Group seeks class action lawsuit against Aeroplan

Groupe Aeroplan Inc. (TSX:AER) said Thursday a group is seeking to file a class action lawsuit against the company in Quebec to try to get expired air miles reinstated.

The company, which was spun off from Air Canada, said it has been served with a motion for authorization to institute a class action, the first step before a case may be filed.

The petitioners are seeking the court's permission to sue Aeroplan on behalf of program members in Canada to obtain reinstatement of expired miles, reimbursement of money spent to reinstate expired miles, $50 in compensatory damages and an undetermined amount in exemplary damages, Aeroplan said.

Aeroplan said it will oppose the motion and "vigorously defend any class action, should one be authorized by the court."

Beginning July 1, 2007, Aeroplan started to require members to have either added or redeemed miles once in a 12-month period or all miles in the account would expire. Expired accounts may be reinstated for a fee.

Miles in an account also may expire if they are not used within seven years of being accumulated. Miles earned before Jan. 1, 2007 are deemed to have been earned on Dec. 31, 2006.

Groupe Aeroplan owns Aeroplan, Canada's premier loyalty program and Nectar, the United Kingdom's leading coalition loyalty program.