Understanding Aeroplan Flight Award Changes: Fees, Flexibility, & Strategies
In this episode of Miles Ahead: Deep Dives, Danny, Josh, and Jeff from FrugalFlyer.ca explore the intricacies of Aeroplan Flight Award changes.
They discuss the various fees associated with changing or canceling award tickets, including specific charges for economy and premium fares. The team also outlines scenarios where travelers can change their itineraries for free, such as in cases of major schedule disruptions.
They delve into strategies for maximizing flexibility, including how to leverage the Aeroplan self-accommodation tool and the benefits of booking flexible fares or achieving Aeroplan Super Elite status when it comes to utilizing flight award changes.
(00:45) Understanding Aeroplan Change Fees
If you need to make changes to an Aeroplan award booking, you are likely to incur fees that are charged on a per-person and per-direction basis. There are also fees incurred to cancel a ticket, but you will receive your full Aeroplan points amount, plus taxes and fees, back when you cancel.
- Read More: Aeroplan Flight Reward Changes Explained
- Read More: Air Canada Aeroplan Loyalty Guide
(02:38) Free Changes & Cancellations With Schedule Adjustments
Schedule changes happen pretty regularly, especially if you book your flight far in advance. When they are considered a major disruption to the itinerary, passengers may be able to use these schedule changes to make additional changes or cancel their itinerary at no cost.
(05:04) Flexibility Offered By Involuntary Schedule Changes
If you are hit with a schedule change and are eligible to change your itinerary, you can do things such as changing your travel date, your connecting cities, and potentially even changing the airport that you arriving at.
(06:59) Using Schedule Changes to Your Advantage
Schedule changes are a powerful tool you can utilize to get the most out of your points and travel. This includes utilizing Air Canada Aeroplan’s self-accommodation tool, which can provide some very generous options, including better partner award availability and a lack of dynamic pricing.
(12:57) Avoiding Fees and Maximizing Benefits
If you book into certain fare classes that cost more Aeroplan points, you will often benefit from free changes and cancellations. Aeroplan Super Elite status members also receive free changes and cancellations, and while there are some helpful shortcuts, reaching this level of elite status can be difficult.
- Read More: Air Canada Fare Classes Guide
- Read More:Air Canada Aeroplan Elite Status Guide
- Fast Track Your Way to Status: Chase Aeroplan Card
(15:29) Conclusion
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Join us for the next episode, in which the Frugal Flyer team looks backward at how miles and points have changed in recent years and forecasts what is yet to come.
Listen to Miles Ahead: Episode 16 – How Has Miles & Points Changed in Recent Years?.