Aeroplan delays introduction of revenue-based mileage earning until 2023
Air Canada's Aeroplan loyalty program has announced it will delay introducing its new revenue-based mileage accrual program changes until at least 2023, retaining its traditional distance-based system through 2022.
As part of the sweeping Aeroplan changes announced in 2020, the program was set to award points based on how much a ticket costs, rather than on the distance flown. This change was due to commence "later in 2021," but Aeroplan has now advised TPG this change will not happen before January 2023 at the earliest, and plenty of notice will be given to members.
Currently, Aeroplan members earn miles based on the distance and fare class when flying Air Canada — here's a look at the earning chart:
Elite members also earn the following bonuses:
- Aeroplan 25K: 25%
- Aeroplan 35K: 35%
- Aeroplan 50K: 50%
- Aeroplan 75K: 75%
- Aeroplan Super Elite: 100%
This style of points earning is advantageous for those flying on cheap long-haul tickets. For example, someone that books a flight from Toronto (YYZ) to London-Heathrow (LHR) in premium economy earns 4,445 points one-way. The flight is 3,556 miles long, and the fare earns 125% points per mile flown. This earning is the same whether you pay $500 or $5,000 for your ticket.
When the revenue-based structure does finally commence (likely at some time in 2023), more expensive tickets in premium cabins will earn more points than cheaper tickets. Here is a look at how many points per dollar (before tax) each fare type will earn:
- Basic economy: 2 points per Canadian dollar spent
- Standard, Flex/Comfort and Latitude economy: 3 points per Canadian dollar spent
- Premium economy: 3 points per Canadian dollar spent
- Business class: 3 points per Canadian dollar spent
Related: Pros and cons of the new Air Canada Aeroplan loyalty program
Additionally, you'll earn bonus points on your Air Canada award tickets if you have Air Canada Altitude elite status. The higher your status, the more points you'll earn. This is how many bonus points each tier earns:
- Altitude 25K: 1x bonus points
- Altitude 35K: 1x bonus points
- Altitude 50K: 2x bonus points
- Altitude 75K: 3x bonus points
- Super Elite: 4x bonus points
These points are earned on the fare sans any taxes. This means that a $305 flight on Air Canada would earn 915 Aeroplan points when booked in standard economy or higher. If you have Altitude 25K status, this number jumps to 1,220 points with your 1x bonus.
You'll also still earn Aeroplan points based on the length of your flight on partner airlines. This includes Star Alliance partners and non-alliance partners like Azul and Etihad Airways.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.