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Aeroplan: How does the Aeroplan Air Canada Buddy Pass work?

To the point Looking for details about the Air Canada Buddy Pass? Here's everything you need to know about it!

How does Air Canada Buddy Pass work?

*** This Air Canada Buddy Pass is no longer available. However, we leave this article as an archive.

TheAir Canada Buddy Pass accompanied some welcome offers from Aeroplan credit cards. During 2020, 2021 and early 2022, it was part of several offers and you may have gotten one.

Here are the key points to know about the Air Canada Buddy Pass:

  • It’s a buy-one-get-one Pass
  • You only pay taxes and third-party charges on the second ticket
  • Available for one year before it expires
  • Though travel can be booked for a date beyond that year
  • Available anywhere Air Canada flies in North America (including Hawaii and Mexico).
  • Valid for travel any time for any economy fare, including fares on sale
  • Ability to upgrade, depending on status level and fare purchased
  • Does not apply to bookings made with Aeroplan points.
  • The companion will not earn any Aeroplan points on his or her ticket obtained with the companion pass.

The Air Canada Budy Pass for Couple or Friends

The Air Canada Buddy Pass has been designed for people travelling as a couple or with friends. It’s simple: you only pay the taxes and third-party charges on the second ticket.

If you split the cost, it’s like each of the two travellers got a 50% discount on their flight!

So it’s good to be a couple, have a travel buddy, or you may have to find one within the milesopedia community!

salon etihad cdg audrey jm

What’s more, the traveler who holds the credit card, such as the AeroplanMD* American ExpressMD or TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, will allow the other traveler to check a bag free of charge too! So you can save even more!

This is one of the many perks reserved for some Aeroplan credit cardholders.

The Air Canada Buddy Pass for Families

The Air Canada Buddy Pass is perfect for families. For example, Audrey and I have two children.

We can both apply for the CIBC Visa Infinite Card.

Disney California Family
Disneyland California Family Destination

We each earn an Air Canada Buddy Pass in our respective Aeroplan account.

When we’re ready to book our trip, Audrey will use her Air Canada Buddy Pass for our daughter. And I’ll use mine for our son!

So, our two children will travel almost for free thanks to the Air Canada Buddy Pass!

What is the value of the Air Canada Buddy Pass?

As with points and miles redemption, the value you get from the Air Canada Buddy Pass will depend on YOUR use. The example coming from Air Canada certainly leaves one wondering:

Example Companion Pass

In this example, Air Canada has found a savings of over $1,300 with the Air Canada Buddy Pass.

When searching directly for the same flights on the Air Canada website, as of November 10, 2020, to get that same fare in Economy Class, it is necessary to choose the Comfort Fare, coming with maximum flexibility. This naturally increases the bill! Making the Air Canada Buddy Pass even more attractive.

Companion Pass Hnl Fr

Of course, choosing a Comfort fare can give you the hope of getting an upgrade with your Aeroplan Status or using eUpgrade credits.

On milesopedia.com, however, we prefer to value benefits closer to reality. This is true both for Aeroplan points and Air Canada Buddy Pass valuations!

Here are a few examples of how the Air Canada Buddy Pass can be used for:

  • 2 passengers (with one Air Canada Buddy Pass)
  • 4 passengers (with two Air Canada Buddy Passes for a family use as explained above)

Toronto - Honolulu

We choose the same travel dates as Air Canada for a flight between Toronto and Honolulu (December 20 to 27, 2020). But by selecting a fare that the majority of our readers would have chosen!

For example, this flight at the Standard Fare: $597.46 (including $89.48 of taxes).

Companion Pass Hnl Standard Fr

In this case, the Air Canada Buddy Pass has a $507.98 value!

No Buddy Pass With Buddy Pass Savings
2 passengers $ 1,194.92 $ 686.94 $ 507.98
4 passengers $ 2,389.84 $ 1,373.88 $ 1,015.96

Montreal - Victoria

Another example of a flight between Montreal and Victoria (May 14 to May 21, 2021) at the Standard fare:$ 797.78 (including $ 165.78 in taxes).

Yyj Standard Companion Pass Fr

In this case, the Air Canada Buddy Pass has a $ 632 value!

No Buddy Pass With Buddy Pass Savings
2 passengers $ 1,595.56 $ 963.56 $ 632
4 passengers $ 3,191.12 $ 1,927.12 $ 1,264

Quebec - San Francisco

Another example with a flight between Quebec City and San Francisco (May 14 to May 21, 2021) at the Standard fare: $ 472.87 (including $ 110.88 in taxes).

Companion Pass Sfo Standard Fr

In this case, the Air Canada Buddy Pass has a $ 362 value!

No Buddy Pass With Buddy Pass Savings
2 passengers $ 945.74 $ 583.75 $ 361.99
4 passengers $ 1,891.48 $ 1,167.5 $ 723.98

Where is the Buddy pass located?

This is a question that comes up frequently in the milesopedia community. To find the buddy pass in your account, go to the“Benefits” section:

Buddy Pass Privileges En

You will be able to click on your Buddy Pass to see its expiry date:

Buddy Pass Privileges Explanations En

How to use a buddy pass on a booking?

To use a buddy pass on a booking, you will need to search for an eligible itinerary in North America for 2 people. At the top of the screen, Air Canada will ask you to apply your buddy pass to this reservation at the top of the screen.

Buddy Pass Yul Hnl Selection En

Example: Montreal - Honolulu

You will have to be strategic in your use of the buddy pass: the more expensive the ticket, the more advantageous it is to use a buddy pass. This is the case, for example, with this itinerary to Hawaii during the Christmas season.

Buddy Pass Yul Hnl Selection Eupgrade English

With the buddy pass, this itinerary costs $1,642 for 2 people (or $821 per person):

Buddy Pass Yul Hnl Price With Pass Fr

Without the buddy pass, this itinerary costs $3,084 for 2 people (or $1,542 per person):

Buddy Pass Yul Hnl Price Without Pass Fr

In this example, the buddy pass provides a savings of $1,442.

Example: Montreal - San Francisco

Another example is this direct flight between Montreal and San Francisco.

With the buddy pass, this itinerary costs $687 for 2 people (or $343 per person).

Buddy Pass Yul Sfo Price With Pass Fr

Without the buddy pass, this itinerary costs $1,200 for 2 people (or $600 per person):

Buddy Pass Yul Sfo Price Without Pass Fr

In this example, the buddy pass provides a savings of $513.

Bottom Line

*** This Air Canada Buddy Pass is no longer available. However, we leave this article as an archive.

In our examples close to what you would book, the Air Canada Buddy Pass saves you money:

  • between $362 and $1,442 for two passengers
  • between $724 and $2,884 for four passengers

Of course, it could be even more than that, depending on the fare and the destination. But rarely less!

The Air Canada Buddy Pass is therefore a great advantage offered by various credit cards such as the AeroplanMD* American ExpressMD Card or the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card (the latter being free for the first year via this promotion)!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Air Canada Buddy Pass?

The main new feature accompanying some credit card welcome offers is the Air Canada Buddy Pass. You book a flight and pay the fare, then enjoy a $0 fare for a companion – only paying the taxes and third-party charges on the second ticket.

When do I get the Air Canada Buddy Pass?

The one-time Buddy Pass will be deposited into your Aeroplan dashboard (aircanada.com/myaeroplan). You’ll earn it after meeting each issuer’s requirements (American Express, CIBC, TD).

Does the Air Canada Buddy Pass have an expiry date?

The Air Canada Buddy Pass is valid one year before it expires (though travel can be booked for a date beyond that year.).

Will I lose my Air Canada Buddy Pass if I cancel the credit card that gave it to me?

The Air Canada Buddy Pass is linked to the credit card with which you obtained it. If you cancel your credit card, it will be lost.

How to use the Air Canada Buddy Pass?

The Air Canada Buddy Pass valid for Economy Class bookings anywhere Air Canada flies in North America, including Mexico and Hawaii. The Buddy Pass is valid for travel any time for any economy fare, including fares on sale.

What is the value of the Air Canada Buddy Pass?

The Air Canada Buddy Pass has, in our view, a value between $200 and $1,000 depending on the fare of the flight you want to fly. So it’s an exciting advantage if you’re going to travel on Air Canada in North America.

Is the Air Canada Buddy Pass an annual benefit?

No, the Air Canada Buddy Pass is part of the welcome offer of some Aeroplan credit cards. It is, therefore, not an annual benefit.

Can I have more than one Air Canada Buddy Pass?

No. You will not be eligible for the bonus Buddy Pass if you have previously opened an Aeroplan Program credit card of the same type, regardless of credit card issuerand if you have received the welcome bonus offer in the last 12 months.

Do I earn Aeroplan points on my Companion Pass ticket?

No. Even if the travel companion is an Aeroplan member, Aeroplan Points cannot be earned on a ticket obtained in exchange for the companion pass.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien
Jean-Maximilien is an expert in Canada and France about Loyalty programs, Credit cards and Travel. He is the Founding President of Milesopedia.

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