MONTREAL, Jan. 6, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Aeroplan, Canada's premier coalition loyalty program, kicked off the benefits of its new tiered recognition program 'Distinction' that rewards its top accumulating members based on total Aeroplan Miles earned across all coalition partners including airline, travel, retail and financial card partners.

As announced back in June 2013, in addition to other significant enhancements to the program including new Market Fare Flight Rewards, Distinction brings the Aeroplan program to a whole new level providing members with an unrivalled loyalty experience that includes:

• Exclusive flight reward benefits with significantly better value on new Market Fare Flight Rewards;
  
  
• Distinction Flights to popular destinations during peak periods with 100% of the seats reserved for Distinction members and offered at ClassicFlight reward mileage levels and including a dedicated check-in, complimentary bar and snack service on board and two free bags in Economy class;  
  
  
• Bonus mile offers through Aeroplan's eStore; with Air Canada; on hotel stays with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Marriott and Starwood Hotels & Resorts; and on redemptions at Starwood Hotels & Resorts;
  
  
• Call priority for dDiamond members at Aeroplan's Contact Centre and Preferential treatment at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts;
  
  
• Exclusive partner offers and unique redemption opportunities.

Visit www.aeroplan.com/distinction for full listing of benefits and eligibility.

"We're thrilled to launch our Distinction program's benefits today to give members the greater recognition they deserve for purchasing with our partners," said Kevin O'Brien, Chief Commercial Officer, Aeroplan. "I'm delighted that whether a member flies with Air Canada or our other domestic or Star Alliance partners, they put all of their spending on their Aeroplan financial card, they book with our travel partners or they ensure they shop with our retail partners, we will now recognize and reward their loyalty.  As we approach our 30th anniversary in July, we're planning additional enhancements that will help transform the Aeroplan program, making it even better for members. All this plus our new suite of credit cards ensures that 2014 will be an exciting year for our members!"

Distinction includes three status levels based on a member's total eligible mileage accumulation:

• dSilver - 25,000  eligible miles accumulated during the calendar year;
  
  
• dBlack - 50,000 eligible miles accumulated during the calendar year;
  
  
• dDiamond - 100,000 eligible miles accumulated during the calendar year.

Distinction status is designed to complement Air Canada's outstanding and leading Altitude program through which loyal fliers are recognized and rewarded with tier status. Altitude rewards Air Canada's most frequent flyers based on the number of Altitude Qualifying Miles and Altitude Qualifying Segments earned on eligible flights operated by Air Canada and the Star Alliance member airlines.

The Distinction qualification period begins on January 1st of each calendar year and ends on December 31st of the same year. Since the beginning of the year, benefits start as soon as a member successfully reaches a Distinction level, and they last until the end of the following calendar year.

Distinction Benefits include:

For more information on Distinction and its privileges, please visit: www.aeroplan.com/distinction.

About Aeroplan
Aeroplan, Canada's premier coalition loyalty program, is owned by Aimia Inc., a global leader in loyalty management.

Aeroplan's millions of members earn Aeroplan Miles with its growing network of over 75 world-class partners, representing more than 150 brands in the financial, retail, and travel sectors.

In 2012, approximately 2.3 million rewards were issued to members including more than 1.6 million flights on Air Canada and Star Alliance carriers which offer travel to more than 1,000 destinations worldwide. In addition to flights, members also have access to over 1,000 exciting specialty, merchandise, hotel, car rental and experiential rewards. 

For more information about Aeroplan, please visit www.aeroplan.com or www.aimia.com. 

SOURCE Aeroplan