Air Canada’s decision to revamp its Aeroplan program to prioritize top spenders is drawing sharp criticism from loyal customers, who say the new rules punish frequent flyers.
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the airline will shift from awarding points based on mileage to dollars spent, and travellers who book flex fares and above — which include business class — will earn double the points per dollar compared to standard fares.
Holding Super Elite status currently — the highest tier in Aeroplan — Francisco Munoz in Ottawa said he felt “a slap in the face” upon learning about the new Aeroplan points system, which he believes will make it harder for travellers like him, who fly economy a couple of times a month for business, to maintain their status.
“It’s a shame, and I hope that Air Canada realizes that a lot of customers feel very cheated by this, and we feel that we’re disregarded,” Munoz said.
As a video game programmer who frequently flies to his company’s studios in Asia and Europe, Munoz said he often plans cheaper long-haul tickets months in advance. Now, he feels the airline is overlooking customers like him in favour of those who spend more on last-minute trips.
Munoz’s feeling is valid, said Barry Choi, a personal finance and travel expert in Toronto.
“To get any of the statuses in 2026, now you will need to spend more,” he said.
It may be easier for people with higher-tier Aeroplan Elite status to requalify, but it will be more difficult for those who are new to Aeroplan or at the lower end of the status scale to gain points, he explained.
“The way it’s designed is to really reward those people who are paying the higher-class tickets,” Choi said, adding that it makes sense to him that the loyalty program chooses to reward people who are spending the most.
“The same people who complain about the lounges being too full or it’s too easy to get in Zone Two are now complaining that it’s harder to get status. You can’t have it both ways,” he said.
Patrick Sojka, founder of Calgary-based Rewards Canada, said the changes to Aeroplan align with broader industry trends, as many airlines have shifted to “100 per cent revenue-based point earning,” and Air Canada was one of the last holdouts.
“The rich will get richer,” said Sojka. “Those who can spend more will earn more points.”
While some people may lose out, others will benefit from the program overhaul, Sojka added.
He pointed out that the changes will benefit frequent flyers who travel in expensive classes and can charge the cost to their employer, as well as those who book cheap fares for short trips — such as from Toronto to Montreal — and previously earned little to no points under the old system.
“The ones that aren’t benefiting as much are definitely a lot of the small-business owners who have to pay for their own tickets,” Sojka said.
Michael Zureik, a Super Elite traveller who flies more than 100 times a year through different international carriers, said he feels disappointed that Aeroplan now incentivizes its members to spend more on its preferred credit card to gain points.
It’s inconvenient for him, as he already pays hundreds of dollars for other credit cards.
“From their business perspective, I 100 per cent understand why they’re doing it,” said Zureik. “For a frequent flyer, it takes away my uniqueness. It means someone can just spend a lot on their credit card and they’ll reach the same status as I would.”
