New Aeroplan Fees Effective Today
Almost two months ago, Aeroplan announced a substantial change to their refund/change/cancellation fee structure. Previously, any change or cancellation whatsoever entailed a $90+tax per person fee. It was a simple and reasonably priced fee. Effective today, Aeroplan’s new fees are in place. Aeroplan’s new fee structure is different depending on whether you have dDistinction Diamond status or not, and is explained below.
New Fee Structure – No Diamond Status
If you don’t have Diamond status, your fees are as follows:
- Any voluntary change costs $100+tax per person per direction. This means if you have a round-trip ticket, and you wanted to change both directions for two passengers, you are looking at $400+tax. Changes can be made up to two hours before departure.
- Any voluntary refund costs $150+tax per person. This fee isn’t charged per direction, just per booking per person. Refunds can be made 22 days before departure.
- Any voluntary refund under 22 days before departure would cost up to $350+tax per person. First, you have to change your ticket at $100+tax per person per direction to a reservation outside 22 days. If it’s a round-trip ticket, you’re looking at $200+tax. Then you’re looking at a $150+tax refund fee.
New Fee Structure – dDiamond
If you have dDistinction Diamond status, your fees are as follows:
- Any voluntary change costs $75+tax per person per direction. This means if you have a round-trip ticket, and you wanted to change both directions for two passengers, you are looking at $150+tax. Changes can be made up to two hours before departure.
- Any voluntary refund that can be made online costs $30+tax per person. This fee isn’t charged per direction, just per booking per person. Refunds can be made 22 days before departure. Often the online refund tool doesn’t work.
- Any voluntary refund that is made by telephone costs $100+tax per person. This fee isn’t charged per direction, just per booking per person. Refunds can be made 22 days before departure.
Multi-City or Round-the-World Reservation
If the new fee structure wasn’t complicated enough, there’s a separate table of charges if you have a multi-city or round-the-world reservation for changes only (the above refund fees apply):
- Multi-City changes cost $100+tax per direction, up to a maximum of $200+tax per booking for non-dDiamond members. dDiamond members are charged $75+tax per direction, with a maximum charge of $150+tax.
- Round-the-World changes cost $200+tax for any change, regardless of dDistinction status.
Wow! This is complicated and a huge devaluation, eh? Fortunately, Aeroplan is exerting some flexibility for bookings made prior to December 6, 2016:
For any flight reward bookings made prior to December 6, 2016, the previous non-refundable fee of C$90 plus taxes applies. For members with Aeroplan diamond status, in the event that the new fee structure is more favourable, the lowest fee will be applied if the change or refund is made after December 6, 2016. – Source: Aeroplan
What do you think of these changes? Is it going to impact your loyalty to Aeroplan?
