Aeroplan cards with free checked luggage - how does it work

You don't do anything except use your Aeroplan number on the booking. Your Aeroplan account and credit card is linked, so Aeroplan is aware of your benefits as a result and they automatically apply. You don't need to show your card. The system will automatically give you the free checked bag, and same for lounge access (it is stated on your boarding pass, you scan your boarding pass only on lounge entry). You don't need to use your Aeroplan credit card for the booking.

Thank you. Did two bookings last night one with points and one with cash. Both for holders of the CIBC Visa Infinite card on AC flights.
On none of the bookings it says anything about the luggage.
I would assume that only at the airport (or 24 hours before when doing the checking) that the luggage allowance will show.
We'll wait and see.

Thank you for the quick reply.

When you check in and enter 1 for luggage, it won't charge you and it will print the luggage tag.

mar765 wrote: ↑ Thank you. Did two bookings last night one with points and one with cash. Both for holders of the CIBC Visa Infinite card on AC flights.
On none of the bookings it says anything about the luggage.
I would assume that only at the airport (or 24 hours before when doing the checking) that the luggage allowance will show.
We'll wait and see.

Thank you for the quick reply.

As long as your CIBC Aeroplan card is linked to your aeroplan number you will get the free checked back when you checkin online. I just checked in online this morning for a flight tomorrow and was not charged for a checked bag. I paid for my flights with another card prior to getting the aeroplan card in December. If it says Credit Card Holder when you login to Aeroplan then you know all is good.

Thank you for the info.

When I login it does not say Credit Card Holder anywhere in my profile or on the image.

Maybe because I only had this card for one month ... I got the welcome bonus so the account must be linked to the card somehow. I am the primary card holder so when I got o link the card it tells me that the card is linked automatically.

Will wait a couple more months and will see what happens when I fly in summer.

So does this mean that if I switch from my TD Visa Infinite to CIBC VI between the time I booked a flight and the departure date it will not affect free baggage or any other benefits? I've had the TD card for 3+ years and CIBCs offers seem good, with first year free.

Use your AP card to pay for flight, so when they lose your luggage you can make a claim.

mar765 wrote: ↑ Thank you for the info.

When I login it does not say Credit Card Holder anywhere in my profile or on the image.

Maybe because I only had this card for one month ... I got the welcome bonus so the account must be linked to the card somehow. I am the primary card holder so when I got o link the card it tells me that the card is linked automatically.

Will wait a couple more months and will see what happens when I fly in summer.

So when you login to Aircanada.com you should be able to navigate to a point where you see the benefits for your account. Most will not be available but you should see an option where it says first free checked in bag with a tick next to it.
Give it a try. I can help you find it if you tried and still cant see it.

Here's my personal experience.
Applied for a TC APVI card, in a day or two, I got an email from Aeroplan letting me know the card is linked. You kind of know anyway as when you put spend on it, the AP point gets posted about a week or so after the CC statement posts.

Anyway, when I travelled:
-I got the lowest fare that did not have any check in bag
-When I went to check in, selecting 1 bag was free for my wife and myself (each).
-We needed extra luggage, so we were able to add a second bag. It only billed us for the second bag in our names, not the first.
i.e. 2 passengers in one booking in my name, each got the first bag free, we only paid for the second one.

Hope that helps. I too was anxious and could not get clear answers from anywhere.


EDIT: to add, my TD's AP card was still active but I used another credit card (non AP) to pay for the extra baggage. There was no problem.

Thank you Sir. I have found it!

hi @martydxb Thanks for your response, did they bill you $30 (1st checked bag) or $50 (2nd Checked bag) for the additional bag. I also have this card and I need to take 2 bags for my move.

dontletmeshop13 wrote: ↑ hi @martydxb Thanks for your response, did they bill you $30 (1st checked bag) or $50 (2nd Checked bag) for the additional bag. I also have this card and I need to take 2 bags for my move.

It will be $50.

dontletmeshop13 wrote: ↑hi @martydxb Thanks for your response, did they bill you $30 (1st checked bag) or $50 (2nd Checked bag) for the additional bag. I also have this card and I need to take 2 bags for my move.

EDL67134234 wrote: ↑ It will be $50.

Exactly, it will just be $50 based on the fees you mentioned after you add 2 bags to the check in process.

mar765 wrote: ↑ Hello,

Is there something special about how you book flights when you have an Aeroplan card that has as a benefit the free checked in luggage?

For example:
1. When you buy the ticket - do you have to use the CC to purchase it or it could be another card as well and upon checking in you show your card and you do not have to pay for the luggage? (what if you charge 90% or your fare to the cc and you pay the rest 10% with a gift card)

2. When you buy your fare with points - as long as you charge the fees to the CC you are good?

Anyone with real life experience on this?

Thanks

Your card is linked to your aeroplan account, so as long as the ticket is linked to the aeroplan account, selecting your first checked bag should show as free. Doesn't matter how you pay.

For instance, I have done 1st checked bag free on an aeroplan redemption (fees paid with other card) and used a HSBC travel credit to pay the second checked bag

Hi all, does anyone know if my 1st checked in bag is already complimentary (flying to Asia), if I can check in a second bag using a free checked in luggage benefit (i.e. CIBC Aeroplan)?

nevetsgnow wrote: ↑ Hi all, does anyone know if my 1st checked in bag is already complimentary (flying to Asia), if I can check in a second bag using a free checked in luggage benefit (i.e. CIBC Aeroplan)?

No, you have to pay the 2nd bag fee.

joshnet wrote: ↑ You don't do anything except use your Aeroplan number on the booking. Your Aeroplan account and credit card is linked, so Aeroplan is aware of your benefits as a result and they automatically apply. You don't need to show your card. The system will automatically give you the free checked bag, and same for lounge access (it is stated on your boarding pass, you scan your boarding pass only on lounge entry). You don't need to use your Aeroplan credit card for the booking.

Lounge access depends on which card you are holding I believe.