I’ve held the belief that with travel resuming in such uneven ways in 2021, airlines would be better off extending status through 2022 and be done with it. Why risk losing customers because they aren’t yet able to travel? That’s a very different situation than a customer that is flying but isn’t choosing to fly with you. And the airline that won’t extend obviously risks losing customers to one that does.
Air Canada’s Aeroplan is a program with people in charge that “get it.” And, accordingly, they have announced a full status extension for those that have status earned last year right through 2022.
I personally earned my low end Air Canada status during their Stay at Home promotion, where transferring in 50,000 miles from a credit card program got you Silver status. I have not yet had a chance to actually use the status, so it’s great to see it extended.
In addition:
- The validity of all Priority Reward vouchers issued in 2020 have been extended by one full year, and are valid for use until October 2022.
- Points expiration is also paused through January 2022.
- For Aeroplan members who earn any Elite Status through their 2021 flight activity, the Status Qualifying Miles, Segments, and Dollars earned in 2021 will be duplicated in 2022.
- Aeroplan flight rewards booked through April 30, 2021 (for travel through April 2022) can be changed or cancelled free of charge, at any time. Members who opt to cancel will receive all of their Aeroplan points back in their account, plus a full refund of any associated taxes, fees and surcharges on the unused value of their travel.
Overall, Air Canada has been a leader in the last couple of years. Mark Nasr oversees the program and has shown himself to be someone that truly gets loyalty.
Remember that Air Canada’s Aeroplan, which reinvented itself in 2020, will also be a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner later in 2021.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Earn 60,000 bonus Ultimate Rewards points (worth up to $750 or more!) when you spend $4,000 in 3 months. How to apply for this offer.
Thoughts?
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