Update: Aeroplan has posted the official details here. It is indeed until January 13. 

For those who still collect Aeroplan miles for domestic itineraries, there is a unannounced promotion (perhaps similar to last year’s Business Class for Economy Promotion) where one-way trips are only 50% of the miles of a round-trip, as opposed to 60-66% of the award. I never redeem for domestic/transborder flights with my miles, but I’m sure some of you do (you shouldn’t! but what can I say?) and this might be useful in redeeming an award now instead of later.

This unannounced promotion applies to bookings, as far as I can see, between North America and North America, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Carribbean. The discounts aren’t applying on TPAC/TATL routes to Europe or Asia. As a result, I will not be using my miles for this (as generally I only redeem for long-haul first and business class on foreign carriers).

For example, a short haul PDX (Portland) – YVR (Vancouver) – YEG (Edmonton) is only 7,500 miles. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a great deal, but it’s interesting to consider if you already have some travel planned, and as I said, would benefit from booking earlier.

This is especially useful when paired with Avios or other one-way mileage currencies. So if I had a sudden emergency where I had domestic flights and prices were sky high, I would probably fly the new UA 787 in Business Class from IAH-EWR with no fuel surcharges, then tag on an AA award JFK-YVR-HKG-SIN in Cathay Pacific First Class.

 

Discussion in Flyertalk suggest that the “promotion” will end on January 13, but given that’s it’s unannounced, it could be pulled earlier.

Where will you be going with this?

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