Aeroplan commits to matching 20% of member offsets

    MONTREAL, Dec. 6 /CNW Telbec/ - Aeroplan (TSX: AER.UN), Canada's premier
loyalty marketing program, today launched its Carbon Offset Program - another
loyalty industry first - designed for Aeroplan members to offset their carbon
emissions generated by reward travel, and to help the company reduce its
overall environmental footprint.
    Starting today, there are two ways Aeroplan members can use their miles
to offset emissions generated by their flights and everyday activities.
Members can offset flights when completing reward bookings online at
aeroplan.com, or redeem their Aeroplan Miles for carbon offset credits found
in the online Activities and Merchandise catalogue.
    Aeroplan will match all miles redeemed for carbon offset credits by
20 per cent and transfer the total sum to the Carbon Reduction Fund
(www.carbonreductionfund.org), an independent, non-profit organization with
the mission of funding only the highest-quality offset projects.
    Aeroplan launched the Carbon Offset Program by contributing more than
2.5 million Aeroplan Miles to the Carbon Reduction Fund. Aeroplan's partners
American Express and CIBC have also generously contributed to the program's
launch, each donating 2 million Aeroplan Miles.
    "Aeroplan's members are some of Canada's most frequent flyers and the
country's most active and engaged citizens. We knew it was imperative to offer
proactively to our members the opportunity to personally take action against
climate change," said Rupert Duchesne, President and CEO, Aeroplan. "Our new
Carbon Offset Program is the loyalty industry's first program to encourage
members to enjoy their travel rewards in an environmentally-friendly way. Our
goal in year one is to have more than 40,000 tonnes of emissions being offset
by our members."
    For example, within North and Central America, Aeroplan members would
need approximately 200 to 5,600 Aeroplan Miles to offset their return travel.

    Eco-friendly Rewards

    Aeroplan also announced it has expanded its roster of eco-friendly
non-air rewards, ranging from 7,000 to 160,000 Aeroplan Miles. Introduced in
the spring of 2007, this reward category, located in the Activities and
Merchandise section of aeroplan.com, now includes housewares, games, fashion
and travel accessories and even electric scooters.

    Green It Up: Aeroplan Corporate Initiatives

    The Carbon Offset Program and eco-friendly non-air rewards are both part
of Green It Up, Aeroplan's comprehensive program designed to reduce the
company's environmental footprint and make a positive difference in greening
our world.
    As part of this program, Aeroplan has committed to offsetting 100 per
cent of its employees' business travel. Internally, Aeroplan has also
introduced "Do not print" campaigns and enhanced recycling services. What's
more, Aeroplan employees will be rewarded for choosing public transit to get
to work, and will have the opportunity to donate some of their paid work time
to environmental causes.
    Duchesne added, "Aeroplan is setting an example by behaving in an
environmentally conscious way. From an environmental point-of-view, Aeroplan
is making the right decision also the most rewarding."

    About the Carbon Reduction Fund

    The Carbon Reduction Fund is an independent, non-profit organization with
the mission to seek out, help develop and secure credible, high-quality carbon
offsets for the voluntary markets. Founded in late 2007, the creation of the
fund was made possible due to the generous financial support of Aeroplan,
Canada's premier loyalty marketing company. Aeroplan is also the primary
initial purchaser of offsets from the Fund.


    The Carbon Reduction Fund was created with the following mission:

    1. To be a dependable and ethical provider of high quality carbon offsets
       for the voluntary carbon offset market, delivering permanent and
       substantive reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
    2. To act as a catalyst, in order to engage and enable various
       organizations across Canada to develop GHG reduction and sequestration
       projects.
    3. To take a leadership role in building the voluntary offset industry,
       establishing high industry standards. The CRF will work with other
       ethical players in the industry to maintain the credibility of
       voluntary offsets and increase the impact of voluntary action by
       individuals and organizations.


    About Aeroplan

    Aeroplan is Canada's premier loyalty marketing company, dedicated to
developing and executing programs designed to engage the loyalty of its
prestigious membership.
    Aeroplan's millions of members earn Aeroplan Miles with its network of
more than 70 world-class partners, representing more than 150 brands in the
financial, retail, and travel sectors. Miles earned may be redeemed for
Aeroplan's industry-leading ClassicFlight Rewards, innovative ClassicPlus
Flight Rewards, and global Star Alliance Flight Rewards, offering travel to
more than 850 destinations worldwide. In 2006 alone, more than 1.4 million
round-trip flight rewards were issued. Aeroplan's roster of non-flight rewards
includes more than 400 exciting specialty, merchandise, and experiential
rewards, as well as hotel and car rental rewards. Members are encouraged to
stay engaged with Aeroplan and avoid mileage expiration due to inactivity by
earning or redeeming Aeroplan Miles at least once in any consecutive
twelve-month period.
    For more information about Aeroplan, please visit www.aeroplan.com.