Air Canada is extending the dynamic pricing to select partners. It already has dynamic pricing for Air Canada flights, including Air Canada Rouge 7 Air Canada Express. The dynamic pricing will be applicable on booking starting 25th March 2025.
What is changing?
Starting 25 March 2025, dynamic award pricing will be applicable on select partner airlines. Instead of having fixed pricing, award pricing will have a starting amount and a median amount. There will be no higher amount.
Which partner airlines will be dynamically priced?
Apart from existing dynamic award pricing for Air Canada & Air Canada Express, the below airlines will also move to dynamic pricing starting 25th March 2025:
- United
- Emirates
- Fly Dubai
- Etihad
- Canadian North
- Calm Air
- PAL (Provincial Airlines)
Interestingly, recently, Qantas also changed Emirates awards, with Business Class and First Class pricing becoming expensive. That means airlines are paying decent amounts for these premium cabins in the Emirates.
Why the change?
Here is what Air Canada have to say:
“These updates reflect special arrangements we have with these partners, offering improved access to redemption flights, and in some cases, deeper inventory levels.“
Is there any change in the Award Chart?
For fixed partners, there is no change in the award chart. However, a new award chart will be created for dynamic award partner airlines. An example of a new award chart is below:
The median points here will be updated quarterly based on the points redeemed by travellers on dynamically award-priced airlines. That means this is not the maximum value you will pay, so your award flight booked after 25 March 2025 can cost more than this.
Will there be an increased award availability?
As per Air Canada, there will be an increased award availability. So, that is good news for those who can rack up Aeroplan points quickly.
They mentioned that “Etihad Business Class reward inventory will once again be available systemwide.” That is good news for some travellers. However, access to Etihad First Class inventory will not be available, which is still understandable.
Elite Members & Cardholders
The discounted redemption rates for Aeroplan Elite Members and credit cardholders will continue to apply to these rewards.
What Do I think?
Dynamic Award pricing is always bad. However, Aeroplan always played the redemption thing differently. So, I’m not expecting unreasonable award pricing. But that’s what I think, so let’s see. Further, there are a number of Aeroplan Airline partners, so they can continue to use fixed award pricing and may not lose much. At the same time, I’m still waiting for this thing to go live to see how this impacts Aeroplan Stopover. Overall, the Air Canada Dynamic Pricing on Select Partners will not affect most of us if you stick to other partners. However, if you were already booking Emirates or Etihad via Aeroplan, you may have to splurge more. It may be time to look at Flying Blue or Qantas for these airlines.
