Aeroplan Family sharing: Resuming with account verification

Aeroplan Family Sharing Is Back

Good news! Aeroplan family sharing is back . This very useful feature of the Aeroplan program had been suspended since August 2023 due to misuse.

To address the issue and access Family Sharing, a mandatory action will be required. Starting today, you must be a verified Aeroplan member to create a shared Family Sharing account, join one, invite members to join, or modify privileges within the shared account.

Air Canada is strengthening the security of the Aeroplan program by introducing a new account verification process. The Aeroplan account verification process makes it possible to :

• Enhance the security of your account
• Access family sharing and other features;
• Prevent unauthorized access and the fraudulent exchange of points.

Check your Aeroplan account, under Family Sharing. You may already be verified!

How to Become a Verified Aeroplan Member

The first step is to confirm your cell phone number and activate 2-factor authentication, in the My Aeroplan section, then in the Family Sharing tab.

The second step is to validate your identity with one of the options below. Here are the easy options, where your identity is automatically verified:

• If you have taken 2 Air Canada flights in 2 separate bookings within the last 5 years;
• If you are the primary cardholder of a co-branded Aeroplan credit card that is correctly linked to your own Aeroplan account.

Then, the verification process may take up to a week after completing your second flight or linking your Aeroplan credit card. Full details are on the Air Canada page.

Additionally, there is an option to verify your identity in person at three airports during the following hours: daily from 10 AM to 3 PM at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Also, daily from 8 AM to 1 PM at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), except on public holidays and during busy periods in March, July, and December. The processing time for this option may take up to 4 weeks.

The final option is instant verification, and your identity will be verified using facial recognition technology. You’ll need:

• A photo of a valid government-issued ID (driver’s license, passport or NEXUS card);
• Take a selfie to compare with the photo on your identification document.

If your government-issued ID is verified, the information it contains matches your Aeroplan profile, and your selfie matches the photo on the ID you provided, your identity is verified. The processing time for instant verification is a few minutes.

Regardless of the option chosen, you will only need to do this once as long as you remain an Aeroplan member. You will receive a confirmation email once your account has been verified.

Why Verify Your Aeroplan Account?

It is important to note that all members who want to join a Family Sharing group must be verified. In addition, a Aeroplan member must have been a member for at least 6 months to join a Family Sharing program.

However, Aeroplan identity verification is not mandatory.

If your account is not verified, it’s not a problem. You will continue to travel with Air Canada and earn and redeem Aeroplan points as usual. However, you will not be able to access certain features such as Family Sharing.

If you don’t have the Family Sharing feature, each Aeroplan member will need to book their own ticket and then ask customer service to link the reservations afterwards.