Latest news with #Aeroplan
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
‘Customers feel cheated': Aeroplan overhaul draws ire from frequent Air Canada flyers
Air Canada's decision to revamp its Aeroplan program to prioritize top spenders is drawing sharp criticism from loyal customers, who say the new rules punish frequent flyers. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the airline will shift from awarding points based on mileage to dollars spent, and travellers who book flex fares and above — which include business class — will earn double the points per dollar compared to standard fares.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
How changes to Aeroplan's point system will affect you
Air Canada's loyalty program which allows members to earn and redeem points for travel, is changing how its points are earned next year. Aeroplan, Air Canada's loyalty program that allows members to earn and redeem points for travel, is changing how its points are earned next year, making it easier for the higher paying customers to now earn more. Air Canada said the new changes will let all members earn points on their flights based on the dollars they spend, instead of the distance travelled. 'Our new design aims to provide more for members who are most engaged – regardless of where they fly,' Air Canada's website read. Barry Choi, a personal finance and loyalty points expert says three types of people will benefit the most from this change – those with an existing status, frequent short-haul business travellers and the retired individuals who spend heavily on their travels. The new system aims to encourage higher spending and simplify status levels, according to Choi. 'Instead of earning points or miles or segment hints under the old system based on distance, it's now going to be based on spending,' he told on Thursday. 'So, some people will come out ahead, some people will come out below.' Status Qualifying Credits: What are they? Currently, Aeroplan members earn points based on a combination of elements – all of which can vary due to routes, class and cost, Choi explains. Status qualifying segments, which are the number of flights flown. Status qualifying miles, which is the distance flown. Status qualifying dollars, which is the amount of money spent. From Jan. 1, 2026, Aeroplan members will earn one point on each dollar spent on an Air Canada flight , excluding taxes and third-party fees. Elite members will be awarded more points based on their status tier. In the coming year, Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) will replacement all older requirements. To earn status from next year, travellers will require 25,000 SQC for 25K status, 35,000 SQC for 35K status, and so forth. 'While each member's activity will determine their new status level, we expect many of our current Elite Members will benefit from the expanded ways to accumulate Status Qualifying Credits,' Air Canada said. However, the basic economy ticket fares will not be eligible for SQC. 'If you want higher status with Air Canada, you're going to have to spend a lot more, also because the status qualifying credits are now capped on spending on the premium credit cards,' Choi said. 'It's not necessarily beneficial for you to keep spending on those cards.' 'Reward the people who spend the most' It all comes down to revenue, Choi explains. The new system is designed aiming to encourage more spending from high-value customers using different kinds of incentives. 'People who have figured out this the old system and gamed it, those tricks have been eliminated,' Choi said. 'People will have to kind of figure out new ways (to get benefits), and it's going to be a lot harder when it's mostly based on spending.' According to him, all major airline loyalty programs are using this kind of a revenue-based system to increase their profits and reduce the number of people with status, so those who have the benefits get an opportunity to use them. 'One argument may be made that there's too many people with status, which kind of dilutes the product,' Choi stated. 'They want to reward the people who spend the most, give them the most. And strictly from a loyalty standpoint, it makes sense.' Meanwhile, Canadians are not just collecting loyalty points, they want to use them, said Amra Durakovic, head of communications, Flight Centre Travel Group. 'From seamless upgrades to straightforward redemption, they're looking for loyalty programs that make travel feel simple, rewarding and worthwhile,' Durakovic told
Time Out
4 days ago
- Business
- Time Out
Air Canada Aeroplan to change how members earn points and elite status
It's official: Aeroplan is getting a major overhaul, with changes to how Canadian travellers earn points, achieve status, and unlock benefits. The Canadian airline just ranked the best in North America just made a game-changing announcement regarding its membership program. Fresh off the news that Air Canada's newest route (returning after a 5 year hiatus) isn't served by an aircraft, the airline has just issued changes to the Aeroplan loyalty program that will update its points-earning system. What are the new changes for Aeroplan members? Under the new system, members will earn points on eligible Air Canada flights based on how much they spend, rather than how far they travel. Each dollar spent on qualifying flights will earn at least one Aeroplan point. According to the airline, the updates aim to better reward members who fly and spend more with Air Canada, while maintaining the exclusivity of Elite Status. On the same date, Air Canada will also launch Status Qualifying Credits, a new way to work toward Aeroplan Elite Status. When is Aeroplan changing how members earn points and elite status? Air Canada has announced upcoming changes to how Aeroplan members earn points, set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Currently, Aeroplan points are based on miles flown, with rates varying by route and fare class. Starting January 1, 2026, points will be earned based on dollars spent: 1 point per $1 on base fares and surcharges (excluding taxes/fees), with Elite members earning 2x to 6x depending on status. This means fewer points for long-haul economy flights but significantly more for business class or high-status travellers. Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) will replace the current mix of status requirements (miles, segments, spend). You'll now need: 25K SQC for 25K status 35K for 35K, and so on up to 125K for Super Elite You'll earn 2x SQC on standard fares and 4x on flex and business fares. Basic economy earns none. SQC can also be earned via partners (like Uber and Starbucks) and Aeroplan credit card spending—capped at 25,000 per year per source. Bottom line: Frequent business travellers and high spenders benefit most; casual flyers may see fewer points but can still earn through credit cards and partners. Why the changes? The switch to Status Qualifying Currency (SQC) is meant to boost revenue by rewarding higher spenders with better perks. Mid-tier members may be motivated to spend more to reach the next status level, while casual travellers won't be heavily affected—especially if they earn points through Aeroplan credit cards. Though it may seem like a cash grab, this shift aligns with typical loyalty programs: the more you spend, the more you're rewarded. For dedicated users, the new system offers a more flexible and fair way to unlock benefits.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Canada's 9 million Aeroplan members have new rules to follow Jan 1st, 2026
Toronto Watch Aeroplan announced starting in the new year members will earn points based on dollars spent rather than distance flown. CTV's Pat Foran reports.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
‘Disproportionate benefits': Changes coming to the way Canada's 9 million Aeroplan members can earn points
Aeroplan announced starting in the new year members will earn points based on dollars spent rather than distance flown. If you're one of the nine million Aeroplan members in Canada, there are new changes coming for earning awards. This week, Aeroplan announced that members will earn points based on dollars spent rather than distance flown. The overhaul will start on Jan. 1, 2026. 'They're saying your dollars if you're a business traveller are worth more then someone who is flying economy,' said Phil McCully of Ottawa. McCully told CTV News he is frequent flyer and has been an Aeroplan member for the past 20 years. He said he's concerned business travellers buying more expensive tickets will see the greatest benefits. 'It absolutely benefits people who travel on the maximum fare class, so people who fly business everywhere are disproportionately benefitting over those who fly a lower fare class.' Scott O'Leary, vice-president of Loyalty and Product Air Canada, said the changes are meant to benefit its most loyal members and the airline. 'The majority of our members are going to be better off than they were before,' said O' Leary. Air Canada said those who will see the most benefits from the upcoming changes will be members who engage with the airline and its partners the most. The changes mean Aeroplan members will earn one point per dollar spent. In one example on Air Canada's website, it uses a round trip from Montreal to Paris to illustrate how things will work. Under the current plan you would receive 6,856 Aeroplan points — the distance of the round trip flight — but under the new plan you'll receive however much you paid for your ticket. The more you pay for your flight, the more points you'll get. 'It can be seen as a positive or it can be seen as a negative, it really comes down to whether the changes are good for you or not,' said Patrick Sojka, the founder of Rewards Canada. Rewards Canada is a website that studies loyalty programs. Sojka said those who pay more for expensive flights will achieve elite status faster and rack up more points than those who are searching for bargains. 'The more you spend with the airline, the more you are going to be rewarded, whether it's elite status or points earning as well,' he said. Air Canada says the changes are designed to better recognize Aeroplan members who 'spend more' and 'travel more' with the airline. They add that the higher your status level with Aeroplan, the faster your points will add up. 'To me, it doesn't sit super great,' said McCully. 'I think this change is very shortsighted. For your average frequent flyer, this will dissuade a lot of us from continuing to use Air Canada in the future.' 'I will likely use them less and am probably going to switch to a different rewards program.'
