World Traveller 73 
Marriott Bonvoy and Air Canada Aeroplan Launch Strategic Partnership
Marriott Bonvoy and Air Canada Aeroplan have announced a long term strategic partnership that will see elite status awarded to high value travellers in each of their respective loyalty programs. The new reciprocal relationship has a few strengths and weaknesses, with one side being a better winner than the other. Read on to see what the new partnership has to offer.
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Marriott Bonvoy & Air Canada Aeroplan Launch Strategic Partnership
Marriott Bonvoy and Air Canada Aeroplan have announced a new strategic partnership that should benefit both elite members in both the hotel and air travel categories.
The offer is now up on both Air Canada Aeroplan websites and Marriott Bonvoy websites.
What’s in it for Aeroplan Elite Status Members:
Aeroplan 50K, 75K and Super Elite Members qualify for complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status.
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status is normally achievable after twenty five eligible qualifying nights. Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status offers:
- Additional 25% more Marriott Bonvoy Points
- Priority Late Check Out (subject to availability)
- Enhanced Room Upgrade
What’s in it for Marriott Bonvoy Members:
Marriott Bonvoy Titanium and Ambassador Elite Members enjoy exclusive benefits with Aeroplan as a 25K Elite Status Member.
Air Canada Aeroplan Elite 25K status is normally achievable after 25,000 Status Qualifying Miles, 25 Status Qualifying Segments and $3,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars. Air Canada Aeroplan Elite 25K status offers:
- Priority Airport Check In
- Two Complimentary Checked Bags
- Priority Boarding – Zone 2
- Two Free Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Passes (domestic / transborder)
- Star Alliance Silver Status
I happen to think that Marriott Bonvoy Titanium and Ambassador Elite members are the bigger winners here, since it is harder to earn Air Canada Aeroplan Elite 25K status, than it is to earn Marriott Bonvoy Gold status. This is especially considering that most Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit cards offer 15 Elite qualifying nights, meaning that you’d only have to stay an additional 10 nights to get to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
New Options to Convert Air Canada Aeroplan Points to Marriott Bonvoy Points:
There are also options to convert, earn and redeem your points between programs.
Participants can continue to convert Marriott Bonvoy points to Aeroplan points. However, you can now redeem your Aeroplan points for Marriott Bonvoy points.
The Marriott Bonvoy and Air Canada Aeroplan relationship offers a transfer rate of 1:1 if you want to transfer Air Canada Aeroplan points into the Marriott Bonvoy program. In my view, while this isn’t a great conversion rate, it’s always better to have options to route your points, in the event you end up with extras in any one program.
Registration:
Registration is required for this promotion. This appears to be a one time registration, although the Terms and Conditions specifically state that the status match can be terminated without notice. However, there is no time line or deadline in order to register.
Registration can be completed through this link on the Air Canada website.
Amazingly, the Air Canada website is just about as bad as the Marriott website when it comes to stability and speed in loading. The link took me to the Marriott website, where I had to enter my Aeroplan number.
As expected, I got an error message from attempting to register as I was already an Air Canada Aeroplan Elite member.
After clicking on the link, I was easily able to register MrsWT73 who does not currently have Air Canada Elite Status. Mrs WT73 had recently abandoned Air Canada status in favour Alaska Mileage Plan Gold 50K status, as a result of better international business class earn rates on British Airways through the One World Alliance.
After entering her Air Canada Aeroplan number, I was linked within seconds. The new Air Canada Elite 25K status showed up instantly, despite the landing page suggesting it would take up to two business days, and the terms and conditions suggesting that it may take up to 7 – 10 days.
Aside from the clunky websites, the registration process was easy and painless.
What do I think about this promotion?
It is great that Marriott Bonvoy and Air Canada’s Aeroplan have teamed up to offer a reciprocal relationship between both programs. This is similar to the United Airlines Mileage Plan relationship between United Airlines and Marriott Bonvoy.
In my view, the big winners here are Marriott Bonvoy Titanium and Ambassador Elite members who are easily able to claim Air Canada Elite 25K status without spending $3,000 status qualifying dollars with the airline. For Canadian travellers, this won’t move the needle much since you’re likely already staying in Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
The largest drawback of this promotion is that Air Canada’ boarding Zone 2 will be even larger than before. Unless you happen to be travelling in Air Canada paid business class in Zone 1, you’ll be with every other Air Canada Aeroplan Elite member 25K through 35K, 50K, and 75K.
If you happen to be short a few Marriott Bonvoy qualifying nights, you can get 15 Marriott Bonvoy Elite qualifying nights by holding a Marriott Bonvoy American Express credit card available through a sign up link.
The Best offer is available below through a referral link.
American Express Marriott Bonvoy (CANADA)
55,000 Marriott Bonvoy Point Welcome Bonus with $3,000 minimum spend
American Express Marriott Bonvoy (CANADA)
55,000 Marriott Bonvoy Point Welcome Bonus with $3,000 minimum spend
The Bottom Line: Marriott and Air Canada add reciprocal relationship
Marriott Bonvoy and Air Canada Aeroplan have added a reciprocal relationship that affords Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status to it’s highest Air Canada 50K – 100 K members, and Air Canada Elite 25K status to Marriott Bonvoy’s highest Titanium and Ambassador level members.
The largest winners are the Marriott Titanium and Ambassador members who are able to get a suite of benefits on Air Canada, including priority boarding, 2 free Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge passes in domestic Canada and trans-border zones, and two free checked bags, just for status matching.
As always, it’s still worth taking the effort to register, as more leverage is better than less leverage. At least you’ll get two free Maple Leaf Lounge passes out of the arrangement.
World Traveller 73 
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