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Travel in comfort, earn bonus points, and make the most of your status with Aeroplan Elite Status Milestone Benefits. These benefits enhance your experience as you progress through the Aeroplan Elite Status levels.
In this guide, we break down how Milestone Benefits work, highlight their advantages, and most importantly, show how they truly transform the Aeroplan Elite member’s travel experience from booking to arrival.
Aeroplan Elite Status Milestone Benefits are additional rewards offered to members who reach specific Status Qualifying Credit (SQC) thresholds in 2026.
Unlike the Core Benefits of Aeroplan Elite Status, which provide ongoing perks based on your tier (25K, 35K, 50K, etc.), Milestone Benefits let you choose personalized rewards as you reach new activity thresholds.
Milestone Benefits will replace the familiar “selected benefits“, and this revamp will change how members manage their rewards.
Aeroplan Milestone Benefits are unlocked when you reach a certain number of Status Qualifying Credits (SQC), whether earned through eligible flights with Air Canada and Star Alliance partners or through other qualifying activities. In fact, there are several ways to earn SQC, each with its own earning rates:
Certain Milestones (for example, 50,000 SQC, 75,000 SQC, or 100,000 SQC) allow you to choose a benefit from a list of exclusive options, while other milestones offer eUpgrade credits.
As an Elite member, you can reach your first milestones faster than you might think. The program starts at 10,000 SQC, meaning a single transatlantic trip in Premium Economy, worth approximately $2,500, is enough to achieve it, a great start to re-qualifying for 25K status.
If you start 2026 without status, you will begin unlocking Milestone Benefits only after achieving Aeroplan 25K Status.
Before planning your selections, it’s important to be aware of the rules and restrictions associated with Aeroplan Milestone Benefits:
These nuances help avoid unpleasant surprises and allow you to better plan your strategy for accumulating and selecting benefits.
Here is the complete list of available Milestone Benefits, along with an explanation of their actual value and usefulness depending on your profile.
The eUpgrade credits allow you to obtain an upgrade to Premium Economy or Business Class on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, or Air Canada Rouge, including flights paid with points. They are valid for 12 months (or 24 months for Aeroplan premium credit card holders) from the moment you select them.
Perfect for business travellers or couples seeking optimal comfort (especially when combined with an Air Canada Worldwide Companion Pass).
The Priority Reward offers a 50% discount on the Aeroplan points required for an eligible reward ticket, valid for 12 months. Eligible geographic zones and service classes depend on your Aeroplan Elite status at the time the benefit is chosen.
Ideal for frequent travellers who want to save points or offset the cost of Air Canada’s dynamic pricing.
Each lounge pass grants access to a Maple Leaf Lounge for one guest and one visit, with a confirmed same-day departing ticket on an Air Canada flight. Valid for 12 months from their issuance.
Ideal for those who wish to travel in peace and comfort before their flight without having status or credit cards granting access.
You can choose a direct bonus of 5,000 to 20,000 Aeroplan points to use however you like.
Ideal for members who prioritize flexibility or may be looking for greater value.
This benefit provides a promo code for 30% off the points price of a car rental or hotel booking made through the Aeroplan platform. Valid until December 31 of the year following the achievement of the milestone.
Ideal for families or leisure travellers who have a large balance of Aeroplan points for their trip. Furthermore, this benefit can be combined with the fourth night free offer for Aeroplan credit card holders.
A promotional code grants a 30% points discount on gift card purchases and products from the Aeroplan eStore. Valid until December 31 of the year following the achievement of the milestone.
Ideal for members who do not have short-term travel plans.
Additional Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) are added to your account to help you reach the next status level faster. Bonus SQC are valid for the current year and can be selected until December 31.
Ideal for regular travellers looking to reach a higher tier faster.
Two passes that allow you to share select Aeroplan Elite Status benefits, such as priority boarding, free checked bags, lounge access, and more, with a friend or family member and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation. Valid for 12 months from their issuance.
Ideal for sharing your benefits with loved ones.
A card valued at $150 to $250, redeemable on any Air Canada flight.
Ideal for those who prefer a simple and immediate reward.
Option to offer Aeroplan 25K, 35K, 50K, or 75K status to the person of your choice. Status is valid immediately until December 31 of the following year.
Ideal for couples, friends, or colleagues.
This unique benefit allows you to save one year of Super Elite Status for later, in case of reduced activity. Should your status fall below the Super Elite threshold, an automatic one-year extension would apply.
Ideal for business travellers or frequent flyers during a transition period.
Each Milestone grants access to one or more benefits. To explore the different milestones and benefits offered, consult the Aeroplan Milestone Benefits page.
Beyond the 240,000 SQC milestone, benefits continue to accumulate. For each additional increment of 20,000 SQC, up to a maximum of 1 million SQC, members automatically receive 20 eUpgrade credits and retain the option to choose an additional benefit.
The options available at these levels remain the same as those offered at the 220,000 SQC milestone, allowing you to continue accumulating benefits with each milestone reached.
Every choice counts. Benefits are no longer offered recurrently at each tier: some appear only once, at a specific point in your journey. It therefore becomes essential to plan your strategy according to your travel priorities.
For example, passes for Maple Leaf Lounges are only offered at the 20,000 and 40,000 SQC milestones. Not selecting them at that time means it will no longer be possible to obtain them later. An important detail to consider if you were used to offering them to your loved ones.
Those looking to maximize their eUpgrade credits or Priority Rewards will have to make certain trade-offs, such as foregoing status passes or lounge passes.
Finally, members seeking a final boost to achieve status can also choose to obtain bonus SQC: up to 10,000 towards Super Elite status, 5,000 towards 75K, or 2,500 towards 50K. This choice, however, comes at the expense of other more tangible benefits, such as the valuable Priority Rewards.
From 130,000 SQC, once Super Elite status is obtained, the options become more generous. The bonus SQC offered at these levels allow you to get a head start for the following year, especially if you hold a premium Aeroplan credit card. The number of eUpgrade credits increases significantly: from this stage, you earn 20 credits for every 20,000 SQC, and then for every 10,000 SQC starting at 190,000.
In fact, having a premium Aeroplan credit card is a major strategic advantage. These cards not only let you earn more points and Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) faster, but also allow you to start the following year with a credit equal to 10% of the SQC earned during the year, a benefit that will begin in 2027. By combining milestone benefits with the perks of your credit card, you maximize every dollar spent and accelerate your progress toward higher status levels while continuously earning points.
If you want to optimize your Aeroplan strategy, it’s worth comparing the available credit cards. Some provide free access to Maple Leaf Lounges, free checked baggage, or even substantial Aeroplan points welcome bonuses. Consult our selection of the best Aeroplan cards to find the one that best aligns with your travel goals and get the most out of your Aeroplan Milestone Benefits.
The Aeroplan Milestone Benefits are not limited to symbolic rewards: they truly transform the way you travel, regardless of your profile. Whether you’re an occasional traveller, a family looking to maximize everyday spending, or a frequent business traveller, these benefits enhance every stage of your journey. Here are three concrete examples that show how milestone benefits improve your experience from A to Z.
Catherine travels a few times a year, mainly for leisure, and is a regular user of the Air Canada and partner network. In 2025, she achieved Aeroplan 25K status with her usual leisure travels. In 2026, she discovers that it’s now easier to progress toward Aeroplan Elite Status thanks to Status Qualifying Credits (SQC).
A $2,500 ticket in Premium Economy earns 4 SQC per dollar spent, totaling 10,000 SQC on the first trip, which unlocks the first milestone and 10 eUpgrade credits. By adding a second trip to São Paulo in Business Class for $3,750, she reaches 25,000 SQC and renews her 25K status, crossing the first two milestones. She is eligible to receive them because she already held status from the previous year.
Catherine uses her eUpgrade credits and her 25K status to upgrade to Business Class on a flight to Cancun, her third trip of the year. Since her itinerary includes a connection at Toronto Pearson Airport, she enjoys priority standby thanks to her 25K status, allowing her to arrive earlier and take advantage of the Maple Leaf Lounge.
She skips the lines with priority check-in and checks her two bags for free. In the Maple Leaf Lounge, she enjoys a latte and fast Wi-Fi before departure, making for a much more relaxed start to her trip.
Air Canada sometimes uses a wide-body aircraft to Cancun: Catherine discovers the Signature cabin thanks to her upgrade and enjoys a full meal at no extra charge.
Her travels not only allow her to renew her status once more, but also to accumulate more Aeroplan points. With the Priority Reward earned and selected at 20,000 SQC, her next reward flight to Vancouver costs 50% fewer points, giving her direct savings.
Marc and Sophie just bought a house and plan $200,000 in renovations in 2025 and 2026, split equally. With their $100,000 in expenses in 2025, Marc managed to achieve 25K status through daily status qualifying spending. Few trips planned due to their significant upcoming expenses. They decide to take advantage of this to subscribe to a premium Aeroplan credit card to maximize their returns.
By spending $100,000 on their card in 2026, they unlock a welcome bonus of approximately 100,000 Aeroplan points, accumulate approximately 150,000 additional points thanks to the card’s base accumulation rate, and obtain 20,000 SQC (1,000 SQC per $5,000 spent). Without even flying, they once again achieve 25K status in 2026 and the first two milestone benefits.
Thanks to their points, they finally treat themselves to a vacation this year. They book a family trip to the Canadian West with points without dipping into their savings. With their eUpgrades credits, they upgrade to Premium Economy and enjoy free preferred seats for their children.
Their status offers them priority check-in and free baggage. Their premium card provides access to the Maple Leaf lounge for two people. So that the whole family can enjoy it, they use their second milestone benefit to get two additional passes. This way, the whole family can relax before departure.
Priority boarding helps them avoid the stress of overhead compartments being full. The children enjoy their entertainment without hassle, and Marc can relax while enjoying a drink during the flight.
Thanks to his premium card, Marc receives a 10% SQC head start bonus for the following year. And since their home renovation expenses continue, possibly even adding a pool, he is already considering how to maintain his Elite Status while enjoying an upcoming trip paid with points.
John is a consultant and has been splitting his time between Toronto and Vancouver for years. He regularly flies to meet his clients and often has to change his bookings according to his meetings. He therefore chooses Economy Flex fares, which are more expensive but offer greater flexibility, allowing him to adapt to unexpected work commitments. John regularly maintains Aeroplan Elite Status, year after year, with this lifestyle.
In 2026, over four round trips between Toronto and Vancouver, for a total of approximately $6,250 in Flex fares, John reaches 25,000 SQC. He therefore earns 25K status and reaches the first two milestones. At the first milestone (10,000 SQC), he automatically receives 10 eUpgrades credits. At the second milestone (20,000 SQC), he chooses to obtain 10 additional eUpgrades credits because he prefers to maximize his in-flight comfort for his frequent travels.
Thanks to his 20 eUpgrades credits, John plans his next trips between Toronto and Vancouver by using them to upgrade to business class. He enjoys priority boarding, access to the Maple Leaf Lounge when available through his ticket or credit card, and most importantly, a quieter environment to work in before takeoff.
His 25K status entitles him to priority check-in and one free checked bag. In case of a last-minute schedule change, he also benefits from priority standby, a practical advantage for business travellers whose agenda often changes.
Seated in business class, John has all the necessary space to work comfortably on his laptop. He enjoys a full meal and more attentive service, which allows him to arrive at his destination rested and ready for his meetings. The eUpgrades credits allow him to access this comfort without paying the full ticket price.
His business trips now earn him more Aeroplan points thanks to the multiplier linked to his Elite status. Each flight also allows him to accumulate new SQC, bringing him closer to 35K status and a third milestone. This way, he maximizes the value of his business expenses while making his trips more enjoyable and productive.
The Aeroplan Milestone Benefits are not just symbolic rewards. They are real value levers that transform the way you travel. Upgrades, lounge access, point discounts, or bonus SQC: when well chosen, these benefits can make the difference between an ordinary flight and a premium experience.
Always take the time to evaluate which benefit best suits your travel style and goals. And don’t forget: your credit card plays a key role in this strategy. Some Aeroplan credit cards make it easier to earn more SQC to reach milestones, unlock exclusive privileges, or even start the year with a head start toward earning status.
Before making your choices, take a look at our selection of the best Aeroplan credit cards on Milesopedia. You’ll find the cards that maximize your Milestone Benefits and points, allowing you to travel more often, more comfortably, and at a lower cost.
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