In This Issue: 

​​🚫 Say Goodbye to Carry-On for Basic Fare with Air Canada

🚀 Air France KLM December Promo Rewards: Edmonton to Europe in Business Class

🗺️ Chexy Deals: Business class to Lisbon, London and Zurich for 2025

✈️ Air Canada’s Big Fare Shake-Up: What You Need to Know for 2025 

Air Canada is making changes to its Basic and Comfort fares starting January 3, 2025, and they’re worth paying attention to if you plan on flying soon. These updates bring their fare structure more in line with other Canadian airlines like WestJet and Porter. 

Here’s everything you need to know so you’re not caught off guard.

🚫 Bye-Bye Carry-On for Basic Fares

For Basic fares, carry-on baggage is no longer allowed, which means you’ll need to check anything bigger than a purse or laptop bag. Checked bag fees will apply, with $35 for the first bag and $50 for the second. If you try to bring a larger bag to the gate, you’ll face a hefty $65 fee to check it there.

The good news? Mobility aids, medical devices, and strollers are still exempt, and perks for status members, Star Alliance Gold, and Aeroplan premium credit cardholders remain unchanged. If you have an Aeroplan co-branded credit card that offers a free checked bag, you can use it to cover the cost of checking what would’ve been your carry-on.

💺 Basic Fare Seat Selection Comes at a Price

Basic fares will still include complimentary seat assignment at check-in, but starting January 21, 2025, if you want to change that assigned seat, you’ll have to pay a fee. 

The amount will depend on the seat you select. Families and those requiring assistance can still expect to be seated together without extra charges, as per Air Canada’s existing policies.

🧳 Comfort Fares Get a Luggage Upgrade

On the brighter side, Comfort fares are getting an upgrade. Travelers on this fare class will now be allowed two checked bags instead of one, making it a better option for those with more luggage. This change applies to tickets purchased on or after January 3, 2025, and will be valid for worldwide travel.

🔄 Following Industry Trends

These changes are in line with a growing trend in the airline industry where carriers tweak their fare structures to stay competitive. Air Canada’s move to limit carry-on for Basic fares mirrors similar policies by other airlines. 

However, they’re also adding value to Comfort fares, showing it’s not all bad news. Earlier this year, Air Canada also introduced free beer, wine, and snacks on some flights to match Porter’s offerings, though that benefit is set to end in December 2024.

✈️ Plan Ahead and Save

If you’re flying Air Canada next year, make sure to double-check your fare class and plan your packing accordingly.

Click here to read more from Air Canada.

✈️ Air France KLM December Promo Rewards

Air France KLM just rolled out their December Promo Rewards, coming in with 25% off reward flights from Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto to destinations across Europe, North Africa, and Turkey. 

Let’s dive into the details.

The Details 

Book by December 31, 2024, and you’ll save 25% on Flying Blue Miles for flights scheduled through May 31, 2025. Whether you’re planning a European getaway or looking ahead to springtime travel, now’s the time to make it happen.

Canadian Cities and Deals

Here’s a breakdown of the deals available this month:

🛫 Finding Availability and Hidden Gems

Availability for these promo rewards depends on your destination and travel dates, so flexibility like always is your best friend. 

For example, flights from Edmonton to Paris in Business Class are available at 37,500 miles between December and March, the same on the way back!

When valuing Flying Blue miles at 1.5 cents per mile, a one-way flight to Europe in Business Class would cost approximately $562.50 CAD. If you book a round trip, the cost comes to $1,125 CAD, excluding taxes and fees.

In comparison, the same round-trip flight booked with cash during the same timeframe could cost upwards of $4,000 CAD. That’s a savings of over $2,875 CAD!

Pro tip: If you’re struggling to view the full calendar of flight options, here’s a hack. Set the last possible travel date to June 30, 2025, then hit search. This will force the system to display the monthly calendar view, making it easier to scroll through dates and spot the best deals.

💳 Maximize Points with American Express

If you don’t have the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard, don’t worry—you can still take advantage of these deals by transferring points from American Express Membership Rewards. 

Here’s how it works:

• Transfers convert at a 1:0.75 ratio, meaning you’ll need 40,000 Membership Rewards points for a round-trip Economy flight or 100,000 points for a one-way Business Class ticket.

Compared to programs like Aeroplan, Flying Blue offers incredible value. Aeroplan flights to Europe often require 60,000 to 70,000 points for Economy or over 120,000 points for Business Class.

Credit Card Spotlight 🔦

Welcome to Chexy Credit Card Spotlight! 👀 Each month we’ll recommend a credit card that everyone should have! This time, we’ve got the Scotiabank Gold American Express—perfect for everyday buys and travel. Let's jump in. ✅

Scotiabank Gold American Express Card

Earn up to 6X the Scene+TM points on every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible grocery, dining, and entertainment purchases.

Earn Rates:

6X on every $1 CAD you spend in Canada at Sobeys, Safeway, FreshCo, Foodland, and more.

5X for every $1 CAD you spend on Dining, Food Delivery, and other eligible grocery stores.

5X for every $1 CAD you spend on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre, and ticket agencies.

3X for every $1 CAD you spend on gas and daily transit options. Includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subway, and more.

3X for every $1 CAD you spend in Canada on eligible select streaming services.

1X on Everything Else

Annual Fee:

The card has a $120 annual fee but your first year is waived!

Check out these awesome deals you definitely don't want to miss if you're thinking about travelling in the next few months!

1. Montreal (YUL) ➡️ Zurich (ZRH)

   • Cost: 60,000 (Business Class)

     

   • Dates: March 16th, 2025

   • Book: Here

2. Toronto (YYZ) ➡️ Newark (EWR) ➡️ Paris (CDG)

   • Cost: 60,000 (Business Class)

     

   • Dates: January 07th, 2025

   • Book: Here

3. Montreal (YUL) ➡️ Lisbon (LIS)

   • Cost: 60,000 (Business Class)

     

   • Dates: July 16th, 2025

   • Book: Here