tcook052

Welcome to the Air Canada/Aeroplan forum!

This Master Sticky is meant to serve as an information centre where members new and old alike can come to find answers to a myriad of questions about the airline, Aeroplan and forum organization. It isn't meant to be an exhaustive dissection of every possible topic that relates to the airline & the loyalty program but more of an introduction to both.

Before we begin a few ground rules about participating in the forum:

What topics belong:

•Topics related to Air Canada flights and the broader Air Canada experience. In addition to topics about the airline itself, other "on topic" areas include operational issues that impact travel on Air Canada. Airport strikes, delays due closed runways, weather issues, baggage issues, or any other issue that impacts travel on Air Canada.

•Aeroplan related discussions; Aeroplan related topics such as planning & booking award travel, bonus offers, credit card enrollment bonus deals, earning points on partners, etc.

What topics should go elsewhere:

•NEXUS: Note that the NEXUS Information thread has been relocated to the new Trusted Traveller forum on FT and can be found here.

•Other Canadian Airlines: Threads on these topics should be posted in their appropriate forum. For Westjet please use the Westjet forum. Porter, First Air and other Canadian airlines should be posted in the Other North American airlines forum.

•Related to Canada, but not Air Canada or Aeroplan or the exceptions outlined above will be moved to the Canada forum. Examples would include threads general questions about Canada, immigration issues, and "off topic" Canadian topics such as CBC Mini Series, "Deals of the Day", best way to get from the airport to downtown, restaurant recommendations while passing through specific Canadian airports, baggage storage, meeting points, etc.

•Threads that are not Canadian will be moved to the best home on FT. These would include Star Alliance Threads, threads about UK, France, Other Airlines (United, US Airways, Continental, etc)

We would encourage you to seek the answers by searching before creating a brand new thread as it may be a topic that has come up previously. Taking this step helps the forum run smoother with less duplicate threads and makes finding the answer easier for the next person.

We also ask you to use the “Report Bad Post” icon, which is the red triangle in the lower left of each post, to bring to the forum moderators attention any post or thread you feel is inappropriate for tone or location rather than responding directly.

As always this will be a work in progress and the Moderators will use their best judgment in making a move. If you feel we’ve made a mistake, please let us know via PM or Email and we'll be happy to explain the thought process and will reconsider if a mistake is made.

Members are encouraged to contact by PM either forum moderator if they have corrections, updates or FAQ suggestions.

PLEASE NOTE: This new FAQ has a few upgrades and imbeded hyperlinks in the images which users can click on to take you right to the applicable portion of the website on that topic. Traditional hyperlinks will be included for those users who have not enabled images.

tcook052
Air Canada Forum Moderator

With thanks to Skofarrell and seanthepilot for original version of this introduction


AC Forum Thread Resource

A list of highly useful threads

Status

Altitude Program
The Air Canada Early Status Recognition Thread
I am X miles short of P/E/SE. Will AC give the status anyway?
Status Match
1,000,000 Million Miles Recognition from AC
eUpgrades and changes to Tango booking classes to Europe, Israel, Asia & S. America
UA Economy Plus upgrade - Altitude Elite 50K/Star Alliance Gold
Definitive rules for priority security lines at YYZ for AC status flyers
Distinction, Aeroplan's new member recognition program
Calculator for SQM, Aeroplan miles, & SQD



Mini-RTW

The Complete Newbie Guide/FAQ to the Air Canada Aeroplan Mini-RTW
List of valid and booked mini-RTW itineraries version 2.0
Mini RTW Questions
Aeroplan City Pair mileages

Codeshare earning

Codeshare Mileage Accumulation Update
Rant: Oh no points because operating carrier fare class

Upgrades

Updates on Air Canada Altitude: AQM & eUpgrades
Master thread: Flyers seeking eUpgrade credits
Master thread: eupgrade credits to gift to a new friend
How to Upgrade on Air Canada
Post your last minute upgrades here
The R Games
New Upgrades to Premium Economy
(LMU) Last Minute Upgrade fare discussion & questions
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-...-upgrades.html

Expired Miles

Expired Aeroplan Miles [Merged Thread]
AP just wiped out my account, now what?
Aeroplan Points Expiry - How to Determine Expiry Date

Lounges

I’m in the MLL now…
Air Canada gifting MLL pass thread (2017 - 2019)
FAQ: LHR AC Arrivals & *A lounge options
FAQ: LAX MLL & *A Lounges
FAQ: AC lounge at CDG questions
Air Canada Maple leaf Lounge at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 2
New VIP lounge YYZ int'l: Air Canada Signature Suite
YVR international maple leaf lounge

AC.com/Technology issues

aircanada.com/aeroplan.com - Experiences/Complaints/Issues

Miscellaneous

Boarding pass codes
What do ML*1 / ML*2 mean?
"Official" Aeroplan Status Miles - City Flight Pairings List
FT Acronyms and Terms for Dummies
“Somewhat scary one near Winnipeg” – the AC Master Thread for incidents
The Forum Lounge Thread (2020)
Canadian celebrity sightings thread
The Air Canada Amenity Kit Compendium Master Thread and Wiki
Air Canada to Launch Its Own Loyalty Program in 2020

Aircraft/Operations

Air Canada rouge Flight Report and Feedback Thread
The Air Canada 787-8/-9 Dreamliner Discussion Thread
More classes move from flex to tango
Announcing Premium Economy & new 777-300ERs
Air Canada rouge, a leisure airline
XM Thread: Air Canada refurbishment status and trip questions
AC Suggestion Box Thread
Flight Report & Feedback Thread
Air Canada iPhone app
Interline baggage
FAQ: Air Canada New meal offerings for International Business Class Customers
Summary of North American Executive meal class service
Branded fares; AC changes booking classes/fare classes for Tango & Flex
Air Canada Selects Boeing 737 MAX to Renew Mainline Narrowbody Fleet
Tracking the re-painting of AC's fleet in the new (2017) livery

Seats

Seat selection For bookings made elsewhere than on aircanada.com
What is the best seat on AC
Best seat on 777 – Biz class alone
Best seat on E75 in Exec First
Best executive first class seats on 77W
Best 767-300 Business seats for couple?

Discount Codes

Air Canada Discount Code Discussion Thread (2017)


Award tickets

Please list your AP Taxes and SURCHARGES on AP reward tickets
Short Haul Awards
Changes to Flight Reward Charts
Lack of Swiss F award availability
carriers with little or no fuel surcharges for award travel
FAQ: How to Save Money/YQ on Aeroplan Europe redemptions

tcook052

About Aeroplan:

Aeroplan was created in July 1984 by Air Canada as an incentive program for its frequent flyer customers. From its creation the Aeroplan program creation were fully integrated with those of Air Canada until 2002 when it was spun off as a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Canada. More recently Air Canada sold a portion of its ownership and the program has become part of a larger loyalty management business which was rebranded in 2011 as Aimia.

How the program works:

Members collect Aeroplan either by flying or through its various retail partners. Miles are accumulated in each member�s account and remain valid indefinately.

Aeroplan also has a one year inactivity clause that means you must have at least one mileage credit or redemption with a 12 month period or the account may be closed and the accumulated miles forfeited. This period is 36 months for members living outside Canada.

The mileage expiry and account inactivity details are here.

The main Aeroplan website.

Program Terms & Conditions

Partners at a glance



Aeroplan Distinction

On 27th June Aeroplan unveiled it's own tired recognition program called Distinction that goes into effect as of 1st January, 2014 based upon the miles collected during calendar 2013. This program is separate from Air Canada's own elite frequent flyer recognition program known as Altitude which is described in more detail in post #6 of this thread.

Among the key changes announced as part of the Distinction launch is the removal of the previous 7-year expiry of accumulated miles, move to "Market Fare" flight rewards which will replace ClassicPlus Flight Rewards, adjustment to 50% of the roundtrip award for one way award tickets and mileage levels for certain international routes (to/from North America to Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific; Middle East and North Africa; and Asia) for business and first class ClassicFlight Rewards will increase.

Distinction qualifications & other general clauses

Distinction FAQ's

Flyertalk thread on Distinction

tcook052

Air Canada & Air Canada Express Fleet Seat Maps

Air Canada
http://www.aircanada.com/en/about/fleet/index.html

Boeing

787-8 (788)
777-300 (77W)
777-200 (77L)

Airbus

A330-300 (333)

Boeing

767-300 (763)
767-300 (763)†
† Original cabin interior

Airbus

A321-200 (321)

A320-200 (320)


A319-100 (319)
A319-100 (319)†
† Original cabin interior.

Embraer

190 (E90)

175 (E75)

Air Canada Express

Bombardier

CRJ 705 (CRA) Jazz

CRJ 100/200 (CRJ) Jazz

Q400 (DH4) Jazz
Q400 (DH4) Sky Regional
Dash 8-300 (DH3) Jazz
Dash 8-100 (DH1) Jazz

Beechcraft

1900D (BEH) Air Georgian
1900D (BEH) EVAS Air

rouge

Boeing 767-300ER (763)

Airbus A319-100 (319)

Seat Guru

http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Air...nformation.php

Cabin Comfort

International Business Class

Executive Pod on Boeing 787 Dreamliner™ aircraft



More discussion about the introduction of the new 787 aircraft is in this thread and the ac.com overview & features is
here.

Classic Pod



Studio Pod





Business Class – Transcontinental



Business Class - North America and Caribbean





Premium Economy - International







Economy Class - International






Economy Class - North America and Caribbean






Air Canada rouge Economy



Air Canada rouge Premium



More about the Air Canada rouge product here


Online advance seat selection





How and when can I select or change my seat online?

Choose your seat when it’s easiest for you.



We invite you to read additional terms and conditions related to seat selection.

Terms and Conditions

• Advance seat selection charges are per passenger.
• Your seat selection and any related charges apply to your entire one-way flight, including connections, from your departure to your destination city.
• Tango standard seat selection charges are non refundable, except if:

-you are moved to a seat different than the one you selected due to an involuntary schedule or airport change (e.g. flight disruption, cancellation). Contact Air Canada Refund Services.
-you decide not to travel on your selected itinerary and you paid for Tango standard seat selection. The value of your Tango standard seat selection charge will be retained and can be applied towards seat selection on a future Air Canada itinerary.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...on/index.html/

Preferred Seats








http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...rredseats.html

tcook052

HOW TO EARN AEROPLAN MILES WITH AIR CANADA

tcook052

Earning Miles/Airline Partners

Star Alliance

Earn miles when you fly with other Star Alliance member airlines



The Aeroplan Miles you earn on eligible Star Alliance member airlines flights will also count as Air Canada Status Miles qualifying you for Air Canada Top Tier status but note that not all booking classes earn full miles as some may only earn partial miles and others none at all. It is up to the passenger to ensure if they want to earn full Aeroplan credit that they double check the fare basis does earn mileage credit.

The 2012 Star Alliance Reference Guide contains a useful chart that will help highlight the various partner booking classes and how they vary:

Star Alliance Reference Guide

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...ulation Update

tcook052

How to qualify for 2017 Air Canada Altitude

Here are the number of Altitude Qualifying Miles (AQM) or Altitude Qualifying Segments (AQS) and Altitude Qualifying Dollars (AQD) you’ll need to earn between January 1 and December 31, 2016, to reach Altitude status in 2017.



EARLY RECOGNITION
When you reach a higher 2017 Altitude status prior to October 15, 2017, you will be invited to choose your Select Privileges and will enjoy that status immediately for the rest of the benefit year. Early Recognition is offered as of Elite 35K status.

For more information on:

2017 Privileges
Threshold eUpgrades
Threshold Gifts
FAQ

Air Canada Altitude 2017 overview in pdf form.

tcook052

Three Ways to Upgrade to the Executive cabin

Air Canada eUpgrades

Air Canada eUpgrade Credits allow you to enjoy the comfort of our Executive cabin, especially if you're traveling on an intercontinental flight featuring our Executive First Suites, which are complete with lie-flat beds, multi-course meal service and personal touch-screen TVs with hundreds of hours of on-demand entertainment. Your eUpgrade Credits are deposited directly to your eUpgrade account soon after you qualify for them, giving you access to them at all times through aircanada.com.



For more information on:

• How to request an upgrade
• How to report eUpgrade discrepancies
• How eUpgrade Credits are calculated
• How to earn eUpgrade Credits
• eUpgrades to Share
• Terms and conditions



Last Minute Upgrade (LMU)







Last Minute Upgrades


Air Canada Bid Upgrades



Air Canada bid upgrade FAQ


Upgrading to the Premium Economy cabin

Air Canada has launched eUpgrades to Premium Economy, which allow Altitude members to upgrade from an eligible Economy Class fare to Premium Economy, giving them even more flexibility in how they wish to use their eUpgrade Credits. eUpgrades to Premium Economy are available for eligible flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada rouge which feature a Premium Economy or Premium rouge cabin.



Other eUpgrade requirements

Altitude members will benefit from the same eUpgrade Booking Window as they do today, and eUpgrade Add-ons will not apply for eUpgrades to Premium Economy.

Requesting an eUpgrade to Premium Economy

As an Altitude member, you will continue to be able to request your upgrades:
•through your eUpgrade account,
•by contacting Air Canada Reservations or
•with an Air Canada agent at the airport.

Note that eUpgrades to Premium Economy will not be available when checking in online, via your mobile device or at airport self-service kiosks.

Itineraries with flight connections

If you request an upgrade for one cabin (i.e. entirely in Premium Economy or Business Class) for an entire one-way itinerary that contains flight connections, you will continue to be charged the lesser of the number of eUpgrade Credits required for an upgrade between your origin and destination, or the sum of the number of eUpgrade Credits required per flight segment, as is the case today.

However, if you request your eUpgrade for different cabins for connecting flights on a one-way itinerary, you will be required to make separate eUpgrade requests and the requirements for each of your flights will be assessed separately.

Availability and seat allocation

You will always be given the ability to sit in the best available seat. Should you originally request an upgrade to Business Class but do not receive an upgrade, you will automatically be placed on standby for Premium Economy and offered a seat based on availability.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/news/141202.html

tcook052

Flight Reward Chart

Effective December 15, 2015, some flight rewards mileage levels will change. To view a comparative chart of the changes, please click here.






* Short-haul Fixed Mileage Flight Rewards are available on Air Canada, Air Canada Express and the Canadian domestic partners. SWISS First Class is not available for reward travel.





Short-haul ClassicFlight Rewards in North America

Available on Air Canada, Air Canada Express and the Canadian domestic partners.*




* Short-haul rewards between northern communities and select provinces/states:
•Available with Air Creebec, Bearskin Airlines, Canadian North and First Air which may be combined on one reward reservation with Air Canada and Air Canada Express, however, they are not combinable with each other.
•Available on flights operated by Calm Air only (not combinable on one reward reservation with other airlines).
•For further details or to book, please call the Aeroplan Contact Center.

tcook052

Maple Leaf Lounge Locations

Maple Leaf Lounge Access

Maple Leaf Lounge Features

Maple Leaf Lounge Membership

tcook052

Air Canada Priority Services





Extending priority baggage handling privileges*

As an Altitude Super Elite100K, Elite75K and Elite 50K member, you may extend your priority baggage handling privileges to your spouse, common-law or same-sex partner, dependent children under age 21, and one travel companion, provided your guests check in at the same time as you and are travelling on the same Air Canada flight. Please have your Aeroplan number handy in the event you are asked to present it.

*Does not apply if you are travelling with an Aeroplan ClassicFlight Reward or if the first flight in your itinerary is not operated by Air Canada


Airport Priority


Air Canada Concierge Service

Air Canada's Concierge Agents offer you personalized and dedicated service in 33 airports around the world.

In most airports, our Concierge Agents are easily recognizable with their distinctive black uniform and Concierge identification tags. They are conveniently stationed around International Business Class check-in areas, departure gates and Maple Leaf Lounges.

Eligibility

Altitude Super Elite 100K members and customers travelling in International Business Class can enjoy exclusive dedicated service in 24 airports around the world from more than 150 carefully selected Concierge Agents, all of which are specially-trained in service oriented skills such as guest management, cultural diversity, building customer relationship and creative problem solving.

Services

Our Concierge Agents are available to assist you with:
•Travel and airport related matters;
•Special requests, such as hotel or restaurant reservations, special in-flight meals and entertainment; and
•Additional support if ever your travel plans are disrupted.

And because they enjoy a direct link to concierge guilds in cities around the world, Concierge Agents are able to assist premium customers with ticketing, connections, upgrades and baggage handling.

Concierge Agents are also immediate resources for personal needs and last-minute arrangements, such as hotel and restaurant bookings, theatre ticket reservations and limousine service or any other special needs Altitude Super Elite 100K and International Business Class customers may have.

Air Canada is a corporate member of Les Clefs d'Or Canada.

Les Clefs d'Or Canada Logo Joining Les Clefs d'Or Canada, whose motto is 'service through friendship', has opened up a world of contacts for our Concierge Agents.

As Professional Affiliate members along with 4,000 hotel concierges in 32 countries worldwide, accurate information on major cities around the globe is always just a phone call way.



Airport Concierge

tcook052

Codeshare and interline partners

What are codeshare and interline partnerships?

Code sharing refers to a practice through which a flight operated by one airline is jointly marketed as a flight by one or more other airlines. Through our codeshare partnerships, we place our designator code (AC) on flights operated by our codeshare partners, which allows us to provide you with worldwide services through an extensive network of convenient flight connections.

Interline partnerships allow two or more airlines to issue tickets on behalf of each other, while retaining the designator code of the other airline. Their purpose, again, is to facilitate travel for customers by allowing them to travel across the networks of multiple airlines with a single reservation in order to reach their final destination.

What does this mean to me, the customer?

When checking in with one of our codeshare or interline partners sold on aircanada.com, you may see differences in checked baggage fees as well as in optional service and other charges. Each airline also has its own terms and conditions of carriage. It is therefore important to familiarize yourself with the operating carrier's terms and conditions, including those regarding:

• Check-in times and procedures
• Carry-on, checked and additional checked baggage
• Sports and hunting equipment, and musical instruments
• Fragile and perishable items
• Infants and children
• Passengers with special needs
• Travelling with your pet
• In-flight services and special meals
• Airport lounge access

Who are Air Canada's codeshare partners?

We've provided links to our codeshare partners' homepages, baggage policies and optional products and services information, where available:

Codeshare and interline partner airlines sold on aircanada.com


How do I recognize a codeshare or interline flight?

When you are selecting flights for purchase on aircanada.com, a number appears next to all flights which are operated by a codeshare or interline partner. The number refers to an ‘Operated by’ note which appears at the bottom of the page and indicates which carrier is operating the flight. Here are two examples, one of a codeshare flight, the other of an interline flight:






http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...codeshare.html

tcook052

Self-service check-in options




* Children traveling alone and customers with special needs must check in with an agent at the airport. When traveling with an infant or child and checking in with a mobile device, boarding passes must be printed at the airport.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...n/checkin.html

Check-in and boarding gate deadlines

tcook052

Meals and beverages

Business Class Domestic, Transborder and Sun Destinations


Business Class


Economy Class OnBoard Caf� Domestic, Transborder and Sun Destinations

OnBoard Caf� is available in Economy Class on most flights of 90 minutes or more
and offers a variety of snack items on flights between 90 minutes and 2 hours and
a fresh selection of meal items on flights of 2 hours or more*.

* Meal items are not available for purchase on flights departing after 10pm. However, a selection of beverages and snacks is offered on these flights.


OnBoard Caf�

Special meals North America


Business Class International


Premium Economy International


Economy International

Economy International

Special meals International

Credit card only cabins

Air Canada and Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz have transitioned to credit card only cabins for all flights where OnBoard Caf� or Duty-free Boutique products are sold.

Paying for your on-board purchases is as easy as one swipe of your major credit card:

OnBoard Caf� purchases:
Only Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards are accepted.

Duty-free Boutique purchases:
Only Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Japanese Credit Bureau credit cards are accepted.

tcook052

Baggage Guide

Number of bags allowed, maximum size and weight, restricted and prohibited items, sport equipment… Find all the information you need to prepare your checked and carry-on baggage.


Related Topics:

Travelling with your Pet
Delayed baggage
Damaged baggage
Baggage Tracer
Limits of Liability
Lost and found items

tcook052

Air Canada Stopover




How to book your Air Canada Stopover:

You can book your stopover hotel in a few easy steps.

Opt in to the Air Canada Stopover program at least 96 hours prior to your trip: At time of booking:
Select the Air Canada Stopover option from the travel options offered to you after you have made your flight selection.
If you have already completed your booking:
Go to the Manage my Bookings page, retrieve your flight booking and, if eligible (view "Eligibility" below), you will find a link to opt in to the Air Canada Stopover program.
Book your hotel at least 96 hours prior to your arrival in your connecting city (Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver) Enter the Air Canada booking reference number and passenger last name
Select the hotel of your choice

Eligibility:

The Air Canada Stopover option is offered for: tickets for flights purchased at aircanada.com
bookings completed at least 96 hours prior to flight departure;
Air Canada-coded flights operated by Air Canada and Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz, Sky Regional, Air Georgian Ltd. and Exploits Valley Air Services Ltd.;
itineraries that include at least one city outside Canada and the U.S. as well as a connection in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver of over 6 hours;
round-trip and one-way bookings only (multi-city bookings are not eligible)
Business Class, Premium Economy, Latitude, Flex and Tango fares.
Note: you must be 21 years of age or over to check in at most Canadian hotels.
Flight cancellations:
If your flight has been cancelled, you are no longer eligible for the Air Canada Stopover program. You must retrieve your booking online and cancel your hotel reservation prior to 16:00 (4PM EDT) the day of hotel check-in.
Any credit card payments associated with your reservation will automatically be refunded to the original form of payment once you have cancelled your hotel reservation.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Terms and Conditions