American Express to participate in Air Canada's new program!

To the point Air Canada and American Express announced today that they have renewed their strategic partnership... for the airline's new loyalty program!

American Express, a long-term partner of Air Canada New premium American Express cards American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to new Air Canada program

Bottom Line

American Express, a long-term partner of Air Canada

Everything was not yet finalized at the beginning of the year when Air Canada finalized the Aeroplan buyout transaction and confirmed the transfer of Aeroplan miles into its future loyalty program.

Today, American Express and Air Canada are renewing their strategic partnership, allowing American Express to participate in Air Canada’s new loyalty program.

This new agreement extends over 10 years.

The two companies will collaborate more closely in strategic areas such as premium customer experience, digital integration, member analytics and incremental partnership opportunities. The terms of the agreements provide Air Canada with significant revenue and cost improvement benefits, including a single payment at signing, and the partnership will allow American Express to continue to expand its leadership in the premium card landscape.

platine aeroplan jm salon — Access to Air Canada's Maple Leaf Lounges

New premium American Express cards

For example, we have learned that American Express will launch “premium” cards linked to Air Canada’s future loyalty program.

Today, American Express offers 2 payment cards linked to the Aeroplan program, catering to different audiences:

The current top-of-the-line card that is the AeroplanPlus^MD* American Express^MD Platinum Card offers many benefits like:

1 guest ticket by redeeming 15,000 Aeroplan Miles
Enhanced Aeroplan Mile accrual rates
Unlimited access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges
Priority check-in on Air Canada

We could therefore imagine thatAmerican Express will keep the high-end card portfolio, leaving CIBC and TD with the “mainstream” cards, which currently charge $120.

Hopefully, for example, this will come with many benefits with Air Canada (and Star Alliance), such as:

an accounting of the expenses on these cards to obtain a higher Altitude status
no baggage fees, no seat selection for cardholders
a subscription or monthly/annual passes to access Wi-Fi on board Air Canada
Access to the Maple Leaf Lounges (for the registrant and one guest)
… sky is the limit !

We are excited to expand the nature of our partnership with Air Canada and look forward to launching a range of new consumer and corporate cards in 2020 that bring together the unique features of both our brands to deliver uncompromising value.
Rob McClean, président-directeur général d'Amex Canada Inc.

American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to new Air Canada program

Today, American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred into the Aeroplan program at a 1:1 rate.

4 payment cards participate in the Membership Rewards program (points can be converted to Aeroplan Miles):

Membership Rewards customers in Canada and the U.S. will be able to transfer their points to Air Canada’s new frequent flyer program when it launches. American Express Aeroplan cardholders will become members of Air Canada’s new loyalty program in 2020, and all of their miles will be converted to points on a 1:1 basis. In the meantime, members can continue to earn and redeem Aeroplan Miles and enjoy the usual cardholder benefits.

Bottom Line

It was unimaginable that it would be otherwise, but getting a confirmation is reassuring! We can’t wait to find out more about Air Canada’s future loyalty program (…which we don’t know anything about yet) and the benefits offered by these future cards issued by American Express!