Aeroplan Launches ‘Mythbusters’ Campaign

Aeroplan has launched a new campaign, called Mythbusters, which is aimed at revealing the truth behind the myths and misconceptions about the company’s flight reward program.

The campaign provides facts to clarify 12 myths that are detailed at http://www.aeroplan.com/myths.

These include:

• Fixed Mileage, Flight Rewards are never available.

Truth is, over 70% of our flight rewards booked are at Fixed Mileage levels. These flights rewards are limited and go fast so they might seem hard to get.

• Aeroplan has blackout dates.

Actually, Aeroplan does not have blackout dates. There are two flight reward options: Fixed Mileage Flight Rewards and Market Fare Flight Rewards that let members fly anywhere, any time on all Air Canada flights. If members are trying to book during peak flying periods and can’t find any available flights, it’s because they go fast. It’s smart to book early.

• Contact Centre, agents have access to more seats.

As a matter of fact, members have access to the same seats as agents do by booking through aeroplan.com or through the Aeroplan app.

• You need to book a year in advance to find a seat.

Not necessarily. Airline partners release seats all year long, so members don’t need to plan that far in advance. In fact, almost a third of flight rewards are booked last-minute.

• It’s virtually impossible to change or cancel a flight reward.

Members can cancel or modify any flight reward up until two hours prior to the flight. Cancelling can be done online and any modifications can be made by calling the Aeroplan Contact Centre. For a full refund, cancellations must be completed 21 days in advance. Flight dates, times, class of service, routing and/or itinerary can be changed on unused Flight Rewards for non-refundable fee plus taxes per ticket.

• You can only earn miles by flying.

Not so. In addition to earning miles by flying, members can earn Aeroplan Miles in a variety of ways, including by fueling up their car, shopping, eating out, subscribing to magazines, staying at a hotel and more. Aeroplan has more than 150 partner brands.

• Only the Contact Centre can credit a members’ miles if they forget to provide their Aeroplan number when flying.

Actually, members can request to have their miles credited online 24/7 through the Help Centre. They can also book a flight, manage their rewards, update their profile, convert miles, reset their password, create a Contact Centre PIN, order a new card and more.

• Members will be on hold for two hours if they call in to book a flight.

While this may have happened in the past, Aeroplan has upgraded its system making wait time shorter. But why call at all? Members can book a flight online and through the Aeroplan app.

• Aeroplan is the only program where the miles expire.

Miles will not expire as long as members stay active by having at least one qualifying activity in the previous 12 months.

• There are no real perks to achieving status with Aeroplan.

Members with status in the Aeroplan program have the opportunity to earn more and redeem for less.

• Members can’t use miles to book flights for friends and family.

Truth is, members can use their miles however they want, including booking flights for friends and family (they don’t even have to be Aeroplan members).

• A member’s credit card is their Aeroplan Card.

Not so. They are different cards. With the Aeroplan Card, members earn miles at Aeroplan’s partners, with an Aeroplan-affiliated credit card, they can earn miles everywhere. They can even earn twice when paying with their credit card and showing their Aeroplan Card at partners.