Air Canada’s Aeroplan Frequent-Flyer Program to Sell Miles to Members

Air Canada’s Signature Lounge in Toronto

Air Canada announced that its Aeroplan frequent-flyer program sell miles to consumers and will allow program members to bid for cabin upgrades using Aeroplan Miles.  The new features come as the airline prepared to relaunch Aeroplan later this year.

Aeroplan will start to sell miles directly beginning on Thursday, with a limit of 250,000 per transaction and 500,000 per calendar year.  Previously, Aeroplan members could only purchase miles in order to top up their accounts when redeeming miles for air tickets.

To celebrate, the airline will offer tiered bonuses.  For the first ten million Aeroplan Miles sold, buyers will get a 115% bonus, and for the next 100 million sold, the bonus will be 90%.  Thereafter, until the end of the promotion on May 13, buyers will get a 65% bonus.  Each mile will cost three Canadian cents ($0.021) before any bonuses.

Until now, Aeroplan members could only bid for upgrades to higher cabins by making offers that would be paid via a credit card.

The airline promised that the new frequent-flyer program, when launched, will introduce new features that will “speak directly” to all customers, “once they are ready to travel again.”

(Photo: Accura Media Group)