I got this e-mail from Aeroplan tonight:
October 24, 2006
Dear Bruce,
Aeroplan recently announced changes to the program's terms and conditions affecting mileage expiry. We have received calls and emails from our members asking for greater clarification of these changes. Aeroplan would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any confusion created, clarify these changes and explain what they mean to our members.
It is important to understand what these changes mean and how to ensure that you continue to make the most of your Aeroplan Miles. You'll also want to understand the terms and conditions of any program you participate in. Almost all programs have expiry policies; every one is different in how they apply the policy.
7 years to redeem
Starting January 1, 2007, miles that are unused after 7 years in an account will expire, and will be deducted from the total balance in the account. This means that Aeroplan Miles issued on January 1, 2007 or after, can be redeemed for 7 years (84-months) from the month the mile is accumulated. All Aeroplan Miles issued before January 1, 2007 will be considered as accumulated on December 31, 2006, regardless of the actual activity date. This will result in an end date of December 31, 2013 for miles earned at any time prior to January 1, 2007.
This doesn't mean that you have to redeem any Miles at all every year or empty your account every 7 years. It may be helpful for you to think of this as assigning a "shelf life" to your accumulated miles: you must redeem your miles by the end of their "shelf life" of 7 years or else they will be removed from your account. For example, a mile earned on November 30, 2008 must be redeemed by November 30, 2015.
This means that you can take up to 7 years to accumulate enough miles for that dream vacation, provided that you make at least one transaction per year to keep your account active.
Mileage expiry
Starting July 1, 2007, Aeroplan will change the terms of its mileage expiry policy. Members will have had to make at least one transaction — either by accumulating Miles or redeeming Miles — at least once in the previous 12 months. Therefore, on July 1, 2007, if a member hasn't earned or redeemed one mile in the time span of June 30, 2006 to June 30, 2007, the miles in their account will expire.
This means you must earn, redeem or donate Aeroplan Miles once a year to keep your account active.
This is as simple as filling up at Esso, once.
Or using your co-branded financial card, once.
Or donating to our Beyond Miles charitable program, once.
Redeem for one reward, once.
There are literally thousands of ways to stay active. All of them are detailed at aeroplan.com.
Mileage reinstatement
But what if your account does expire? What if your Aeroplan Miles go unredeemed for seven years?
You can still have your account and your Miles reinstated, either fully or partially. The cost is a $30 processing fee, plus 1 cent for every mile that's reinstated, plus taxes.
More information about these policies is available at aeroplan.com. If you have any questions about these policies, please call us at 800-361-5373.
It's easier than ever to earn and redeem miles. Aeroplan has added many new partners with whom you may earn miles. There are more than 400 non-flight rewards to choose from. And, when it comes to flight rewards, Aeroplan just launched ClassicPlus Flight Rewards, giving our members access to 100% of Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz's available capacity in Economy and Executive Class.
ClassicPlus Flight Rewards complement our existing Star Alliance Flight Rewards and industry-best ClassicFlight Rewards, which continue to represent 8% of Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz seat capacity on every route, every month. Together, Aeroplan's flight products provide global reward travel options to more than 842 destinations.
Best wishes,
Rupert Duchesne
President and CEO
Aeroplan
Life clearly isn't complex enough. Would somebody please remind me to send Mr. Duchesne a thank you for introducing the excitement of
monthly point tracking to my otherwise squalid existence? Given that it's been
years since I was last able to get an Aeroplan seat on a plane going to my desired destination at my desired date and time, I'm inclined to just give up and ignore the stupid things. Is pulling into my local Esso station as opposed to the competition worth one extra turn of the steering wheel?