Aeroplan
Encyclopedia
Aeroplan is a Montreal, Quebec, Canada based coalition loyalty program owned by Aimia , a global leader in loyalty management. The Aeroplan Program was created in July 1984 by Air Canada
as an incentive program for its frequent flyer customers. There are approximately 4.5 million active members in the program.
In recent years, Aeroplan has evolved into a loyalty marketing
with retail partners such as:Esso
, Home Hardware
, Sobeys
, Thrifty Foods
, Nestle Canada and others. Aeroplan is also used by Air Creebec
, Canadian North
, Calm Air
, and First Air
.
Many Aeroplan members collect miles via credit card
s. Credit cards were originally allocated to CIBC and Diners Club/enRoute
, but it was later offered to AMEX Bank of Canada, while Diners Club withdrew from the program.
In 2010, over 2 million rewards were issued to members including more than 1.4 million flights on Air Canada
and Star Alliance
carriers which offer travel to more than 1,000 destinations worldwide.
In June 2005, Air Canada's parent company ACE Aviation Holdings
sold 12.5% of Aeroplan for $250 million through an initial public offering
creating the world's first pubically traded loyalty program - Aeroplan Income Fund.
On December 20, 2007, Aeroplan Income Fund acquired Loyalty Management Group, a loyalty marketing and customer driven insight and analysis business that owns and operates Nectar, the UK's leading coalition loyalty program.
On May 28, 2008, ACE Aviation Holdings
disposed of its remaining holdings in the fund . As such the Aeroplan program is no longer under direct control of Air Canada
.
Initially created as an income trust
, Aeroplan Income Fund converted to a public corporation on June 25, 2008 and subsequently changed its name to Groupe Aeroplan Inc. On October 5, 2011, Groupe Aeroplan Inc. changed its name to Aimia
is Aeroplan's main competitor as a Canadian-based travel rewards loyalty program, however it is not an airline frequent flyer program per se. HBC Rewards
is also a competing non-airline rewards loyalty program.
Silver status while Elite and Super Elite members have Star Alliance Gold status.
As of January 16, 2006, there were approximately 4.9 million Basic members, 57000 Prestige members, 68000 Elite members, and 9000 Super Elite members.
Air Canada Status Miles are calculated on an annual basis (January 1 to December 31) to determine Aeroplan Membership Status for the following benefit year (March 1 to February 28). The qualification levels for 2010 Air Canada Top-Tier status are as follows:
Air Canada Prestige: 25,000 Aeroplan Status Miles or 25 Status Flight Segments
Air Canada Elite: 35,000 Aeroplan Status Miles or 50 Status Flight Segments
Air Canada Super Elite: 100,000 Aeroplan Status Miles or 95 Status Flight Segments
For travel on flights within Canada and between Canada and the Continental U.S.A. (including Hawaii),
25% of miles flown will be earned for Tango Class, 100% of miles flown will be earned for Tango Plus and Executive Class Lowest and 150% of miles flown will be earned for Executive Class Flexible.
For travel on flights for all other destinations worldwide, 100% of miles flown will be earned for Tango Plus, 125% for Executive Class Lowest and 150% for Executive Class Flexible.
2. Earn Aeroplan Miles when booking from AirCanada.com
Earn up to 1 Aeroplan Mile for every dollar spent when you purchase an eligible ticket at aircanada.com (Canadian and U.S. Edition only).
Earn 1 Aeroplan mile for every 3 dollars spent when you purchase an eligible Flight Pass at aircanada.com (Canadian and U.S. Edition only).
3. Other partners
All Nippon Airways
(ANA) Asiana Airlines
Austrian Airlines
Bmi
Brussels Airlines
Egyptair
LOT
Lufthansa
Air New Zealand
Norway 
Denmark Scandinavian Airlines System
(SAS) Singapore Airlines
South African Airways
Spanair
Swiss International Air Lines
TAM Airlines TAP Portugal
Thai Airways International
Turkish Airlines
United Airlines
} Continental Airlines
US Airways
Aegean Airlines
Air One
Avianca
(codeshare to various Colombian cities) Bearskin Airlines
Calm Air
Canadian North
First Air
Air Canada
Air Canada is the flag carrier and largest airline of Canada. The airline, founded in 1936, provides scheduled and charter air transport for passengers and cargo to 178 destinations worldwide. It is the world's tenth largest passenger airline by number of destinations, and the airline is a...
as an incentive program for its frequent flyer customers. There are approximately 4.5 million active members in the program.
In recent years, Aeroplan has evolved into a loyalty marketing
Loyalty marketing
Loyalty marketing is an approach to marketing, based on strategic management, in which a company focuses on growing and retaining existing customers through incentives...
with retail partners such as:Esso
Esso
Esso is an international trade name for ExxonMobil and its related companies. Pronounced , it is derived from the initials of the pre-1911 Standard Oil, and as such became the focus of much litigation and regulatory restriction in the United States. In 1972, it was largely replaced in the U.S. by...
, Home Hardware
Home Hardware
Home Hardware is a privately held Canadian home improvement, construction materials, and furniture retailer. Co-founded in 1964 by Walter Hachborn and headquartered in St...
, Sobeys
Sobeys
Sobeys is the second largest food retailer in Canada, with over 1,300 supermarkets operating under a variety of banners. Headquartered in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, it operates stores in all ten provinces and accumulated sales of more than $14 billion CAD in 2009...
, Thrifty Foods
Thrifty Foods
Thrifty Foods is a chain of supermarkets located in British Columbia, Canada. It was founded by Alex Campbell and Ernie Skinner in 1977 when the first store was opened in Victoria's Fairfield neighbourhood. As of October 2011, the chain operates . It is the largest supermarket chain on Vancouver...
, Nestle Canada and others. Aeroplan is also used by Air Creebec
Air Creebec
Air Creebec Inc. is a regional airline based in Val-d'Or, Quebec, Canada. It operates scheduled and charter services to 16 destinations in Quebec and Ontario. Its main base is Val-d'Or Airport, with a hub at Timmins/Victor M. Power Airport.- History :...
, Canadian North
Canadian North
Canadian North Inc. is an airline based in the Northwest Tower in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. It operates scheduled passenger services to major communities in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Southern gateways include Edmonton and Ottawa...
, Calm Air
Calm Air
Calm Air International LP. is an airline based in Thompson, Manitoba, Canada and is presently owned by the Exchange Income Corporation. It operates services in northern Manitoba and the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut. Charter and freight services are also undertaken. Its main base is Thompson Airport.-...
, and First Air
First Air
Bradley Air Services Limited, operating as First Air, is an airline headquartered in Kanata, Ontario, Canada. It operates services to 30 communities in Nunavut, Nunavik, and the Northwest Territories. The majority of its fleet is available for charters worldwide...
.
Many Aeroplan members collect miles via credit card
Credit card
A credit card is a small plastic card issued to users as a system of payment. It allows its holder to buy goods and services based on the holder's promise to pay for these goods and services...
s. Credit cards were originally allocated to CIBC and Diners Club/enRoute
EnRoute (credit card)
enRoute was a credit card issued by Air Canada until 1992, when the airline sold its credit card division to Diners Club.Initially, the card was used only for Air Canada transactions, but over time, the card was expanded into a more general credit card for business travellers, being accepted by...
, but it was later offered to AMEX Bank of Canada, while Diners Club withdrew from the program.
In 2010, over 2 million rewards were issued to members including more than 1.4 million flights on Air Canada
Air Canada
Air Canada is the flag carrier and largest airline of Canada. The airline, founded in 1936, provides scheduled and charter air transport for passengers and cargo to 178 destinations worldwide. It is the world's tenth largest passenger airline by number of destinations, and the airline is a...
and Star Alliance
Star Alliance
Star Alliance is the world's first and largest airline alliance, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany . The alliance was founded in 1997 by five of the world's leading airlines: Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines...
carriers which offer travel to more than 1,000 destinations worldwide.
Corporate history
From the Aeroplan program creation in 1984 its operations were fully integrated with those of Air Canada. In 2002, Aeroplan was spun off as a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Canada.In June 2005, Air Canada's parent company ACE Aviation Holdings
ACE Aviation Holdings
ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. is a Canadian holding company that provides commercial airline service and technical support and is the parent company of Air Canada. It is headquartered in Montreal.-History:...
sold 12.5% of Aeroplan for $250 million through an initial public offering
Initial public offering
An initial public offering or stock market launch, is the first sale of stock by a private company to the public. It can be used by either small or large companies to raise expansion capital and become publicly traded enterprises...
creating the world's first pubically traded loyalty program - Aeroplan Income Fund.
On December 20, 2007, Aeroplan Income Fund acquired Loyalty Management Group, a loyalty marketing and customer driven insight and analysis business that owns and operates Nectar, the UK's leading coalition loyalty program.
On May 28, 2008, ACE Aviation Holdings
ACE Aviation Holdings
ACE Aviation Holdings Inc. is a Canadian holding company that provides commercial airline service and technical support and is the parent company of Air Canada. It is headquartered in Montreal.-History:...
disposed of its remaining holdings in the fund . As such the Aeroplan program is no longer under direct control of Air Canada
Air Canada
Air Canada is the flag carrier and largest airline of Canada. The airline, founded in 1936, provides scheduled and charter air transport for passengers and cargo to 178 destinations worldwide. It is the world's tenth largest passenger airline by number of destinations, and the airline is a...
.
Initially created as an income trust
Income trust
An income trust is an investment that may hold equities, debt instruments, royalty interests or real properties. The trust can receive interest, royalty or lease payments from an operating entity carrying on a business, as well as dividends and a return of capital.The main attraction of income...
, Aeroplan Income Fund converted to a public corporation on June 25, 2008 and subsequently changed its name to Groupe Aeroplan Inc. On October 5, 2011, Groupe Aeroplan Inc. changed its name to Aimia
Competition
Air MilesAir Miles
Air Miles is the name of separately operated loyalty programs in Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain , the Netherlands and the Middle East, through which points are earned on purchases at participating merchants.-History:...
is Aeroplan's main competitor as a Canadian-based travel rewards loyalty program, however it is not an airline frequent flyer program per se. HBC Rewards
HBC Rewards
HBC Rewards is a loyalty program where customers earn points for purchases at Hudson's Bay Company's various chains of stores in Canada, including Zellers, The Bay, Home Outfitters, HBC Telecommunications, and hbc.com, their online store...
is also a competing non-airline rewards loyalty program.
Expiration
As of January 1, 2007, miles will expire seven years after they are earned. Also, in order to keep miles from expiring, activity on an Aeroplan account is required at least once a year.Membership levels and numbers
There are 4 levels of membership in Aeroplan: Basic, Prestige, Elite, and Super Elite; the latter three are the "Top Tier" membership levels. These Top Tier levels provide travel benefits such as upgrades, lounge access, priority services (e.g. check-in, luggage handling) and more. In order to qualify for one of the three Top Tier levels, the member must earn a certain number of "status miles" or fly a certain number of "status segments" in a given calendar year (thus qualifying that member for the next benefit year). Prestige members have Star AllianceStar Alliance
Star Alliance is the world's first and largest airline alliance, headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany . The alliance was founded in 1997 by five of the world's leading airlines: Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Thai Airways International and United Airlines...
Silver status while Elite and Super Elite members have Star Alliance Gold status.
As of January 16, 2006, there were approximately 4.9 million Basic members, 57000 Prestige members, 68000 Elite members, and 9000 Super Elite members.
Air Canada Status Miles are calculated on an annual basis (January 1 to December 31) to determine Aeroplan Membership Status for the following benefit year (March 1 to February 28). The qualification levels for 2010 Air Canada Top-Tier status are as follows:
Air Canada Prestige: 25,000 Aeroplan Status Miles or 25 Status Flight Segments
Air Canada Elite: 35,000 Aeroplan Status Miles or 50 Status Flight Segments
Air Canada Super Elite: 100,000 Aeroplan Status Miles or 95 Status Flight Segments
Earn Miles
1. Earn Aeroplan Miles with Air CanadaFor travel on flights within Canada and between Canada and the Continental U.S.A. (including Hawaii),
25% of miles flown will be earned for Tango Class, 100% of miles flown will be earned for Tango Plus and Executive Class Lowest and 150% of miles flown will be earned for Executive Class Flexible.
For travel on flights for all other destinations worldwide, 100% of miles flown will be earned for Tango Plus, 125% for Executive Class Lowest and 150% for Executive Class Flexible.
2. Earn Aeroplan Miles when booking from AirCanada.com
Earn up to 1 Aeroplan Mile for every dollar spent when you purchase an eligible ticket at aircanada.com (Canadian and U.S. Edition only).
Earn 1 Aeroplan mile for every 3 dollars spent when you purchase an eligible Flight Pass at aircanada.com (Canadian and U.S. Edition only).
3. Other partners
Airline partners
Star Alliance partner airlines
Air ChinaAir China
Air China is the flag carrier and one of the major airlines of the People's Republic of China. Based in Beijing Capital International Airport, Air China is the world's 10th largest airline by fleet size. The airline ranked behind its main competitors China Southern Airlines and China Eastern...
All Nippon Airways
All Nippon Airways
, also known as or ANA, is one of the largest airlines in Japan. It is headquartered at the Shiodome City Center in the Shiodome area in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It operates services to 49 destinations in Japan and 35 international routes and employed over 14,000 employees as of May 2009...
(ANA) Asiana Airlines
Asiana Airlines
Asiana Airlines Inc. is one of South Korea's two major airlines, along with Korean Air. Asiana has its headquarters in Asiana Town in Osoe-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul...
Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines is the flag carrier airline of Austria, headquartered in Office Park 2 on the grounds of Vienna International Airport in Schwechat, Wien-Umgebung and a subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. Together with regional subsidiary Tyrolean Airways and charter arm Lauda Air, it operates...
Bmi
Bmi (airline)
British Midland Airways Limited , is an airline based at Donington Hall in Castle Donington in the United Kingdom, close to East Midlands Airport, and a fully owned subsidiary of Lufthansa...
Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines is a flag carrier airline headquartered in the b.house on the grounds of Brussels Airport and in Diegem, Machelen, Belgium and a subsidiary of Lufthansa. It is the largest airline based in Belgium, operating to over 65 destinations in 20 European countries as well as long-haul...
Egyptair
EgyptAir
EgyptAir is the flag carrier airline of Egypt and a member of Star Alliance. The airline is based at Cairo International Airport, its main hub, operating scheduled passenger and freight services to more than 75 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas...
LOT
LOT Polish Airlines
Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT S.A. , trading as LOT Polish Airlines, is the flag carrier of Poland. Based in Warsaw, LOT was established in 1929, making it one of the world's oldest airlines still in operation. Using a fleet of 55 aircraft, LOT operates a complex network to 60 destinations in Europe,...
Lufthansa
Lufthansa
Deutsche Lufthansa AG is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried. The name of the company is derived from Luft , and Hansa .The airline is the world's fourth-largest airline in terms of overall passengers carried, operating...
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand Limited is the national airline and flag carrier of New Zealand. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the airline operates scheduled passenger flights to 26 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations in 15 countries across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, and is...
Norway Denmark Scandinavian Airlines SystemScandinavian Airlines System
Scandinavian Airlines or SAS, previously Scandinavian Airlines System, is the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and the largest airline in Scandinavia....
(SAS) Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Changi Airport and has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets...
South African Airways
South African Airways
South African Airways is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa, with headquarters in Airways Park on the grounds of OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The airline flies to 36 destinations worldwide from its hub at OR Tambo International...
Spanair
Spanair
Spanair is a Spanish airline, with its head office in the Spanair Building in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, near Barcelona. It was, until 2009, a subsidiary of Scandinavian Airlines, which now holds slightly under 20% of the company. Spanair provides a scheduled passenger network within Spain and...
Swiss International Air Lines
Swiss International Air Lines
Swiss International Air Lines AG is the principal airline of Switzerland operating scheduled services in Europe and to North America, South America, Africa and Asia. Its main hub is Zurich Airport...
TAM Airlines TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal
TAP Portugal, commonly known as TAP, is the national airline of Portugal. It has its head office in Building 25 on the grounds of Portela Airport in Lisbon, and has been a member of the Star Alliance since 14 March 2005, the same day on which the company celebrated its 60th anniversary...
Thai Airways International
Thai Airways International
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited is the national flag carrier and largest airline of Thailand. Formed in 1988, the airline's headquarters are located in Chatuchak District, Bangkok, and operates out of Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai is a founding member of the Star Alliance. Thai is a...
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines is the national flag carrier airline of Turkey, headquartered in the Turkish Airlines General Management Building on the grounds of Atatürk Airport in Yeşilköy, Bakirköy district, Istanbul...
United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
} Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
US Airways
US Airways
US Airways, Inc. is a major airline based in the U.S. city of Tempe, Arizona. The airline is an operating unit of US Airways Group and is the sixth largest airline by traffic and eighth largest by market value in the country....
Aegean Airlines
Aegean Airlines
Aegean Airlines S.A. is the largest Greek airline by total number of passengers carried. A Star Alliance member since June 2010, it operates scheduled and charter services from Athens and Thessaloniki to other major Greek destinations as well as to a number of European destinations...
Other partners
Air CreebecAir Creebec
Air Creebec Inc. is a regional airline based in Val-d'Or, Quebec, Canada. It operates scheduled and charter services to 16 destinations in Quebec and Ontario. Its main base is Val-d'Or Airport, with a hub at Timmins/Victor M. Power Airport.- History :...
Air One
Air One
Air One "Smart Carrier" is Alitalia's LCC subsidiary based in Milan Malpensa Airport and headquartered in Fiumicino, Italy. Before the merger with Alitalia, Air One was a competitor, the second largest airline in Italy, with a high-frequency scheduled network to 36 destinations in Italy, Europe and...
Avianca
Avianca
Avianca S.A. is the flag carrier airline of Colombia since December 5, 1919 when it was initially registered under the name SCADTA. It is headquartered in Bogotá, D.C. with its hub at the El Dorado International Airport...
(codeshare to various Colombian cities) Bearskin Airlines
Bearskin Airlines
Bearskin Lake Air Services Ltd., trading as Bearskin Airlines, is a regional airline based in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada. It operates services in northern Ontario and Manitoba...
Calm Air
Calm Air
Calm Air International LP. is an airline based in Thompson, Manitoba, Canada and is presently owned by the Exchange Income Corporation. It operates services in northern Manitoba and the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut. Charter and freight services are also undertaken. Its main base is Thompson Airport.-...
Canadian North
Canadian North
Canadian North Inc. is an airline based in the Northwest Tower in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. It operates scheduled passenger services to major communities in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Southern gateways include Edmonton and Ottawa...
First Air
First Air
Bradley Air Services Limited, operating as First Air, is an airline headquartered in Kanata, Ontario, Canada. It operates services to 30 communities in Nunavut, Nunavik, and the Northwest Territories. The majority of its fleet is available for charters worldwide...