Air Canada yesterday relaunched its Family Sharing program, which had been paused for more than 18 months due to rampant fraud.
We weren’t aware of this yesterday, but it appears that you must complete a new process to utilize this, such as Family Sharing and perhaps other future programs. Your Aeroplan account must be verified, which includes identity verification.
You can access Air Canada’s page for Aeroplan account and identity verification here.
Here’s the information that Air Canada has released about the process:
Conclusion
This account and identity verification process is somewhat burdensome. It assumes that the name on your account and identity document match 100%, which is never the case with mine, as I don’t use my middle name anywhere.
I understand this 2FA using a mobile number or authenticator device or app. Companies, however, should strike the right balance between accessing your account, making cash bookings, and changing your account information or using your miles.
Have you used this Aeroplan identity verification process, and what was your experience? Please comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Account verification
Why is Aeroplan introducing account verification?
Account verification will enhance the security and integrity of the Aeroplan Program. By requiring two-factor authentication and identity verification, we help prevent unauthorized access and use under the terms of the program.
What does it mean to have a verified Aeroplan account?
Having a verified Aeroplan account means you can access certain features of the Aeroplan Program, such as Family Sharing. So long as you have a Verified Aeroplan account, you will be a Verified Aeroplan Member.
What happens if I don’t have a verified account?
If your account is not verified, you will still be able to earn and redeem Aeroplan points as usual. However, you may not be able to access certain features like Family Sharing.
The verification status of your Aeroplan account does not affect your ability to travel with Air Canada.
When do we ask for verification?
If your account is not already verified and you want to participate in an Aeroplan Program feature, such as Family Sharing, you may be required to complete the account verification process.
Most members will only need to verify their identity once, and we will guide you through each step. Once verified, you’ll gain access to the feature you were trying to use without any interruptions.
Do I have to verify my account?
Verifying your Aeroplan account is completely optional. Verifying your Aeroplan account will permit you to access certain Aeroplan Program features including Family Sharing.
How will I know if my Aeroplan account has been verified?
You will receive an email confirmation letting you know that your account is verified.
Will I be asked to verify my account more than once?
In most cases, account verification is a one-time process. Once you are verified, you will not need to repeat the process unless there are specific security concerns or changes to the program that require further verification.
Verifying my identity
What are acceptable government IDs?
A driver’s license, passport, or NEXUS card are the acceptable forms of government IDs in Canada and the US. A passport is the only acceptable form of government ID elsewhere.
Do I need to verify my identity if I have flown with Air Canada in the past?
If you have already flown on two separate flights operated by Air Canada in the last five years, you may already be verified. We verify customers who meet this requirement on an ongoing basis. To qualify, ensure your Aeroplan number is added to your booking before you start your travel.
Do I need to verify my identity if I already have an Aeroplan credit card?
If you are the primary cardholder of an Aeroplan credit card that is linked to your Aeroplan account, you may already be verified. We verify customers who obtain new Aeroplan credit cards on an ongoing basis.
Do I have to submit a government ID and a selfie to complete Instant Verification?
Yes, if you are over 18 years old and you choose to complete Instant Verification, you will need to submit a government ID and a selfie.
If you do not wish to do so, you can still verify your identity through one of our other three methods listed above.
How does Air Canada use biometrics for Instant Verification?
Please see the Instant Verification privacy notices – adults and minors for more details.
What personal information is collected and used for Instant Verification?
Please see the Instant Verification privacy notices – adults and minors for more details.
How long is my data from Instant Verification retained?
We only retain your data for as long as necessary to achieve our security purposes.
For members 18 years of age and older, we will keep the information collected and used for Instant Verification for up to one year, to detect and prevent unauthorized use under the terms of the program.
For members under the age of 18, we do not retain the information collected and used for Instant Verification.
For more details, please see the Instant Verification privacy notices – adults and minors.
Can minors complete Instant Verification?
No, a member must be age 18 or over to use Instant Verification. A parent or legal guardian can complete Instant Verification for a minor.
Instant Verification is currently available only for minor members in Canada and the US, excluding the State of Illinois.
Can members residing in the State of Illinois complete Instant Verification?
Unfortunately, Instant Verification is not currently available for members who are residents of the State of Illinois.
Learn more about other verification methods
Troubleshooting
What are some tips if I’m having trouble with Instant Verification?
Use your legal name: Make sure the legal name on your Aeroplan profile matches the one on your government ID. If your legal name has changed, such as after a marriage or legal name change, ensure your Aeroplan profile reflects the correct information.
Use a mobile device: If you’re completing Instant Verification, we recommend you continue on your mobile device to capture your selfie, as mobile cameras typically provide better image quality. This will help ensure a smoother verification process with clearer and more accurate results.
Use high-quality photos: When submitting your government ID or selfie, ensure the photos are clear, taken in a well-lit area, and fit within the designated frames. For the selfie, please ensure your eyes, nose, and mouth are clearly visible and that no one is in the background. If you wear a head covering, make sure your facial features are not obscured. We recommend using your mobile device’s camera, as it typically offers higher quality than most desktop or laptop webcams.
Take a selfie: Your selfie must be taken in the moment as part of the Instant Verification process. This ensures the person verifying their identity is physically present, prevent unauthorized access.
Use an original, valid government ID: Make sure your government ID is not expired and that you provide an original photo – no photocopies, PDFs, or digital copies are accepted. If your government ID has two sides, such as a driver’s license or NEXUS card, be sure to submit photos of both the front and back.
Air Canada’s Identity Verification Privacy Notice;
Aeroplan Instant Verification Privacy Notice
This notice explains how Aeroplan and its service provider, Persona Identities Inc. (“Persona”), handle your personal information, including biometric information, in connection with Aeroplan’s identity verification and fraud prevention service (“Instant Verification”).
Instant Verification is based on facial biometrics, which are measurements of your facial features extracted using facial recognition technology. This service is available to members aged 18 and older. For non-biometric options for verifying your identity, see section 5.
1. How Instant Verification works
If you consent by pressing the “consent and continue” button:
- You will be guided to use your mobile device to take photos of your passport, driver’s license, NEXUS card or other accepted and valid government ID (“government ID”), as well as a live selfie.
- You will be asked to upload the photos of your government ID and then your selfie.
- Persona will validate the authenticity of your government ID and confirm that the information on it matches your Aeroplan member information.
- If the government ID is authentic and matches your Aeroplan member information, Persona will use facial recognition technology to analyze and measure the facial features in the government ID image and your selfie. This creates unique numerical representations called faceprints, which are biometric information. Persona then compares these faceprints to see if they match.
- If the faceprints match, your identity is verified. If your faceprints do not match, your identity is not considered verified. This decision is based solely on the automated processing of information.
- Your faceprints and other personal information used for Instant Verification will be retained for a reasonable period no longer than one year (subject to any legal requirement), to prevent and detect related fraud.
- You can withdraw your consent by contacting our Principal Privacy Officer (see section 6 below). If you withdraw your consent, Aeroplan may still retain and use some of your personal information as permitted or required by law, including to comply with legal obligations, to prevent fraud, and to establish, exercise or defend against legal claims.
- You can find more information on Persona’s privacy policyExternal site which may not meet accessibility guidelines and/or language preferences..
2. Personal information used for Instant Verification
- Government ID: photos of the ID and the information they contain, excluding data restricted by law where you live
- Selfie: a live-captured image of your face
- Faceprints: facial biometrics information created from the facial images in your government ID and selfie
- Aeroplan Member Information: member number, name, address and date of birth
- Technical and connection information such as: IP address, device OS, device type, browser type, general geolocation data.This information is used to verify your identity and to determine the authenticity of your government ID, and to prevent and detect fraud related to Aeroplan accounts. It will be retained for a reasonable period no longer than one year, or for a longer period if required by law, after which it is destroyed.
3. Protection of personal information collected and used for Instant Verification
Persona and its subcontractors process the personal information collected and used for Instant Verification only on Aeroplan’s instructions. They may not disclose it or use it for their own business or commercial purposes. Neither Aeroplan nor Persona may sell, lease, trade, or otherwise profit from your biometric information, although Persona may be paid for its services.
Aeroplan and Persona will not disclose your biometric information unless you consent or if the disclosure is required by law (for example, in response to a valid legal process such as a court order or warrant).
Your personal information will be handled by Persona and its subcontractors in Canada and in the United States of America, possibly outside the province or state where you live. This means your information may be subject to the laws of these jurisdictions, which may permit access by courts, law enforcement or other governmental authorities.
Persona and its subcontractors are contractually bound to meet stringent data protection requirements. All information used for Instant Verification is protected by physical, technological and organizational security measures. For example, your biometric information (faceprints) is irreversibly hashed before storage and the originals destroyed. Your other personal information is also encrypted in transit and at rest, and the systems that process it are subject to a vulnerability management program. Access to your information is monitored and limited to authorized personnel who need it to perform their duties in connection with Instant Verification. At the end of the retention period, all personal information, including hashed faceprints, is destroyed.
4. Non-biometric options for verifying your identity
Alternatively, your identity is verified if one of the following applies to you:
- You fly or have already flown on two Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express operated flights on two separate bookings within the last five years.
Air Canada verifies your identity in person when checking your government ID at boarding.
or
- You are the primary holder of an Aeroplan credit card linked to and bearing the same name as your own Aeroplan Account
We rely on the verification made by the bank that issues the card.
or
- You present your proof of identity in person to an Air Canada representative at one of the following airports: Montreal Trudeau (YUL); Chicago O’Hare (ORD) or Charles de Gaulle (Paris-CDG).
Find more information on non-biometric options for identity verification
5. More Information
For more information on how Aeroplan handles your personal information, consult the Aeroplan Privacy Policy
If you have concerns or further questions or wish to withdraw your consent, make a formal access or correction request or terminate your Aeroplan membership, please contact our Principal Privacy Officer using the contact information below.
Email:
AeroplanPrivacy@aircanada.caAddress:
Aeroplan Principal Privacy Officer
P.O. Box 23000
Station Pointe-Claire-Dorval
Pointe-Claire, QC H9Y 1K2Please note that we will need to take reasonable steps to validate your identity prior to disclosing any personal information via the above communication channels.
