COVID-19 Update: Aeroplan, AMResorts and More

Aeroplan Responds

Aeroplan has released details and adjustments it’s making to the Aeroplan Program in light of the COVID-19 situation.

• Cancel any Flight Reward free of charge, until March 31

To cancel any Flight Reward, the fastest way is at aeroplan.com. Until March 31, members can cancel free of charge and receive all of their Aeroplan Miles back in their account, plus a full refund of any associated taxes, fees and surcharges on the unused value of travel.

• Temporary pause to expiration of Aeroplan Miles, until May 14

Aeroplan has paused the expiration of any Aeroplan Miles and will keep all miles active for 12 months from the transaction date. Between now and May 14, Aeroplan Miles which would have expired will not. Effective May 15, normal expiration policies will once again apply.

In light of reduced travel in 2020, officials realize that Air Canada Altitude members may not be able to enjoy their upgrade privileges. In recognition of that, all Altitude members will be provided with additional eUpgrade Credits, valid until May 31, 2021.

AMResorts Closes Resorts

AMResorts has closed numerous resorts in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic due to travel restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Closed in Jamaica until June 1 are Breathless Montego Bay, Zoetry Montego Bay, Sunscape Splash, Sunscape Cove, Secrets St. James and Secrets Wild Orchid.

Closed in the DR until April 15 are Secrets Cap Cana, Dreams Macao Beach, Dreams Punta Cana and Now Onyx. Closed until April 30 are Zoetry Agua, Secrets Royal Beach, Breathless Punta Cana, Dreams Palm Beach, Now Larimar, Dreams Dominicus and Sunscape Puerto Plata.

Guests may change the date of their current booking to a future date, up to a year from the original booking date, with no additional fees or cancellation penalty. In addition, AMResorts will extend one additional night complimentary.

Sunwing Repatriates 60,000 Canadians

Sunwing has brought home over 60,000 stranded Canadian travellers since the carrier began its repatriation efforts on March 16.

This total also includes over 3,000 stranded Canadian travellers and non-Sunwing customers across the Caribbean, Mexico, Cuba and Florida who were offered seats free of charge. The carrier announced last week that it would be giving away any remaining seats on its repatriation flights to any Canadians stranded in destination.

“We understand a lot of Canadians are still stranded outside the country and struggling to get home,” said Stephen Hunter, CEO of Sunwing Travel Group. “That’s why we want to open up any extra capacity we have. It’s the Canadian thing to do.”

FITCUBA Postponed

FITCUBA, Cuba’s International Tourism Fair, has been postponed.

It was scheduled to be held May 4-9. A new date will be announced as soon as possible.

TAP Air Portugal Reduces Operations

TAP Air Portugal will temporarily reduce its operations given the sharp drop in demand following international travel restrictions put in place to combat to spread of the coronavirus.

“We are working on the continuity of our business, confident that we will return soon to our usual pace of activity, always focusing on the future, sustainability and growth of TAP,” said CEO Antonoaldo Neves. “We thank our employees for their commitment and sense of mission at a time as we all do our best to take care of our customers and of Portugal.”

Customers affected by flight cancellations in this period should visit refunds.flytap.com, to obtain a voucher for the total amount paid for the ticket.

For updates on TAP operations regarding the impact of the coronavirus, visit https://www.flytap.com/pt-pt/ultimas-atualizacoes.

Rwanda Tightens Restrictions

To further mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak, Rwanda reports that all arriving and departing commercial passenger flights, including RwandAir, have been halted for an initial period of 30 days.

Only cargo and emergency flights are operating.