Why Air Canada’s promise to not remove award charts is such a big deal
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
When the new Aeroplan launches on Nov. 8, there will still be an award chart.
Though the prices have changed, Aeroplan’s committed to keeping it around — and being honest and upfront about pricing. Here’s why that’s such a big deal.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Award charts are generally more rewarding than dynamic pricing
Loyalty programs typically use one of two systems to price award tickets.
The traditional method is by publishing an award chart. This frequent flyer-friendly model spells out exactly how much a ticket costs based on certain parameters, like cabin class and region.
In recent years, some of the world’s largest loyalty programs have ditched award charts in favor of dynamically priced awards. This means that there’s no telling how much an award ticket costs. The price you see is the price you pay.
Dynamic pricing helps a program better match the price of an award with its cost. Not great for the member, but definitely better for the program.
Related: How to earn Air Canada elite status without flying
Award charts build trust with members
Loyalty is a two-way street. Frequent flyers need to trust a program in order to invest their money and time with that airline.
Well, Aeroplan’s definitely working to build that trust. As part of the new program launch, the program is promising “predictable pricing.”
For flights operated by Air Canada, the award chart lists a range of prices that accounts for 80% to 90% of redemptions. Additionally, Aeroplan will publish a Points Predictor tool that gives a sense of how many points you’ll need for a given flight.
For partner flights, there’s a fixed-cost chart that varies based on region, cabin class and distance flown — not on date or specific flight.
And there’s no need to worry about Aeroplan pulling a fast one. The company is committed to keeping – and abiding — by award charts. Don’t expect any opaque pricing or deviations from the published ranges. To me, this level of transparency adds even more value to the new program.
Related: 19 things you need to know about redeeming with the new Aeroplan
Aeroplan’s award chart is devalued, but still around
It’s great that Aeroplan is keeping award charts. Unfortunately, however, many prices have been raised.
For premium-cabin awards, you can expect to pay more points than beforehand. For instance, a business-class flight from Miami to Paris currently costs 55,000 miles. That’ll jump to 70,000 points come Nov. 8.
Though the award chart is certainly devalued, there’s a silver lining: Aeroplan is eliminating carrier-imposed surcharges. If you’re flying with a partner that used to have high surcharges like Lufthansa, the price increase may actually represent a good deal relative to the hundreds of dollars of fees that used to be charged.
Related: 11 of the most innovative and exciting changes coming to Air Canada’s Aeroplan
One of the few major Star Alliance programs left with a chart
By keeping award charts, Aeroplan’s bucking the trend of fellow Star Alliance loyalty programs.
For instance, United used the coronavirus pandemic as a time to pull its Star Alliance partner award charts, and then immediately raise award costs across the board by about 10%. United-operated flights transitioned to dynamic pricing in late 2019.
Avianca Lifemiles is another popular Star Alliance loyalty program. Though the South American carrier publishes an award chart, the pricing often doesn’t match what’s listed in the chart.
The other major Star Alliance program to publish an award chart is Singapore KrisFlyer. Though KrisFlyer is a well-regarded program, the new Aeroplan will offer some more unique value propositions like the ability to add stopovers to one-way awards and flexible routing rules.
Related: United pulls its Star Alliance partner award chart
No partner tricks, hidden inventory
In addition to building trust by keeping an award chart, Aeroplan is committed to being transparent throughout the award redemption process.
The program promises not to block specific partner award inventory. Additionally, Aeroplan’s deploying a new booking engine that’s designed to minimize phantom award availability.
Bottom line
Award charts are generally the preferred method for pricing award tickets. You know exactly what to expect as you work to accumulate the required number of points.
Even though the prices have increased, Aeroplan’s promise to keep its award charts builds trust with its members — and shows that the program is dedicated to transparency.
Featured photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants in the first three months of card membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.