Your Guide to Aeroplan Elite Status

Aeroplan is a valuable loyalty program on its own, and reaching Aeroplan Elite status increases the value even further. Members can reach this level by accumulating a certain number of points within a calendar year, typically through qualifying purchases and flights.

Making use of the best Aeroplan credit cards can help you reach Elite status significantly faster, allowing you to enjoy premium perks like priority check-ins, free checked bags, eUpgrade credits, lounge passes, and more.

In this article, we explain the details of Aeroplan Elite status, including the associated benefits and whether it's worth it for you.

What is Aeroplan Elite Status?

Think of Elite Status as the supercharged version of the basic Aeroplan rewards program. If you're already an Aeroplan member, maybe you already know that qualifying flights, travel segments, and purchases made with an Aeroplan credit card earn you Elite Status points.

Once you accumulate enough points in a calendar year, you become an Elite Status member for the following calendar year.

In addition to the core benefits that all Aeroplan members get, you'll have the opportunity to choose select benefits with each Elite Status you reach.

How to get Aeroplan Elite Status

Flying Air Canada isn't the only way to earn elite points, although it is one way to earn qualifying miles. You can also achieve Elite Status by earning enough status qualifying segments (SQC) or everyday status qualification (EDQ).

Take a look at how many SQC it takes to reach each tier, then learn about what each qualification entails.

Status qualifying credits (SQC)

Aeroplan recently streamlined how you earn status. Instead of tracking spending and miles flown with separate designators, there's now just status qualifying credits (SQC).

Here are just some of the most popular ways to earn SQC that count toward your yearly elite status:

• 4 SQC per $1 spent on Economy Flex fares or higher (Air Canada and Star Alliance partners)
• 2 SQC per $1 spent on Economy Standard fares and eUpgrade add-ons
• 1 SQC per $1 spent on Air Canada vacation packages
• 1 SQC per 5 Aeroplan points you earn with Aeroplan partners
• 1,000 SQC per $5,000 you spend on an Aeroplan premium credit card

Note that if you're flying with an airline that's ticketed by Air Canada, but the airline is not a Star Alliance member, you won't earn SQC for the flight.

Everyday status qualification (EDQ)

You can also shop your way to Aeroplan Elite Status! We should quickly point out that this only gets you to 25K status. Every status after 25K must be earned by flight activity.

You'll earn everyday status qualification (EDQ) by shopping at Aeroplan's eStore and on everyday purchases you make using an Aeroplan credit card. Typically, you'll get 1 point per $1 spent.

Aeroplan Elite Status benefits

Each Elite Status tier has core benefits that are automatically included – but you'll also earn the ability to select benefits to personalize your travel. More on these benefits below.

Aeroplan 25K

How to qualify: 25,000 SQC or 100,000 EDQ in 1 calendar year

Core benefits

• Priority contacts and reservation waitlist
• Priority check-in and airport standby
• 1 complimentary checked bag and sports equipment handling
• Priority boarding and complimentary preferred seats (with eligible fares)
• 5 automatic eUpgrade credits
• Avis Elite status when booking Avis
• Earn 2 bonus Aeroplan points when shopping the eStore
• Star Alliance Silver recognition

Aeroplan 35K

How to qualify: 35,000 SQC

Core benefits

Reach 35K status and you'll be rewarded with all the core benefits listed above, plus the following:

• 3 complimentary checked bags
• Priority baggage handling and priority security clearance
• 5 additional eUpgrade credits (for a total of 10)

Aeroplan 50K

How to qualify: 50,000 SQC

Core benefits

You'll have to earn significantly more to make it to 50K Elite status, but you'll get all of the core benefits of the above tiers plus all of the following:

• Complimentary standard seat selection
• Complimentary preferred seats at the time of booking
• 10 additional eUpgrade credits (for a total of 15)
• Complimentary access to Maple Leaf Lounges, Air Canada Cafes, and Star Alliance Gold Lounges, as well as non-alliance lounges
• Star Alliance Gold recognition

Aeroplan 75K

How to qualify: 75,000 SQC

Core benefits

The 75K tier offers the same core benefits as 50K, plus expanded priority rewards. Although there's not as much difference between 50K and 75K, you will earn 15 additional eUpgrade credits (for a total of 20).

Aeroplan Super Elite

How to qualify: 125,000 SQC

Core benefits

As you might expect, the best benefits are reserved for Super Elite status. You'll get all of the core benefits of every previous tier, along with:

• Air Canada Concierge service
• Access to London Heathrow's Arrivals Lounge
• 25 additional eUpgrade credits (for a total of 30)
• 1 eUpgrade nominee
• Complimentary changes and cancellations with Aeroplan flight rewards
• 2 status passes
• Complimentary in-flight refreshment

Aeroplan Milestone Benefits

Think of Milestone Benefits as perks you accumulate as you gain Elite Status, even though you earn these benefits more frequently. We already highlighted the automatic Milestone Benefits you receive at every level – they're the eUpgrade credits at every tier.

However, at each Elite Status level, you'll be able to choose 1 special Milestone Benefit. Here's what you can select at each Milestone Benefit level:

You get the idea – the more milestones you hit, the more perks you can select from. Although our table doesn't show it, you'll continue to get these reward options for every 10,000 SQC you accumulate.

Is Aeroplan Elite Status worth it?

We scoured Reddit to see what real Aeroplan collectors think of the Elite Status offerings, specifically, the Milestone Benefits. The consensus seems to be that Priority Rewards are the most sought-after benefit.

One Redditor notes that you will probably want to select the SQC bonus to help you gain Elite Status, but that if you already have it, you should choose the Priority Reward.

FAQ

How do I get 25K Elite Status with Aeroplan?

You have 2 options for earning 25K Elite Status. First, you can earn 25,000 status qualifying credits (SQC). Otherwise, you can earn it by gaining 100,000 everyday status qualification (EDQ). 1 Aeroplan point equals 1 EDQ, so you'll essentially need 100,000 Aeroplan points.

How long does Aeroplan Elite Status last?

You accumulate qualifying points during a calendar year and enjoy the Elite status for the following calendar year. So, if you earn 25,000 points by November, you'll have Elite status for the remaining month of the year plus the following calendar year.

Does 25K status get lounge access?

While the 25K tier doesn't automatically grant you lounge access, when you hit the 20,000 Milestone Benefit, you can choose to get 2 Maple Leaf Lounge one-time guest passes. Each pass can be used at any Maple Leaf Lounge worldwide.

How do you get Aeroplan Elite Status without flying?

You only have the opportunity to earn 25K status without flying. Here's how: Earn 100,000 Aeroplan points, which equal 100,000 everyday status qualification (EDQ). Remember, you can earn points by shopping with partners or at the Aeroplan eStore.