In 2026, Air Canada will undertake a revenue-based mannequin for incomes Aeroplan Elite standing (and incomes Aeroplan factors, which we’ve mentioned in a separate article).
For my part, the shift to a revenue-based mannequin for Aeroplan Elite standing is a way more important change than it’s for incomes Aeroplan factors on paid flights, and there’s quite a bit to digest in regards to the modifications.
Acknowledging that there’s no one-size-fits-all end result for everybody with this new revenue-based mannequin, let’s flip our consideration to analyzing the modifications to Aeroplan Elite standing one-by-one, together with who will profit extra and who should put in additional effort to earn standing than earlier than.
Previous to studying this text, I like to recommend studying by our complete information to all the modifications which are set to take impact subsequent yr as Air Canada adopts a revenue-based incomes mannequin, as you’ll need to have all of these particulars recent in your thoughts for this evaluation.
Incomes Aeroplan Elite Standing with SQC vs. SQM, SQS, and SQD
First off, let’s check out what incomes Aeroplan Elite standing will appear like with Standing Qualifying Credit versus Standing Qualifying Miles, Segments, and {Dollars}.
On a constructive notice, you’ll solely must concern your self with one metric for standing qualification going ahead, and SQCs are a a lot easier idea than the present mixture of SQM, SQS, and SQD.
Certainly, the mathematics for calculating the SQC you get by flying is way much less advanced: Economic system (Primary) fares gained’t get SQC, Economic system (Commonplace) fares get 2 SQC per greenback spent, and Economic system (Flex) fares and better get 4 SQC per greenback spent.
As we’ll discover later on this article, you can even acquire SQC by participating with Aeroplan companions (and flying with Star Alliance-member airways), spending on Aeroplan co-branded bank cards, the Head Begin profit on Aeroplan premium co-branded bank cards, and thru Milestone profit selections.
Spending Thresholds to Earn Standing within the Present vs. New Fashions
Whether or not or not qualifying for Aeroplan Elite standing will likely be kind of troublesome with SQC than it’s with the present mannequin will rely upon the way you journey, how you purchase your fares, how usually you interact with companions, the way you leverage bank cards, and extra.
Because it stands, you qualify for Elite standing with the next SQM, SQS, and SQD quantities:
- Aeroplan 25K: 25,000 SQM or 25 SQS, and $3,000 SQD
- Aeroplan 35K: 35,000 SQM or 35 SQS, and $4,000 SQD
- Aeroplan 50K: 50,000 SQM or 50 SQS, and $6,000 SQD
- Aeroplan 75K: 75,000 SQM or 75 SQS, and $9,000 SQD
- Aeroplan Tremendous Elite: 100,000 SQM or 100 SQS, and $20,000 SQD
As a reminder, you’ll want to gather the next quantities of SQC to earn Elite standing in starting in 2026:
- Aeroplan 25K: 25,000 SQC
- Aeroplan 35K: 35,000 SQC
- Aeroplan 50K: 50,000 SQC
- Aeroplan 75K: 75,000 SQC
- Aeroplan Tremendous Elite: 125,000 SQC
With the above in thoughts, the next desk reveals the efficient SQC-spending thresholds (with Economic system (Commonplace) and Economic system (Flex) fares and better) in comparison with the present SQD-spending thresholds.
If we put apart the nuances of SQM/SQS versus SQC, in addition to ignore the power to gather SQC (and SQM/SQS) by different means for now, and if we focus solely on how a lot you’d must spend with the 2 fashions, then we see that incomes standing would require extra spending with Air Canada within the new revenue-based mannequin than within the present one.
Once more, this doesn’t think about any SQC collected by different means, nor does it think about the necessity to additionally earn SQM/SQS (and the assorted methods to take action) with the present mannequin.
It goes to point out that in case you’re in any respect involved about incomes Aeroplan Elite standing going ahead, then Economic system (Commonplace) fares probably gained’t work in your favour in any respect. That’s since you’ll get 50% fewer SQC per greenback spent than Economic system (Flex) fares and up, which signifies that the quantity you’d must spend to earn standing rises considerably.
After all, because of this you’d must spend incrementally extra to bump as much as Economic system (Flex) fares and better if you store for Air Canada fares if you wish to make sure you’re incomes optimally in direction of standing each time you fly.
Economic system (Flex) fares and up additionally produce other advantages that you just’ll want to think about, together with change charges, seat choice, eUpgrade prices (in each credit and add-on charges), and extra.
Reducing the Thresholds by Accumulating SQC Via Different Means
The above figures additionally present that for each 1,000 SQC you get by different means (e.g., by companions, bank card spending, the Head Begin profit, and/or Milestone advantages), the edge to qualify for standing is successfully lowered by 1,000 SQC.
In actual fact, in case you issue within the capability to gather SQC by these different means, you’ll be able to successfully maintain the present SQD spending necessities equal with the brand new revenue-based system.
Assuming that you just e book Economic system (Flex) fares and up, you’d want to gather the next quantities of SQC by companions, bank card spending, the Head Begin profit, and/or Milestone advantages to maintain the efficient SQD thresholds the identical with the brand new SQC-based system.
From the above chart, we are able to draw the next conclusions:
- With out contemplating SQC earned by different means, incomes standing would require 56.25–118.75% extra spending on flights with the brand new mannequin (assuming Economic system (Flex) fares and up)
- However, you’ll be able to successfully keep the present SQD spending thresholds by accumulating 13,000, 19,000, 26,000, 39,000 or 45,000 SQC by different means for 25K, 35K, 50K, 75K, and Tremendous Elite standing, respectively
- Subsequently, it’s in your greatest curiosity to leverage different methods of accumulating SQC to make qualifying for standing simpler going ahead
Certainly, it is a clear instance of how revenue-based fashions reward those that interact with the airline and its companions greater than those that don’t.
Plus, it’s price noting that you’ll have the ability to earn Aeroplan 25K, 35K, and even 50K standing with out flying by accumulating SQC by companions and bank card spending, in addition to 25K standing by On a regular basis Standing Qualification (as you’ll be able to right now).
Aeroplan Elite Standing Milestones vs. Choose Advantages & Threshold Rewards
Other than the transfer to SQC, the largest change that Aeroplan Elites might want to get used to is the introduction of Milestones as a alternative for Threshold Rewards, Choose Advantages, and the automated awarding of Precedence Rewards with SQD thresholds.
As a reminder, you’ll earn a Milestone profit for each 10,000 SQC collected (as much as 200,000 SQC), after which for each 20,000 SQC collected thereafter (as much as 1 million SQC) with the revamped Elite standing.
In some circumstances, Milestones are computerized, whereas in others you get to make one choice. In some circumstances, you get each.
The beneath chart reveals all the Milestone advantages which are awarded at every SQC threshold.
First off, it’s attention-grabbing to see that Air Canada opted to not supply any Milestone advantages to non-Elites as they pursue standing for the primary time, as that is one thing we’ve seen launched in a number of completely different applications just lately (WestJet Rewards and Alaska Airways Mileage Plan come to thoughts right here).
In different phrases, in case you’re climbing the Elite ladder for the primary time, you gained’t get a Milestone profit on the 10,000- and 20,000-SQC thresholds (as you’d if you have already got Elite standing).
Relating to the Milestone advantages provided, beneath are a number of high-level ideas. We’ll do a deep-dive evaluation of the brand new Milestone advantages versus right now’s Choose Advantages, Threshold Rewards, and Precedence Rewards within the close to future.
For Precedence Rewards, right here’s a comparability of how a lot you’d must spend to earn a Precedence Reward between the present mannequin and the long run mannequin. Be aware that the SQC spending necessities assume incomes 4 SQC per greenback spent on Economic system (Flex) fares and up.
As you’ll be able to see, the efficient spending threshold to earn a Precedence Reward has elevated by $1,000–5,000; nevertheless, this doesn’t think about any SQC you will get exterior of paid flights (which might depend in direction of SQC thresholds, and due to this fact Milestone advantages).
Plus, starting subsequent yr, you’d must forego different Milestone advantages to earn Precedence Rewards, whereas they’re awarded routinely upon assembly spending thresholds right now.
For my part, Precedence Rewards stay one of many strongest advantages obtainable to Elites, they usually characterize a compelling alternative for the selection-based Milestones.
In the meantime, you’ll have the choice to spice up your eUpgrade stability by hitting computerized Milestones, in addition to by some selection-based Milestones.
Whereas the Core Profit eUpgrade allotment is reducing for Aeroplan 25K, 35K, and 5oK members, you may improve your eUpgrade allotment by 10 eUpgrades at every threshold of 10,000 SQC (as much as 50,000 SQC), although this may require forgoing Precedence Rewards to your selection-based Milestone.
As we’ve lined extensively, eUpgrades are a helpful software if used strategically (particularly together with a Precedence Reward).
We additionally see having the ability to reward Aeroplan 25K, 35K, 50K, and 75K standing as selection-based Milestones, in addition to the opposite normal suspects (bonus Aeroplan factors, bonus SQC, Standing Passes, reward playing cards, and reductions on choose Aeroplan redemptions).
It’s price noting that gifting 75K standing is a selection-based Milestone on the 200,000-SQC threshold; nevertheless, it will require forgoing the banked yr of Tremendous Elite standing, which is a extra helpful (and in style) perk in my view.
I’d argue that it by no means actually is smart to pick out the 30% off lodge, automobile, reward card, or merchandise redemptions, since Aeroplan factors are sometimes greatest used for flight redemptions (talking strictly from a cents-per-point perspective).
In any other case, there are strong choices for Elite members to think about at every threshold, every with their very own benefit.
Specifically, the bonus SQC obtainable at sure Milestone thresholds give you one other pathway in direction of decreasing the efficient qualification thresholds, past the 25,000 SQC you will get with companions and the 25,000 you will get through bank card spending.
Plus, the supply of Milestone advantages at increments of 10,000 SQC encourages members to proceed participating with Air Canada and its companions in-between the distinct standing tiers.
Once more, we’ll dedicate a separate article fully to the evaluation of Milestones within the close to future, which can embody our recommendations for probably the most intriguing selections at every selection-based threshold.
Adjustments to Aeroplan Elite Standing Core Advantages & eUpgrades
By and enormous, you’ll get pleasure from the identical Core Advantages as an Aeroplan Elite member in 2026 as you do right now.
As we described in our overview of the modifications, the one exceptions to this are the next:
- Maple Leaf Lounge passes will now not be awarded as a Core Profit (although they’re obtainable as a Milestone choice)
- Core eUpgrade allotments are altering (lower-tier members will get much less, 75K members will get the identical, and Tremendous Elites will get extra)
- Bonus SQM earned by Flight Passes will change to an equal quantity of bonus SQC
To me, the largest change right here is the redistribution of eUpgrades as a Core Profit, which is printed within the following desk.
As you’ll be able to see, members within the first three standing tiers (25K, 35K, and 50K) will obtain fewer eUpgrades as a Core Profit allotment, whereas the highest two tiers will obtain the identical (75K) or extra (Tremendous Elites) eUpgrades.
Because of this lower-tier members should work more durable to obtain the identical allotment of eUpgrades as they get pleasure from now (by incomes Milestone advantages), whereas 75K and Tremendous Elite members will profit from the identical or a better allotment of eUpgrades to start the yr (in addition to by Milestones).
Moreover, in case you qualify for Aeroplan 25K standing by means of On a regular basis Standing Qualification, you’re going to lose out with the modifications to eUpgrade allotments and the introduction of Milestones, because you’ll solely have 5 at your disposal, in comparison with the present 20 you’d get as a Core Profit and 5 that you may select as a Choose Profit. To earn any extra, you’d want to gather sufficient SQC to hit Milestone thresholds.
We additionally know that the eUpgrade add-on charges for Economic system (Commonplace) charges are rising, although we don’t but know by how a lot.
For my part, utilizing eUpgrades with Economic system (Commonplace) fares isn’t a great follow within the first place, because the leap to an Economic system (Flex) fare or larger normally makes extra sense than consuming the add-on charge (along with requiring fewer eUpgrades).
On a constructive notice, you’ll have the ability to share your eUpgrades with as much as 4 journey companions on the identical reserving beginning subsequent yr. Plus, you’ll have the ability to share them with a further 4 journey companions on the day of journey who’re on the identical flight.
That is nice information for Elites who journey with household and associates, who can at the moment apply their eUpgrades to as much as two others on the identical reserving (in addition to as much as two others on the day of journey). Plus, Tremendous Elites can designate an eUpgrade nominee.
At this stage, there are not any modifications deliberate for the eUpgrade waitlist rating system, nor are there amendments to the variety of eUpgrades required based mostly on fare, distance, and vacation spot.
Incomes SQC by Aeroplan Companions & Credit score Playing cards
As we mentioned earlier, the efficient spending thresholds to qualify for Aeroplan Elite standing have risen with the revenue-based mannequin. Nonetheless, the power to gather as much as 25,000 SQC every by participating with companions and thru bank card spending can lead to equalling and even decreasing the equal present SQD spending thresholds.
Incomes SQC by Aeroplan Companions
As a reminder, you’ll be able to rise up to 25,000 SQC annually by participating with Aeroplan’s on a regular basis companions (resembling Starbucks, Uber, Uber Eats, the LCBO, Journie Rewards, and extra), travelling with Star Alliance-member airways (on tickets not issued by Air Canada), and by choose journey companions (resembling Avis, Marriott, and extra).
A full listing of those companions might be discovered on the Air Canada web site.
Inside this group, you’ll get 1 SQC for each 5 Aeroplan factors earned, which signifies that you’d must earn a complete 125,000 Aeroplan factors over the course of the yr to gather the total allotment of 25,000 SQC.
For my part, it’ll be troublesome to max out the SQC accrual this fashion, because it’d require a reasonably important quantity of spending to earn 125,000 Aeroplan factors. The principle exception I can see right here is in case you repeatedly journey with Star Alliance airways in premium cabins, at which level you’d probably see a significant increase.
Moreover, I’d like to see Aeroplan factors earned by the Aeroplan eStore depend in direction of this bucket of SQC sooner or later, as spending throughout promotions that supply 5–10x Aeroplan factors can be equal to 1–2x SQC, which might be excellent.
Nonetheless, since each SQC you get by this set of companions is one fewer SQC required to achieve Elite standing, you need to think about SQC accrual with these companions as a part of your standing technique.
Incomes SQC by Credit score Card Spending
Relating to accumulating as much as 25,000 SQC by bank card spending, you’ll actually need to add a premium Aeroplan bank card to your pockets for a leg up on incomes standing.
That’s as a result of premium playing cards, which get 1,000 SQC for each $5,000 spent, will get SQC 4 occasions sooner than core playing cards, which get 1,000 SQC for each $20,000 spent.
With a premium card, you’d must spend $125,000 (CAD) in a calendar yr to max out the gathering of 25,000 SQC, whereas with a core card, you’d must spend a whopping $500,000 to max out the gathering of 25,000 SQC.
Premium Aeroplan Credit score Playing cards
Certainly, the pairing of Elite standing with a premium Aeroplan bank card is rather more important in 2026 than it’s now. In any case, core cardholders who benefited from incomes 1,000 SQM/ 1 SQS per $10,000 spent will now have a much less beneficial SQC incomes ratio (1,000 SQC per $20,000 spent) and are very a lot nudged in direction of the premium playing cards.
In case you are eligible for US bank cards, it’s price noting that the Chase Aeroplan Card presents a superior pathway to maxing out this bucket of 25,000 SQC.
That’s as a result of you’ll get the whole of 25,000 SQC upon spending simply $50,000 USD (round $69,000 CAD), which is simply over half of the required spending to gather 25,000 SQC on a Canadian premium Aeroplan bank card.
When the 2 buckets of 25,000 SQC that you could earn with out flying are put collectively, it’s attention-grabbing to see that you could earn Aeroplan 25K, 35K, and 50K standing with out ever setting foot on a aircraft beginning in 2026.
Certainly, this isn’t a possible end result for many Aeroplan members, and a extra sensible consequence will likely be two further pathways to gather SQC and cut back the efficient thresholds to qualify for Elite standing.
Evaluating the SQC Head Begin Profit vs. the SQM Rollover Profit
Lastly, let’s go over the sunsetting of the SQM/SQS rollover profit and the implementation of the Head Begin profit on premium Aeroplan co-branded bank cards.
At present, you’ll be able to roll over as much as 200,000 unused SQM by to the subsequent qualifying yr, so long as you’ve organically certified for standing and are a major cardholder of a premium Aeroplan card by December 15.
For a lot of cardholders, this profit has confirmed to be notably profitable over the previous 5 years, because the rollover SQM depend in direction of incomes Threshold Rewards.
In the event you had a big quantity of non-public or enterprise spending in addition to a excessive frequency of journey, you have been in a position to accumulate an enormous quantity of SQM – 1,000 SQM / 1 SQS per $5,000 spent in your card, plus no matter you earn by flying.
The very best candy spots with this technique have been being awarded with a banked yr of Tremendous Elite standing upon crossing 250,000 SQM annually, and having the SQM requirement for Tremendous Elite standing fulfilled on the onset of the subsequent qualifying yr.
Starting in 2027, premium cardholders will get pleasure from the brand new Head Begin profit as an alternative, which awards 10% of the whole SQC collected within the earlier yr to provide you a kick begin in direction of standing the next yr.
The Head Begin profit will certainly play a constructive function in finessing your means in direction of standing annually, particularly as there’s no cap. Assuming you do the naked minimal to qualify for standing at every tier, the qualification thresholds can be successfully diminished by 10% annually (or extra), which is a pleasant characteristic so as to add to your Elite standing finessing toolkit.
On the identical time, the Head Begin profit gained’t play as large of a task as the mixture of rollover SQM and spend-based SQM accrual each by way of standing qualification and in advantages awarded.
In different phrases, accumulating sufficient SQC to unlock a banked yr of Tremendous Elite standing (obtainable as a selection-based Milestone on the 200,000 SQC threshold) would require extra legwork than it did with the rollover profit, which can probably end in fewer Elites banking Tremendous Elite standing.
Plus, the banked yr of Tremendous Elite will now not be awarded routinely; as an alternative, it have to be chosen as a Milestone profit over different selections.
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Conclusion
As we’ve proven within the above dialogue, there are important modifications coming to Aeroplan Elite standing in 2026 as Air Canada strikes to a revenue-based mannequin for qualification.
Total, attaining Aeroplan Elite standing in 2026 goes to require extra legwork than it does at the moment, though you’ll be rewarded appropriately to your efforts as you attain the upper standing tiers – which is precisely what revenue-based fashions goal to do.
Moreover, there’s a deepened integration with associate engagement and premium co-branded bank cards, which can play a extra vital function in standing qualification going ahead in comparison with now.
Nonetheless, we’re additionally seeing the sunsetting of among the greatest alternatives to finesse your means up the Elite standing ladder, with the lack of the Chase Aeroplan Card’s Degree Up profit and the shift away from rollover SQM. We’re additionally lamenting the lack of a straightforward 25 eUpgrades for Aeroplan 25K Elites who certified by On a regular basis Standing Qualification.
Certainly, these traits are very a lot consistent with the general route of the trade, whereby elevated engagement and willingness to spend are met with extra profitable perks, whereas much less entrenched members might want to ramp up their exercise to keep up an analogous degree of standing as earlier than.
