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Aeroplan to slightly devalue many of its awards — here's what you need to know

July 28, 2022
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4 min read
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As a transfer partner of Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One miles and American Express Membership Rewards, Air Canada's Aeroplan is a popular loyalty program that is full of lucrative sweet spots.

Unfortunately, there's a slight devaluation coming. While it's not all bad news, you'll have to use more points for many tickets issued on or after Sept. 1.

Here are the most important changes for you to be aware of.

Devaluations

Air Canada business class Boeing 737-8 MAX
Air Canada business class on a Boeing 737-8 MAX. (Photo by Kyle Olsen/The Points Guy)

Long-haul business-class and first-class partner flights across the Atlantic will require more points. Flights from the West Coast to Middle Eastern destinations like Cairo International Airport (CAI), Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) will be most affected.

  • 6,001-8,000-mile distance band
    • Business (partner): Increases from 85,000 to 90,000 points.
    • First (partner): Increases from 120,000 to 130,000 points.
  • 8,001-plus-mile distance band
    • Business (partner): Increases from 100,000 to 110,000 points.
    • First (partner): Increases from 130,000 to 140,000 points.

Business- and first-class partner flights from North America across the Pacific to Asia and the South Pacific will also be devalued.

  • 7,501-11,000-mile distance band
    • Business (partner): Increases from 85,000 to 87,500 points.
  • 11,001-plus-mile distance band
    • Business (partner): Increases from 105,000 to 115,000 points.
    • First (partner): Increases from 140,000 to 150,000 points.

Lastly, partner award pricing within South America is also being devalued. This will apply primarily to flights on Avianca, the Star Alliance hegemon in South America.

  • 1,601-plus-mile distance band (an updated band with increases in partner pricing)
    • Economy (partner): Increases from 15,000 to 20,000 points.
    • Business (partner): Increases from 30,000 to 35,000 points.

Related: Pandemic-era devaluations: What’s happened to frequent flyer miles and what may come next

New tiers with reduced pricing

(Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

Air Canada is also introducing new tiers with reduced pricing. You'll notice that on Air Canada metal, a range in the number of points is provided, but for partner prices, you'll still find fixed-rate redemptions.

First up are short- and medium-haul flights between North America and South America.

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  • 0-2,500-mile distance band (a new band with reduced pricing)
    • Economy (Air Canada): 20,000-45,000 points.
    • Economy (partner):  20,000 points.
    • Premium economy (Air Canada): 35,000-100,000 points.
    • Business (Air Canada): 40,000-150,000 points.
    • Business (partner): 40,000 points.
    • First (Air Canada): 60,000-175,000 points.
    • First (partner): 60,000 points.

Additionally, flights between the Atlantic and Pacific under 2,500 miles will have a new pricing band with reduced award rates.

  • 0-2,500-mile distance band (a new band with reduced pricing)
    • Economy (Air Canada): 25,000-50,000 points.
    • Economy (partner):  25,000 points.
    • Premium economy (Air Canada): 30,000-65,000 points.
    • Business (Air Canada): 40,000-75,000 points.
    • Business (partner): 40,000 points.
    • First (Air Canada): 50,000-100,000 points.
    • First (partner): 50,000 points.

Related: The best ways to maximize Air Canada’s Aeroplan program

Premium economy awards from the Atlantic to the Pacific

Air Canada plane
(Photo by Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images)

Lastly, Air Canada will start offering premium economy awards on medium- and long-haul flights between the Atlantic and the Pacific. These are new awards that are not currently offered.

  • 2,501-5,000-mile distance band (updated from 0-5,000 miles)
    • Premium economy (Air Canada): 50,000-75,000 points.
  • 5,001-7,000-mile distance band
    • Premium economy (Air Canada): 65,000-80,000 points.

Related: It’s worth your time: A review of Air Canada business class on the Boeing 777-300ER

Bottom line

While some Aeroplan awards are going down, many are slightly increasing. Business- and first-class awards are disproportionately affected, a trend that we've been seeing in the points and miles space.

The new Aeroplan changes take effect for tickets bought or changed on or after Sept. 1, so now might be the time to redeem your points before the devaluation.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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 $6,000 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.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.