Aeroplan 1285719 225523528 2008-07-14T03:37:19Z 96.246.211.114 /* Star Alliance Partner Airlines */ {{Unreferenced|date=June 2007}} [[Image:Aeroplan logo.svg|thumb|Aeroplan logo]] '''Aeroplan''' is a [[Montreal, Quebec]] based loyalty marketing program operated by '''Groupe Aeroplan Inc''' ({{tsx|AER}}). The Aeroplan Program was created in [[July 1984]] by [[Air Canada]] as an incentive program for its frequent flyer customers. In recent years, Aeroplan has evolved into a loyalty marketing company that serves [[Costco]], [[Esso]], and others. Aeroplan is also used by [[Air Creebec]], [[Canadian North]], [[Calm Air]], and [[First Air]]<ref>[http://www.aeroplan.com/earn_miles/our_partners.do?Category=Airline Our Partners<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. Aeroplan [[credit card]]s were originally allocated to [[CIBC]] and [[enRoute (credit card)|Diners Club/enRoute]], but it was later offered to [[AMEX Bank of Canada]], while Diners Club withdrew from the program. ==Corporate History== From the Aeroplan program creation in 1984 its operations were fully integrated with those of Air Canada. On January 1, 2002 it was restructured as a limited limited partnership, fully owned by Air Canada. In [[June 2005]], Air Canada's parent company [[ACE Aviation Holdings]] sold 12.5% of Aeroplan for $250 million through an [[initial public offering]] creating Aeroplan Income Fund. On [[December 20]], [[2007]] Aeroplan Income Fund acquired Loyalty Management Group. Loyalty Management Group are resposible for the [[Nectar loyalty card]] in the UK. Initially created as an [[income trust]], Aeroplan Income Fund converted to a public corporation on [[June 25]], [[2008]] and subsequently changed its name to Groupe Aeroplan Inc. ==Competition== [[Air Miles]] is Aeroplan's main competitor as a Canadian-based travel rewards loyalty program, however it is not an airline frequent flyer program per se. [[HBC Rewards]] is also a competing non-airline rewards loyalty program. ==Criticism== As of January 1, 2007, miles will expire seven years after they are earned. Also, in order to keep miles from expiring activity on an Aeroplan account is required at least once a year<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2006/10/16/aeroplanmileschange.html Aeroplan to put expiry date on its frequent-flyer miles<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. ==Member Numbers== There are 4 levels of membership in Aeroplan: Basic, Prestige, Elite, and Super Elite. The Prestige, Elite, and Super Elite levels provide travel benefits such as upgrades and lounge access to customers, but require customers to fly a certain number of miles per year. Prestige members have [[Star Alliance]] Silver status while Elite and Super Elite members have Star Alliance Gold status with other Star Alliance Airlines. As of January 16, 2006, there were approximately 4.9 million Basic members, 57000 Prestige members, 68000 Elite members, and 9000 Super Elite members. ==Airline Partners== ===Fully Integrated Airline Partners=== *{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Air Canada]] *{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Air Canada Jazz]] ===Star Alliance Partner Airlines=== *{{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} [[Air China]] *{{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Air New Zealand]] *{{flagicon|Japan}} [[All Nippon Airways]] (ANA) *{{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Asiana Airlines]] *{{flagicon|UK}} [[BMI (airline)|Bmi]] *{{flagicon|Egypt}} [[Egyptair]] *{{flagicon|Poland}} [[LOT Polish Airlines|LOT]] *{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Lufthansa]] *{{flagicon|Sweden}} {{flagicon|Norway}} {{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Scandinavian Airlines System]] (SAS) *{{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} [[Shanghai Airlines]] *{{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Singapore Airlines]] *{{flagicon|South Africa}} [[South African Airways]] *{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Spanair]] *{{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Swiss International Air Lines]] *{{flagicon|Portugal}} [[TAP Portugal]] *{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Thai Airways International]] *{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Turkish Airlines]] *{{flagicon|USA}} [[United Airlines]] *{{flagicon|USA}} [[US Airways]] ===Star Alliance Regional Partners=== *{{flagicon|Slovenia}} [[Adria Airways]] *{{flagicon|Finland}} [[Blue1]] *{{flagicon|Croatia}} [[Croatia Airlines]] ===Other Partners=== *{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Air Creebec]] *{{flagicon|Italy}} [[Air One]] *{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Bearskin Airlines]] *{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Calm Air]] *{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Canadian North]] *{{flagicon|Canada}} [[First Air]] ==References== {{reflist|1}} ==External links== * [http://www.aeroplan.com Official Site] * [http://corp.aeroplan.com/history.cfm Corporate History] * [http://www.aircanada.com/ Air Canada] {{Frequent flyer programs}} {{S&P/TSX 60}} [[Category:Air Canada]] [[Category:Companies based in Montreal]] [[Category:Promotion and marketing communications]] [[Category:Customer loyalty programs]] [[fr:AƩroplan]]