Aeroplan Extends Penalty-Free Cancellation Policy, Adds Exotic New Airline Partner

Aeroplan will extend by one month its ongoing policy of allowing penalty-free changes and cancellations as COVID-19 concerns persist. Aeroplan also unveiled a new partnership with Gulf Air, an exotic Middle Eastern carrier with a fabulous new business class product.

Aeroplan Extends Fee Waiver For Cancellations + Changes On Awards

Through September 30, 2021 you can change your Aeroplan ticket as many times as you want at no charge (additional mileage and taxes may apply, depending upon your chosen itinerary). Aeroplan tells me the move comes to “to address evolving travel restrictions and member needs.”

Starting October 1, 2021, change and cancellation fees will return, though there will be some exceptions:

• Existing bookings (made through September 30, 2021) are eligible for a one-time free change or cancellation, even after this date, at no charge
• Aeroplan Super Elite members – no change and cancellation fees for flight rewards redeemed from their accounts
• Economy Latitude, Premium Economy Flexible, Business Class Flexible and First Class Flexible reward fare options offer waived change and cancellation fees for all members

Note that important first point: even if you book prior to September 30th, under current policy you will only be permitted one complimentary change or cancellation (one of the other) after October 1st.

With the delta variant still surging, I would not be surprised to see this policy extended once more, though I also would not count on it.

Gulf Air: New Aeroplan Partner

Gulf Air used to be bigger than Emirates, but has gradually declined over the last two decades. Previously, Gulf Air partnered with American Airlines and I had a wonderful flight from Manama (BAH) to Amman (AMM) a few years ago (the lounge in BAH isn’t bad either).

The AA partnership has since dissolved and while a Cathay Pacific Asia Miles partnership remains, the new Aeroplan partnership will make bookings easier than ever before. I have been wanting to fly Gulf Air’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Bahrain to London and now look forward to doing so (Manama as a city isn’t much…I’m not sure I’l be taking advantage of Aeroplan’s generous stopover option for 5,000 extra miles).

Aeroplan continues to impress with its diverse portfolio of airline partners, now totaling 42.

Redemptions can be made on Aeroplan’s website and you can mix and match Gulf Air flights with any other partner. You can also earn award miles (but not elite miles) when flying on Gulf Air and crediting to Air Canada.

CONCLUSION

Two great pieces of news from Air Canada’s Aeroplan today. The “new” Aeroplan continues to impress with customer-friendly policies and great new partners.

image: Gulf Air 787