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Air Canada Aeroplan (Edit)

Cutbacks have reduced this once prestigious program to run of the mill, although Aeroplan members are fighting hard to win back some of the lost benefits. Super Elites (the highest elite level) used to be able to upgrade at the time of booking and from any fare. Now upgrades are restricted to seven day advance bookings and H or higher fares. Elites (the middle-tier elite level) used to have access to econo rewards for regular miles, even if reward seats were unavailable.

Features

Elites and Super Elites may transfer awards to anyone.

Seasonal discounts on Econo, Executive/Executive First rewards.

Concierge service for Super Elites.

Pros

For Super Elites, the ongoing supply of System Wide Upgrades (especially if you do a lot of transoceanic flights) and the availability of econo- or business-class reward seats, even if reward seats are not available, is a big plus. Star Alliance Gold lounge access for Elites and Super Elites, including domestic Maple Leaf lounges, is also a nice benefit. Only 35,000 qualifying miles are needed to attain Star Gold and the class-of-service bonuses of 25% for J class and 50% for F class count towards status, making it relatively easy to achieve this level. Bonus miles are awarded at designated mileage thresholds and the bonuses count toward elite status. These threshold bonues add up, and result in a bonus of almost 100% once you've accumulated 100,000 status miles. System Wide Upgrades for Super Elites are still a plus, despite the increased difficulty of using them.

Cons

Aeroplan has fewer partners than some other programs.

There are no upgrade awards.

The changes introduced in 2002 included a 200% mileage requirement for guaranteed reward seat availability for Elites, a major disappointment from previously unrestricted access for econo class tickets.