Aeroplan reintroduces points expiration, 1-year notice and facilitated renewal

During the pandemic of COVID-19, almost every airline in the world had decided to renew their statuses ex officio, suspending the expiration of points and miles in their loyalty programs, a move enthusiastically welcomed by frequent flyers.

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With the return to normalcy, most of these changes are gone, except on the American continent where all carriers except American Airlines have permanently eliminated the mileage expiration. Air Canada was also on this list, but things are about to change and return to the past.

As of November 30, 2026, the loyalty program of Air Canada, announced that it will reinstate the points deadline after 18 months of inactivity.

WARNING that the timer will not start on November 30, 2026, but that all accounts inactive for 18 months to that date will immediately lose points. So if you have forgotten Aeroplan points in your drawer, now is the time to use them or do at least a symbolic operation before it is too late.

What is Aeroplan

Aeroplan is the Air Canada frequent flyer program, and one of the largest and most awarded in the world. It allows you to earn points by flying with Air Canada and the partners of Star Alliance, but also through credit cards, hotels, car rentals and dozens of other business partners.

It is considered the best in the world, right after Flying Blue, mainly due to the myriad of partners outside its alliance and the presence of Emirates and Etihad among the companies where miles can be burned.

How to prevent Aeroplan miles from expiring

As of November 30, 2026, Aeroplan points. Will expire after 18 months of inactivity. Any one of these steps will suffice to avoid the deadline:

• Accrediting a flight on Aeroplan
• Accumulate points from an expense or partner
• Use points for a flight, hotel or gift card
• Donate points to a charity
• Transfer points to another account
• Convert points from an external partner

In practice, any activity moving one's account balance resets the 18-month count to zero and restarts the validity of miles-in short, the same rule that British Airways Avios have.

In conclusion

Aeroplan is at the center of major (and unpopular) changes planned for 2026, and having to keep an eye on a new "timer" as well is hardly a welcome Christmas present.

There is a silver lining, however: Air Canada has decided to Give members a full year's notice, and the number of activities that reset the deadline is quite large. In practice, if you earn, spend or transfer even a single point, the countdown starts from zero again.

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