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We’ll break down the important thing modifications to Aeroplan and discover whether or not they’ll assist members speed up their earnings or simply clip their wings.
Overview of modifications to incomes Aeroplan factors
Understanding learn how to earn Aeroplan factors will likely be extra easy beneath the brand new mannequin. Presently, members earn factors based mostly on a share of the miles they fly in a given fare class, with percentages starting from as little as 10% of miles flown for economic system fundamental as much as 150% for enterprise class fares.
Underneath the brand new plan, factors earned will likely be based mostly on what you spend. You’ll obtain a minimal of 1 level per $1 spent on eligible Air Canada flights (excluding taxes and costs). Issues get extra sophisticated when you guide with a accomplice airline; the way you earn factors—whether or not at a ratio of 1 level to $1 spent or based mostly on distance flown—will depend upon what provider you employ and the way you booked your ticket.
Earned factors will likely be boosted for Aeroplan members with Elite Standing as follows:
- Aeroplan 25K Standing: 2x factors
- Aeroplan 35K Standing: 3x factors
- Aeroplan 50K Standing: 4x factors
- Aeroplan 75k standing: 5x factors
- Aeroplan Tremendous Elite Standing: 6x factors
A pattern flight helps illustrate the modifications. Presently when you have been to guide a flight from Toronto to Vancouver with an Financial system Flex fare (which earns you 100% of distance flown in factors), it will value roughly $750 relying on once you fly. (Costs are from Air Canada’s web site, sourced on Aug. 14, 2025.) You’d earn 4,170 Aeroplan factors (the gap between Toronto to Vancouver is 2,085 flight miles every means).
Underneath the brand new system, when you don’t have Elite Standing, you’ll get far fewer factors for reserving the identical flight—simply 750 factors for the $750 spent (on the bottom fare and provider surcharges, excluding relevant taxes and costs)—which is a major discount for economic system travellers.
The brand new mannequin will doubtless damage discount hunters on the lookout for offers on long-haul journeys, however it does reward these with Aeroplan Elite standing who buy higher-priced fare courses like premium economic system and enterprise class.
For instance, within the above state of affairs, as of 2026, if a member with 50K Standing have been to purchase a enterprise class seat to Vancouver (which might go for a mean of $5,000 or extra) they’d now earn a minimum of 20,000 Aeroplan factors ($5,000 x 4 factors per $1 spent) fairly than the 6,255 factors (150% of 4,170 miles) they’d earn beneath the present rewards program.
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Qualifying for Aeroplan Elite Standing is altering
The opposite main change to this system is the introduction of Standing Qualifying Credit (SQCs). These credit will substitute what has been a really complicated system of incomes Standing Qualifying Miles, Standing Qualifying Segments, and Standing Qualifying {Dollars} to achieve Elite Standing and its advantages.
How you can earn Aeroplan’s Standing Qualifying Credit (SQCs)
You’ll earn SQC based mostly on the quantity spent and fare sort bought. Right here’s what you’ll get:
- 1 SQC per $1 spent on AC Holidays
- 2 SQC on commonplace fares (Financial system Fundamental earns no SQCs)
- 4 SQC on Financial system Flex fares and better
- 1 SQC per 5 Aeroplan factors earned with companions like member airways, Uber, and Starbucks
New Aeroplan Milestone advantages for Elite Standing members
Milestone advantages are additionally being launched for these with Elite Standing, changing the present system of choose advantages, precedence rewards, threshold eUpgrades, and items.
A brand new Milestone reward will likely be obtainable every time you accumulate 10,000 SQCs (to a max of 200,000), and at each 20,000 SQCs after that (as much as a million). Obtainable advantages will likely be a lot as they’re now and embody issues like eUpgrade credit, Maple Leaf Lounge passes, and 30% off varied redemptions.
As with incomes factors, as a result of qualifying for standing will likely be based mostly primarily on what you spend and your fare sort, it will likely be more durable for economy-loving passengers who prioritize value to get standing.
Canada’s greatest Aeroplan bank cards
Adjustments for Aeroplan bank card holders
Underneath the up to date program, Aeroplan bank cards will likely be much more invaluable for incomes factors and qualifying for Elite Standing.
With the brand new Standing Qualifying Credit (SQC) system, members can earn a most mixed complete of 25,000 SQC yearly from eligible bank card exercise throughout all Aeroplan playing cards, which counts towards attaining Elite Standing. Fundamental bank cards (just like the American Categorical Aeroplan Card) will earn 1,000 SQC for each $20,000 spent, whereas premium playing cards (just like the American Categorical Aeroplan Reserve card) will earn 1,000 SQC per $5,000 spent.
Beginning in 2027, Aeroplan’s premium bank cards may also introduce a brand new “10% Head Begin” perk for Elite Standing members (changing the rollover profit) that awards 10% of the SQC collected within the earlier 12 months to your account. Other than getting you to Elite Standing sooner, Aeroplan playing cards will proceed to return with tempting perks like free checked luggage, precedence airport companies, most popular pricing, and extra.
