Aeroplan finds the point of points

Best Redemption Ability — Airlines, Americas · Air Canada Aeroplan

Here’s a revolutionary frequent flyer concept:

You should be able to use your miles.

Aeroplan wins Best Redemption Ability in the Americas for the second consecutive Freddie Awards.

Among all the categories in the Freddies, redemption has always been one of the most revealing. Programs can hand out points by the truckload. Credit cards can manufacture them. Promotions can double them.

Eventually somebody wants a seat.

Aeroplan’s rebuilt program retained something sophisticated frequent flyers value enormously: access to a broad network of Star Alliance and other airline partners.

That means an Aeroplan mile isn’t merely an Air Canada mile.

It’s potentially a Lufthansa mile. Or United. Or Singapore. Or ANA. Or something considerably more exotic.

The program also eliminated carrier surcharges on Air Canada flights when it relaunched, while introducing its own approach to award pricing.

Frequent flyers have opinions about all of that.

Frequent flyers have opinions about everything.

But for two years running, when asked about actually redeeming rewards, enough members agreed:

Aeroplan.

And ultimately, isn’t spending the points why we started this whole strange hobby?