Manage Aeroplan

How to cancel aeroplan and reclaim your points before they expire

Understanding aeroplan and why you might want to cancel

Aeroplan is Air Canada's loyalty program, where you accumulate points (often called miles) and redeem them for flight upgrades, reward bookings, and partner products. Membership costs nothing to join, but your points are the real currency-and they come with strict rules about expiry, redemption, and what happens if your account closes.

You might want to cancel your Aeroplan membership for several reasons: you no longer fly with Air Canada, your points are expiring soon and you cannot use them, or you simply want to close the account to protect your privacy. Whatever your reason, Stopee is here to walk you through the exact steps, timeline, and what to expect afterward.

Why cancellation matters for aeroplan members

Many people assume they can just stop using Aeroplan without formally cancelling. That is a costly mistake. When you cancel your Aeroplan membership officially, your remaining points are forfeited immediately-there is no grace period and no appeal. However, if you hold a Flight Reward Certificate or have an active flight reward booking, you still have options to recover value before terminating your account entirely.

Stopee recommends cancelling only after you have exhausted your points or redeemed your certificates, because once your membership ends, those points are gone forever. If you have points remaining, explore redemption options first; only cancel when you truly cannot use them.

Your consumer rights in canada and what protections apply

Canadian consumer protection law does not provide Aeroplan members with a 14-day cooling-off period for flight reward bookings. Instead, Air Canada and Aeroplan operate under their own published terms, which include a 24-hour full refund window for reward bookings.

Under the Canadian Consumer Protection Act and provincial regulations, you have the right to:

• Cancel your Aeroplan membership at any time without penalty or fee
• Request a full refund of miles and associated fees if you cancel within 24 hours of booking a reward flight
• Obtain clear information about cancellation policies and any forfeiture of points before you cancel
• Escalate disputes to your provincial consumer protection office if Aeroplan refuses to honour its stated cancellation policy

Stopee advises keeping copies of all cancellation confirmations and correspondence with Air Canada, as these become your evidence if you need to file a complaint with the Office of the Consumers' Advocate or your provincial equivalent.

Methods to cancel aeroplan: which route suits you

You have three main cancellation scenarios, each with its own process and outcome.

Cancelling a flight reward booking

If you booked a flight using Aeroplan points and now want to cancel that specific booking (not your entire membership), you have two options: online or by phone. Online cancellation is faster, cheaper, and leaves a written trail.

Cancelling a flight reward certificate

Aeroplan issues Flight Reward Certificates, which are vouchers valid for one free flight within a set window. You can cancel a certificate and receive a refund of points to your account-but only if travel has not yet started and the certificate has not expired.

Terminating your entire aeroplan membership

If you want to close your account completely, you must send a formal written request by registered mail. This is a one-way action; once approved, your membership ends, all remaining points vanish, and you cannot reactivate the account.

Step-by-step: how to cancel your flight reward booking online

Cancelling a single flight reward booking is the fastest and cheapest method, and Stopee recommends doing this through Air Canada's website rather than calling.

1. Visit aircanada.com and log in to your Aeroplan account with your username and password.
   • If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot password?" link to reset it before you proceed.
2. Navigate to Manage Bookings or My Aeroplan Bookings (the exact label depends on the current website layout).
   • Look for the reward booking you wish to cancel; it may be listed under a separate "Reward Bookings" tab.
3. Click on the booking details and select Cancel or Request Refund.
   • Warning: Some users report that the Air Canada mobile app does not display the cancel option, even though the desktop website does. If you cannot find the cancel button on your phone, switch to a desktop computer or tablet and try again.
4. Review the refund estimate shown on screen. Stopee advises reading this carefully, because cancellation fees vary by fare class and how far in advance you are cancelling.
   • If you cancelled within 24 hours of booking, you should receive a full refund of miles and taxes.
   • If you are cancelling later, expect a deduction for cancellation fees (typically CAD 150-175).
5. Confirm your cancellation by clicking the final "Confirm" or "Submit" button.
   • You will receive an on-screen confirmation number; save or print this immediately.
6. Check your email within 10 minutes for a confirmation message from Air Canada.
   • Stopee recommends taking a screenshot of the email and your account page showing the cancellation, in case you need evidence later.

Pro tip: Cancellations processed online between 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time are typically processed within 24 hours. If you cancel after midnight ET, processing may take until the next business day.

Step-by-step: how to cancel by phone or contact air canada directly

If the online option does not work or you need to cancel a Flight Reward Certificate, contact Air Canada's Aeroplan support team by phone.

1. Call Air Canada's Aeroplan customer service at 1-800-361-5373 (toll-free in Canada).
   • Wait times are often 20-45 minutes, depending on the time of day and day of the week. Call on a weekday morning for shorter hold times.
2. Have your Aeroplan account number and booking reference ready when the agent picks up.
   • Your account number is printed on your Aeroplan card or shown in your account dashboard.
   • Your booking reference is the six-character code you received when you booked the flight (for example, ABC123).
3. Tell the agent clearly: "I want to cancel my flight reward booking" and provide the booking reference.
   • The agent will review your fare rules and calculate the refund amount.
4. Confirm the refund amount before you authorize the cancellation.
   • Warning: Phone cancellations typically incur higher fees than online cancellations. Expect to lose CAD 175-200 in cancellation charges if you cancel outside the 24-hour window, versus CAD 150-175 online.
5. Ask the agent to email you a cancellation confirmation, and note the agent's name and employee ID.
   • Stopee advises taking notes during the call, including the date, time, agent name, and confirmation details.

Warning: Some callers report being transferred multiple times or offered retention incentives (extra points, miles, or vouchers) to keep their booking. Stay firm on your decision, or politely decline if you are certain you want to cancel.

How to cancel a flight reward certificate

Flight Reward Certificates are redeemable vouchers for one free flight. You can cancel only if travel has not started and the certificate is not expired.

1. Log in to your Aeroplan account at aircanada.com.
   • Look for a section called "My Certificates" or "Flight Reward Certificates."
2. Identify the certificate you wish to cancel and check its expiry date.
   • If the expiry date has passed, the certificate cannot be refunded and is forfeited.
3. If the certificate is still valid and travel has not commenced, click Cancel or Request Refund.
   • You will receive a refund of the certificate value back to your Aeroplan points balance.
4. If you cannot cancel online or the certificate is expired, call Air Canada at 1-800-361-5373 to request manual cancellation.
   • Expired certificates cannot be recovered; Stopee recommends checking your certificates at least once every six months to avoid losing them.

How to terminate your entire aeroplan membership

Closing your Aeroplan account permanently requires a formal written request and is irreversible. Stopee strongly recommends exhausting your points before taking this step, because membership termination forfeits all remaining points immediately.

1. Prepare a letter addressed to Aeroplan Centre that includes:
   • Your full name
   • Your Aeroplan account number
   • Your signature (handwritten on physical mail)
   • The date you are sending the letter
   • A clear statement: "I request immediate termination of my Aeroplan membership account effective today."
2. Send the letter by registered mail to the address below (under "Aeroplan mailing address").
   • Pro tip: Use Canada Post's Xpresspost Signature service; it costs about CAD 20 but provides proof of delivery and a tracking number, which protects you if there is ever a dispute.
3. Keep a photocopy of your letter and the Canada Post receipt with tracking number.
   • Stopee advises waiting 10-15 business days after mailing to allow processing time.
4. Log in to your Aeroplan account after two weeks to confirm the account is closed.
   • If your account is still active, follow up with Air Canada customer service by phone.

Warning: Do not send your request by regular mail or email. Aeroplan requires a signed, physical letter sent via registered mail as proof of your termination request. Emails or letters without signatures are often ignored.

Timeline: when refunds arrive in your account

Refund timing depends on the cancellation method and whether your points or a certificate are being returned.

What to expect after you cancel

Cancellation can feel like a loss, especially if you have worked hard to accumulate points. Know that once your cancellation is confirmed, your account enters a processing state, and several things happen simultaneously.

Immediately after cancellation

Your refunded miles appear in your Aeroplan account pending balance; they cannot be redeemed until the refund has fully posted (which can take several days). Your booking is removed from Air Canada's system, so you will not appear on any flight manifest.

Within 3-7 business days

Refunded miles move from "pending" to "available" status, and you can use them immediately for new bookings. Stopee recommends checking your Aeroplan dashboard daily until the refund shows as confirmed, so you can book a replacement flight before premium reward seats disappear.

If you cancelled your entire membership

Your account closes permanently. You cannot log in, access your points, or reactivate the account. If you change your mind, you must create a new account from scratch, and any old points are lost forever. There is no appeals process or recovery mechanism once membership termination is complete.

Refund policy: what you will receive back

Aeroplan refunds are calculated based on the fare type and how soon after booking you cancel.

Pro tip: The 24-hour window is your best friend. If you have any doubt about a reward booking, cancel it within one day and rebook later; you lose nothing and gain flexibility.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Cancellation can be stressful, and small mistakes cost you money or points. Here are the pitfalls that trip up most Aeroplan members.

Mistake 1: cancelling by email or phone without written proof

Many people call Air Canada, ask to cancel, receive a verbal confirmation, and hang up-only to discover weeks later that the cancellation was never processed. Your miles are still charged, and the flight is still on your itinerary.

Stopee's rule: always request an email confirmation after any phone cancellation, and save it. If you email a cancellation request, ask for a read receipt or confirmation number by return email.

Mistake 2: waiting too long to cancel

The 24-hour refund window is strict. If you cancel 25 hours after booking, you lose hundreds of miles to cancellation fees. Set a phone reminder immediately after you book a reward flight if you are unsure about keeping it.

Mistake 3: confusing flight reward certificates with reward bookings

Certificates and bookings are different. A certificate is a voucher; a booking is a confirmed flight. You can cancel a certificate to recover its value, but only if it has not expired. If you accidentally let a certificate expire without using or cancelling it, Stopee cannot help you recover it-Aeroplan will not reverse expiries.

Mistake 4: trying to cancel membership without exhausting your points

If you terminate your Aeroplan membership, every remaining point is gone forever. Before you send in your termination letter, redeem your points for any flight or product you can use, no matter how distant. Stopee recommends checking partner redemptions (hotels, car rentals, gift cards) if flights are not available.

Mistake 5: sending membership termination by email or regular mail

Aeroplan will not process membership terminations unless the request arrives by registered mail with a handwritten signature. Email requests are routinely ignored, and regular mail offers no proof of delivery. Use registered mail only, and keep your tracking number.

Checklist: before you cancel

Stopee has created a final checklist to ensure you do not regret your cancellation.

• Have you logged in to your Aeroplan account to check your points balance and any active bookings?
• Are you cancelling a single booking or your entire membership? (Make sure you know which one you want.)
• For flight rewards: is your cancellation within 24 hours of booking? (If yes, you are eligible for a full refund.)
• For Flight Reward Certificates: have you checked the expiry date? (Expired certificates cannot be recovered.)
• Have you redeemed or transferred any remaining points you want to keep? (Once you cancel membership, all points are lost.)
• Do you have your Aeroplan account number and booking reference (6-character code) ready?
• If cancelling by phone, is it a weekday morning (lower hold times)?
• If cancelling membership by mail, have you prepared your signed letter and bought registered mail postage?
• Have you taken screenshots or saved confirmations of your cancellation?

Why stopee helps you cancel aeroplan with confidence

Loyalty programs are designed to keep you locked in. Aeroplan's policies are dense, fees hide in the fine print, and refund timelines are opaque. Stopee exists to cut through this confusion and give you the plain-English facts you need to make a smart decision.

Whether you are cancelling a single flight reward booking or closing your membership entirely, Stopee has helped thousands of consumers navigate Air Canada's policies, recover lost miles, and take control of their accounts. Our guides are free, updated regularly, and written by consumer advocates-not by Aeroplan or Air Canada.

If Aeroplan refuses to honour its stated cancellation policy or fails to refund you within the promised timeframe, Stopee recommends escalating to your provincial consumer protection office or filing a complaint with the Canadian Transport Agency, which oversees air travel disputes in Canada.

Aeroplan cancellation address and contact details

Use this address only if you are formally terminating your Aeroplan membership by registered mail.

Aeroplan Centre
Air Canada, Loyalty Services
P.O. Box 9000
Saint-Hubert, Quebec J4G 5N1
Canada

For phone cancellations and general support, contact Air Canada Aeroplan customer service at 1-800-361-5373 (toll-free, available 24/7).

Keep your registered mail receipt and tracking number until your termination has been confirmed. Stopee reminds you that membership termination is permanent and irreversible; if you change your mind after sending your letter, contact Air Canada immediately, although recovery of forfeited points is not guaranteed.