Points Pulse for Nov. 17, 2025: Travel programs adjust course and loyalty lines blur
In this edition of NerdWallet Canada’s Points Pulse series:
Travel programs course-correct
After a year of changing travel habits, Aeroplan and Air Canada are fine-tuning their travel ecosystem — extending point expiration dates, upgrading lounges and adding new ways to earn and redeem.
Aeroplan extends expiry freeze, makes changes
Aeroplan has paused its points expiry policy until Nov. 30, 2026, once again giving collectors extra time to redeem without losing value.
The program is also tweaking perks to keep travelers loyal:
New partner. Aeroplan added Bearskin Airlines as a redemption partner, opening routes in northern Ontario, including Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout.
Lounge closures. Air Canada is temporarily closing two major lounges for upgrades — Montreal (YUL) domestic Maple Leaf Lounge closed on September 29, 2025, with construction planned for about three months (which may last through early 2026) and Halifax (YHZ) through early 2027. Expect busier terminals this holiday season, but refreshed spaces to follow. See the full details here.
Earn points on rent. Through a partnership with Fitzrovia and Chexy, renters can now earn Aeroplan points by paying rent through Chexy. See the full details here.
AIR MILES simplifies balances
By January 25, 2026, AIR MILES will merge Dream Miles and Cash Miles into a single currency, eliminating the need to maintain separate balances or choose between travel and cash redemptions. This change is a welcome improvement for anyone who’s found the dual-currency structure — and the need to allocate Miles between two categories — more confusing than helpful.
Full details of the change haven’t been released yet, but are expected before it takes effect. Here’s what’s likely:
The merging of Cash Miles and Dream Miles will happen automatically.
The value of existing rewards should remain unchanged.
RBC Avion boosts points on Avios transfers
Until Dec. 19, 2025, RBC Avion members get a 30% bonus when converting points to British Airways Executive Club Avios — that’s about 13 Avios for every 10 Avion points transferred. A minimum transfer of 10,000 points applies, and conversions can take up to four weeks to process. See the full details and claim the offer here.
Nerdy Takeaway: Travel rewards programs seem to be in refinement mode — simplifying structures, upgrading experiences and tempting loyal members with limited-time transfer bonuses. The goal: keep collectors active and engaged ahead of 2026’s next wave of loyalty shake-ups.
Loyalty programs partner and link up
Coffee, retail and travel rewards are colliding — could 2026 be the year of the mega-program? We’ll have to wait and see.
Triangle teams up with Tims + WestJet
Tim Hortons and Canadian Tire will connect their loyalty programs in 2026, allowing members to link Tims Rewards and Triangle Rewards accounts to unlock exclusive offers and cross-program benefits.
The move builds on Canadian Tire’s expanding loyalty network, which already includes partnerships with Petro-Canada and a new WestJet collaboration. Starting in early 2026, Triangle and WestJet Rewards members can link accounts to stack rewards — collecting Canadian Tire Money and WestJet points on eligible purchases and bookings.
See full details on Tims here and WestJet here.
RBC + DoorDash renews collaboration
RBC and DoorDash are extending their partnership, giving eligible cardholders and Avion Rewards members more ways to save on everyday deliveries — with perks worth up to $120. Here’s what’s new:
Avion and WestJet RBC cardholders now get 12 months of free DashPass.
Other eligible RBC cards include six months of free access (previously three months).
Avion Rewards members without an RBC product receive two months of DashPass.
Plus, all eligible cardholders receive a $10 DoorDash credit toward their next order. See full details here.
BMO × Instacart partnership
BMO has launched a multi-year partnership with Instacart, the grocery deliver service. The partnership offers eligible credit cardholders Instacart+ memberships and monthly grocery coupons — worth up to $120 per year for premium cards and $60 for others. Benefits run through Oct. 31, 2027. See full details here.
Nerdy Takeaway: Loyalty programs are knitting themselves together rather than merging outright. The result? A simpler earning experience for consumers — but possibly fewer independent options as ecosystems tighten around a few major players.
DIVE EVEN DEEPER
Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell