Air Canada (AC) new program will participate in Membership Rewards Canada & USA
Feb 28, 2019, 8:42 am
#1
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
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Air Canada (AC) new program will participate in Membership Rewards Canada & USA
Air Canada and American Express today announced that they have concluded agreements for a renewed and expanded partnership that will enable the financial services company to participate in Air Canada's new loyalty program launching in 2020. The 10-year agreements cover the creation of new co-branded payment cards, participation in the American Express Membership Rewards program, and expanded commercial cooperation between the two companies.
Membership Rewards customers in Canada and the US will be able to transfer their points into Air Canada's new loyalty program once it has rolled out. American Express Aeroplan cardmembers will become members of Air Canada's new loyalty program in 2020, and all their miles will be transitioned at a 1:1 rate. In the interim, members may continue to earn and redeem Aeroplan Miles, and enjoy cardmember benefits as usual.
Membership Rewards customers in Canada and the US will be able to transfer their points into Air Canada's new loyalty program once it has rolled out. American Express Aeroplan cardmembers will become members of Air Canada's new loyalty program in 2020, and all their miles will be transitioned at a 1:1 rate. In the interim, members may continue to earn and redeem Aeroplan Miles, and enjoy cardmember benefits as usual.
Feb 28, 2019, 11:36 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 415
Two things (applicable only to Canadian cardholders): first, this is just a retention of a partner that already exists. So it is more of a relief that Amex Canada didn't lose yet another partner and benefit. Second, while the release mentions that Aeroplan miles will convert to Air Canada's new programme at 1:1, that doesn't necessarily mean that Membership Rewards will transfer to the new programme at 1:1. Currently, of the 6 airline partners Amex Canada has, British Airways and Aeroplan transfer at 1:1, but Delta, Asia Miles, Etihad and Alitalia transfer at 1000:750.
(Separately, Alitalia and Etihad may not be long for this world if rumours of collapse at one, and takeover by Emirates of the other are to be believed. That worst-case scenario would leave Amex Canada's MR programme with only 4 airline and 2 hotel partners (Hilton and Marrriot.) I'm not sure how this compares to the rest of the world, but it doesn't give me confidence to continue to earn MR points in the long-run if Amex Canada continues to shed partners and benefits at the rate it has done so over the last few years.)
(Separately, Alitalia and Etihad may not be long for this world if rumours of collapse at one, and takeover by Emirates of the other are to be believed. That worst-case scenario would leave Amex Canada's MR programme with only 4 airline and 2 hotel partners (Hilton and Marrriot.) I'm not sure how this compares to the rest of the world, but it doesn't give me confidence to continue to earn MR points in the long-run if Amex Canada continues to shed partners and benefits at the rate it has done so over the last few years.)
Mar 1, 2019, 8:05 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: Priority Club Platinum & Ambassdor, Hilton Honors Diamond, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 505
Yes as you mentioned above no way AMEX could afford to lose Air Canada as transfer partner, since it carries the program. As a US citizen living in Canada, would love to see more transfer partners, or better transfer ratios (specifically with Asia Miles)...