Discover the new way to qualify for Aeroplan Elite^® Status and unlock benefits, launching January 1, 2026

Starting in 2026, we're changing how to qualify for Aeroplan Elite Status and unlock additional benefits. We're unifying the tracking process by introducing Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) – this will be the new and single path to reaching Aeroplan Elite Status, enjoying Core Benefits, and unlocking additional perks via Milestone Benefits.

SQC with Air Canada will be accumulated based on how much members spend, and the type of fare purchased. SQC will continue to be accumulated on Standard fares and above only, with Flex and above accumulating twice the SQC. There is no limit to the number of SQC you can accumulate for travel with Air Canada or Air Canada Vacations.

• 4 SQC/$1 spent on base fare and carrier surcharges will be awarded on Flex fares and above
• 2 SQC/$1 spent on base fare and carrier surcharges will be awarded on Standard fares & eUpgrade Add-ons
• 1 SQC/$1 spent will be awarded on Air Canada Vacations packages

We're also introducing new ways to recognize activity across Air Canada and Aeroplan:

• Spending on the Chase Aeroplan credit card can award up to a combined total of 25,000 SQC per member
• Accumulating Aeroplan points with over 40 partners, including eligible partner airlines and travel partners, can also contribute up to an additional 25,000 SQC per member

There is no change to how you qualify for 2026 Elite Status: accumulate the required SQM or SQS, and SQD between January 1^st and December 31^st, 2025.

To reach 2027 Elite Status, members will need to accumulate SQC between January 1^st and December 31^st, 2026. Upon meeting the SQC requirements for a Status in 2026, members will unlock Core Benefits for that Status for the remainder of 2026 and for 2027:

• Aeroplan 25K Status = 25,000 SQC
• Aeroplan 35K Status = 35,000 SQC
• Aeroplan 50K Status = 50,000 SQC
• Aeroplan 75K Status = 75,000 SQC
• Aeroplan Super Elite Status = 125,000 SQC

As today, Core Benefits such as Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding and Maple Leaf Lounge access will be awarded upon status qualification, and for the duration of status validity. eUpgrade credits will continue to be awarded as a Core Benefit, however the amount will differ depending on Elite Status.

• Aeroplan 25K: 5 eUpgrade credits
• Aeroplan 35K: 10 eUpgrade credits
• Aeroplan 50K: 15 eUpgrade credits
• Aeroplan 75K: 20 eUpgrade credits
• Aeroplan Super Elite: 30 eUpgrade credits

In 2026, we are introducing Milestone Benefits that will allow Elite Status Members to unlock extra perks throughout the year:

• For every 10,000 SQC up to 200,000 SQC, and for every 20,000 SQC accumulated thereafter, Elite Status Members will unlock additional benefits to complement their Core Benefits.
• All SQC accumulated by the member will count toward those rewards, including those from Aeroplan partners and Aeroplan credit cards.
• Milestone Benefits will either consist of a choice benefit, an auto-issuance of eUpgrade credits, or a combination of both.
• Maple Leaf Lounge one-time guest passes will now allow access to our worldwide network of lounges. However, they will be obtained exclusively via Milestone Benefits for all Aeroplan Elite Status Members.
• These new Milestone Benefits will replace our current Select Benefits, Threshold Gifts, Threshold eUpgrades and Priority Reward benefit structures, creating a unified path for members to track progress and unlock additional perks throughout the year.
• Only Aeroplan Elite Status Members are eligible for Milestone Benefits, from the moment they qualify for Elite Status onwards, as they cross SQC Milestones.

SQC will come into effect on January 1st, 2026. These will count towards qualification for 2027 Elite Status, as well as unlock Milestone Benefits as you cross SQC thresholds in 2026.

These changes do not affect the SQM, SQS and SQD you earn for flights taken in 2025, or how you qualify for 2026 Elite Status.

In 2024 we simplified eUpgrade Validity, now aligned to a standard 12-months from issuance – and an even better 24-month validity for Elite Members who also hold a Aeroplan premium credit card. 

We will be expanding eUpgrade Shareability by doubling the Travel Companion benefit. This change will allow members to share eUpgrades with up to four (4) companions who are booked on their same reservation. The same applies to the day of travel where members will be able to use their credits for up to four (4) additional companions traveling on their same flight. This increase will take effect on January 1, 2026 for all requests made on or after that date.

To maintain the flexibility of eUpgrades however, we’ve adjusted Add-on pricing on our lowest eligible fare, Standard. The add-on pricing for flights within North America and to Sun destinations will increase by $100. For International flights the add-on pricing will increase by $150. The new add-on pricing for Standard fares applies for any flight departing onwards from January 1, 2026, even if the request is made earlier.

The number of Lifetime Qualifying Miles (LQM) accumulated will continue to be calculated based on the distance travelled in miles on eligible flights*, with the following cabin bonuses:

• Economy Class (excluding Basic): 100% of the distance flown
• Premium Economy: 125% of the distance flown
• Business Class: 150% of the distance flown

You will also continue to accumulate LQM for each monthly installment made in conjunction with the purchase of an Air Canada Unlimited Flight Pass.

*As today, only eligible flights purchased with cash in Standard fare or higher and operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express will accumulate LQM. Basic fares are not eligible. Flights operated by any other airline (regardless of the ticketing carrier), partner or promotional activities, or any other non-flight earnings are not eligible for Air Canada Million Mile qualification.

In cases where travel occurs in a different cabin than originally purchased, LQM will be awarded based on the original ticketed cabin class and distance, as indicated on the e-ticket.

No--the existing benefits offered when you reach each of the Air Canada Million Mile levels are not changing. Learn more about Air Canada Million Mile benefits.

Starting in 2026, and every year thereafter, Million Mile members will receive additional perks, which vary based on their Air Canada Million Mile status as of January 1.

• One Million Miles: 2,500 SQC
• Two Million Miles: 5,000 SQC and Aeroplan 35K Status for a friend*
• Three Million Miles: 10,000 SQC and Aeroplan 50K Status for a friend*
• Four Million Miles: 20,000 SQC and Aeroplan 75K Status for a friend*
• Five Million Miles: 30,000 SQC and Aeroplan Super Elite Status for a friend*

For example, a Three Million Mile member will receive 10,000 SQC and one Aeroplan 50K Status for a friend at the beginning of every year. Upon reaching Four Million Mile status, they will receive 20,000 SQC and one Aeroplan 75K Status for a friend annually.

These annual perks will be deposited by the end of February for all eligible Million Mile members.

*The nomination must be completed by December 30th of the year in which the benefit was awarded. Once nominated, the recipient’s status will remain valid through the remainder of that benefit year.

The way you progress toward Aeroplan Elite Status when flying with Air Canada or a Star Alliance member airline will depend on your travel date:

• Flights taken and departing in 2025, until December 31, 2025, will continue to accumulate SQM, SQS and SQD. 
• Flights taken and departing on or after January 1, 2026, will accumulate SQC.

No, they are not the same.

While both can be accumulated with Air Canada, Aeroplan credit cards and everyday partners like Uber, LCBO, Starbucks and others, they are separate: 

Aeroplan points can be exchanged for rewards such as flights, hotel stays, and more. 

Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) are accumulated within a calendar year and enable Aeroplan Elite Status qualification and Core Benefits such as Complimentary Checked Bags, Priority Boarding, and lounge access when you travel. They also unlock Milestone Benefits for Elite Status Members. SQC are not redeemable or exchangeable. 

Yes – for travel on or after January 1, 2026:

*The amount spent includes base fare and airline surcharges but excludes applicable taxes, fees and third-party charges on eligible Air Canada flights.

** Aeroplan Elite Status Member will earn bonus Aeroplan points with the Elite Points Multiplier Core Benefit when the flights are ticketed/issued by Air Canada (014 ticket stock) and operated by Copa Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss and United Airlines.

If you book a ticket using a Limited-Credit Flight Pass, the price of the pass will be distributed equally across all your flight credits, and you will get SQC for each flight individually. However, while the sales taxes are paid upfront at the time of purchase, other fees—such as government-imposed taxes and airport fees—are only calculated when you book a flight using your credits. These fees vary depending on the specific flight and route you choose, which means the exact dollar value attributed to the base fare and carrier-surcharges will be determined at the time of booking. As a result, the exact number of SQC you get will also depend on the flight(s) you select.

If you travel in 2025, your accumulation will be based on the distance you fly; if you travel in 2026, your SQC will be based on how much you spend on the Limited-Credit Flight Pass. The SQC will be deposited into your account after the completion of the flight.

For an Unlimited Flight Pass, you will accumulate SQC based on the monthly installment amount you pay, and the type of fare purchased. The SQC will be deposited into your account at that time.

Please note there are no additional Aeroplan Base points, Status Qualifying Credits (SQC), Lifetime Qualifying Miles (LQM) or Every Day Qualification points (EDQ) credited for individual flight activities booked with an Unlimited Flight Pass.

Yes, you will accumulate SQC based on the total cost of the Air Canada Vacations package per member, including taxes and fees. Each Aeroplan Member will be awarded 1 SQC per $1 dollar spent on their individual portion of the trip. There is no limit to the SQC you accumulate with Air Canada Vacations packages.

SQC will be deposited once the last flight of the entire package is flown, however the activity date associated will be that of the first flight.

For example, for an Air Canada Vacations package with its first departing flight on June 15, 2026, and its last return flight on June 22, 2026, the SQC will be credited on June 22, 2026 with an activity date of June 15, 2026.

For added clarity, Air Canada Vacations packages with their first departing flights in 2025 and last return flights in 2026 will accumulate SQD with an activity date of 2025, and any related adjustments to your status will be retroactive and automatic.

Yes, members will accumulate 2 SQC per $1 spent on eUpgrade Add-ons. Like today, SQC will be credited based on the date of travel and be awarded to the person who sponsored the upgrade – i.e., the member whose account the eUpgrade credits were deducted from.

Yes, you will continue to accumulate 1 Everyday Qualifying point (EDQ) for every eligible Aeroplan point you earn. Upon reaching 100,000 EDQ, you will qualify for Aeroplan 25K Status.

However, accumulating SQC is the only path to reaching a higher Aeroplan Elite Status and unlocking Milestone Benefits.

You will accumulate both SQC and EDQ for eligible Aeroplan travel and everyday partner activities, as they track to different qualification paths:

• Accumulate 1 SQC for every 5 base Aeroplan points earned, per transaction, with travel partners such as our member-exclusive booking platform for hotels and car rentals, Marriott Bonvoy and Avis, and with everyday partners such as Uber, Starbucks, LCBO and Bell.  
  
  SQC that may be accumulated in this category is limited to 25,000 SQC annually, per member. These SQC will be added to your total and will help you reach any Elite Status and its associated Core Benefits and will unlock Milestone Benefits. 
  
  Aeroplan points converted from another program or earned through the Aeroplan eStore, through bonus offers or through promotions, are not eligible for SQC unless otherwise specified.

• Accumulate 1 EDQ for every 1 eligible Aeroplan point earned with Aeroplan partners, including the Aeroplan eStore. Once you accumulate 100,000 EDQ in a calendar year, you will reach Aeroplan 25K Status and its associated Core Benefits. However, even as an Aeroplan 25K Member, you will not unlock Milestone Benefits unless you cross an SQC Milestone.

In 2026, you will continue to accumulate Bonus eUpgrades and Bonus SQC (previously Bonus SQM) for eligible Flight Pass activities as a Core Benefit. The number of SQC and eUpgrade credits you receive will continue to be based on your status upon completion of an eligible Flight Pass activity, which includes:

• The purchase of an eligible Flight Pass of 6, 8, 10, 16 or 20 flight credits (excluding Unlimited Flight Passes and Flight Passes for Business and Flight Passes for Large Corporations)
• The usage of every 10 eligible flight credits in conjunction with a Flight Pass for Business or Flight Pass for Large Corporations
• The duration of the travel period when you purchase an eligible Unlimited Flight Pass, on a monthly basis.

• 30% off the price in points of a car or hotel redemption
• 30% off the price in points of a gift card and merchandise redemption
• One-time Maple Leaf Lounge guest passes offered through Milestone Benefits will be valid at all our lounges worldwide
• Bonus SQC
• Bonus Aeroplan points
• Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations Gift Cards

If you requalify for Aeroplan 75K or Super Elite status for 2026, and you nominated a friend for Aeroplan Elite status in 2025, your friend's status will extend automatically through the duration of the 2026 benefit year. This is meant to help the transition to Milestone Benefits in 2026. For example:

• If an Aeroplan Super Elite Status Member selects Aeroplan 50K Status for a Friend as part of their 2025 Select Benefits, and requalifies for their 2026 Super Elite Status, their friend's Aeroplan 50K status will be extended accordingly.
• If an Aeroplan 75K Status Member selects Aeroplan 35K Status for a Friend as part of their 2025 Select Benefits and requalifies for 2026 Aeroplan 75K Status or Super Elite Status, their friend's Aeroplan 35K status will be extended accordingly.
• Friends of Aeroplan Super Elite Status Members who were gifted status through a Chase credit card benefit in 2025 will also have their status extended, provided the gifting member requalifies for their 2026 Super Elite Status.
• The friend’s status will not be extended if a member:
  • Did not choose Status for a Friend in 2025; or
  • Did not share Status for a Friend in 2025; or
  • Does not requalify for their status in 2026.

Banked Aeroplan Super Elite Status continues to provide an automatic one-year status extension of Aeroplan Super Elite status the first time your status falls below that level, allowing you to continue enjoying Core Benefits, including Concierge Service and 6x Aeroplan points on Air Canada flights.

When a Banked Super Elite Status earned prior to December 31, 2025, is used to extend your status, you’ll also receive additional perks, deposited by February of that year:

• 20 eUpgrade credits; and
• The ability to nominate a friend to Aeroplan 50K Status*.

However, Banked Aeroplan Super Elite Statuses chosen through Milestone Benefits starting in 2026, will not include these additional perks when used to extend status

For example:

• If your Banked Aeroplan Super Elite Status was granted on or before December 31, 2025, you’ll receive Super Elite Core Benefits, an additional 20 eUpgrade credits and the opportunity to nominate a friend to Aeroplan 50K Status*.
• If your Banked Aeroplan Super Elite Status was chosen through Milestone Benefits on or after January 1, 2026, you’ll receive the Super Elite Core Benefits only.

*The nomination must be completed by December 30th of the year in which the benefit was awarded; once nominated, the recipient’s status will remain valid through the end of that benefit year.

Our teams are working hard to make sure our members can enjoy fast, free Wi-Fi as soon as possible. We plan to expand complimentary Wi-Fi to international routes by the end of 2026.

Aeroplan 75K and Aeroplan Super Elite members who selected the Aeroplan Elite Wi-Fi 12-month plan as part of their 2025 Select Benefits, and who requalify for their status in 2026, will have their Wi-Fi plan automatically extended through 2026.

For example:

• If an Aeroplan Super Elite Status Member selects the Aeroplan Elite Wi-Fi plan as part of their 2025 Select Benefits and requalifies for 2026 Aeroplan 75K Status or Super Elite Status, their plan will be extended.
• If an Aeroplan 75K Status Member selects the Aeroplan Elite Wi-Fi plan as part of their 2025 Select Benefits and requalifies for 2026 Aeroplan 75K Status or Super Elite Status, their plan will be extended.
• The Aeroplan Elite Wi-Fi plan will not be extended if the member:
  • Did not choose Aeroplan Elite Wi-Fi in 2025; or
  • Does not requalify for Aeroplan 75K Status or Super Elite Status in 2026.

Your Chase Aeroplan Card continues to award you Aeroplan 25K Status if you spend $15,000 each calendar year and will allow you to unlock SQC for spend. You will now also have the ability to unlock up to a combined total maximum of 25,000 SQC per Aeroplan Member per calendar year across all Aeroplan Credit Cards, including on your Chase Aeroplan Card. This will directly contribute to reaching a higher Elite status and unlocking Milestone Benefits.

If your Chase Aeroplan Card is closed for any reason, the 5,000 annual Status Qualifying Credits deposited for the current Elite Year will be removed from your Aeroplan account and any status and/or benefits given as a result may also be rescinded.

If you are an existing Chase Aeroplan cardmember and spend $50,000 within the 2025 calendar year, you will be eligible for the Aeroplan Elite Status Level Up benefit once more in 2026. The Aeroplan Elite Status Level Up will be based on the highest status you earned for 2026. The update will be completed by the end of March 2026 and your Aeroplan Elite status will be valid through January 31, 2027.

Starting in 2026 and going forward, your Chase Aeroplan credit card spend will contribute based on the new structure above, and the Aeroplan Elite Status Level Up benefit will no longer be in effect.