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Air Canada has announced changes to its baggage allowance policy for Aeroplan Elite members, effective February 1, 2026. This update, primarily affecting 25K and 35K status holders, was communicated to affected members via email.
The main changes involve a reduction in checked baggage allowance for 25K members on Air Canada flights, while adding benefits when flying with certain Star Alliance partners.
Effective February 1, 2026, Aeroplan 25K members will see a reduction in their checked baggage allowance on Air Canada flights. They will now be entitled to only one additional complimentary checked bag beyond what is included in their purchased fare, up to a maximum of two checked bags in total.
This represents a devaluation compared to the current policy, which allows Aeroplan 25K members to receive more generous baggage allowances on certain fare types.
This policy applies to flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, and Air Canada Rouge.
However, the news is not all negative. Effective February 1, 2026, Aeroplan 25K and 35K members (equivalent to Star Alliance Silver status) will receive an additional benefit when traveling with certain Star Alliance partners.
They will be entitled to an additional checked bag beyond what is included with their economy class ticket when traveling on:
This enhancement will allow eligible members to check up to two bags for free on these carriers. However, it is important to note that this benefit does not apply to the “light” fares of Lufthansa Group airlines, which do not include any checked baggage allowance.
Air Canada has confirmed that checked baggage allowances will remain unchanged for all other Aeroplan Elite status levels (50K, 75K, and Super Elite 100K). These higher-tier members will continue to enjoy their current baggage benefits.
The timing of these changes seems strategic, as Air Canada highlights how Aeroplan credit cards can help offset the reduction in baggage allowance.
Air Canada explicitly notes that 25K members who hold an eligible Aeroplan Prestige or Principal credit card can combine their credit card benefit (one complimentary checked bag) with their Elite status benefit to continue to receive two complimentary checked bags on most fares.
While these changes are not drastic, they represent a significant devaluation for Aeroplan 25K members who do not hold co-branded credit cards. The loss of a second complimentary checked bag on many fare types could result in additional fees for these travelers.
The addition of extra baggage allowances on certain Star Alliance partners is a welcome improvement. Nevertheless, this might not fully offset the reduction in benefits on Air Canada’s own flights, especially for members who travel primarily within the Air Canada network.
This update aligns with the airline industry’s trend to gradually reduce benefits for lower-tier elite members while encouraging credit card enrollment. For affected travelers, it may be wise to evaluate whether an Aeroplan credit card is a suitable option to maintain their current baggage allowances, or if other loyalty programs might better meet their needs.
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