Can I Get Aeroplan Points For Past Flights? | Old Trip Miles

You can usually claim missing Aeroplan points for eligible flights taken within about 11 months, as long as you can prove the ticket and flown segments.

You land, you unpack, then you check your Aeroplan activity and… nothing. No points. No status credit. Just an empty line where your flight should be.

If you’re asking about past flights, you’re really asking two things: can you still get credit, and what do you need so the claim doesn’t bounce. This page walks you through both, with a clean, practical flow you can follow in one sitting.

What “past flights” can mean for Aeroplan

People use “past flights” in a few different ways. Getting clear on which one applies saves time and back-and-forth.

• You flew recently, but nothing posted. This is the classic “missing points” case.
• You flew and points posted, but the amount looks wrong. This can be a fare-class, booking-class, or partner mapping issue.
• You flew without adding your Aeroplan number. Many tickets can still be credited after the fact if they qualify and you submit proof.
• You joined Aeroplan after the trip. Some programs allow retro credit before joining; policies vary by program and partner, so Aeroplan will only credit what its rules allow for that booking.

In all cases, the outcome hinges on eligibility, timing, and documentation. You can’t “wish” points into existence on a fare that doesn’t earn, or on a flight that’s outside the claim window.

Getting Aeroplan points for past flights with a clean claim plan

This is the part most people want: the plain path from “missing points” to “fixed.” The steps below work best when you do them in order, because each step feeds the next.

Step 1: Wait long enough for normal posting

Flights don’t always post instantly. Air Canada asks you to wait before you submit a claim, since many flights credit after processing catches up. If you file too early, you can waste a request and still end up waiting.

Step 2: Confirm the flight should earn Aeroplan credit

Before you gather screenshots and PDFs, make sure the ticket can earn Aeroplan points at all. A few common non-earners:

• Some bulk, group, consolidator, or heavily discounted fare types
• Some award tickets and some free or reduced-rate staff travel
• Tickets not marketed or operated in a way that qualifies for Aeroplan earning

If the flight was on a partner airline, the booking class matters as much as the airline name. Two people on the same route can earn different amounts because their fare codes differ.

Step 3: Check your Aeroplan number on the reservation you flew

If your Aeroplan number was missing, wrong, or swapped mid-trip, your points can end up in limbo. Pull up the ticket receipt and any emails from the airline. Look for your frequent flyer number field, or a loyalty section in the booking record.

If you used a travel agency or an employer portal, don’t assume the profile number carried over. It’s common for a booking tool to store a different loyalty number, or none at all.

Step 4: Gather proof that matches the flown segments

The best proof is the proof that links three things together: who you are, what you bought, and what you actually flew.

• Boarding pass (paper or digital) for each segment
• E-ticket receipt showing ticket number and passenger name
• Booking confirmation with flight numbers and dates

If your trip had connections, keep proof for each leg. A single receipt with a multi-leg itinerary is good, but a boarding pass per segment is even better when a single segment is missing.

Step 5: Submit the request through Air Canada’s Aeroplan tools

Use Air Canada’s official missing points request flow for flights. It’s built for exactly this scenario, and it tells you what to attach if the system asks for more proof. File it through Air Canada’s missing points request page so your request lands in the right queue.

Take a quick screenshot of your submission confirmation or reference number. If you need to follow up, that proof saves time.

Step 6: Track results in your activity, not just your email

Sometimes points show up before any message arrives. Check your Aeroplan dashboard activity every few days. Look for a new line item tied to the flight date or partner airline.

If the amount still looks wrong after it posts, don’t rush into a second claim. First confirm your fare class and whether the ticket earned at a reduced rate.

Time limits that decide whether a claim can work

Aeroplan does allow claims for missing flight credit, yet the window is not open forever. Air Canada states that flight missing points requests can be made within a set period from departure, and other partner claims can have shorter windows.

Air Canada’s own wording is worth reading once, because it lays out the time frame in plain terms. The Aeroplan activity guidance on Air Canada’s site notes that you can claim missing points for a flight booking within 11 months of the flight departure date, with some exceptions. You can see that policy stated on Air Canada’s Aeroplan inactivity policy page, in the section that mentions missing points claim windows.

That “11 months” detail is the line that matters most for “past flights.” If your trip was more than 11 months ago, expect the claim to be denied unless your specific case fits an exception Air Canada accepts.

What you can claim, what you can’t, and what you’ll need

Use this table as a fast filter before you spend time uploading documents. It’s meant to help you match your scenario to the proof Aeroplan usually asks for.

Scenario	What usually works	Proof to prepare
Air Canada flight did not post after two weeks	Submit missing flight claim after the wait period	Boarding pass + e-ticket receipt
Partner airline flight did not post	Claim as missing flight credit with partner details	Boarding pass + ticket number + booking class if available
Aeroplan number not added at booking	Retro credit may post if fare is eligible	E-ticket receipt + proof of travel for each segment
Points posted, amount seems low	Verify fare class and earning chart logic first	Receipt showing fare basis/booking code, plus itinerary
Wrong Aeroplan number on ticket	May be fixable if points did not credit elsewhere	Ticket receipt + ID match + any confirmation showing correct number
Codeshare confusion (ticket marketed by one airline, flown by another)	Eligible when the marketing/operating combo fits earning rules	Receipt showing marketing flight number + boarding pass showing operator
Multi-city trip with one missing leg	Submit claim for the missing segment only	Boarding pass for missing leg + full itinerary receipt
Claim is older than the stated window	Usually denied unless an exception applies	All trip proof, plus explanation and timestamps
Flight was an award ticket	Typically no earning on the flown segment	Reservation details to confirm ticket type

Small details that can block credit

Missing points claims fail for the same handful of reasons again and again. Most are fixable if you catch them early.

Name matching issues

If your Aeroplan profile name and your ticket name don’t match closely, automated checks can fail. Middle names, hyphens, and spacing can cause trouble. If your legal name changed, update your Aeroplan profile first so new requests match your documents.

Ticket number vs booking reference

A booking reference (PNR) is not the same as a ticket number. Claims often move faster when you provide the e-ticket number, since it ties directly to what was issued and flown. If you only have the PNR, pull the receipt email from the airline or your agency and look for the ticket number line.

Booking class on partner airlines

Partner earning is tightly tied to booking class. If you can find the booking class letter (like “K” or “V”) it helps confirm what Aeroplan should award. If you can’t find it, submit what you have, yet be ready for a request for more proof.

Multiple loyalty programs on one trip

A flight can only be credited to one frequent flyer account. If a segment already credited to another program, Aeroplan won’t also credit it. This comes up when your booking profile has a different airline program number saved, or when a travel tool auto-fills a corporate profile number.

How long it takes and what “pending” can mean

Processing time varies. Some claims credit quickly, others take longer when manual review is needed, like when attachments are required or the ticket is a codeshare with mixed marketing and operating carriers.

“Pending” usually means one of these:

• The system is waiting for standard posting time to pass
• Your request is in a review queue
• A document you attached is unreadable or missing a page

If you uploaded a screenshot, zoom in first and confirm the ticket number and passenger name are easy to read. If it looks fuzzy on your phone, it will look worse to a reviewer.

When your goal includes status credit, not only points

Aeroplan flight activity can involve more than points. Many travelers also care about status qualification metrics tied to flying. If your activity is missing, it can affect both your points balance and where you stand for status.

When you submit a missing flight request, keep your focus on the full activity record. Save proof that shows:

• Flight date and route
• Cabin or fare brand
• Ticket number and passenger name

Those fields help Aeroplan verify the flight and apply the correct credit.

What to do if Aeroplan denies the claim

A denial is frustrating, yet it’s not always the end. The first step is to learn why it was denied, because the fix depends on the reason.

Common denial reasons you can respond to

• Outside the claim window: Check the departure date, not the booking date. If it’s beyond the stated window, your options are limited.
• Fare not eligible: Ask your travel agent or airline for the fare basis and booking class, then compare to the earning rules used for that airline and fare type.
• Insufficient proof: Resubmit with the boarding pass and the e-ticket receipt in one clean PDF per passenger.
• Credited elsewhere: Confirm whether another loyalty number was attached at check-in or in the booking profile.

Make your follow-up tighter than the first request

If you submit again, don’t send more words. Send better proof. A clean follow-up package looks like this:

1. One PDF with the e-ticket receipt first
2. Boarding pass images in date order
3. A short note listing flight numbers and dates on one line

This keeps the review fast and lowers the chance that a reviewer misses a key detail.

Second table: Fast troubleshooting by symptom

Use this as a quick diagnostic. Start with what you see in your account, then take the matching action.

What you see	Most likely cause	Next action
No flight activity after 14+ days	Normal posting delay or missing loyalty number	Submit missing flight claim with boarding pass and e-ticket
Only one segment credited on a connection	One leg failed to transmit activity	Claim the missing segment using proof for that leg
Points credited, amount looks low	Low-earning fare class or partner earning table effect	Verify booking class and fare brand before filing a dispute
Status credit missing but points posted	Separate posting lines or review needed	Wait a few days, then file a request with full itinerary proof
Claim rejected for “insufficient info”	Ticket number or name not visible in uploads	Resubmit a single readable PDF with zoomed ticket number line
Claim rejected for “ineligible fare”	Ticket type does not earn Aeroplan credit	Confirm fare basis with issuer; don’t resubmit without new evidence
Claim rejected for “credited to another program”	Different loyalty number on the flown record	Check your booking profile history and any check-in edits

Simple habits that stop missing points before they start

Most missing-point headaches come from a few avoidable moments: booking, check-in, and boarding. These habits keep your credit clean.

Add your Aeroplan number at booking, then re-check at check-in

Booking tools can drop loyalty numbers when flights are reissued, changed, or split. At online check-in, look for a frequent flyer field and confirm your Aeroplan number is there.

Save your e-ticket receipt and boarding passes in one folder

Don’t rely on airline apps keeping old boarding passes accessible. Save them the day you fly. A single folder per trip makes missing credit claims painless.

Watch codeshares on complex itineraries

If your ticket shows one airline code but the aircraft is operated by another airline, earning can differ. If you care about Aeroplan credit, check the marketing and operating carrier details before you buy.

Take a quick screenshot of your seat and passenger details

This can help if the boarding pass disappears from your app after travel. It also proves the segment was issued in your name.

A printable-style checklist you can use next time you fly

If you want a one-glance routine, this is it. Copy it into your notes app.

• Before booking: confirm the fare is eligible for Aeroplan earning
• After booking: check that your Aeroplan number is on the reservation
• Day of travel: save boarding passes for every segment
• After landing: keep the e-ticket receipt and any reissue emails
• After 14+ days: if credit is missing, submit one clean claim with readable proof
• After posting: verify both points and any flight activity lines you expected

If your flight falls inside the stated claim window and you can show what you bought and what you flew, you’re in a strong position. The rest is just clean paperwork and patience.