Air Canada Changes Aeroplan Elite Baggage Allowances Starting February 2026
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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.
Key Changes for Aeroplan 25k Members
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.
Impact by Fare Type
Basic Fare or Standard Aeroplan Award (No Baggage Included)
- 25K Members: One complimentary checked bag (instead of two previously)
- 25K Members with an eligible Aeroplan credit card: Two complimentary checked bags (one from status, one from the credit card)
Standard Economy Fares in North America or to Sun Destinations (No Baggage Included)
- 25K Members: One complimentary checked bag (instead of two previously)
- 25K Members with an eligible Aeroplan credit card: Two complimentary checked bags (one from status, one from the credit card)
Standard Economy Fares to International Destinations (one Bag Included)
- 25K Members: Two complimentary checked bags in total (one from the fare, one from status)
Flex or Comfort Fares (one Bag Included)
- 25K Members: Two complimentary checked bags in total (one from the fare, one from status)
Latitude Fares (Two Bags Included)
- 25K Members: Maximum of two complimentary checked bags
This policy applies to flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, and Air Canada Rouge.
New Benefits with Star Alliance Partners
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:
- United Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Brussels Airlines
- SWISS
- Austrian Airlines
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $599 | |||
| $599 | |||
| $120 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
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.
No Changes for Higher Elite Statuses
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.
Credit Card Strategy
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.
Analysis: Winners and Losers
Winners
- 25K and 35K members who frequently travel with United and Lufthansa Group airlines: they will now receive an additional checked bag on these carriers
- Aeroplan credit card holders with 25K status: they can still maintain two complimentary checked bags on most fares by combining benefits
- Higher-tier Elite members (50K+): their benefits remain unchanged
When Will These Aeroplan Baggage Allowance Changes Take Effect?
The Aeroplan Elite baggage allowance changes will take effect on February 1, 2026. Until this date, current baggage policies remain in place for all Elite status levels. This gives affected members several months to prepare for the new policy and potentially adjust their travel strategies or consider applying for an Aeroplan credit card to maintain their current baggage benefits.
Which Aeroplan Elite Status Levels Are Affected by These Changes?
The baggage allowance changes primarily affect Aeroplan 25K members, who will see a reduction in their checked baggage allowance on Air Canada flights. In addition, Aeroplan 25K and 35K members will receive new baggage benefits when traveling on certain Star Alliance partner airlines (United Airlines, Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines). Baggage allowances for higher Elite status levels (50K, 75K, and Super Elite 100K) remain unchanged.
How Can Aeroplan 25K Members Still Get Two Complimentary Checked Bags?
After February 1, 2026, Aeroplan 25K members can still get two complimentary checked bags in several ways:
1. By holding an eligible Aeroplan Prestige or Principal credit card when traveling with basic fares or standard Economy fares in North America (one bag from status + one bag from the credit card)
2. When traveling with standard Economy fares to international destinations (one bag included in the fare + one bag from status)
3. When traveling with Flex or Comfort fares (one bag included in the fare + one bag from status)
4. When traveling with Latitude fares (two bags included in the fare)
5. When traveling with United Airlines or Lufthansa Group carriers on fares that include one checked bag (one fare bag + one status bag)
Which Star Alliance partners are included in the new baggage benefit?
The new Star Alliance partner baggage benefit for Aeroplan 25K and 35K members applies to five specific airlines:
- United Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Brussels Airlines
- SWISS
- Austrian Airlines
When traveling on these carriers, 25K and 35K members will be entitled to one additional checked bag beyond what is included in their economy class ticket, allowing eligible members to check up to two bags for free. However, this benefit does not apply to “light” fares from Lufthansa Group airlines that do not include any checked baggage allowance.
How does this change compare to the baggage allowances of other Star Alliance programs?
The updated Aeroplan Elite baggage allowance for 25K members (one additional bag beyond the fare allowance) now aligns more closely with other Star Alliance Silver status benefits. Here’s how it compares to other major Star Alliance programs:
- United MileagePlus Premier Silver: One additional free checked bag (23 kg/50 lb)
- Lufthansa Miles & More Frequent Traveller: One additional free checked bag (23 kg/50 lb)
- Singapore KrisFlyer Elite Silver: 10 kg additional for airlines using the weight concept, no additional pieces for airlines using the piece concept
The new Star Alliance partner baggage benefit for 25K and 35K members actually represents an improvement over typical Star Alliance Silver benefits, as many partner airlines previously did not offer additional baggage allowances to Silver members of other programs. This reciprocal arrangement between Air Canada, United, and the Lufthansa Group appears to be a new evolution in Star Alliance partner benefits.
Losers
- 25K members without an Aeroplan credit card: they lose their second complimentary checked bag on basic fares, standard fares in North America, and sun destinations
- 25K members who fly primarily with Air Canada: the reduction in baggage allowance directly affects their most frequent travels
Bottom Line
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Aeroplan Elite baggage allowance changes will take effect on February 1, 2026. Until this date, current baggage policies remain in place for all Elite status levels. This gives affected members several months to prepare for the new policy and potentially adjust their travel strategies or consider applying for an Aeroplan credit card to maintain their current baggage benefits.
The baggage allowance changes primarily affect Aeroplan 25K members, who will see a reduction in their checked baggage allowance on Air Canada flights. In addition, Aeroplan 25K and 35K members will receive new baggage benefits when traveling on certain Star Alliance partner airlines (United Airlines, Lufthansa, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines). Baggage allowances for higher Elite status levels (50K, 75K, and Super Elite 100K) remain unchanged.
After February 1, 2026, Aeroplan 25K members can still get two complimentary checked bags in several ways:
1. By holding an eligible Aeroplan Prestige or Principal credit card when traveling with basic fares or standard Economy fares in North America (one bag from status + one bag from the credit card)
2. When traveling with standard Economy fares to international destinations (one bag included in the fare + one bag from status)
3. When traveling with Flex or Comfort fares (one bag included in the fare + one bag from status)
4. When traveling with Latitude fares (two bags included in the fare)
5. When traveling with United Airlines or Lufthansa Group carriers on fares that include one checked bag (one fare bag + one status bag)
The new Star Alliance partner baggage benefit for Aeroplan 25K and 35K members applies to five specific airlines:
- United Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Brussels Airlines
- SWISS
- Austrian Airlines
When traveling on these carriers, 25K and 35K members will be entitled to one additional checked bag beyond what is included in their economy class ticket, allowing eligible members to check up to two bags for free. However, this benefit does not apply to “light” fares from Lufthansa Group airlines that do not include any checked baggage allowance.
The updated Aeroplan Elite baggage allowance for 25K members (one additional bag beyond the fare allowance) now aligns more closely with other Star Alliance Silver status benefits. Here’s how it compares to other major Star Alliance programs:
- United MileagePlus Premier Silver: One additional free checked bag (23 kg/50 lb)
- Lufthansa Miles & More Frequent Traveller: One additional free checked bag (23 kg/50 lb)
- Singapore KrisFlyer Elite Silver: 10 kg additional for airlines using the weight concept, no additional pieces for airlines using the piece concept
The new Star Alliance partner baggage benefit for 25K and 35K members actually represents an improvement over typical Star Alliance Silver benefits, as many partner airlines previously did not offer additional baggage allowances to Silver members of other programs. This reciprocal arrangement between Air Canada, United, and the Lufthansa Group appears to be a new evolution in Star Alliance partner benefits.
