Air Canada has announced changes to its baggage allowance policy for Aeroplan Elite members, effective February 1, 2026. The update, which primarily affects 25K and 35K status holders, was communicated via email.
The primary changes involve reducing the checked baggage allowance for 25K members on Air Canada flights while adding benefits when flying with select Star Alliance partners.
Beginning February 1, 2026, Aeroplan 25K members will see a reduction in their checked baggage allowance on Air Canada flights. They will now be entitled to only one additional free checked bag beyond what’s included with their purchased fare, up to a maximum of two checked bags total.
This represents a downgrade from the current policy, which allows 25K members more generous baggage allowances on certain fare types.
Basic Economy or Standard Aeroplan Award tickets (no included bags):
Standard Economy fares within North America or to sun destinations (no included bags):
Standard Economy fares to international destinations (one included bag):
Flex or Comfort fares (one included bag):
Latitude fares (two included bags):
This policy applies to flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, and Air Canada Rouge.
The news isn’t all negative, however. Starting February 1, 2026, both Aeroplan 25K and 35K members (equivalent to Star Alliance Silver status) will receive an additional benefit when flying with select Star Alliance partners.
One additional checked bag beyond what’s included with their economy ticket when traveling on:
This enhancement will allow eligible members to check up to two bags free of charge on these carriers. However, it’s essential to note that this benefit doesn’t apply to Lufthansa Group airlines’ “light” fares, which include no checked baggage allowance.
Air Canada has confirmed that checked baggage allowances will remain unchanged for all other Aeroplan Elite status tiers (50K, 75K, and Super Elite 100K). These higher-tier members will continue to enjoy their current baggage benefits.
The timing of these changes appears strategic, as Air Canada is emphasizing how Aeroplan credit cards can help offset the reduced baggage allowance. The airline explicitly notes that 25K members who hold an eligible Aeroplan Premium or Core credit card can combine their credit card benefit (one free checked bag) with their Elite status benefit to still achieve two free checked bags on most fares.
This approach seems designed to encourage more Elite members to sign up for co-branded credit cards, even though these cards often provide limited value for everyday spending beyond the initial welcome bonus.
While these changes aren’t drastic, they represent a meaningful devaluation for Aeroplan 25K members who don’t hold co-branded credit cards. The loss of a second free checked bag on many fare types could result in additional fees for these travelers.
The addition of extra baggage allowances on select Star Alliance partners is a welcome enhancement. Still, it may not fully compensate for the reduction in benefits on Air Canada’s own flights, especially for members who primarily fly within the Air Canada network.
This update continues the airline industry trend of gradually reducing benefits for lower-tier elite members while encouraging credit card sign-ups. For affected travelers, it may be worth evaluating whether an Aeroplan credit card is a suitable option to maintain their current baggage allowances, or if alternative loyalty programs might better suit their needs.
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