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Air Canada's Economy Class Perks
Air Canada offers several fare options for travelers. Some fares are cheaper but don’t include many benefits, while others are more expensive but have more flexibility and benefits.
When shopping for flights on Air Canada’s website, you will notice several ticket options. Depending on which fare you choose, you will pay a different price for a flight.
Economy Basic Fare
This fare is perfect if you prioritize finding affordable flights over earning Aeroplan points. It's also ideal for infrequent travelers looking for a good deal and those comfortable with economy-class travel. For instance, if you're searching for a flight from Toronto to Spain and see two prices for a direct flight—economy and business class—choosing the economy fare will present you with various options. The lowest-priced economy fare is CAD 584, with prices increasing gradually for each fare option.
In the "Features" section, you will find a range of factors to consider when searching for a fare. This encompasses aspects like refund policy, baggage inclusion, and the accrual of Aeroplan points. If you don't fly often, finding the right fare can be quite complex. It's important to take into account any or all of the following when seeking a fare:
- Credit card benefits
- Number of eUpgrades required
- Fare flexibility
The cheapest fare is not always necessarily the best deal, but there’s also no point in paying more than you absolutely must. For the purposes of this article, we will describe each different fare type and then the pros and cons of booking each one.
Economy (Basic)
These fares are non-refundable, meaning if you cancel, you won't receive the value as a credit for future travel. Additionally, you cannot make changes to your booking, even by paying a fee, and you are not eligible for same-day standby.
For domestic flights, you will only earn 10% of the Aeroplan points, while for all other routes, you'll earn 25% of the points. For example, on a 1,000-mile flight, you would earn 100 Aeroplan points for a domestic flight or 250 Aeroplan points for other flights.
With Economy (Basic) fares, you will need to pay for checked luggage and seat choice, and you will not get any complimentary ground services, such as priority check-in or access to the Maple Leaf Lounge unless you already have these benefits through a credit card or your status.
Who should book Economy (Basic) fares?
Economy (Basic) fares, while the most limited, serve a specific purpose. If you prioritize cost and are indifferent about earning Aeroplan points or Aeroplan Elite Status, then this fare may be suitable for you. This applies to individuals who travel infrequently and are focused on securing a good deal, as well as those who are comfortable traveling in economy on short, medium, and long-haul flights. Your choice of the Economy (Basic) fare is a valid and suitable one for your travel needs.
For a family of four seeking the most economical flights, opting for an Economy (Basic) fare and utilizing an eligible co-branded credit card to avoid checked baggage fees could result in substantial savings. Without a credit card, the cost of a checked bag starts at $30 (CAD), which can accumulate quickly.
Conversely, if your goal is to achieve Aeroplan Elite Status, it would be wise to explore other fares with higher accumulation rates. Similarly, if you require flexibility in case your plans change, opting for a higher fare that allows for booking changes or cancellations, usually for a fee, might be more suitable. It's important to note that Air Canada's Cancel for Any Reason feature is not available for Economy (Basic) fares.
Economy (Standard)
Economy (Standard) is a step up from Economy (Basic) and is available for domestic, transborder, and international travel. It also applies to Aeroplan redemptions. Although these fares are non-refundable, changes can be made for a fee that varies by destination. Additionally, select domestic and transborder routes allow for same-day standby. When flying domestically, you'll earn 25% Aeroplan points and 50% for all other routes. Compared to Economy (Basic), the experience is similar but with the added benefit of a slightly lower cost for advanced seat selection.
Who should book Economy (Standard) fares?
There are some key points to consider when choosing between an Economy (Standard) fare and an Economy (Basic) fare:
- Opting for an Economy (Standard) fare allows you to apply Upgrades to your booking with an additional fee and gives you the flexibility to change your booking for a fee.
- Economy (Standard) fares offer more flexibility for travelers without status compared to Economy (Basic) fares but may not offer as much flexibility as higher fares.
If you have free checked baggage, Maple Leaf Lounge access, priority airport services, free seat selection, or other perks through status or credit card benefits, then Economy (Standard) fares can be a good choice, especially if you're content with flying in economy.
For Aeroplan redemptions, Economy (Standard) fares generally have the lowest cost in points. If you have any tier of Aeroplan Elite status and are traveling in economy, booking an Economy (Standard) fare is often the best option unless you plan to apply upgrades to your booking.
Economy (Flex)
The tier above Economy (Standard) is Economy (Flex). Economy (Flex) tickets are offered for all Air Canada routes, including for Aeroplan redemptions.
The higher price of Economy (Flex) tickets comes with more significant benefits.
While Economy (Flex) tickets are non-refundable, they can be modified. A change fee applies to international bookings, but for other routes, the only additional cost is the fare difference, if any. Moreover, Economy (Flex) tickets include a complimentary checked bag, advanced seat selection, and access to the Maple Leaf Lounge for $79 (CAD).
Who should book Economy (Flex) fares?
The main reasons to pay more for an Economy (Flex) fare over an Economy (Standard) fare are:
- Saving on change fees
- Accumulating 100% Aeroplan points
- Having fewer eUpgrades required
On flights within North America, all Economy (Flex) fares come without an add-on fee for eUpgrade usage. For international flights, you’ll have to pay an add-on fee.
Economy (Comfort) fares are the next tier up from Economy (Flex). They are available for domestic and transborder flights but cannot be booked for international routes or with Aeroplan bookings.
The main distinction between an Economy (Comfort) and an Economy (Flex) fare is that Economy (Comfort) fares are fully refundable at no extra cost. If you want to avoid the risk of losing money in case your plans change and you need to cancel your flight, it may be beneficial to choose Economy (Comfort) over Economy (Flex).
You will also benefit from greater flexibility. You can make changes in advance and request a same-day airport change or standby at no additional cost. For same-day airport changes, you will not incur any extra fees with Economy (Comfort) fares as long as Air Canada operates the flight. Additionally, you will earn 115% Aeroplan points.
The price of Maple Leaf Lounge access drops to $59 (CAD) per visit on Economy (Comfort) fares, and you’ll receive free Preferred Seat selection on all bookings.
If you’re concerned that you might need to cancel your trip, it’s worth considering Economy (Comfort) fares, since they’re fully refundable at no extra cost. You’ll have to shoulder a higher fare to begin with, but that’s the price to pay for the added flexibility.
You can also use your eUpgrades sparingly on Economy (Comfort) fares, as they generally require fewer upgrades compared to Economy (Flex) and Economy (Standard) fares. If you're waitlisted for an upgrade, you'll have higher priority than passengers with lower economy fares, potentially securing you a lie-flat seat instead of being relegated to the back.
To sum up, when looking for flights, it's crucial to explore all your options, including the benefits available through an Aeroplan co-branded credit card. You should also evaluate whether the fare you're considering aligns with your travel preferences, goals, and desired comfort level.
