Last edit by: Adam Smith
Here are some common questions and answers.
What are Priority Rewards?
Priority Rewards (sometimes abbreviated as “PRs”) discount the base fare of a flight reward by 50%. (It does not discount taxes, fees, charges and, where applicable, the partner booking fee.)
Who can accumulate Priority Rewards?
Anyone with Aeroplan status.
What do some people refer to Priority Rewards as IKK?
Because of arcane Air Canada history. The new Aeroplan 2020 program was a major revamp to the approach to Priority Rewards.
How do I earn Priority Rewards?
You earn Priority Rewards through accumulating Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD). You will earn a voucher when you cross the 4,000, 7,000, and 10,000 SQD thresholds, and for every 5,000 SQD earned above 10,000 SQD – up to a maximum of 50,000 SQD. (Note: You can also earn Priority Rewards through spending on the US-dollar Chase Aeroplan Card.)
How long are Priority Rewards valid for?
Each Priority Reward you earn will have its own expiry date which will be generally one year from the date you earned the reward.
You must complete a booking by the expiry date. The actual flight dates are somewhat irrelevant as long as it’s a valid booking.
FTers report that a PR appears to expire at 23:59 UTC on your listed expiry day, although some have had difficulty even earlier in the day. Booking a day or two before expiry might be wise.
Do I need one or two Priority Rewards for a return or multi-city trip itinerary?
You need one. Priority Rewards apply to an entire itinerary.
Do I need multiple Priority Rewards for multiple passengers?
Yes, you need one Priority Reward per passenger.
On what flights can I use Priority Rewards?
It depends on your Aeroplan status:
Can I book an itinerary that includes some ineligible segments if I just pay full price for those legs?
No, all legs need to be eligible.
If I achieve a higher Aeroplan status...
What if my status goes down?
Same thing, your PRs stay exactly as they were when you earned them.
If my status has changed and I have different types of PR, can I combine them on one booking as long as they’re eligible?
No. While this might theoretically be feasible, the Aeroplan system is not currently set up to accommodate this. You need to have enough PRs in the same category for all passengers on a booking.
If I cancel my booking, will I get my Priority Reward back?
Yes if that Priority Reward is still valid; no, if that Priority Reward has expired.
If I have applied a Priority Reward to a booking, is there any way to find out its expiry date?
No. You need to track this yourself.
If I cancel my booking, how long will it take to get my Priority Reward back?
It is usually instant.
What happens if I want to make changes to a flight reward with a Priority Reward?
The repricing of the flight should still account for the Priority Reward even if the Priority Reward itself would have expired at the time you make a change (although you should double-check that the 50% discount has correctly been applied). All other change rules/fees apply as normal.
Can I use a Priority Reward to book a flight reward for someone other than myself (or even a family member)?
Yes. You can use PRs for anyone. You do not need to be on the booking.
How do I use a Priority Reward?
Search for a flight reward using the website or app. Look for a “rewards available” or “credits and discounts” overlay at the bottom of the screen and select Priority Rewards.
What are Priority Rewards?
Priority Rewards (sometimes abbreviated as “PRs”) discount the base fare of a flight reward by 50%. (It does not discount taxes, fees, charges and, where applicable, the partner booking fee.)
Who can accumulate Priority Rewards?
Anyone with Aeroplan status.
What do some people refer to Priority Rewards as IKK?
Because of arcane Air Canada history. The new Aeroplan 2020 program was a major revamp to the approach to Priority Rewards.
How do I earn Priority Rewards?
You earn Priority Rewards through accumulating Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD). You will earn a voucher when you cross the 4,000, 7,000, and 10,000 SQD thresholds, and for every 5,000 SQD earned above 10,000 SQD – up to a maximum of 50,000 SQD. (Note: You can also earn Priority Rewards through spending on the US-dollar Chase Aeroplan Card.)
How long are Priority Rewards valid for?
Each Priority Reward you earn will have its own expiry date which will be generally one year from the date you earned the reward.
You must complete a booking by the expiry date. The actual flight dates are somewhat irrelevant as long as it’s a valid booking.
FTers report that a PR appears to expire at 23:59 UTC on your listed expiry day, although some have had difficulty even earlier in the day. Booking a day or two before expiry might be wise.
Do I need one or two Priority Rewards for a return or multi-city trip itinerary?
You need one. Priority Rewards apply to an entire itinerary.
Do I need multiple Priority Rewards for multiple passengers?
Yes, you need one Priority Reward per passenger.
On what flights can I use Priority Rewards?
It depends on your Aeroplan status:
- 25K: economy class bookings within Canada and the US
- 35K* or 50K: economy or premium economy class bookings within North America
- 75K: economy or premium economy class bookings anywhere in the world
- SE: economy, premium economy, or business class bookings anywhere in the world
Can I book an itinerary that includes some ineligible segments if I just pay full price for those legs?
No, all legs need to be eligible.
If I achieve a higher Aeroplan status...
- will my existing Priority Rewards be "upgraded"?
- and qualify for early recognition at the time I also qualify for another PR which type will I receive
What if my status goes down?
Same thing, your PRs stay exactly as they were when you earned them.
If my status has changed and I have different types of PR, can I combine them on one booking as long as they’re eligible?
No. While this might theoretically be feasible, the Aeroplan system is not currently set up to accommodate this. You need to have enough PRs in the same category for all passengers on a booking.
If I cancel my booking, will I get my Priority Reward back?
Yes if that Priority Reward is still valid; no, if that Priority Reward has expired.
If I have applied a Priority Reward to a booking, is there any way to find out its expiry date?
No. You need to track this yourself.
If I cancel my booking, how long will it take to get my Priority Reward back?
It is usually instant.
What happens if I want to make changes to a flight reward with a Priority Reward?
The repricing of the flight should still account for the Priority Reward even if the Priority Reward itself would have expired at the time you make a change (although you should double-check that the 50% discount has correctly been applied). All other change rules/fees apply as normal.
Can I use a Priority Reward to book a flight reward for someone other than myself (or even a family member)?
Yes. You can use PRs for anyone. You do not need to be on the booking.
How do I use a Priority Reward?
Search for a flight reward using the website or app. Look for a “rewards available” or “credits and discounts” overlay at the bottom of the screen and select Priority Rewards.
Priority Rewards (Aeroplan 2.0) - information & experiences
#166
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
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#167
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,748
#168
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 326
Open Jaws
How many and how far of an open jaw can I use and still have it be considered one ticket and only need one priority reward? For example, YYZ-LHR; TLV-AUH; SYD-EZE. Could those three directions be booked on one ticket using one priority reward? I understand that the cost will be priced as three separate segments. Are there any "rules" about open jaws?
Thanks!
Thanks!
#169
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YUL
Programs: ✈ AC 1MM / S100K - SPG Lifetime Platinum = BONVoY Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,497
I was wondering if anywhere to track where one would have used a priority reward?
I used 3 out of my 4 , but one of them I have no clue where I used. I have about 35 open booking presently and just looking for an easy way to see where priorty reward was used. I need the reward for a last minute booking.
I used 3 out of my 4 , but one of them I have no clue where I used. I have about 35 open booking presently and just looking for an easy way to see where priorty reward was used. I need the reward for a last minute booking.
#170
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,407
I was wondering if anywhere to track where one would have used a priority reward?
I used 3 out of my 4 , but one of them I have no clue where I used. I have about 35 open booking presently and just looking for an easy way to see where priorty reward was used. I need the reward for a last minute booking.
I used 3 out of my 4 , but one of them I have no clue where I used. I have about 35 open booking presently and just looking for an easy way to see where priorty reward was used. I need the reward for a last minute booking.
Code:
"priority reward" subject:"booking confirmation"
I'm also confused. I've used 3. I have 5. I finished last year just shy of 20k SQD and this year I'm over it.
#171
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Vancouver
Programs: AC SE100K 1MM, FB Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,606
If you use Gmail, search for:
If you use another client, it should be similar as long as it's capable of searching within PDFs.
I'm also confused. I've used 3. I have 5. I finished last year just shy of 20k SQD and this year I'm over it.
Code:
"priority reward" subject:"booking confirmation"
I'm also confused. I've used 3. I have 5. I finished last year just shy of 20k SQD and this year I'm over it.
#173
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM; SPG Plat
Posts: 424
I haven't been travelling much for the last couple of years (work still hasn't allowed us to travel on business) and what I did last year was on points. I do have $3,000 rollover SQD (black credit card I think). Could someone please confirm (or better yet, correct me, because I'm not too impressed with the result) in my assumption that even though I'm SE I start the year with zero PRs and I only get one once I take a flight that has at least $1,000 SQD associated with it?
Which to me means my SE benefits are pretty slim this year.
Which to me means my SE benefits are pretty slim this year.
#174
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: 16,817
How many and how far of an open jaw can I use and still have it be considered one ticket and only need one priority reward? For example, YYZ-LHR; TLV-AUH; SYD-EZE. Could those three directions be booked on one ticket using one priority reward? I understand that the cost will be priced as three separate segments. Are there any "rules" about open jaws?
#175
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,429
Am I doing something wrong ? Looking at YYZ-LHR return using a Priority reward 23-27 Feb. I could find outbound via YUL for 28K+$60. The return is showing as 89K plus $406 !!!. $406 ? Is that right ? $406 in fees for the return leg ?
The returns are all showing $238 in fees for economy and $406 in fees for PE or J.
The returns are all showing $238 in fees for economy and $406 in fees for PE or J.
#176
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: YVR
Posts: 2,120
Am I doing something wrong ? Looking at YYZ-LHR return using a Priority reward 23-27 Feb. I could find outbound via YUL for 28K+$60. The return is showing as 89K plus $406 !!!. $406 ? Is that right ? $406 in fees for the return leg ?
The returns are all showing $238 in fees for economy and $406 in fees for PE or J.
The returns are all showing $238 in fees for economy and $406 in fees for PE or J.
#177
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: SE 100K
Posts: 939
Not sure which thread this belonged in but...
Has anyone noticed the taxes / fees increase after you apply a priority reward?
Looking at booking YVR - YUL - LIS.
Pricing of the reward is around 55,000 + $53 for Latitude.
After applying priority reward drops to half the points but $96 in taxes / fees.
Not a deal breaker but a bit irritating. Anyone else found this?
Has anyone noticed the taxes / fees increase after you apply a priority reward?
Looking at booking YVR - YUL - LIS.
Pricing of the reward is around 55,000 + $53 for Latitude.
After applying priority reward drops to half the points but $96 in taxes / fees.
Not a deal breaker but a bit irritating. Anyone else found this?
#178
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,407
Not sure which thread this belonged in but...
Has anyone noticed the taxes / fees increase after you apply a priority reward?
Looking at booking YVR - YUL - LIS.
Pricing of the reward is around 55,000 + $53 for Latitude.
After applying priority reward drops to half the points but $96 in taxes / fees.
Not a deal breaker but a bit irritating. Anyone else found this?
Has anyone noticed the taxes / fees increase after you apply a priority reward?
Looking at booking YVR - YUL - LIS.
Pricing of the reward is around 55,000 + $53 for Latitude.
After applying priority reward drops to half the points but $96 in taxes / fees.
Not a deal breaker but a bit irritating. Anyone else found this?
#179
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: SE 100K
Posts: 939
#180
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,407
So I'm now at the point where I'm using a PR on every redemption that doesn't include an F segment.
Yesterday I used one for a 37.5k partner redemption, mixed J and Y.
I'm not sure I can keep this up forever, but having used none of mine last year, and getting a whole new batch this year, I just have way too many to try to save for "high value" redemptions.
Yesterday I used one for a 37.5k partner redemption, mixed J and Y.
I'm not sure I can keep this up forever, but having used none of mine last year, and getting a whole new batch this year, I just have way too many to try to save for "high value" redemptions.