Back in June Aeroplan announced a whole set of changes to the program. One of which was the introduction of Distinction, their new recognition program for high Aeroplan mileage earners. distinction is an elite status program much like the elite programs you find with most major frequent flyer or frequent guest programs. It rewards you for being extra loyal to the program with key benefits and features. You can read more about distinction from our coverage in these two posts:
BIG NEWS from Aeroplan! Seven Year Mileage Expiration being canceled, one way mileage awards being lowered, TD Bank to issue Aeroplan Credit Cards and more!
Expanded thoughts and comments on the recent Aeroplan changes
What do people think of Distinction? Well it does seem to be receiving some good feedback on Aeroplan's social media channels:
Now we want to know what you think! Aeroplan and Rewards Canada have teamed up to see what Rewards Canada readers and subscribers are doing to earn Distinction status and what status level you hope to achieve for 2014 by having you comment here on the blog and/or on Twitter. What do you stand to win? One lucky entrant from all the entries on the Rewards Canada blog and Twitter will be picked at random and awarded 25,000 Aeroplan Miles (enough for a Classic flight reward to almost anywhere in North America)
You can enter the giveaway in two ways (and if you do both you'll get two entries)
1. Leave a comment below on what you are doing in the program to ensure you are earning Distinction qualifying miles and what Distinction status level you hope to achieve for 2014
and/or
2. Follow us on Twitter @RewardsCanada and tweet to us and @aeroplan with what you are doing in the program to ensure you are earning Distinction qualifying miles or what Distinction status level you hope to achieve for 2014. Tweets must include the hashtag #RC25K. You can copy and and paste the following into Twitter to make it easier:
@RewardsCanada @Aeroplan (Enter your response here) #RC25K
The contest closes on Friday October 18 at 11:59pm EST! Winner will be determined by random draw from all eligible entries received. Open to Canadian residents over the age of majority. No purchase necessary. Winner will be required to answer a skill testing question.
I'm making more purchases in the Aeroplan online shopping portal, hoping to achieve Distinction Silver.
ReplyDeleteI've still not figured out the pros and cons of Distinction for me but I'm hedging my bets and putting more on this card as I'm just short of Black.
ReplyDeleteAlmost to Diamond. Just about to book flights for our 20th wedding anniversary for next year. Today is our 19th.
ReplyDeleteHoping to make the Silver level of distinction. It's a challenge, but well worth the benefits:)
ReplyDeleteNow that I am retired, I am looking forward to Distinction and hope to make at least silver every year.
ReplyDeleteI could never get the standard status, so I'm happy that there's a new option with Distinction which will at least give me a few little perks when I do travel. I'll definitely get to Silver and maybe sneak up to the next level too...
ReplyDeletei've qualified for dsilver already, but i'm 20k short of dblack. having an aerogold card, it would be nice to reach it, for the 10k bonus miles, but the benefits aren't really that impressive, and i don't have much travel coming up. i still spend on my card, and go thru the estore when possible, but it's too far away, i'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteAchieved dSilver this year thanks to the CIBC bank account promo counting as distinction-earning points. Looks like dBlack will be a long way off so I'll be using the aerogold for all of my purchases and keep chipping away at it.
ReplyDeleteSilver in short order for me, while my partner is verging on black, mostly off credit cards. I also love the e-store multiplier that comes with each level.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently dSilver and will hit dBlack within a month, which should give me the 15K miles bonus for have an Aeroplan affiliated credit card next year. However, other than the one time bonus, it doesn't seem like distinction will have much value for me. I would never waste my points on an overinflated "Market Fare Flight Reward" even with the 25% discount. The special distinction flights are probably mostly out of Toronto and I usually plan my vacations well in advance, so I wouldn't be able to take advantage of the short time horizon on these events even if the special flights were flying out of Vancouver and going somewhere I wanted to go, when I wanted to go. In fact, the only thing that will be of any real advantage is the 2x bonus for Aeroplan store purchases, but even that is a very limited bonus.
ReplyDeleteTo quote Macbeth rather out of context, other than the one time bonus in March, the distinction program is "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing".
Using Air Canada for corporate and personal flights whenever possible!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to earn dSilver status in 2014 by using Air Canada or Alliance network partners for flights as much as possible, as well as maximizing any other opportunity to earn Aeroplan miles
ReplyDeleteI should easily make Diamond status ... 9000 points short. Looking forward to using the points on a mini-RTW trip for myself and the family. Also hope that the discount on classic rewards is actually going to be a boon for Black and Diamond members.
ReplyDeleteFocusing on using as many Aeroplan earning opportunities, hopefully I will make it to dBlack. More chances to travel see my family. Yeah !
ReplyDeleteI've got a few small trips to plan so I may get to silver. May event picky as to where I tank up at.
ReplyDeleteReally watching the fare classes...
ReplyDeleteEarned silver yay! Taking short trips and using my amex aeroplan plat to the max
ReplyDeleteCredit card spending all on Amex Aeroplan platinum and flying flex Weeks away from Diamond status!
ReplyDeleteEarned black but I don't fly enough to get to Diamond. I'll keep trying with Sobey's, Esso, Rexall and so on....you never know!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm signing up for as many Aeroplan web promotions as possible 'cos you never know which one will be valid to my needs. I'm also participating on direct retail usage. Hopefully with all the usages, I'll earn Distinction Silver level for 2014.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to achieve dSilver status and I am doing online purchases on aeroplan estore with my amex gold aeroplan card to double dip points. Almost there!
ReplyDeleteTrying to earn any aeroplan miles as I can for an irregular flyer. Glad the expiry rule is gone because it was difficult enough for me to even get a short haul flight. Got a car now so gas should help
ReplyDeleteJust a few steps from silver.. even if I don't understand why we go climb from silver to black to diamond? What was wrong with bronze, silver and gold level names? Whatever.. as long as it give us more for the extra efforts and expenses to collect these precious points!
ReplyDeleteI am new to points collecting and finally got a points credit card around May of this year. Am doing a few major home purchases which will gain me important distinction points - hoping to match up the appliance purchase with e-store partners. I keep checking the promotions on aeroplan and the e-store regularly. I am watching for other opportunities to earn points like this contest and watching for promotions at local retailers (there are very few as I live in the North). I aim to earn Black by the end of the year. Crossing my fingers for good luck! :)
ReplyDeleteTook a flight to Europe on a partner airline and that gave me almost 10000 points! Well on my way Black, plus I have a aeroplan visa and shop at partners like esso all the time. Only 14000 miles until Black hope I make it!
ReplyDeleteTravel more.
ReplyDeleteTook advantage of the "earn your wings" promo in the spring, resulting in my first ever mileage run
ReplyDeleteTaking advantage of earn your wings promo!
ReplyDeleteNot sure what it all means but tracking to dblack by taking advantage of AC, Aeroplan and hotels bonuses that are highlighted on this site!
ReplyDeleteI have already achieved Diamond status. I am an avid collector of Aeroplan, using my Aeroplan credit card for all purchases as well as renting cars every weekend which gives me quadruple miles with Hertz.
ReplyDeleteI'm on my way to Black level via credit card purchases and am happy with the reduced mileage requirements in the new program
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping to just reach Silver status by the end of the year. I'm using the eStore and my Aeroplan credit card to earn points.
ReplyDeleteI will be at least Silver and hope to get Black by end of the year.
ReplyDeleteI am at Silver and using the e-store on Aeroplan to earn more! Also, looking forward to the "Star Challenge" around April to bump me up!
ReplyDeletehope to reach sliver.. i only fly AC, and i always use my reward points credit card that can be translated into aeroplan miles
ReplyDeleteI also hope to reach silver. Being a student it's difficult to manage 25000 miles even though I went to London and going to Montreal soon. Rest of the points I got from purchasing gas for my car at Esso. But anyway Aeroplan rocks for me!
ReplyDeleteHoping to get dSilver by 2014. Planning a trip to the Caribbean in the spring!
ReplyDeleteI was hoping to reach Black by 2014, but I have just used many points to book YVR to AKL business class
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit skeptical about the benefits of the Distinction program, but I'll continue to pile on credit card points to get status. We'll see what 2014 brings in terms of real value in the program.
ReplyDeleteHope to hit silver this year with cc, some flying and gas purchases.
ReplyDeleteI intend to travel more now that I am retired. Hoping to achieive dSilver.
ReplyDeleteHoping to achive dSilver by December, a few trips planned for 2014. Love that Air Canada added this rewards program' nice to be able to achive status from the ground.
ReplyDeleteAiming for d silver planning mega travel 2014. Like air Canada's new 1 way aeroplan far at 1/2 of full classic commencing 2014. Way to go AC
ReplyDeletei'd like to achieve silver, as i plan to travel more in the upcoming year.
ReplyDelete