Points Miles and Bling (blog) contains referral or affiliate links. The blog receives a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your continued support. Credit Card issuers are not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details, current product information, and Terms and Conditions, click the link included.
Back in April 2020, I started hosting virtual meetups in lieu of the in-person YOW events. Every week, we chit-chat about a loyalty program, or a travel theme, with a guest that specializes in that area. This week, Mark Nasr (VP, Loyalty & eCommerce, Air Canada) and Scott O’Leary (Managing Director, Loyalty Planning and Development) will join us to talk all things Aeroplan.
PMB Virtual Meetup #28: Saturday, November 14, 1:00pm ET
Join me (Zoom details below), as we reflect on the recent launch of the New Aeroplan Program, Enhanced suite of Aeroplan Credit Cards, and discuss the many features that will be rolled out in 2021. Status Pass, more Airline partners (?), new eStore, and a lot more;
Catch the live stream on PMB facebook page, OR – Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85603049426?pwd=Z3NZd3RyZ2dIb2dISWdtQUppNlYvQT09
Meeting ID: 856 0304 9426
Passcode: 477220
If you are unable to join us on the live session, feel free to put your questions in comment below and I will be sure to include them in my chat. PMB Virtual Meetup will also be live streamed on my Facebook page , and the video will be available to view after the stream ends.
Hope to see you there – Add this event to your Calendar
11 comments
In case you missed it, the recording of the session lives here – https://fb.watch/1NnSuCG4Ph/
I am a SE. With elimination of IKK with the new Aeroplan program – I am competing with everyone else for Aeroplan points for awards -esp J class awards. I get a minor discount compared to lower tier members with or without credit cards. So I wlll have to pay – esp when travel increases post covid vaccine – must more than base Aeroplan miles (closer to market fare mileage in old program). And the priority passes/certificates with 50% off are limited in number – valid for passenger rather than for one booking (pnr) with several passengers.
So the main benefit for SEs from the old program has been been eliminated? Is What is there left for SEs in the new program to justify flying enough to maintain status for future years?
Something special is coming for 100K members in Jan 2021. I will definitely ask them to elaborate. Cheers!
When booking an AE award and selecting the “use fewer miles” option (i.e. effectively buying the missing miles), how do refunds/cancellations work? Is the refund in miles or cash?
One more question for AC: The “select” “25%-100% bonus miles” benefit in bundle 1 seems to have not changed. Would you be able to comment on how this benefit will work with the new revenue-based AE earning scheme? E.g. how many AE miles per SQD would a SE earn who chooses this benefit?
You continue to earn redeemable miles based on distance flown. The 100k benefit will be 100% of that. Same as before.
Unfortunately that’s not correct. According to the announcements, AE points accruel with be based on SQD (sometime in 2021). Base members will receive 3 AE points per $ on most fares, E50Ks will earn 5 AE points per $ and SEs will earn 7 points per $. However, no information has been released yet how/if the “(up to) 100% bonus miles” will apply to these multipliers.
Question for AC: The new priority rewards have their pros and cons, however awarding them strictly based on SQD is a huge devaluation for million mile members who have been loyal to AC for decades. For lifetime SEs, this means going from almost unrestricted award availability at the saver level to zero benefits. Are there any plans to award a basic number of priority rewards each year to MM members (regardless of SQD)?
These are great questions Danny, thanks for sharing. Would def. add it in my discussions.
Looking forward to it! I think the most burning questions on most people’s minds are:
1. Can we expect higher signup bonuses (in terms of number of Aeroplan points, not buddy passes) on the new credit cards in January?
2. Are they working on making complex itineraries and 5000-point stopovers bookable on the website? Is there a timeline for when we can expect to be able to do these ourselves without logging in?
3. Most of us were pleasantly surprised with the pricing of Air Canada flights under the new dynamic model. Is this simply a short-term effect of low demand due to COVID, or can we expect to see this competitive pricing continue after demand for travel picks back up?
4. Will there be a US-based Aeroplan credit card? If so which bank/issuer can we expect it to be with, and how soon can we expect it?
5. What are the policies for changing bookings that were made under the old award chart? If they are making concessions that allow people to change flights without recalculating the cost, which types of changes/circumstances will qualify?
6. Can they elaborate on how the eUpgrade expiration works with the high-tier credit cards? How far in advance of the expiration date do we need to be holding the card?
Thanks a lot Ethan, these are great questions. I have covered some of these in staggered posts but will be good to engage Mark and Scott on. My take on some of these;
1. No new bonuses, current ones would be the ‘best’ we see.
2. Yes, system upgrades will continue in coming weeks for a full roll out in Jan 2021. Incl booking complex routings online.
3. Def. good because of lower fares now. Don’t expect it to remain like this past vaccine timelines.
4. Yes. And I will press them on a timeline for this.
5/6. Both themes will be covered over longer discussion on Saturday 🙂
Cheers,
Anshul