Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is set for significant changes to its award chart, effective March 25, 2025. The key updates include expanded availability and the introduction of variable pricing for select partners, including United Airlines, Etihad Airways, and Emirates. While these adjustments offer increased access to award seats, they also remove the transparency of maximum redemption prices, which may impact how travelers plan their redemptions.
Fixed vs. Variable Pricing: What’s Changing?
Aeroplan has traditionally offered a fixed-price award chart for partner airlines. However, under the new system, there will be two distinct pricing structures:
- Fixed Pricing for Partners – Prices for award redemptions on most Aeroplan partner airlines will remain unchanged, ensuring predictable mileage costs for travelers.
- Variable Pricing for Air Canada and Select Partners – United Airlines, Emirates, Flydubai, Etihad Airways, and several Canadian regional carriers (Calm Air, Canadian North, and Provincial Airlines) will now be subject to variable pricing, meaning award costs will fluctuate based on demand and availability.
United Airlines and Etihad: What to Expect
The addition of United Airlines to the variable pricing structure raises concerns for frequent flyers. As Aeroplan and United are joint venture partners, this move likely means expanded access to award inventory beyond saver-level seats. While this could be beneficial for travelers needing more availability, it also means premium seats may come at significantly higher redemption rates.
Etihad Airways business class awards, which had become increasingly difficult to book through Aeroplan, are expected to return with this update. However, first-class redemptions will not see increased availability under the new system.
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New Award Chart Format: Transparency Concerns
The upcoming “Air Canada and Select Partners” award chart introduces a “starting at” price and a “median price” based on historical redemption data. While this provides insight into past pricing trends, Aeroplan is removing the published maximum price, leaving travelers uncertain about the highest potential cost of an award.
Key Changes to Award Chart Transparency:
- The starting price remains the same as the current lowest redemption rates.
- The median price will be based on a 12-month rolling average, updated quarterly.
- The maximum price is being eliminated from the chart, removing a critical benchmark for travelers.
Benefits for Aeroplan Elite Members and Credit Card Holders
Aeroplan Elite members and co-branded credit cardholders will benefit from discounts on redemptions under the new pricing model. This broadens an existing perk and could help offset the unpredictability of dynamic pricing.
The Good and the Bad
Pros:
- More availability for United Airlines award seats beyond saver levels.
- The return of Etihad Airways business class redemptions.
- Discounts for Aeroplan Elite members and co-branded cardholders.
Cons:
- The removal of maximum award prices reduces transparency.
- United Airlines’ shift to variable pricing may make premium cabin redemptions more expensive.
- First-class award redemptions remain unchanged, limiting premium options.
Final Thoughts
Aeroplan’s upcoming changes represent a mixed bag for frequent flyers. While greater availability on key airlines like United and Etihad is a positive development, the shift to variable pricing introduces uncertainty. The removal of maximum award prices means travelers must stay vigilant and flexible when planning redemptions.
For those holding Aeroplan points, now may be a good time to book awards before the changes take effect on March 25. Whether these updates prove beneficial in the long run will depend on how Aeroplan manages dynamic pricing and whether the expanded inventory justifies potentially higher redemption costs.
