Aug 12, 2020, 12:02 am
Last edit by: Adam Smith
You must call in for stopovers, multi-city, or complicated routings, until the new booking system launches in 2021.
I hope others will significantly improve this wiki!
There are four zones: North America (inc Central), South America, Atlantic (including India and Western Russia), Pacific (inc Eastern Russia) and the chart is based which one you start from and which one you end up in, there's ten of these.
Cost is based on distance, which zone pair your flight is in, which class you are flying in.
Partner airlines (again) are a better deal because while Air Canada will calculate cost on a wide ranges but partner airlines are fixed to the bottom of the range.
YQ is eliminated. There's a 39 CAD fee for booking a ticket which contains a flight on a partner airline. Aside from this, there's no incentive any more to book a return flight it seems and every incentive not to.
Note: The partner booking fee is refundable, so it's basically a YQ, rather than a booking fee.
Most flights are devalued. However, the elimination of YQ sweetens this significantly. Within North America, a lot of flights became cheaper, YVR-HNL very significantly. YVR-TYO is much cheaper while YVR-AKL is a little cheaper.
A vastly more powerful booking system is promised for 2021.
There are a lot of new tricks to be learned. https://princeoftravel.com/blog/new-aeroplan-flight-rewards/ is a good start.
Information that is harder to find:
I hope others will significantly improve this wiki!
There are four zones: North America (inc Central), South America, Atlantic (including India and Western Russia), Pacific (inc Eastern Russia) and the chart is based which one you start from and which one you end up in, there's ten of these.
Cost is based on distance, which zone pair your flight is in, which class you are flying in.
Partner airlines (again) are a better deal because while Air Canada will calculate cost on a wide ranges but partner airlines are fixed to the bottom of the range.
YQ is eliminated. There's a 39 CAD fee for booking a ticket which contains a flight on a partner airline. Aside from this, there's no incentive any more to book a return flight it seems and every incentive not to.
Note: The partner booking fee is refundable, so it's basically a YQ, rather than a booking fee.
Most flights are devalued. However, the elimination of YQ sweetens this significantly. Within North America, a lot of flights became cheaper, YVR-HNL very significantly. YVR-TYO is much cheaper while YVR-AKL is a little cheaper.
A vastly more powerful booking system is promised for 2021.
There are a lot of new tricks to be learned. https://princeoftravel.com/blog/new-aeroplan-flight-rewards/ is a good start.
Information that is harder to find:
- SE IKK redemption from the old program can be changed ("within reason") without repricing. Dates, routings, no problem. Origin/destination should be fine. But nothing that would have required a repricing under the old program. This is from Mark Nasr in https://www.facebook.com/pointsmiles...44878252851420
- The "Activity" page only shows you the most recent ~48 transactions. See this post for information on how to get older data.
- A partial refund may not be possible (e.g. if you book RT and outbound flight is cancelled by you or AC, to delete the first flight segment, you have to cancel the entire ticket and rebook the inbound at a potentially higher fare. It seems supervisor can grant exceptions.)
2020 Air Canada Aeroplan Program
May 27, 2021, 10:15 am
#1411
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 255
What happened to the post about the message from AC about crediting you some SQM and SQD if you choose the Lower Re-Qualification Level for this years Status benefits?
I have not chosen mine yet, normally choose that one, was not planning on it this year, but with this change and the rollover of SQM and SQD - it is enticing
I have not chosen mine yet, normally choose that one, was not planning on it this year, but with this change and the rollover of SQM and SQD - it is enticing
May 27, 2021, 11:11 am
#1412
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,780
What happened to the post about the message from AC about crediting you some SQM and SQD if you choose the Lower Re-Qualification Level for this years Status benefits?
I have not chosen mine yet, normally choose that one, was not planning on it this year, but with this change and the rollover of SQM and SQD - it is enticing
I have not chosen mine yet, normally choose that one, was not planning on it this year, but with this change and the rollover of SQM and SQD - it is enticing
2021 status privileges have a dedicated thread as well, to discuss the privileges, which ones people are selecting, etc: 2021 AC Status Privileges
May 27, 2021, 1:16 pm
#1413
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MEX
Programs: AC E75K
Posts: 4,171
That benefit was part of the 2022 status extension announcement and was moved to that thread: Air Canada extends Elite status and Priority Rewards to 2022, adds SQx rollover
2021 status privileges have a dedicated thread as well, to discuss the privileges, which ones people are selecting, etc: 2021 AC Status Privileges
2021 status privileges have a dedicated thread as well, to discuss the privileges, which ones people are selecting, etc: 2021 AC Status Privileges
May 27, 2021, 2:52 pm
#1414
Administrator
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Internet Brands
Posts: 3,869
Test post 1
May 27, 2021, 2:52 pm
#1415
Administrator
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Internet Brands
Posts: 3,869
Test post 2
May 27, 2021, 5:56 pm
#1416
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: southUSA
Posts: 398
So, is the reference below for AC flights only? I am confused as to why the PDF shows a "fixed" number for partner bookings falling into a certain distance range but the agent comes up with a number wildly higher than that?
Additionally are can a logical West-Eastbound itinerary have a stopover and be considered a single "one way?"
Additionally are can a logical West-Eastbound itinerary have a stopover and be considered a single "one way?"
Welcome to FT 
Aeroplan no longer has an award chart. Prices are now dynamic. The ranges shown in those tables are indicative, and what you actually have to pay can be within them, or more, or less. Often more, rarely less.
If you see very high cash fares, it's unlikely that the price will be within the quoted range.
Aeroplan no longer has an award chart. Prices are now dynamic. The ranges shown in those tables are indicative, and what you actually have to pay can be within them, or more, or less. Often more, rarely less.
If you see very high cash fares, it's unlikely that the price will be within the quoted range.
Last edited by Adam Smith; May 27, 2021 at 6:18 pm Reason: Fixed quote
May 27, 2021, 6:17 pm
#1417
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,780
Can you detail the itinerary and cost?
Additionally are can a logical West-Eastbound itinerary have a stopover and be considered a single "one way?"
Jun 1, 2021, 4:47 pm
#1418
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan E50/MM, HH gold, Nat Exec Elite, Kimpton Karma
Posts: 2,354
My understanding of the new AE program is that the points “price” is directly tied to the revenue tx price. Have I got that wrong?
Example: I’m monitoring a transborder itinerary many months down the road. Revenue $ have not changed (J). Points have gone up for same seat/itinerary. While seat map is not definitive, nothing has changed there either.
Example: I’m monitoring a transborder itinerary many months down the road. Revenue $ have not changed (J). Points have gone up for same seat/itinerary. While seat map is not definitive, nothing has changed there either.
Jun 1, 2021, 5:04 pm
#1419
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
My understanding of the new AE program is that the points “price” is directly tied to the revenue tx price. Have I got that wrong?
Example: I’m monitoring a transborder itinerary many months down the road. Revenue $ have not changed (J). Points have gone up for same seat/itinerary. While seat map is not definitive, nothing has changed there either.
Example: I’m monitoring a transborder itinerary many months down the road. Revenue $ have not changed (J). Points have gone up for same seat/itinerary. While seat map is not definitive, nothing has changed there either.
(1) AC releases a limited number of seats at the "saver" level, i.e. roughly at the lower end of the published pricing band (e.g. 60k AE points for a one-way J TATL AC flight)
(2) More generally, for most awards AC uses a "semi-dynamic" pricing model whereby the cost of the award is loosely tied to the cost of a revenue ticket, but is also based on other RM considerations. You typically get 1.5cpm-2.5cm in value for your AE points
(3) for "high-demand" / "last seat availability", the value of AE points is less variable and tends to be in the <1.5cpm range
Jun 1, 2021, 8:20 pm
#1420
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan E50/MM, HH gold, Nat Exec Elite, Kimpton Karma
Posts: 2,354
It's a little more complex than that:
(1) AC releases a limited number of seats at the "saver" level, i.e. roughly at the lower end of the published pricing band (e.g. 60k AE points for a one-way J TATL AC flight)
(2) More generally, for most awards AC uses a "semi-dynamic" pricing model whereby the cost of the award is loosely tied to the cost of a revenue ticket, but is also based on other RM considerations. You typically get 1.5cpm-2.5cm in value for your AE points
(3) for "high-demand" / "last seat availability", the value of AE points is less variable and tends to be in the <1.5cpm range
(1) AC releases a limited number of seats at the "saver" level, i.e. roughly at the lower end of the published pricing band (e.g. 60k AE points for a one-way J TATL AC flight)
(2) More generally, for most awards AC uses a "semi-dynamic" pricing model whereby the cost of the award is loosely tied to the cost of a revenue ticket, but is also based on other RM considerations. You typically get 1.5cpm-2.5cm in value for your AE points
(3) for "high-demand" / "last seat availability", the value of AE points is less variable and tends to be in the <1.5cpm range
Jun 1, 2021, 10:04 pm
#1421
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,780
I ask this question out of genuine curiosity, but can you elaborate on what you expected? AC/Aeroplan had been running Market Fare for quite a few years, and the new program looks a lot like that. Dynamic pricing at other airlines (e.g. DL) also has generally resulted in much higher award costs than under old charts. I can't say I'm thrilled with many aspects of the new program, and overall it's probably a net negative for me as SE, but it's roughly what I had expected.
Jun 2, 2021, 9:35 am
#1422
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan E50/MM, HH gold, Nat Exec Elite, Kimpton Karma
Posts: 2,354
I ask this question out of genuine curiosity, but can you elaborate on what you expected? AC/Aeroplan had been running Market Fare for quite a few years, and the new program looks a lot like that. Dynamic pricing at other airlines (e.g. DL) also has generally resulted in much higher award costs than under old charts. I can't say I'm thrilled with many aspects of the new program, and overall it's probably a net negative for me as SE, but it's roughly what I had expected.
To be honest, not sure what I expected as still trying to “learn” my way around the new program. Since my flying has been almost non-existent in the last year, I haven’t had a lot of reason to get into this. Although, I recall one of the blogs stating long haul (Europe, Asia, especially in J) would be more of a saving under the new program.
Trying to be hopeful about the resumption of travel, I’m “studying” 😊. The itinerary I’m looking at used to cost 25K one way in J (classic). I even had a market fare on this route some time ago for considerably less than what AC is now quoting. It’s true that the fees are certainly less now. Slight correction — the revenue tx dropped in price over the last couple of weeks. Based on what I recalled, I expected the points cost would drop accordingly. I originally posted my question because this did not happen and I was surprised. But, I didn’t have enough experience with the new program to know why this was the case.
I was taken-a-back when nothing else appeared to change to see the cost in points had increased a lot. I keep notes every time I check, so I’m really certain of my figures. ATM revenue is much better value for my route. On the other hand I’ve got in excess of 1M points.....
Most appreciative of feedback/questions from you and @Jasper2009 as I work on this.
Jun 2, 2021, 1:21 pm
#1423
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: southUSA
Posts: 398
Quote:
Originally Posted by gspurr
In reference to my original post and the posts that came after, it is my understanding that dynamic pricing only applies to flights on AC. For partner airlines the award price is fixed, is it not? Therefore if a legal itinerary with a stopover is all on other carriers and there is availability on the Aeroplan site, they shouldn't be charging more than an extra 5K should they?
"Assuming YYZ-EWR is operated by UA and not AC, that's 100% correct."
This is the frustrating part. All partner awards have "dynamic" pricing. Even though the award chart has a fixed number.
Originally Posted by gspurr
In reference to my original post and the posts that came after, it is my understanding that dynamic pricing only applies to flights on AC. For partner airlines the award price is fixed, is it not? Therefore if a legal itinerary with a stopover is all on other carriers and there is availability on the Aeroplan site, they shouldn't be charging more than an extra 5K should they?
"Assuming YYZ-EWR is operated by UA and not AC, that's 100% correct."
This is the frustrating part. All partner awards have "dynamic" pricing. Even though the award chart has a fixed number.
Jun 2, 2021, 1:29 pm
#1424
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: SE 100K
Posts: 935
Anyone noticed random / dynamic availability on partner flights?
ie) J showing up as available for a few days, gone for a few days, then pops back up?
Not sure if this is new or there's a reason behind it.
(No, I don't have EF so don't have alerts / can't monitor fare buckets).
ie) J showing up as available for a few days, gone for a few days, then pops back up?
Not sure if this is new or there's a reason behind it.
(No, I don't have EF so don't have alerts / can't monitor fare buckets).
Jun 2, 2021, 2:00 pm
#1425
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,780
To be honest, not sure what I expected as still trying to “learn” my way around the new program. Since my flying has been almost non-existent in the last year, I haven’t had a lot of reason to get into this. Although, I recall one of the blogs stating long haul (Europe, Asia, especially in J) would be more of a saving under the new program.
Trying to be hopeful about the resumption of travel, I’m “studying” 😊. The itinerary I’m looking at used to cost 25K one way in J (classic). I even had a market fare on this route some time ago for considerably less than what AC is now quoting. It’s true that the fees are certainly less now. Slight correction — the revenue tx dropped in price over the last couple of weeks. Based on what I recalled, I expected the points cost would drop accordingly. I originally posted my question because this did not happen and I was surprised. But, I didn’t have enough experience with the new program to know why this was the case.
I was taken-a-back when nothing else appeared to change to see the cost in points had increased a lot. I keep notes every time I check, so I’m really certain of my figures. ATM revenue is much better value for my route. On the other hand I’ve got in excess of 1M points.....
Most appreciative of feedback/questions from you and @Jasper2009 as I work on this.
Trying to be hopeful about the resumption of travel, I’m “studying” 😊. The itinerary I’m looking at used to cost 25K one way in J (classic). I even had a market fare on this route some time ago for considerably less than what AC is now quoting. It’s true that the fees are certainly less now. Slight correction — the revenue tx dropped in price over the last couple of weeks. Based on what I recalled, I expected the points cost would drop accordingly. I originally posted my question because this did not happen and I was surprised. But, I didn’t have enough experience with the new program to know why this was the case.
I was taken-a-back when nothing else appeared to change to see the cost in points had increased a lot. I keep notes every time I check, so I’m really certain of my figures. ATM revenue is much better value for my route. On the other hand I’ve got in excess of 1M points.....
Most appreciative of feedback/questions from you and @Jasper2009 as I work on this.
When you say 25K one-way, I presume you're referring to intra-North America J? That has certainly seen a massive increase most of the times I've looked. Of course, availability used to be awful for those without IKK, so perhaps for some, being offered the ability to fly YVR-EWR in J as opposed to YVR-YEG-YWG-YYZ-EWR is valuable. But I've seen close to 100K points, round trip, many times for things that I could have previously almost certainly booked for 50K. So it appears to be a pretty poor value spot in the new program. Then again, when you look at the ridiculous cash fares that AC charges for intra-North America J, it's not all that surprising. For that type of travel, the better value may be to book a Latitude reward and then upgrade it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gspurr
In reference to my original post and the posts that came after, it is my understanding that dynamic pricing only applies to flights on AC. For partner airlines the award price is fixed, is it not? Therefore if a legal itinerary with a stopover is all on other carriers and there is availability on the Aeroplan site, they shouldn't be charging more than an extra 5K should they?
"Assuming YYZ-EWR is operated by UA and not AC, that's 100% correct."
This is the frustrating part. All partner awards have "dynamic" pricing. Even though the award chart has a fixed number.
Originally Posted by gspurr
In reference to my original post and the posts that came after, it is my understanding that dynamic pricing only applies to flights on AC. For partner airlines the award price is fixed, is it not? Therefore if a legal itinerary with a stopover is all on other carriers and there is availability on the Aeroplan site, they shouldn't be charging more than an extra 5K should they?
"Assuming YYZ-EWR is operated by UA and not AC, that's 100% correct."
This is the frustrating part. All partner awards have "dynamic" pricing. Even though the award chart has a fixed number.
(No, I don't have EF so don't have alerts / can't monitor fare buckets).
Last edited by Adam Smith; Jun 2, 2021 at 9:28 pm Reason: Corrected typo