info closer to the date. Good that I stopped going for status with ac many years back. Easier to achieve gold with others in the alliance.

[CCA-Dave]

annnnnd we're back to Aeroplan continuing with Air Canada...