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Aeroplan is evolving in 2026 with a major update: the program is becoming a true rewards system, based entirely on your spending. Every dollar spent on your flights, certain daily purchases, or transactions on an eligible Aeroplan credit card now determines your earning rate and your progress towards Aeroplan Elite Status.
In other words, Aeroplan is no longer just about saving on travel costs. The program now operates as a true rewards engine: every dollar you spend earns you Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) and brings you closer to higher status, while your status then boosts your future earning rate. The higher your status, the more each dollar works for you, unlocking better benefits and a higher quality travel experience, just like an asset that grows in value over time.
For Canadian travellers, this transformation is a golden opportunity. By choosing Air Canada fares wisely, leveraging everyday earning partners, and selecting the right Aeroplan credit card, you can create a powerful engine for earning points sustainably:
This guide explains the new features and shows you exactly how to maximize your returns, step by step.
As of 2026, calculating Aeroplan points on flights becomes simple. Your earning depends solely on the amount paid. No more complicated calculations based on distance or percentages related to the booking class.
A member without Aeroplan Elite Status earns 1 Aeroplan point per dollar spent on the base fare and carrier surcharges. Status levels increase this multiplier. Aeroplan Elite 25K Status earns 2 points per dollar, Aeroplan Elite 50K Status earns 4, and Aeroplan Super Elite Status earns 6.
This system benefits those who plan their purchases and allows them to optimize their return on spending by choosing the right fare. Often, a ticket purchased at a slightly more expensive Flex fare yields a much more attractive return, both in points and in progress towards Aeroplan Elite Status.
It therefore becomes relevant to consider your tickets not just as a cost, but as an investment. Certain fares, particularly Flex and Latitude, generate a better return in SQC and points. A difference of 40 or 60 dollars can produce additional SQC and points, equivalent to a double-digit return when converted into free travel or benefits. This is precisely the investor-type approach that Aeroplan makes possible in 2026.
The program introduces a new, straightforward requirement: Status Qualifying Credits (SQC).
A Standard fare grants 2 SQC per dollar spent on the base fare and carrier surcharges. A Flex fare or higher grants 4. Members can therefore precisely estimate how many dollars they will need to achieve Aeroplan Elite Status. This new model allows for precise, predictable, and foreseeable progress.
SQCs can also be earned through select program partners and eligible Aeroplan credit cards, up to an annual cap. This allows you to make progress even if you don’t fly often, which is great news for occasional travellers.
Aeroplan is also introducing Milestone Benefits. For every 10,000 SQC (up to 200,000 SQC), and then for every subsequent 20,000 SQC, a member with Aeroplan Elite Status reaches a Milestone.
At the first Milestone, you receive ten eUpgrade credits. Subsequent Milestones offer a choice of benefits: Priority Rewards, points discounts on hotels or car rentals, Maple Leaf Lounge access, or bonus SQCs.
The experience is smoother. Benefits are now received throughout the year, and not only when full Aeroplan Elite Status is achieved.
Flights remain the fastest source for earnign SQC. For a Montreal to Paris trip, for example, a round-trip Flex fare is an investment, as it can generate several thousand SQC.
eUpgrade credits, now more accessible thanks to Milestones, have also become more valuable. When used wisely, they let you travel in business class without paying the full fare, especially on high-demand routes to Europe or Asia.
In 2026, Aeroplan transforms your everyday purchases into progress towards Aeroplan Elite Status. Every five points earned with eligible partners yields one SQC, up to a maximum of 25,000 SQC in a calendar year.
Uber, Starbucks, Journie, LCBO, and Marriott Bonvoy automatically contribute once accounts are linked. For a member who does not travel often, this integration can easily represent thousands of SQC each year.
This is one of the simplest ways to advance towards a higher Aeroplan Elite Status without multiplying flights.
Aeroplan co-branded credit cards play a key role in the new model. They allow you to earn SQC simply through your everyday spending.
With an annual cap of 25,000 SQC, a member can therefore achieve Aeroplan 25K Status solely through their Aeroplan credit card. To aim higher, the combination of a Aeroplan Reserve credit card plus Flex flights is by far the fastest formula.
Aeroplan Reserve credit cards also offer essential benefits for travellers: access to Maple Leaf Lounges, comprehensive insurance, priority airport benefits, and a better points earning rate, etc.
One of the most powerful aspects of Aeroplan in 2026 is that it allows for the creation of a fully automated earning stream.
Once your partner accounts are linked, your Aeroplan credit card is set up and connected, and you’ve reached Aeroplan Elite Status, you continuously earn points and SQCs without any extra effort. It’s like passive income in the world of loyalty programs: your everyday spending keeps generating value, even when you’re not travelling.
The program makes achieving Aeroplan Elite Status more accessible than ever. Flights create SQC peaks, partners ensure a constant flow, and Aeroplan credit cards accelerate the entire process.
By combining these three levers, travellers can reduce their expenses, improve their experience, and travel more often. The most effective strategy is to simultaneously activate all three earning channels.
Let’s take a concrete example. A member who regularly earns points with Uber and Starbucks, concentrates all their spending on an Aeroplan Reserve credit card, and books two Flex fare flights per year can achieve Aeroplan 25K Status without excessive effort. Once Aeroplan Elite Status is obtained, their multipliers increase, and their earning rate accelerates automatically.
This is what we aim for: sustainable, automatic, and predictable progression.
The best plan depends on your habits.
The objective is simple: link your partner accounts, centralize your spending on an eligible Aeroplan credit card, choose the right fare for your flights, and plan your trips during key promotions.
Here are three simple action plans you can follow, depending on your goals.
For detailed numerical scenarios, consult our guide How to Achieve Aeroplan Elite Status in 2026.
By adopting a consistent strategy, Aeroplan becomes much more than a simple rewards program in 2026: it’s a value-creation lever that allows for converting essential expenses into tangible travel benefits. By mastering the new rules and judiciously combining flights, partners, and Aeroplan credit cards, everyone can optimize their experience and significantly increase the return on their travel.
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