Here is an editorial from the Toronto Star April 29, 2004:
Editorial: Aeroplan's 'rewards'
Frequent fliers have long been squeezed when it comes to their pocketbooks and their legroom. Now their points programs are feeling the pinch.
Aeroplan's 6 million members earn mileage points by travelling on Air Canada or its partner airlines, or with hotel stays and car rentals. They can also accumulate points by making purchases with certain credit cards or by patronizing certain retailers.
But as loyalty programs giveth, so do they taketh away.
Last week, Aeroplan freed up more seats for points redemption and eliminated blackout periods during which reward travel wasn't allowed.
At first glance, it seemed to be good news for members.
Trouble is, Aeroplan also created a new category Avenue Rewards that requires travellers to pay more points for "free" flights.
For example, a member wanting to fly between Toronto and Vancouver in a month such as July used to have access to about 17,000 seats. Under the new rules, about 25,000 seats will be available for that same period.
Here's the hitch: Before, it cost 25,000 Aeroplan points for the flight. Now, only 13,000 seats will be available for that point total. Once they're snapped up, the remaining 12,000 seats will cost 37,500 points, a 50 per cent premium.
In other words, there are more reward seats but they'll eat up more of your carefully hoarded points. Fewer seats are offered at the old, lower redemption levels.
Once again, let the flier beware.