It’s been a while since we’ve done one of these casual catch-up videos, so let’s sit down for a chat.
Now that we’ve had a couple of weeks’ time to digest the details of the new Aeroplan program, I wanted to share with you some of my immediate impressions of the new program, as well as my thoughts on the rapidly shifting landscape in credit cards, loyalty programs, and global travel as we look ahead towards the tail end of 2020.
What do you make of the new program? Do you see sufficient positives to outweigh the negatives, or are you mostly unimpressed by the increases in award costs? How do you think WestJet Rewards ought to be responding with their new loyalty offering? And do you plan on making the leap to travelling internationally (responsibly, of course) sometime this year?
I’d love to hear what you think, so feel free to pipe up in the comments.
Without further ado, you can watch the video below:
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Personally I think I would have preferred that YQ stay and that we would not have to pay the 30-50% increase in points. I have gotten quite good at avoiding YQ and dont mind a bit of a convoluted trip to keep my out of pocket cost down.
Having said that, I do like the family sharing option and I do realize that AC is catering to the majority and not the minority like myself. I can live with the increase in cost in points, I just wish it was not that substantial. I definitely am not liking the number of segment rules and the new fees for canceling or changing an existing itinerary. Those definitely hurt.
Overall it could have been worse. It is about even with maybe a bit more slanted in ACs favor but they are a company to make a profit after all.
Sadly, they know and expect that it’s in their best interest to remove any YQ, inflate prices by 30%+, and have the flat $39 partner booking fee.
Ricky, it would be great to do a write up regarding how this devaluation stacks with other devaluations from other programs. I’m sure it won’t be an apples to apples comparison, but you may be able to use the points-cost for rewards as a basis.
My thoughts: Air Canada is in for a tough ride with COVID-19 & the 14 day quarantine. Especially how their most of their flights are so empty these days. I just hope that the Aeroplan program stays as strong as they promise.
Are you moving to Vancouver to take advantage of the new Aeroplan Sweet Spots?!?
^This was a good one. (That is all)