Air Canada’s popular Aeroplan rewards program becomes even more rewarding the further you fly, the more you spend, and the more Aeroplan points you collect. If you are an Aeroplan member or have an Aeroplan credit card, you need to know about Aeroplan Elite Status. 

It is an exclusive level of the Aeroplan program, unlocking benefits like lounge access, priority airport treatment, and flight upgrades. 

If you’re dreaming of unlocking these perks, we’ll help you get there. In this article, we’ll cover how to get Aeroplan Elite Status, plus all the coveted benefits of the rewards program. 

Looking for some more info on Air Canada? Here’s 8 reasons why we love this airline. 

What is Aeroplan Elite Status?

If you are an Aeroplan member or have an Aeroplan credit card, you need to know about Elite Status and how it works. 

Aeroplan is a very beneficial airline loyalty program, allowing you to earn points on purchases and turn them into free flights. Aeroplan Elite Status is a higher level of the Aeroplan rewards program for Air Canada’s most frequent, loyal travellers. 

Aeroplan Elite members earn more points per dollar spent and can access top-tier benefits, such as priority check-in and boarding, flight standby, and preferred seat selection. The fastest way to reach Aeroplan Elite Status is by booking directly with Air Canada and partner airlines and using an Aeroplan credit card. 

Aeroplan Elite Status Benefits 

There are five tiers of Aeroplan Elite Status, each with its own benefits added on top of the previous tier. These benefits apply to flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, and Air Canada Rouge. 

You’ll notice that you get to pick and choose some select benefits that you’d like. To do so, log into your Aeroplan Account and choose your additional benefits and those already included in your Elite Status. 

Aeroplan 25k Core Benefits

All Aeroplan Elite Status members receive these core benefits, including:

• Front-of-the-line access with Air Canada and Aeroplan call centres

• Priority flight reservation waitlist (you’ll be a priority if a seat becomes available on a full flight) 

• Priority check-in, boarding, and airport standby

• Two complimentary checked bags of up to 23kg each 

• Complimentary sports equipment handling 

• 5 eUpgrade credits

• Free preferred seat selection 

• 2x Elite points multiplier (earn 1 extra point per $1 spent) 

Flight Pass Benefits:

• 4 eUpgrade credits for eligible Flight Pass activities

• 750 SQC for eligible flight pass activities

Aeroplan 35k Elite Status Benefits 

35k Status members get all the core 25k benefits, plus:

• Three free checked bags of up to 32kg each 

• 10 eUpgrade credits

• Two Maple Leaf Lounge one-time guest passes 

• Priority security clearance for you and up to 8 guests on the same reservation 

• Priority baggage handling (it will be among the first on the carousel when you land) 

• 3x Elite points multiplier (earn 2 extra points per $1 spent) 

Flight Pass Benefits:

• 6 eUpgrade credits for eligible Flight Pass activities

• 1,000 SQC for eligible flight pass activities

Aeroplan 50k Elite Status Benefits 

Along with the core 35k benefits, Aeroplan 50k benefits include:

• Complimentary access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafes for you, your family, and one guest 

• Free access to Star Alliance Gold Lounges for you and one guest 

• Complimentary access to Virgin Australia lounges and the Emirates Business Class Lounge at Dubai International Airport

• Complimentary access to non-Star Alliance lounges

• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status

• 4x Elite points multiplier (earn 3 extra points per $1 spent) 

Flight Pass Benefits:

• 8 eUpgrade credits for eligible Flight Pass activities

• 1,250 SQC for eligible flight pass activities

Aeroplan 75k Elite Status Benefits

Aeroplan 75k Elite Status members get these benefits, along with the 50k benefits:

• 20 eUpgrade credits

• 5x Elite points multiplier (earn 4 extra points per $1 spent) 

Flight Pass Benefits:

• 10 eUpgrade credits for eligible Flight Pass activities

• 1,500 SQC for eligible flight pass activities

Aeroplan Super Elite Status Benefits 

Super Elite is the highest tier, with the most benefits. As usual, this tier includes all the benefits from 25k to 75k, plus the following:

• Access to the London Heathrow Arrivals Lounge for you and a guest 

• Air Canada concierge service 

• One free snack and alcoholic beverage when travelling in economy class

• 30 eUpgrade credits

• 6x Elite points multiplier (earn 5 extra points per $1 spent) 

Flight Pass Benefits:

• 12 eUpgrade credits for eligible Flight Pass activities

• 2,500 SQC for eligible flight pass activities

See all benefits for all the tiers of Aeroplan Elite Status. 

How to Reach Aeroplan Elite Status 

Aeroplan recently revamped its program and ditched the minimum levels of SQM, SQS, and SQD you need when booking Air Canada or partner airline flights. Now, you earn Aeroplan points and reach Elite Status based on your fare type and how far you fly. All fare types earn 1 Aeroplan point per $1 spent, and each level of Elite Status has a points multiplier.

To reach Aeroplan Elite Status, you'll collect Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) at these rates when you fly with Air Canada:

• No SQC for Economy (Basic) fares

• 2 SQC per $1 spent on Economy (Standard) fares

• 4 SQC per $1 spent on (Economy (Flex, Comfort, and Latitude), Premium Economy (Lowest and Flexible), and Business Class (Lowest and Flexible)) fares

If you're flying with Star Alliance and partner airlines, the amount of SQC you can earn depends on the airline and how you booked your ticket.

This is how much SQC you'll need to reach each tier of Aeroplan Elite Status:

• Aeroplan 25K Elite: 25,000 SQC

• Aeroplan 35K Elite: 35,000 SQC

• Aeroplan 50K Elite: 50,000 SQC

• Aeroplan 75K Elite: 75,000 SQC

• Super Elite: 125,000 SQC

By far, the fastest way to reach Elite Status is by using an Aeroplan credit card, which earns you points on everyday purchases. Plus, you can earn up to 1,000 SQC for every $5,000 in eligible purchases, up to 25,000 SQC in one year.

How To Unlock Aeroplan Milestone Benefits

Aeroplan has also scrapped the Select and Threshold Benefits you could choose at each tier of Elite Status. They've now replaced it with Milestone Benefits and Priority Rewards.

For every 10,000 SQC accumulated up to 200,000 SQC, and every 20,000 SQC accumulated up to 1 million, you'll automatically receive or choose certain benefits, which can include:

• eUpgrade credits

• Priority Rewards

• Bonus Aeroplan points

• Maple Leaf Lounge one-time guest passes

• Bonus SQC

• Status passes

• Air Canada gift cards

How to Get Aeroplan Elite Status Faster

To reach Aeroplan Elite Status, you’ll need to earn enough Status Qualifying Credits (SQC), meaning you'll need to book travel with Air Canada often, shop at partner stores, use an Aeroplan co-branded credit card, or all of the above.

Using an Aeroplan credit card, like the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card and the CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card, is the fastest way to climb the ranks and reach higher levels of Aeroplan Elite Status. Not only will they earn you more points faster, but you’ll also get some amazing benefits without having to reach 50k, 75k, or even Super Elite Status. 

Let’s take a look at the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card. Using this card, you earn up to 3 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent, meaning you’ll quickly earn enough points to reach Elite Status (especially if you travel with Air Canada often!). 

Using this card for everyday purchases, you’ll earn 1.25x the points. If you pay your rent and bills with this credit card using Chexy, you will earn points so much faster and be well on your way to reaching higher levels of Elite Status. 

Is Aeroplan Elite Status Worth It?

If you’re a frequent traveller and want to access top-tier benefits, like priority treatment, lounge access, free checked bags, and waived fees, then Aeroplan Elite Status can be worth it. 

Your travel experience will become so much easier, and you’ll breeze through check-in and security with priority check-in, baggage handling, and boarding. 

However, if you travel infrequently, especially for personal travel and on different airlines, the effort to earn and maintain your status may not be worth it–especially as the status resets every year. You’ll need to spend a lot of money and use an Aeroplan credit card to reach Elite Status fast enough. 

Want to reach Aeroplan Elite Status faster? Use an Aeroplan credit card to earn points on everyday purchases, including rent payments with Chexy. Not only will you climb the Aeroplan ranks, but you’ll get access to the Credit Builder and other features. 

Get started with Chexy today. 

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FAQs

Does my Aeroplan Status reset every year?

The qualification period for Aeroplan Elite Status runs for one calendar year. Once you reach Elite Status, it is valid for the remainder of the current year and the entirety of the following year. 

Where can I see my Aeroplan status?

To see your Elite Status, log into your Aeroplan Account here. 

Does Aeroplan 25K get lounge access?

Aeroplan 25k Elite Status members do not automatically get Maple Leaf Lounge access; however, you can select it as one of the Milestone Benefits when you accumulate enough SQC.

Which Aeroplan credit cards give lounge access?

The following credit cards give you access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges:

• TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card†

• American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

• CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card

† Terms and Conditions apply.