Let’s start with the bad news: as of June 1, 2023, Aeroplan 35K status holders will no longer have unlimited access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges. This change does not affect the two guest accesses offered with the Status.

From now on, to access Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges, you’ll need to be an Aeroplan 50K Member and above or have certain high-end credit cards such as the Aeroplan^MD* American Express^MD Prestige Card, the TD^MD Visa Infinite Privilege* Card Aéroplan^MD or the American Express^MD Aeroplan^MD* American Express Business Reserve Card.

In response to this bad news, Aeroplan is offering new benefits to Aeroplan 35K status holders:

• Priority Baggage Handling
• Additional eUpgrades credits: instead of 10 credits, it will be possible to choose 15 eUpgrades credits (as a select benefit)
• Priority Rewards: Priority Rewards will now include all flights within North America and to Sun destinations, including Premium Economy (the benefit becomes identical to that of Aeroplan 50K members)

As of 2022, Aeroplan had not sent out an Aeroplan Membership Kit. For 2023, Aeroplan will again send an Aeroplan Membership Kit, even to members at the same or lower status.

Aeroplan members who have upgraded to 2022 status should have already received their Membership Kit (or it should be arriving soon).

Aeroplan 50K and above members will now be able to access Virgin Australia lounges before boarding a Virgin Australia or Air Canada flight from Australia. This follows the partnership between Aeroplan and Virgin Australia announced last year.

Remember, by earning 30,000 Aeroplan points on Aeroplan credit card spending, you can exceptionally maintain your Aeroplan status until the end of 2023.

Many members of the Milesopedia community were able to renew their status for an additional year.

Aeroplan announced that it would double the Priority Rewards earned between July 1 and December 31, 2022. If you are eligible for this promotion, the first Priority Rewards will be deposited into your Aeroplan account in November 2022.

Another reminder from Aeroplan: Aeroplan Members with high-end credit cards such as the Aeroplan^MD* American Express^MD Reserve Card, the TD^MD Aeroplan^MD Visa Infinite Privilege* Card or the Aeroplan^MD* American Express^MD Business Reserve Card may have some of their benefits deferred until 2023.

Eligible Status Qualifying Miles (SQMs) and eUpgrades credits will roll over beginning the second week of February 2023. The requirement: be a holder of one of these premium credit cards BEFORE December 15, 2022.

So, if you want to take advantage of this benefit, don’t delay in becoming a holder of one of these high-end credit cards (the best offer currently being for the TD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card).

Finally, as always at the end of the year, remember to check your Aeroplan status benefits such as Priority Rewards, Status Passes or unused Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access.

Don’t hesitate to share it with your friends (or members of the Milesopedia community). Last year, dozens of entries to the Maple Leaf Lounge Visits were used in this way!

The removal of access to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges for 35K members is a major inconvenience… but understandable in light of the busy airport lounges in these times of Revenge Travel. Access will still be available with certain premium Aeroplan credit cards.