Cancel Aeroplan: Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel your Aeroplan membership and recover your points before they expire

Understanding Aeroplan and why you might want to cancel

Aeroplan is Air Canada's loyalty program that lets you accumulate points through flights and partner purchases, then redeem them for flight upgrades, free tickets, hotel stays, and merchandise. Membership is free to join, but your points come with strict rules about expiry dates, redemption limits, and account closure. When you cancel your Aeroplan account, any remaining points you have not redeemed vanish permanently-there is no refund, no grace period, and no way to recover them once your membership officially closes.

You might want to cancel for several legitimate reasons: you no longer fly with Air Canada, your points are expiring and you cannot use them, you want to protect your privacy, or you simply prefer not to maintain an inactive account. Whatever your situation, understanding your rights and the cancellation process is essential before you take action. Tocancel is here to walk you through your options, timeline, and what happens after you cancel, so you can make a confident decision.

Why cancellation matters for Aeroplan members

Many people assume they can simply stop using Aeroplan without formally cancelling. This is a costly mistake. When you officially cancel your Aeroplan membership, all remaining points are forfeited immediately. There is no appeal, no grace period, and no partial recovery. This means you lose money (in terms of the value of those points) the moment your account closes.

However, if you hold a Flight Reward Certificate or have an active booking, you still have options to extract value before you terminate your account entirely. The key is to redeem or refund what you can before you submit your cancellation request. Once your membership is gone, so is every unredeemed point.

When you should not cancel yet

Do not cancel if you still have points with redemption value. Before you even think about closing your account, explore every redemption option: book a flight, transfer points to a partner, redeem for gift cards, or donate points to a charity. Only cancel when you have truly exhausted your options or determined the points are worthless to you. Tocancel recommends taking 10 minutes to log into your account and check your balance and expiry date first-this one step could save you hundreds of dollars.

Your consumer rights in canada and what protections apply

Canadian consumer protection law gives you specific rights when you cancel loyalty programs and airline bookings.

Under the Canadian Consumer Protection Act (federal) and its provincial equivalents, you have the right to:

• Cancel your Aeroplan membership at any time without penalty or cancellation fee
• Receive a full refund of miles and associated fees if you cancel a reward flight booking within 24 hours of purchase
• Obtain clear, written information about what happens to your points when your membership closes
• File a complaint with your provincial consumer protection office if Aeroplan refuses to honour its stated cancellation policy
• Escalate disputes to the Office of the Consumers' Advocate (if applicable in your province) or equivalent body

Your legal position: You own the right to cancel your membership at any time. Aeroplan cannot charge you a fee, impose a waiting period, or lock you into continued membership. However, the company's terms state that unused points disappear upon cancellation-this is legal, as loyalty points are generally considered a marketing benefit, not a financial asset. That said, if Aeroplan's cancellation policy is unclear or misleading, you have grounds to complain.

Keep copies of all cancellation confirmations, correspondence with Air Canada, and screenshots of your account balance before cancellation. These become your evidence if you need to file a formal complaint. Tocancel advises saving these documents for at least 12 months after cancellation.

Three cancellation scenarios and which route suits you

Aeroplan offers three different cancellation paths depending on what you want to close.

Scenario 1: cancel a single flight reward booking

You booked a flight using Aeroplan points but now want to cancel that specific booking-not your entire membership. You can cancel online or by phone. The 24-hour full refund window applies: cancel within 24 hours of booking, and your miles return to your account immediately. Cancel after 24 hours, and Aeroplan's standard cancellation fees apply (typically 25 to 50 dollars, depending on how close you are to departure).

This is the lowest-risk cancellation option and leaves your membership fully active. You keep your account, your remaining points, and your ability to book future flights.

Scenario 2: cancel a flight reward certificate

Aeroplan sometimes issues Flight Reward Certificates-vouchers for one free flight within a set time window. You can cancel a certificate and have the points returned to your account, but only if travel has not started and the certificate has not expired. Check your certificate for the expiry date and travel restrictions before you cancel; these vary by certificate type.

Like scenario 1, cancelling a certificate keeps your membership open. Only your certificate is cancelled, and the points come back to use elsewhere.

Scenario 3: terminate your entire Aeroplan membership

You want to close your account completely. This is irreversible. Once Aeroplan approves your termination request, your membership ends, all remaining points are deleted, and you cannot reactivate the account later. You must send a formal written request by registered mail. This scenario is for people who are absolutely certain they will not use Aeroplan again and have no remaining points they want to recover.

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

Cancelling a single booking is the fastest and cheapest method, and it keeps your membership active.

1. Log into your Aeroplan account at aeroplan.com
   • Use your email address and password
   • If you cannot remember your password, click "Forgot password" and reset it
2. Navigate to "My bookings" or "Manage my trips"
   • Look for the flight you want to cancel
   • Click the booking reference number to open the full booking details
3. Click "Cancel booking" or "Request cancellation"
   • Read the cancellation policy notice-it will show whether you qualify for a full refund or if fees apply
   • Confirm you understand the refund amount (in points or dollars)
4. Select your refund method
   • Miles return to your account (fastest option)
   • Refund to your original payment method (takes 5 to 10 business days)
5. Confirm the cancellation
   • You will receive an on-screen confirmation number immediately
   • Check your email within 5 minutes for a confirmation email from Aeroplan
6. Save or print your confirmation
   • Keep the confirmation number and email for your records
   • Take a screenshot of the refund status

This entire process takes 5 to 10 minutes and leaves your membership intact.

Step-by-step: how to cancel your Aeroplan membership by mail

To permanently close your account, you must send a formal written cancellation request by registered mail.

1. Redeem or transfer your remaining points (optional but recommended)
   • Log into your account and check your balance
   • Explore redemption options: book a flight, purchase a gift card, or donate to a partner charity
   • Complete any redemptions before you send your cancellation letter
2. Write a formal cancellation letter
   • Keep it brief and professional
   • Include your full name, Aeroplan member number, and current email address
   • State clearly: "I request to terminate my Aeroplan membership effective immediately"
   • Do not make threats or use emotional language-stick to the facts
   • Sign the letter and date it
3. Prepare your mailing package
   • Print two copies of your cancellation letter (one for Aeroplan, one for your records)
   • Include a copy of a government-issued ID showing your name and address
   • Do not include original documents; send only copies
4. Send via registered mail
   • Use Canada Post's "Registered Mail" service (provides tracking and proof of delivery)
   • Send to: Air Canada Aeroplan, Customer Relations, 925 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L2
   • Keep your tracking number and receipt
   • Delivery typically takes 3 to 7 business days
5. Wait for written confirmation
   • Aeroplan will send you a confirmation letter within 10 to 15 business days of receiving your request
   • This letter confirms your membership has been terminated and your account is closed
6. Document everything
   • Keep your cancellation letter copy, your registered mail receipt, the tracking number, and the confirmation letter from Aeroplan in a safe folder
   • Take a screenshot of your final account balance before it closes

This process is formal but leaves you with a clear paper trail if you ever need to dispute the cancellation with Aeroplan or file a complaint with a consumer authority.

What happens after you cancel: timeline and account status

Understanding what comes next helps you avoid confusion and plan your finances accordingly.

Immediate after cancellation (same day to 24 hours)

If you cancelled a single booking online, your refund (in points or dollars) processes within 24 hours. You will see the points back in your account or the refund initiated to your credit card. Your membership remains fully active, and you can book new flights immediately.

After membership termination (10 to 15 business days)

If you cancelled your entire membership by mail, your account closes once Aeroplan's customer relations team processes your letter. You will receive a confirmation email and letter stating your membership has been terminated. At this point, your account is no longer accessible online. You cannot log in, view your balance, or book flights. Any remaining points are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.

After your account closes (30+ days)

Your Aeroplan data remains on file with Air Canada for up to 7 years for tax and regulatory purposes, but you have no active account. If you attempt to log in, you will receive an error message. You cannot reactivate your membership or retrieve deleted points. If you want to fly with Air Canada again, you can open a new Aeroplan account, but it will be a completely separate membership with zero points.

Refund timeline and what you can and cannot recover

Knowing exactly what you can recover and how long it takes prevents disappointment and helps you plan your next steps.

The table above shows your realistic recovery options. If you choose to terminate your entire membership without redeeming your points first, you recover nothing.

Common mistakes to avoid when you cancel

Cancelling your Aeroplan account feels like a straightforward action, but small errors can cost you hundreds of dollars or lock you out of your account. Here are the traps to sidestep.

Mistake 1: cancelling your membership without redeeming or checking your points first

This is the most expensive mistake you can make. You lose every unredeemed point the instant your membership closes. Before you cancel, log into your account, check your balance, and look at your expiry date. Spend 15 minutes exploring redemption options-book a flight, purchase a gift card, or donate to a partner charity. Only cancel after you have done everything you can to use those points. Tocancel cannot stress this enough: points are worth real money, and once they are gone, they are gone forever.

Mistake 2: not using registered mail to send your cancellation request

If you send your cancellation letter by regular mail, Aeroplan may claim they never received it. You have no proof of delivery, and your membership stays open while you wait. Always use Canada Post's Registered Mail service. It costs 12 to 15 dollars extra but provides tracking and a signed delivery receipt. This is your protection if Aeroplan later claims your letter arrived late or not at all.

Mistake 3: cancelling a booking after the 24-hour window closes

Aeroplan's 24-hour full refund window is strict. If you cancel even 25 hours after booking, you pay a penalty (25 to 50 dollars). Set a phone reminder on the day you book if you think you might want to cancel. Tocancel recommends also taking a screenshot of your booking confirmation with the timestamp, so you know exactly when the 24-hour window closes.

Mistake 4: not keeping copies of your cancellation confirmation

If you cancel online and do not save your confirmation number and email, you have no proof if Aeroplan later denies receiving your cancellation request. Always screenshot your confirmation page, print or save your confirmation email, and write down the confirmation number. File these with your other financial documents for at least one year.

Mistake 5: assuming you can reactivate your membership later

Once your Aeroplan membership is terminated, it is closed permanently. You cannot reactivate it or recover your old account. If you want to use Aeroplan again, you must open a brand-new account starting with zero points. This means you lose all your loyalty history and any status benefits you earned. Only cancel if you are absolutely certain you will not fly with Air Canada again.

When to escalate to a consumer authority

Most Aeroplan cancellations go smoothly, but if the company refuses to honour its cancellation policy or mishandles your refund, you have legal recourse.

When you should file a complaint

File a formal complaint if Aeroplan:

• Refuses to process your membership cancellation after you sent a registered mail request 30 days ago
• Claims it never received your cancellation letter despite your registered mail receipt showing delivery
• Fails to refund your miles within the stated timeline (24 hours for online bookings, 3 to 5 business days for mailed requests)
• Charges unauthorized cancellation fees or deducts points from your refund without explanation
• Locks you out of your account without sending a termination confirmation

How to file a complaint in your province

Contact your provincial consumer protection office. In most provinces, this is handled by the Office of the Consumers' Advocate or the Ministry of Government Services. You can also file a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman if Aeroplan's parent company (Air Canada) receives federal funding or operates under federal regulation. Provide your cancellation letter copy, registered mail receipt, account screenshots, and any correspondence with Aeroplan.

Tocancel recommends sending one final email to Aeroplan customer service 30 days after mailing your cancellation letter, asking for written confirmation that your membership is closed. If they do not respond within 5 business days, that refusal becomes evidence of poor customer service in your complaint file.

Cancellation checklist: steps to take before and after

Use this checklist to ensure you do not miss any critical step.

Before you cancel

• Log into your Aeroplan account and take a screenshot of your total points balance
• Check your points expiry date-note if your points expire soon
• Explore every redemption option: flights, gift cards, partner transfers, or charity donations
• If you have a Flight Reward Certificate, check the expiry date and travel restrictions
• If you booked a flight, calculate whether you are within the 24-hour refund window
• Collect your Aeroplan member number-you will need it for your cancellation letter

During cancellation (online booking)

• Log into your account and navigate to "My bookings"
• Click the booking you want to cancel and review the refund terms
• Click "Cancel booking" and confirm your refund method
• Screenshot your confirmation number immediately
• Check your email within 5 minutes and save the confirmation email

During cancellation (membership termination by mail)

• Write a brief, professional cancellation letter with your name, member number, and email
• Print two copies (one to send, one to keep)
• Include a copy of your government ID showing your address
• Place the letter and ID copy in an envelope
• Take the envelope to your local Canada Post office and request Registered Mail
• Keep your tracking number and receipt

After cancellation

• For online bookings: wait 24 to 48 hours and check that your refund hit your account or card
• For membership termination: wait 10 to 15 business days and watch for Aeroplan's confirmation letter
• Create a folder on your computer or in a filing cabinet labeled "Aeroplan Cancellation"
• Save your cancellation letter copy, registered mail receipt, tracking number, and all confirmation emails
• Keep this folder for 12 months
• If your refund does not arrive or your membership does not close, send a follow-up email to Aeroplan with your confirmation numbers
• If Aeroplan does not respond within 5 business days, escalate to your provincial consumer authority

What to do with your remaining points before you cancel

Before you close your account, extract every dollar of value from your remaining points.

Redeem for a flight

Book an economy flight within the next 3 months and use your entire points balance. Even a short domestic flight preserves the value of those points. This is the most straightforward redemption method and is available to all members.

Purchase a gift card

Aeroplan lets you convert points into gift cards for retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Staples. The points-to-dollar conversion is typically fair (around 1 cent per point, depending on the retailer). If you cannot book a flight, this is your second-best option.

Transfer points to a partner

Aeroplan has transfer partners like Marriott Bonvoy, Club Carlson, and others. If you have plans to stay at a partner hotel or use a partner service, a points transfer might give you more value than a direct redemption.

Donate points to charity

Aeroplan partners with several charities, allowing you to donate your points and receive a tax receipt. This is a meaningful option if you have a small balance that is not worth redeeming but you want to do some good.

Convert points to cash (last resort)

If none of the above options appeal to you, you can sell your points to a third party. Be cautious-third-party point brokers typically pay 0.5 to 0.7 cents per point, far less than their real value (1 to 2 cents). Only use a reputable broker, and do not transfer your points until you have payment in hand. This is your last resort option and is not recommended.

Key takeaways and next steps

Cancelling your Aeroplan membership is legal, free, and irreversible. You have the right to cancel at any time without penalty, but your remaining points vanish the moment your membership closes. Before you cancel, redeem your points, book a flight, or transfer your balance. If you must cancel, do it by registered mail to create a paper trail, and keep every confirmation.

If Aeroplan refuses to honour its cancellation policy or fails to process your refund on time, escalate to your provincial consumer protection office. Your provincial consumer authority has the power to investigate Aeroplan's practices and order the company to refund you if it violated your consumer rights.

Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel their loyalty program memberships, recover lost points, and file complaints against companies that ignored their refund rights. Whether you decide to cancel your Aeroplan account or redeem your points first, you now have the knowledge to act with confidence. Document every step, save your confirmations, and remember: your consumer rights are backed by Canadian law.

Ready to take action? Start by logging into your Aeroplan account today, check your points balance and expiry date, and explore your redemption options. Visit Tocancel for more guides on cancelling subscriptions, memberships, and services. Tocancel is your trusted resource for consumer empowerment across Canada.