Air Canada eUpgrades allow you to boost your seat on most Air Canada and Air Canada-operated flights to the Business or Premium Economy cabin without paying a cent. eUpgrades are reserved for Aeroplan members using eUpgrade credits, which you can earn by buying Flight Passes, flying Air Canada, and gaining or maintaining Elite Status membership.
Key Takeaways
- Aeroplan members can use eUpgrade credits to request an upgrade to Business or Premium Economy Class on Air Canada and Air Canada-operated flights.
- Aeroplan members earn eUpgrade credits by buying Flight Passes, flying Air Canada, and gaining or maintaining Elite Status membership.
- The cost of an eUpgrade depends on your original flight class, your destination, the length of your trip, and your payment method.
- Aeroplan Elite Status members can request an eUpgrade up to 14 days before the departure date.
- An Aeroplan credit card can help you earn Aeroplan Points, enjoy VIP perks, and qualify for 25K Elite Status membership.
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What are Air Canada eUpgrades?
Air Canada eUpgrades are yet another perk of one of the best rewards programs in Canada. Imagine enjoying your Air Canada or Air Canada-operated flight in Business or Premium Economy Class – for discounted or zero fees!
Like Aeroplan Points, only Aeroplan members can earn and spend eUpgrade credits. The biggest difference between the two is what you can spend them on:
- You can earn Aeroplan Points by buying Air Canada flight fares and flight-related services, and using an Aeroplan credit card (more on that later). Aeroplan Points are redeemable on 7 types of membership rewards, including gift cards, merchandise, and flights.
- You can earn eUpgrade credits by buying Air Canada Flight Passes and climbing Aeroplan membership levels. The credits are only useable for eUpgrades on Air Canada, Air Canada Express, or Air Canada Rouge flights.
You can see how many eUpgrade credits you have by logging into the Aeroplan app or website, clicking on "My Aeroplan," and selecting the “Benefits” tab.
Business and Premium Economy benefits
An Air Canada eUpgrade can get you everything from a larger seat to access to the award-winning Maple Leaf Lounges. The luxurious trappings of Premium Economy and Business Class include:
- An adjustable headrest, comfortable pillow, blanket, and complimentary CleanCare+ kit
- Ambient mood lighting and individual reading light
- Larger seats with more recline, extra legroom, and in-seat power outlets
- Premium meal menu
- Priority boarding, check-in, and baggage handling, plus 2 free checked bags
- Touchscreen television, on-demand entertainment, and complimentary earbud headset
- Access to 7,000+ publications through the PressReader app (Business only)
- Complimentary all-inclusive meal tray and bar service (Business only)
- Exclusive full-service check-in counter and priority security clearance (Business only)
- Guaranteed access to a window or aisle (Business only)
- Maple Leaf Lounge access (Business only)
How to get Air Canada eUpgrade credits
There are 9 ways for Aeroplan members to earn eUpgrade credits. Unfortunately, free members don’t get credits – you must be an Elite Status 25K, 35K, 50K, 75K, or Super Elite member.
The higher your membership level, the more credits you earn.
| How to earn eUpgrade credits | 25K | 35K | 50K | 75K | Super Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase an eligible Flight Pass with 6–20 flight credits, OR use 10+ flight credits on a Flight Pass for Business or Large Corporations, OR purchase an Unlimited Flight Pass | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| Qualify to remain at your current Aeroplan Elite Status membership level for the next calendar year | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Choose eUpgrade credits as a Select Benefit on qualifying for a higher Aeroplan Elite Status membership level within 1 calendar year | 5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Choose eUpgrade credits as a Select Benefit on qualifying to remain at your current Aeroplan Elite Status membership level for the next calendar year | 15 | 20 | 35 | 50 | |
| Fly 60,000 qualifying miles or 60 qualifying flights | 10 | 10 | 10 | ||
| Fly 80,000 qualifying miles or 80 qualifying flights | 10 | 10 | |||
| Fly 100,000 qualifying miles or 100 qualifying flights | 20 | ||||
| Fly 140,000 qualifying miles or 1400 qualifying flights | 20 | ||||
| Every 40,000 qualifying miles flown or 40 qualifying flights flown (to a maximum of 700,000 miles/700 flights in 1 year) | 20 |
How to use eUpgrade credits
The cost of an eUpgrade depends on 4 factors:
- The class and cost of your base fare
- The length of your flight
- The region you’re flying to
- Whether you paid in Aeroplan points or by credit card
The Air Canada eUpgrade tool can show you exactly how many credits you need to upgrade your flight ticket. You can also jump right into the eUpgrade request process – the Air Canada website will also show you how many credits and/or dollars an eUpgrade will cost before you commit.
Note: We say "request" because eUpgrades aren’t guaranteed. Air Canada posts a limited number of eUpgrades per flight, and higher Aeroplan Elite Status members get priority access to what’s available.
Depending on your membership level, your "clearance window" – aka the number of days before a flight in which you can request an eUpgrade – ranges from 3 days to “anytime.”
| Destination and original fare | Free member | 25K | 35K | 50K | 75K | Super Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All flights in Latitude or Premium Economy (Flexible) | 7 days | Anytime | Anytime | Anytime | Anytime | Anytime |
| North America/sun destinations in Standard, Flex, Comfort, or Premium Economy (Lowest) | N/A | 4 days | 8 days | 10 days | 12 days | 14 days |
| International in Standard, Flex, Comfort, or Premium Economy (Lowest) | N/A | 3 days | 4 days | 5 days | 6 days | 7 days |
As you can see, free Aeroplan members can only request an eUpgrade on a Latitude or Premium Economy (Flexible) ticket – and since they’re unlikely to have any eUpgrade credits in their account, they’ll probably have to pay in cash.
How to make an eUpgrade request
You can make an eUpgrade request ahead of time in 5 easy steps:
- Sign in to the eUpgrade portal using your Aeroplan account info.
- Click the "My Bookings" tab and enter your booking reference/ticket number and last name, then click “Find.”
- Click the "eUpgrade" button and review the cabin and cost options. Tick the box under the upgraded cabin you’d like and click “Continue.”
- Review your eUpgrade request, including the cost in credits (and fees, if applicable), then enter your email and click "I accept, purchase."
- Check your email for confirmation your request was received.
Air Canada’s booking system will remove the necessary eUpgrade credits from your account and make the request once your clearance window opens. If the request is successful, you’ll receive a follow-up email. If it’s not, the eUpgrade credits should re-appear in your account within 72 hours.
You can request a last-minute eUpgrade on the day of your flight when you check in online, on your mobile device, at an airport kiosk, or at the check-in counter.
eUpgrade expiry dates and restrictions
At the time of writing, any eUpgrade credits earned before and up to June 30, 2024 expire on January 16, 2025. Going forward, any eUpgrade credits earned on and after July 1, 2024, will expire 1 year after the original earn date.
Also, keep in mind:
- If you’re travelling with a pet, you can only select an eUpgrade to Business Class. Pets aren’t allowed in Premium Economy cabins.
- You can only earn Aeroplan Points on your original fare.
- You must contact Air Canada directly to cancel a successful eUpgrade request.
- You must contact Air Canada directly to purchase eUpgrades for 3 or more travelling companions.
Unless your request was unsuccessful, eUpgrade credits usually aren’t refundable. Plus, you can’t request an eUpgrade if no Business or Premium Economy seats are available, if you’re flying Basic Economy, or if you’re flying on a non-Air-Canada-operated partner airline.
How to get Aeroplan Elite Status
Aeroplan Elite Status members don’t just earn eUpgrade credits faster and get priority upgrade requests – Super Elite members can also make eUpgrade requests on behalf of 1 nominee per year, even if they aren’t travelling together.
There are just 2 ways to improve your Aeroplan Elite Status membership: fly Air Canada or use an Aeroplan credit card.
Fly Air Canada
Aeroplan is designed to benefit frequent flyers the most. To advance your membership, you must spend a minimum amount of qualifying dollars AND fly a minimum number of qualifying flights or fly a minimum number of qualifying miles within 1 calendar year.
Qualifying dollars come from purchasing flights on Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Premium Rouge, or a partner airline, or buying flight-related services such as in-flight food or drink. A qualifying flight is any trip of 250 air miles or more, while qualifying air miles are, well, miles.
Each Elite Status membership level is named after the number of miles you must fly to qualify:
| Elite Status | Qualifying dollars AND | Qualifying flights OR | Qualifying miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25K | $3,000 | 25 | 25,000 |
| 35K | $3,000 | 35 | 35,000 |
| 50K | $6,000 | 50 | 50,000 |
| 75K | $9,000 | 75 | 75,000 |
| Super Elite | $20,000 | 100+ | 100,000 |
Once you qualify for the next membership level, you can opt to receive 5–10 eUpgrade credits and you’ll immediately enjoy all the perks you’re due, including:
- 25–100% bonus Aeroplan Points per flight
- 20 eUpgrade credits per year
- 3 bonus Aeroplan Points per $1 spent on partner hotels and rental cars
- 2 bonus Aeroplan Points per $1 spent on the Aeroplan eStore
- Complimentary preferred seat selection on Standard or Flex fares
Remember: Basic Economy flights don’t count toward qualifying dollars, flights, or miles. You must purchase a Standard Economy fare or higher.
Use an Aeroplan credit card
The only way to earn Elite Status membership without flying is by collecting Aeroplan Points. Free Aeroplan members who collect 100,000+ Aeroplan Points in 1 calendar year automatically qualify for 25K Elite Status membership.
Earning Aeroplan Points is more flexible than earning qualifying dollars, flights, or miles. You can earn points on:
- Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Premium Rouge, or partner airline flights and flight-related services
- Air Canada hotel reservations, rental cars, and vacation packages
- Points conversions from other reward programs
- Points purchases or boosts
- Purchases on the Aeroplan eStore
- Purchases with an Aeroplan credit card
Aeroplan credit cards earn Aeroplan Points faster – especially when combined with one of the methods above. Plus, select premium Aeroplan credit card holders can hold onto their eUpgrade credits for up to 2 years after the original earning date.
For example, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card earns 1.5 Aeroplan Points for every $1 spent on gas, groceries, restaurants, and travel. Fly Air Canada and you’ll get 1 free checked bag, priority boarding, priority check-in, and unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge access – all without Elite Status membership!
Aeroplan partners with American Express, CIBC, TD, and Visa to offer a range of credit cards for different travellers and budgets. Here are some of our top picks:
| Credit card | Air Canada rewards | Aeroplan rewards | Annual fee | Genius rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card | 2 points per $1 spent | Up to 1.5 points per $1 spent | $599 | 4.5 |
| CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card | 2 points per $1 spent | Up to 1.5 points per $1 spent | $599 | 4.0 |
| American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card | 3 points per $1 spent | Up to 2 points per $1 spent | $599 | 3.7 |
Learn more: The best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada
FAQ
What does eUpgrade mean on Air Canada?
An eUpgrade is an optional seat upgrade to Business or Premium Economy Class offered by Air Canada to Aeroplan members in exchange for eUpgrade credits.
Can I request an eUpgrade on a flight with another airline?
eUpgrades aren’t available on Air Canada codeshare flights operated by partner airlines.
Which flights are eligible for eUpgrades?
You can apply an eUpgrade on every fare from Standard to Premium Economy (Flexible), excluding Basic Economy flights.
Are eUpgrades guaranteed?
Air Canada eUpgrades aren’t guaranteed – the odds of making a successful request depend on how many upgrades are available and how soon you can make it.
How many points do you need to upgrade to Business Class on Air Canada?
An Air Canada eUpgrade to Business Class costs 1–11 credits plus $0–$150 on a North American/sun destination flight, and 11–26 credits and $0–$750 on an international flight.
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