Air Canada New Social Credit System

Changes to the airline's loyalty program that encourage Canadians to... NOT fly.

Air Canada’s loyalty program, Aeroplan, was the best in the industry. However, the airline is changing the rules as of January 1, 2026, effectively nuking the program, while insidiously pushing a social credit system encouraging Canadians to… Not fly long distance.

Under the new rules, points (and elite status), will be earned based on how much is spent on Air Canada. Not based on mileage flown and not based on class of service as it previously was. Effectively penalizing the vast majority of frequent flyers, to an extent never previously seen in aviation history, and while rewarding those who fly short-haul/within Canada.

Let’s look at the numbers:

Under old system, a one way flight between Copenhagen and Toronto in Business Class would earn 5,835 Aeroplan points (3,890 base + 50% Business Class bonus). Then, a one way flight between Toronto and Victoria in Business, another 3,137 Aeroplan points (2,091 base + 50% Business Class bonus). A total of 17,944 Aeroplan points for a return trip in Business Class between Denmark and BC. Effectively requiring just over 3 return trips flights between Europe and western Canada a year to reach/maintain Aeroplan 50K/Gold status (with marginal benefits unless flying economy).

Under the new system, the same trip would only earn about… 4,000 Aeroplan points. Requiring 10-12 return Business class trips between Europe and Western Canada a year… A level of flying that makes time shares in a private jet service more economically viable than flying commercial.

When it comes to the money spent, flying within Canada under the new system will earn the same number of Aeroplan points as flying long-haul (to/from the rest of the world). Effectively rewarding those who fly within Canada rather that around the world, and thus, implementing the first phase of a social credit system that discourages long distance flying, and thus, carbon emissions.

With these changes, Air Canada’s strategy appears to target the very wealthy who fly domestically. At a time Canada is facing the worst economic crisis in its history, and at a time a majority of those in Canada are not actually Canadians, and thus, fly primarily outside of Canada. The program changes are also effectively encouraging those commuting monthly between BC and Ontario to remain loyal to Air Canada, while telling everyone else to get lost.

How an airline and for-profit corporation would essentially nuke its loyalty program, previously the best in the industry, with the worst downgrade in aviation history, and effectively encouraging people to not fly at all, or at least not fly Air Canada, truly is mind boggling.

At this point, it no longer makes sense to fly Air Canada for the vast majority of frequent flyers, nor to hold an Air Canada credit card in any country.

You will not fly anywhere and be happy.