I had just happily settled into my seat on Air Canada 443 from Ottawa to Toronto this morning when I read the headline in today’s Globe and Mail, “Frequent fliers riled by Aeroplan changes.” (registration required) Sure got my attention quickly.

I seems that Aeroplan announced yesterday that miles accumulated by members will expire if not redeemed within seven years.

Hey Aeroplan, I’m a frequent flier, logging over 60 flights a year on Air Canada. And I’m one of those people with over a million miles in my Aeroplan account (when do I get the time to use all those miles? I’m too busy travelling!)

How did I learn about the news that you had changed the terms of the program? Via an email addressed directly to me, a valued customer? Not a chance. By reading about it in the newspaper.

So, I guess that’s how much I count to Aeroplan. Not much!

Dumb move Aeroplan. You lost the opportunity to make your case directly to me. Instead, I read about it from the perspective of the Globe and Mail report – a report that gave full voice to critics of Aeroplan.

And as a consequence, I’m even angrier at this further depreciation of the Aeroplan benefits than I would have been if you’d only taken the time to talk directly to me.

Am I alone? How many other frequent fliers feel that once again Aeroplan has left them high and dry?