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Aeroplan: Aeroplan Elite Status

To the point Air Canada's Aeroplan program is a must for all travellers. Here's what you need to know about Aeroplan Elite Status.

In the past, Air Canada and Aeroplan were two separate entities. Each of these entities had its status:

  • Air Canada Altitude Status
  • Aeroplan Status

So members of both programs were confused.

From now on, only Aeroplan Elite Status exists.

aeroplan – statut elite

Here is the part of my video on this topic:

Aeroplan Elite Status

Air Canada’s Aeroplan Elite Status is :

  • Easy to understand
  • Increase the benefits of each status level
  • Offers new ways to obtain or requalify for status
aeroplan – statut elite – mqs
Statut Aéroplan

What is Aeroplan Elite Status?

Being an Aeroplan Elite Member entitles you to an exclusive travel experience. The higher the level, the greater the benefits.

Here are some examples:

  • Cut the queue when calling Air Canada and Aeroplan Customer Services
  • Free Préférence seats for members and up to 8 travel companions on the same booking
  • Priority check-in and waiting at the airport
  • Free luggage
  • Priority security clearance
  • Air Canada Concierge Service
  • Free access to Maple Leaf, Star Alliance Gold and other lounges
  • Credits eUpgrades
  • Additional Aeroplan Points for flights and in the Aeroplan eStore
  • Complimentary in-flight beverage
  • Star Alliance recognition

Qualifying criteria for Aeroplan Elite status

The Aeroplan program assigns a status level according to this:

  • distance travelled OR the number of flights
  • AND dollars spent for your trips

This includes both flights on Air Canada, but also with all Star Alliance partners. However, for the spending criteria, the ticket must have been issued on Air Canada stock (ticket numbers beginning with 014).

So, in order to obtain Air Canada Aeroplan status and its highly sought-after privileges, you need to understand the 3 qualification criteria:

Criteria Definition
Status Qualifying Miles ( SQM ) Distance flown
Status Qualification Segments ( SQS ) Number of flights performed
Status Qualifying Dollars ( SQD ) Dollars spent
Statut Elite Aeroplan – Rollover-2

Status Qualifying Miles (SQM)

The Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) correspond to the distance travelled on Air Canada or Star Alliance member airlines.

However, this criterion will be weighted by two other elements:

  • the fare
  • the area you are travelling to

With a flight booked at the standard rate, you will earn 25% of the distance travelled, while with a flight in Business class, you will receive 150% of the distance travelled.

You’ll find all Air Canada fare options on this page.

Status Qualification Segments (SQS)

The Status Qualification Segments (SQS) correspond to the number of flights you take on Air Canada or Star Alliance member airlines.

If you need some SQS to reach a higher status, it might be wise to book connecting flights rather than a direct flight.

  • Montreal – Vancouver = 1 SQS
  • Montreal – Toronto – Vancouver = 2 SQS

Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD)

Status Qualification Dollars (DQS) correspond to dollars spent for your Air Canada flights or Star Alliance member airlines (ticketed from Air Canada 014 stock).

Even if you have reached the level of Status Qualifying Miles or Status Qualifying Segments, you must have spent a certain number of Status Qualifying Dollars to earn your status.

Aeroplan Elite Status Levels

There are 5 levels of Aeroplan Elite status:

  • 25K
  • 35K
  • 50K
  • 75K
  • Super Elite 100K

For each of these levels, there are:

  • core privileges
  • select privileges: additional benefits that you choose

The selected privileges must be chosen before December 31 each year. You’ll find more about these privileges on this Air Canada webpage .

Aeroplan Elite status qualification timeframe

To earn Aeroplan Status, the qualification period runs for one calendar year, from January 1 to December 31.

Once earned, the Aeroplan status is valid:

  • For the remainder of the current year
  • For the whole following year

Program digitization

Previously, the Air Canada program issued paper coupons for Maple Leaf lounge access.

Now all benefits are digital and immediately recognized by Air Canada staff on presentation of the digital membership card.

New features

Priority Rewards

Air Canada offers Priority Rewards in the Aeroplan program.

These Priority Rewards will provide a 50% discount coupon for certain geographic areas or cabins depending on your status level. Every time you achieve a Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD) milestone, you will get an additional voucher, up to 11 vouchers per year.

You can use a voucher for a flight reward for one passenger. The voucher validity is one year from the date of issuance (but can be used for a later travel date).

Here are the geographical areas and cabins according to your Aeroplan Elite status:

Aeroplan Elite status Geographical area Cabin
25K Canada / United States Economy
35K Canada / United States Economy
50K North America Premium Economy
75K Worlwide Premium Economy
SE 100K Worlwide Signature / Business Class

Preferred Pricing for Air Canada flight rewards

Air Canada has a preferential rate for Rewards on Air Canada for members with Aeroplan status.

On average, it can be between 5% and 10%, and even more in the case of someone with Super Elite status.

Aeroplan credit cards with status benefits

Aeroplan credit cards introduced by American Express, CIBC and TD offer advantages for qualifying for or renewing Aeroplan status.

Some Aeroplan credit cards will offer the opportunity to earn after every $10,000 in purchases ($5,000 in purchases for certain Premium cards):

  • 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM)
  • 1 Status Qualification Segment (SQS)

What’s more, with an Aeroplan credit card, Aeroplan Members have access to preferential flights rewards.

aeroplan – details – accumuler cartes

Status Pass

The Status Pass allows Aeroplan 50K members and above to offer 50K status to the person of their choice.

aeroplan – statut elite – passe

This 50K Status entitles the chosen person to the following benefits when traveling on Air Canada (even when traveling without the person who offered this status):

  • Priority check-in
  • 3 Complimentary Checked Bags
  • Priority Baggage Handling
  • Priority security clearance
  • Complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge Access
  • Priority Airport Standby
  • Priority online check-in

These benefits are not available for travel on Star Alliance airlines.

aeroplan – en bref – membre

25K Status more easily reachable

Air Canada introduces the ability to qualify more easily for Aeroplan 25K status.

Thus, members who earn 100 000 Aeroplan points from any eligible source will receive Aeroplan 25K Status.

Eligible sources are all base and bonus points earned directly with:

  • Air Canada flights
  • Aeroplan credit cards spending
  • partners (airlines, hotels, eStore , etc.)
aeroplan – statut elite – quotidien

Non-eligible sources are all base and bonus points earned with:

  • Credit cards welcome bonuses
  • Points conversions
  • Aeroplan Points purchases
  • Gifts or Transfers

Bottom Line

For a frequent flyer with Air Canada, Aeroplan Elite Status can make a huge difference!

The aim of an airline loyalty program is to create a kind of game (“gamification”). And it works.

In fact, towards the end of the calendar year, many Aeroplan Elite Members calculate how much they need to reach the next level. They don’t hesitate to make extra trips, because the many privileges of Air Canada’s Aeroplan Elite status make it all worthwhile!

Who are Aeroplan Partners?

Through the Star Alliance network, Aeroplan Members can earn Aeroplan Points and redeem Aeroplan Points with over 50 Aeroplan partner carriers.

All partner carriers are listed on the Aeroplan page.

There are also several other partners:

  • Travel (Review, Marriott Bonvoy, Rocky Mountaineer, Park’N Fly, Vacances Air Canada, Rocketmiles, etc.)
  • Retailers (Starbucks, LCBO, Uber and Uber Eats)
  • With the eBoutique

How do I reach Aeroplan 25K status?

There are two ways for an Aeroplan Member to reach 25K status:

  • With daily qualification without traveling (by accumulating 100,000 Aeroplan points between January and December of each year)
  • Earn 25,000 Status Qualification Miles (SQM) or 25 Status Qualification Segments (SQS) AND spend $3,000 in Status Qualification Dollars (SQD).

How do I get an Aeroplan credit card?

TD, American Express and CIBC are financial institutions that offer Aeroplan credit cards.

They are divided into three levels, with different travel benefits on Air Canada:

  • Entry-level (Platinum cards)
  • Mid-range (Visa Infinite cards)
  • Premium (Reserve and Privilege cards)

The best Aeroplan credit cards can be found on this page.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien
Jean-Maximilien is an expert in Canada and France about Loyalty programs, Credit cards and Travel. He is the Founding President of Milesopedia.

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