In This Issue: 

​​🚨 Aeroplan and Mariott Bonvoy: Elite Status Match + Points Transfer

⭐️ Air Canada Extends Aeroplan Elite Status Validity

🗺️ Chexy Deals: Business Class to Amsterdam and Paris + Flight to Delhi

Air Canada and Marriott Bonvoy Expand Partnership: Status Matching and Points Transfers 👏

Air Canada Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy have taken their loyalty partnership to the next level, giving travelers some exciting new ways to maximize their rewards. Whether you’re flying or checking into a hotel, there are more opportunities to earn and enjoy elite status with this latest update. 🤑

What’s New?

In a nutshell, elite status matching between Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy is now in play. If you’re an elite member in one program, you can claim status in the other—automatically unlocking perks you didn’t have before. Plus, the two-way points transfer between the two loyalty programs is here to stay, making it easier to use your points wherever it benefits you most. 😆

✅ Status Matching Explained

For those with Air Canada Aeroplan Super Elite, 75K, or 50K status, you’re in luck—linking your Aeroplan account to Marriott will now automatically give you Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite or Titanium Elite member, you’ll get Aeroplan 25K status in return! 🤞

Aeroplan Members: If you’ve reached top-tier Aeroplan status, you can now claim Marriott Gold Elite status, which comes with perks like extra points on stays, room upgrades, and late checkouts.

Marriott Bonvoy Members: Those with Ambassador Elite or Titanium Elite status will enjoy Aeroplan 25K status, giving them access to priority boarding, lounge passes, and more.

It’s a simple process—just link your accounts online, and the benefits will automatically apply.

For Air Canada, click here.

For Marriott Bonvoy, click here.

⭐️ Points Transfer Options

This partnership also keeps the two-way points transfer system intact. You can now transfer points from Aeroplan to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio, while Marriott Bonvoy points can still be transferred to Aeroplan at a 3:1 ratio. Additionally, transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points will get you a bonus of 5,000 Aeroplan points—a nice little boost if you’re saving up for a flight.

🎁 Benefits Breakdown

Here’s a quick look at what you’ll gain from status matching:

Why This Matters

This expanded partnership is a win for frequent travelers who are already part of either loyalty program. 👀 While the statuses being offered—Marriott Gold Elite and Aeroplan 25K—aren’t the highest tiers, they come with enough perks to make your travel experience better. It’s a great way to extend your benefits across airlines and hotels without any extra effort.

With these new status matching and points transfer features, Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy are making it even easier to get the most out of your loyalty memberships. 😆

Air Canada Extends Aeroplan Elite Status Validity to 13 Months

Big news for Air Canada Aeroplan members: Aeroplan has extended the validity of elite status to 13 months. This means that instead of having your elite status expire at the end of the calendar year, you now have until January 31 of the following year to enjoy your perks.

What Does This Mean for You?

Previously, Aeroplan Elite Status members would see their status expire on December 31 each year. Now, your status will remain valid until January 31 of the next year. So, if you’ve earned status for 2024, you’ll have it until January 31, 2025. The same applies going forward—if you qualify for 2025 elite status, it’ll be valid until January 31, 2026.

Automatic Status Extension

Here’s how it breaks down:

• If you reach elite status for 2025 before the end of this year, your status will automatically extend until January 31, 2026.

• New status tiers for 2025 will kick in on February 1, and your new Core and Select Benefits will be available by mid-February.

Note: If you’re expecting to drop down a level in 2025, your current benefits will still be valid until January 31, 2025.

Earning Elite Status Still Follows the Calendar Year

It’s important to note that this extension only applies to how long you can use your status perks. The earning period for elite status remains the same: it’s still based on the calendar year. This means you’ll need to complete your qualifying activities between January 1 and December 31 to secure your status for the following year.

Final Thoughts

This update gives Aeroplan 25K, 50K, 75K, and Super Elite members an extra month to enjoy their travel benefits—definitely a win for frequent flyers. Whether you’re squeezing in one last trip or just making the most of your perks before a potential downgrade, that extra time could be very useful.

We’re excited to share exclusive travel and credit card insights through this feature with Prince of Travel, where we collaborate with expert partners to bring you the latest tips and trends in personal finance and travel. Let’s dive in!

Aeroplan flexibility means plenty of choice for flights to Asia

Aeroplan points are among the world’s most valuable because they give you access to Air Canada and all of its partner airlines, including the entire Star Alliance network.

This flexibility is made even more powerful by Aeroplan’s Flight Reward Chart, which tells you exactly how many points you need to fly routes in four geographic zones and at various distances.

Let’s talk about three ways to get to Asia in business class using Aeroplan points.

There are so many options, we’ll have two more for you in our next column.

Asia falls within two zones on the reward chart: Pacific and Atlantic.

From the North America Zone, the number of points you’ll need to fly anywhere in Asia on one of Air Canada’s partner airlines in business class ranges from 55,000 to 110,000.

Our first option for getting to Asia is EVA Air, based in Taipei.

Among EVA’s North American destinations are Vancouver and Toronto, so you don’t even have to leave Canada to catch your outbound flight.

Next up is Asiana Airlines, based in Seoul.

While it doesn’t fly directly to Canada, you can take a short positioning flight to an airport it serves in the United States.

Asiana’s seats are dated compared to EVA, but it is still a quality business class product.

Lastly, you can enjoy one of United Airlines’ outstanding business-class lounges before boarding a flight from the United States to one of many Asian cities.

Check out the online tool FlightConnections to learn all the airports these airlines serve.

You can then search for flights through Air Canada’s app or website, as flights operated by Air Canada’s partner airlines are also listed.

Remember that finding in-demand business-class flights requires patience and persistence. You usually need to check for availability early and often.

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 traveling in the next few months!

1. Montreal (YUL) ➡️ Zurich (ZRH) ➡️ Paris (CDG)

   • Cost: 70,000 (Business Class)

     

   • Dates: March 24th, 2025

   • Book: Here

2. Toronto (YYZ) ➡️ Newark (EWR) ➡️ Delhi (DEL)

   • Cost: 48,300

     

   • Dates: April 7th, 2025

   • Book: Here

3. Toronto (YYZ) ➡️ Zurich (ZRH) ➡️ Amsterdam (AMS)

   • Cost: 70,000 (Business Class)

     

   • Dates: October 16, 2024

   • Book: Here