Aeroplan has released a new award chart and members will be faced with higher mileage requirements for many awards, effective beginning July 15, 2011.

Aeroplan has two award charts and changes are being made to both Air Canada awards and Star Alliance awards. The increases to Air Canada awards are modest and most awards that are changing will require an extra 5,000 to 20,000 miles. For example, awards to Hawaii are going up to 45,000 miles from 40,000 miles in coach and from 60,000 miles to 80,000 miles in business class. Air Canada flights from North America to Australia or New Zealand in business class are increasing to 135,000 miles, up from 115,000 miles, and to 80,000 miles from 75,000 miles in coach.

On Star Alliance flights, business class flights to most European countries are increasing to 90,000 miles, up from 80,000 miles and first class will be going up to 125,000 miles, from 100,000 miles. Award flights to Asia will be increasing to 125,000 miles from 100,000 miles in business and first class awards will be 175,000 miles, up from 120,000 miles.

Some Star Alliance awards (but not many) are going down in price. Flights to the Middle East, Africa and India are all decreasing in most travel classes. For example, a roundtrip flight to India will be decreasing from 130,000 miles to 100,000 miles in coach, 185,000 miles to 150,000 miles in business class and 240,000 miles to 210,000 miles in first class. Visit http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?4579 to view the updated charts.

Bottom line: Aeroplan reported in a press release that the changes were made “in an effort to simplify the program as well as to keep up with increases in the costs of providing flight rewards that have taken place over the years.” To be fair, Aeroplan hasn’t made any adjustments to its award chart for many years and some awards are going down. But the majority of awards are increasing and the increases range from around five percent to nearly 50 percent. Keep in mind that the changes will go into effect on July 15, 2011 so you can still book at the old rates until July 14.