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Two of the most well-liked loyalty packages for reserving transatlantic flights are Air Canada Aeroplan and Air France KLM Flying Blue.
Aeroplan has lengthy dominated the airline loyalty house in Canada because it provides probably the most co-branded bank cards available in the market. It’s additionally accessible by transferable factors packages on each side of the border, making it a preferred program for Individuals, too.
Previously few years, Air France KLM Flying Blue has been making its presence recognized to North Individuals, with its aggressive award pricing, co-branded bank cards, and entry by transferable factors packages in Canada and america.
On this version of Head-to-Head, we’ll pit Aeroplan and Flying Blue in opposition to one another, weighing out the respective strengths and weaknesses, with a selected deal with transatlantic redemptions.
1. Factors Valuation
At any time when we evaluate totally different loyalty packages, it’s helpful to first set up an estimated worth of the factors.
At current, we worth Aeroplan factors at 2.1 cents per level (CAD) or 1.6 cents per level (USD). This worth is calculated based mostly on the relative ease of incomes Aeroplan factors, the huge variety of companions accessible in this system, the beneficiant stopover coverage, and extra.
In the meantime, we at the moment worth Flying Blue miles at 2 cents per mile (CAD) or 1.5 cents per mile (USD) – a price that has elevated within the latest previous.
This system’s strengths lie in its aggressive transatlantic award pricing, the profitable month-to-month Promo Rewards, the beneficiant stopover coverage, including First Class companion redemptions, and quick access to distinctive locations, reminiscent of Mauritius and French Polynesia.
Verdict: Primarily based solely on our valuation, Aeroplan comes out forward by a slight margin. Nonetheless, it’s value noting that our valuation of Flying Blue miles has been trending upwards as of late, whereas our worth of Aeroplan factors has remained regular for fairly a while.
2. Ease of Incomes Factors
For the following level of comparability, we’ll check out how straightforward it’s to earn Aeroplan factors and Flying Blue miles by bank cards.
In Canada, Aeroplan has a bunch of co-branded bank cards accessible from TD, CIBC, and American Categorical. It additionally provides the US-issued Chase Aeroplan Card, which is a really aggressive product.
Credit score Card | Finest Provide | Worth | |
---|---|---|---|
As much as 95,000 Aeroplan factors $599 annual charge |
As much as 95,000 Aeroplan factors | $1,147 |
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85,000 Aeroplan factors $599 annual charge |
85,000 Aeroplan factors | $927 |
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As much as 85,000 Aeroplan factors† $599 annual charge |
As much as 85,000 Aeroplan factors† | $924 |
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45,000 Aeroplan factors $120 annual charge |
45,000 Aeroplan factors | $720 |
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As much as 60,000 Aeroplan factors† First Yr Free |
As much as 60,000 Aeroplan factors† | $714 |
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As much as 50,000 Aeroplan factors† $139 annual charge |
As much as 50,000 Aeroplan factors† | $617 |
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As much as 50,000 Aeroplan factors† First Yr Free |
As much as 50,000 Aeroplan factors† | $609 |
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As much as 20,000 Aeroplan factors† $89 annual charge |
As much as 20,000 Aeroplan factors† | $434 |
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70,000 Aeroplan factors $599 annual charge |
70,000 Aeroplan factors | $399 |
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10,000 Aeroplan factors† $0 annual charge |
10,000 Aeroplan factors† | $210 |
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Along with co-branded playing cards, Aeroplan is a 1:1 switch companion of American Categorical Membership Rewards, which is probably the most useful and versatile bank card rewards packages in Canada.
Within the US, Aeroplan can also be a switch companion of American Categorical US Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Chase Final Rewards at a 1:1 ratio, which additionally occur to be the most well-liked bank card rewards packages within the US.
Relating to incomes Air France KLM Flying Blue miles, your ease of entry is determined by which facet of the border you reside.
In Canada, you’ll be able to earn Flying Blue miles instantly with the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard – Canada’s solely Air France KLM co-branded bank card.
- Get 60 XP within the first 12 months
- Plus, earn 30 XP in subsequent years
- Earn as much as 30x Flying Blue miles per greenback spent with choose retailers
- Earn 5x Flying Blue miles per euro spent on Air France KLM flights
- Earn 2x Flying Blue miles per greenback spent on foods and drinks
- Minimal revenue: $80,000 private or $150,000 family
- Annual charge: $132 (rebated within the first 12 months)
Flying Blue can also be a switch companion of American Categorical Membership Rewards; nevertheless, the ratio is much less beneficial than Aeroplan’s, at 1 MR level = 0.75 Flying Blue miles.
Within the US, Financial institution of America points the Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard, with which you’ll be able to earn miles by a welcome bonus and on each day spending.
Flying Blue can also be a 1:1 switch companion of American Categorical US Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Final Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards.
Due to this fact, in Canada, your choices for accessing Flying Blue are extra restricted, whereas in america, there are extra alternatives for incomes miles by switch companions.
Verdict: Should you reside in Canada, it’s a lot simpler to build up Aeroplan factors by bank cards, since there are far more accessible. Nonetheless, in america, Flying Blue miles are simpler to return by, because it’s a switch companion with extra packages.
Relating to ease of incomes by bank cards, the victor is determined by the place you reside.
3. Redeeming Factors
When you’ve gathered Aeroplan factors or Flying Blue miles, the following level of comparability is available in making redemptions.
Aeroplan’s redemption pricing relies on the space flown, the origin and vacation spot, the category of service, and the airline that you just fly with.
Air Canada flights booked with Aeroplan factors are topic to dynamic pricing, which implies that the worth fluctuates up and down, relying on demand and various different components.
Alternatively, companion airways booked with Aeroplan are topic to fastened pricing, which implies that you’ll at all times pay the identical quantity of factors for the flight, so long as it’s accessible to be booked with factors.
Usually talking, you’ll know you’re getting a great deal in case your Aeroplan reserving costs out on the decrease finish of the dynamic pricing spectrum with Air Canada, or on the fastened companion ranges.
For many flights to between North America and Europe, you’ll be able to count on to pay wherever from 35,000–80,000 factors in economic system, 50,000–100,000 factors in premium economic system, 60,000–200,000 factors in enterprise class, or 90,000–225,000 factors in First Class. The most effective offers fall on the decrease finish of these ranges.
With Aeroplan’s beneficiant routing guidelines, you’ll be able to create bespoke itineraries that basically maximize the worth of your factors. Whereas most of these bookings are extra for critical aviation fans and fewer for the typical person, there’s one thing to be mentioned concerning the huge prospects at hand with Aeroplan bookings.
Air France KLM Flying Blue additionally makes use of a type of dynamic pricing on Air France and KLM flights.
For transatlantic flights, the bottom redemption prices for flights with Air France or KLM are as follows:
- Financial system: 20,000 miles
- Premium economic system: 35,000 miles
- Enterprise class: 50,000 miles
Nonetheless, it’s value noting that you would be able to additionally see costs of double, triple, or much more, relying on the date, which has similarities to Air Canada flights booked with Aeroplan factors.
As with Aeroplan, these numbers needs to be used as pointers as as to whether or not you’re getting an awesome deal – if you could find award flights at or shut to those values, you’ll be maximizing your Flying Blue miles.
Air France and KLM provide continuous flights to Europe from many cities that don’t in any other case take pleasure in long-haul routes. In Canada, this consists of Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Quebec Metropolis, and in america, each Air France and KLM have nice protection.
You too can ebook award flights with SkyTeam-member airways, together with Virgin Atlantic and Delta, utilizing Flying Blue miles, although award availability is fairly scarce and pricing is larger than the baseline value of Air France and KLM flights.
Verdict: It’s very tough to declare a transparent winner on this class, for the reason that ease of redeeming factors is determined by so many components: routes, class of service, award availability, time of 12 months, and extra.
Flying Blue has the clear edge relating to transatlantic economic system and premium economic system redemptions, which solely get higher if you happen to can snag a Promo Reward deal that drops the worth even decrease.
Because it pertains to transatlantic enterprise class award pricing, the baseline redemption value with Air France KLM Flying Blue is decrease than with Aeroplan (50,000 Flying Blue miles versus 60,000–70,000 Aeroplan factors), which may be lowered additional with Promo Rewards.
Nonetheless, you’d additionally must issue within the 1:0.75 switch ratio from Canadian American Categorical Membership Rewards, if that’s the way you’re incomes factors, which brings the precise value (66,667 MR factors) kind of in keeping with what you could find by Aeroplan (60,000–70,000 factors for many direct flights to Europe from North America).
Each packages make the most of dynamic pricing, which may definitely be unpredictable and unfavourable; nevertheless, the fastened pricing construction and availability of award redemptions with companion airways by Aeroplan is simpler to foretell and extra bountiful than Flying Blue’s.
Due to this fact, we’ll give Aeroplan the slight edge on this measure, taking into consideration that this explicit level of comparability could be very dynamic.
4. Taxes and Charges
Other than the fee in factors or miles, one other essential facet of a loyalty program is the prices you’ll incur within the type of taxes and costs on award bookings.
Aeroplan doesn’t go alongside carrier-imposed or gasoline surcharges on redemptions, and the quantity of taxes and costs you pay is sort of low, usually within the vary of $50–200 (CAD), relying in your itinerary.
For bookings with companion airways, Aeroplan imposes a $39 (CAD) companion reserving charge. The rest of the taxes and costs are the unavoidable government-imposed costs, reminiscent of safety charges, immigration charges, tourism charges, and others, which it’s important to pay no matter the way you ebook your flights.
For probably the most half, you’ll pay the identical quantity of taxes and costs for an economic system reserving as you’ll for a similar itinerary in premium economic system or enterprise class.
Relating to Flying Blue redemptions, you’ll encounter a reasonable quantity of taxes and costs, which embrace carrier-imposed surcharges. Relying in your route and sophistication of service, you’ll be able to count on to pay $100–400 (CAD) for a one-way transatlantic reward reserving.
Because of this you’ll pay larger surcharges for a one-way direct flight in enterprise class (~$375 CAD)…
Than you’ll in premium economic system (~$150 CAD)…
Than you’ll in economic system (~$100 CAD).
Verdict: On common, you’ll pay much less out-of-pocket with an Aeroplan redemption than you’ll with a Flying Blue redemption. Due to this fact, we’ll give Aeroplan the sting relating to taxes and costs on redemptions, particularly for bookings in premium cabins.
5. Associate Airways
Probably the most engaging options of a loyalty program is the variety of companions it provides you entry to.
Other than Air Canada, Aeroplan factors may be redeemed for flights with over 45 companion airways. These embrace Star Alliance carriers reminiscent of Singapore Airways, EVA Air, Lufthansa, Turkish Airways, and United Airways, in addition to exterior companions reminiscent of Virgin Australia, Oman Air, Emirates, and extra.
There are additionally some wonderful redemption alternatives with Canadian regional companions, together with Calm Air, Canadian North, and Air Creebec, amongst others.
It’s value noting that Aeroplan has been experiencing some ongoing points with award availability on some companion airways within the latest previous. Whereas this impacts transpacific flights greater than transatlantic flights, the total roster of companion airways isn’t at the moment accessible, although we’re assured that Aeroplan is engaged on addressing the underlying points.
As for Flying Blue, you’ll have entry to SkyTeam-member airways, together with Delta Air Traces, Virgin Atlantic, ITA Airways, and China Airways, in addition to different non-affiliated airways, reminiscent of Etihad Airways.
Verdict: One in every of Aeroplan’s largest strengths is the quantity of companion airways that you would be able to redeem Aeroplan factors with. With over 40 lively companion airways, we’ll as soon as once more must facet with Aeroplan.
Nonetheless, it’s value noting that Flying Blue has additionally been busy including new companions within the latest previous, and has additionally made First Class redemptions accessible with some.
Hopefully, each packages will proceed so as to add extra companions, giving members extra flexibility for redemptions.
6. Program Candy Spots
Should you’d wish to get probably the most out of your redemptions, then it’s essential to familiarize your self with a program’s candy spots and the options that make it distinctive.
Probably the most engaging options accessible with Air France KLM Flying Blue is Promo Rewards, which is a month-to-month providing that slashes 25–50% off common redemption prices on a wide range of routes.
Some examples of latest Promo Rewards offers we’ve seen embrace the next:
- Ottawa to Europe in Air France economic system for 15,000 miles + ~$144 (CAD) in taxes and costs
- Montreal to Europe in Air France premium economic system for 26,250 miles + ~$230 (CAD) in taxes and costs
- Calgary to Europe in KLM enterprise enterprise for 37,500 miles + ~$350 (CAD) in taxes and costs
Even with the taxes and costs considered, it’s tough to discover a cheaper method to get to Europe in any class of service.
Plus, Flying Blue treats all of Europe, Turkey, and North Africa as the identical zone, which implies that the baseline award pricing of 20,000 miles (economic system), 35,000 miles (premium economic system), and 50,000 miles (enterprise class) applies to all combos of flights between North America and people locations.
Whereas Aeroplan sometimes reductions redemptions to particular locations, the financial savings aren’t as vital or constant as Flying Blue’s Promo Rewards.
Relating to Aeroplan’s transatlantic candy spots, direct flights to Europe that complete lower than 4,000 miles can be found for simply 60,000 factors in enterprise class, which is a good worth. Nonetheless, enterprise class flights within the second distance band provide you with as much as 6,000 miles to fly for 70,000 factors, which can also be an awesome deal.
Plus, in case you have Aeroplan Elite Standing, you’ll be able to earn profitable Precedence Rewards, which knock 50% off the price of a redemption in varied courses of service, relying in your standing.
Whereas this requires you to earn standing with Air Canada, and incomes Precedence Rewards is instantly tied to the sum of money you spend on Air Canada flights, the alternatives are wonderful.
For instance, you may get round-trip flights from North America to Europe for the next costs with Precedence Rewards:
- Financial system: 35,000+ factors
- Premium economic system: 50,000+ factors
- Enterprise class: 60,000+ factors
Verdict: Since Flying Blue Promo Rewards can be found to everybody, whereas Air Canada Precedence Rewards are reserved for these with Aeroplan Elite Standing, we’ll give the benefit to Flying Blue right here.
Undoubtedly, Promo Rewards provide excellent worth, they usually’re value listening to every month.
Plus, Flying Blue’s therapy of Europe, Turkey, and North Africa as a part of the identical zone permits travellers from throughout North America to fly for a similar baseline quantity of factors.
Nonetheless, it’s value mentioning that Aeroplan’s transatlantic award pricing could be very aggressive with different packages, and notably so with Precedence Rewards.
7. Different Options
Each Aeroplan and Flying Blue have various options from which members can profit.
With Aeroplan, you’ll be able to ebook a stopover of as much as 45 days at an extra value of simply 5,000 factors. This can be a nice method to embrace a number of cities on a single ticket at a really affordable worth.
In the meantime, on Flying Blue bookings, you’ll be able to add a stopover of as much as a 12 months on a reserving at no additional value. This can be a very beneficiant coverage, though it’s value noting that stopovers should be booked over the telephone, and pricing has anecdotally reported to be inconsistent.
Each packages permit members to pool factors with relations, by Aeroplan Household Sharing and Flying Blue Household. These options permit members to pool factors from as much as eight accounts into one, which may be useful for a wide range of causes.
It’s value noting that Aeroplan has briefly disabled the creation of recent Household Sharing accounts since August 2023. Present Household Sharing accounts can proceed to make use of the function, however it stays unclear when it’ll turn into accessible for brand new accounts once more.
Households who have interaction with Flying Blue may also profit from a 25% low cost on reward bookings for youngsters aged 2–11 when travelling with an grownup on an Air France or KLM flight. That’s a pleasant method to make household journey extra reasonably priced, and it’d be nice to see one thing related added to different packages, too.
Verdict: Whereas this doesn’t cowl the whole lot of the varied advantages accessible in each packages, we’ll give the sting to Flying Blue right here, with its beneficiant free stopovers, household pooling, and award low cost for travelling households.
8. Consumer Expertise
Let’s briefly contact upon the person expertise when participating with Aeroplan and Flying Blue.
Relating to trying to find flights, Flying Blue has a “hidden” calendar search operate, which helps you to see a month’s value of lowest award pricing directly. This makes discovering dates which have the perfect award costs very straightforward.
To activate the calendar, merely depart the journey dates clean throughout your search…
And a calendar will seem within the search outcomes, making it very straightforward to identify the bottom costs accessible for the month.
With Aeroplan, you’ll be able to see as much as per week’s value of the bottom award pricing throughout all courses of service within the search outcomes (if you happen to’re logged in); nevertheless, you’ll must manually search day-by-day and use filters to search out the perfect flights.
Alternatively, you should use the United MileagePlus web site to search out Star Alliance-partner award availability with a calendar function, after which revert again to Aeroplan’s web site to ebook at higher costs.
Whereas it’s not with out its limitations, the sheer variety of flight combos accessible in Aeroplan search outcomes is exceptional, particularly compared to Flying Blue. This additionally speaks to the variety of companion airways accessible by Aeroplan.
With Flying Blue, adjustments and stopovers should be booked over the telephone, whereas many adjustments to Aeroplan bookings and itineraries with stopovers can simply be booked on the Aeroplan web site.
Aeroplan has been including various self-serve options up to now few years, lowering the necessity to telephone the Aeroplan Contact Centre, which generally has lengthy wait occasions, particularly for members with out Aeroplan Elite Standing. Whereas some bookings nonetheless should be accomplished over the telephone, it’s nice to have the ability to do some your self.
With each packages, you’ll be able to simply seek for and ebook easy award flights utilizing the Air Canada, Air France, and KLM apps.
Verdict: That is one other tough class to evaluate, as each packages have strengths and weaknesses.
Discovering the perfect costs for award flights is simpler with Flying Blue utilizing the calendar search; nevertheless, it’s important to find out about it to have the ability to use it.
Looking for the perfect costs for flights with Aeroplan requires a little bit of legwork, in addition to using filters and/or different web sites, and it’d be nice to see a calendar search operate added.
With the flexibility to make bookings with stopovers and adjustments on-line, we’ll facet with Aeroplan relating to person expertise, acknowledging that each packages have areas that they’ll enhance in.
Conclusion
Aeroplan and Air France KLM Flying Blue are each wonderful loyalty packages, particularly relating to reserving transatlantic flights.
Aeroplan’s strengths lie within the ease of acquisition of factors, its abundance of airline companions, the flexibility to construct advanced itineraries, its stopover function, and its self-serve choices, amongst others.
The place there’s room for progress consists of the variability in dynamic pricing for Air Canada flights, in addition to the benefit of trying to find the perfect offers on the Aeroplan web site.
In the meantime, Flying Blue can also be comparatively straightforward to entry (particularly within the US), provides excellent baseline award pricing, options profitable month-to-month Promo Rewards, has nice choices for households, and maintains a latest monitor document of repeatedly including worth to this system whereas others strip it away.
The tradeoffs embrace larger taxes and costs (in premium cabins), fewer companion airways, the variability of dynamic pricing, and the necessity to use the contact centre for a lot of options.
Relating to transatlantic flights, it’s a fairly shut name as to which program provides higher worth. Flying Blue provides decrease baseline costs in miles however larger taxes and costs, whereas Aeroplan options barely larger baseline costs in factors, however decrease prices in taxes and costs, in addition to entry to extra companion airways.
When thought-about as an entire, Aeroplan provides members extra worldwide choices to fly utilizing factors, and is a extra highly effective program for aviation fans and informal customers alike.
Nonetheless, as Flying Blue continues so as to add companions and assert itself as a number one loyalty program, it’s definitely value listening to and interesting with, particularly if you happen to can leverage all of its options.
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