Considered one of my favourite issues about Air Canada Aeroplan is the emphasis that this system has on including companions. Aeroplan has extra airline companions than every other airline frequent flyer program. We’ve seen a number of companions added previously couple of years, together with Etihad, Azul, Vistara, Air Serbia, Virgin Australia, Air Dolomiti, Eurowings Uncover, Gulf Air, Oman Air, Air Mauritius, and Aeromar.
Whereas that is admittedly fairly area of interest, Aeroplan has simply added its latest airline accomplice, and it may turn out to be useful for these seeking to journey inside Europe, particularly to Turkey.
Air Canada & SunExpress partnership particulars
As of November 8, 2022, a loyalty program partnership will probably be launched between Air Canada and SunExpress, permitting Aeroplan members to redeem factors for journey on the airline. I needed to check out the alternatives this affords, and in addition speak about SunExpress, for individuals who aren’t acquainted.
What’s SunExpress?
SunExpress is a leisure airline based mostly in Turkey, which is a three way partnership between Lufthansa and Turkish Airways. The airline operates a fleet of roughly 60 plane, together with Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s, and the airline is continuous to develop at a quick tempo. The airline primarily operates flights between Turkey and different factors in Europe, although the airline particularly doesn’t fly to and from Istanbul.
Moderately SunExpress primarily operates flights out of Antalya and Izmir. SunExpress planes are in a one-cabin structure, so there’s no enterprise class. Moreover, as you’d anticipate, the cabin is in a fairly dense configuration.
Redeem Aeroplan factors on SunExpress
As a part of this partnership, it will likely be doable to redeem Air Canada Aeroplan factors on all SunExpress flights. Just a few issues to notice:
- SunExpress awards will comply with Aeroplan’s commonplace accomplice award pricing chart
- Aeroplan members will be capable of ebook SunExpress flights on-line at aircanada.com, or by way of the decision middle
- SunExpress flights will probably be combinable with flights operated by Air Canada and different worldwide airline companions (so you possibly can join inside Europe as half of a bigger award)
- Whereas there are not any provider imposed surcharges, the usual 39 CAD accomplice reserving payment applies
For context, right here’s the Aeroplan award chart for journey inside the Atlantic area (which covers SunExpress routes):
As you possibly can see, flying a distance of as much as 1,000 miles will value you 7,500 factors, whereas flying a distance of 1,001-2,000 factors will value you 12,500 factors. When you needed a stopover on an itinerary for greater than 24 hours, you possibly can ebook that for a further 5,000 factors, which is a superb deal.
Since SunExpress is a leisure airline, you’ll discover that fares are sometimes fairly low cost, so usually there most likely received’t be big worth right here for standalone awards. The place the place I see essentially the most potential worth is as half of a bigger award. In different phrases, having the ability to add a SunExpress section to a protracted haul award would turn out to be useful for those who’re touring to a spot like Izmir or Antalya.
Air Canada Aeroplan is switch companions with Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Final Rewards, and Capital One, so if in case you have transferrable factors this can be a nice program to ebook by way of. On high of that, there’s the Aeroplan® Credit score Card (overview), which is profitable card in america.
You may’t earn Aeroplan factors on SunExpress
The partnership between Air Canada Aeroplan and SunExpress completely permits factors redemptions. It’s not doable to earn Aeroplan factors for SunExpress flights.
Aeroplan offers clues about subsequent airline accomplice
Aeroplan has additionally revealed that it will likely be asserting yet one more new airline accomplice subsequent week, being teased as follows:
They serve a selected, wonderful aspirational vacation spot and are the one one serving it on a scheduled foundation with jet plane. In truth, the plane they use on this route is a fleet sort they added particularly to serve this market!
That is thrilling — IS AEROPLAN REALLY LAUNCHING A PARTNERSHIP WITH AIR GREENLAND?!?!
Backside line
Air Canada Aeroplan has added SunExpress as an airline accomplice, which is a three way partnership between Lufthansa and Turkish Airways, providing routes to cities in Turkey apart from Istanbul. Whereas that is area of interest, it’s going to little question turn out to be useful for these seeking to journey to Turkey, particularly as half of a bigger award ticket. Nicely performed, Aeroplan!
What do you make of the brand new Air Canada Aeroplan & SunExpress partnership?
