Free upgrades, lounge access, priority airport treatment—Elite Status comes with serious perks. But did you know some of the best ones are up to you to choose?

If you’re curious about the benefits you can choose as an Aeroplan Elite Status Member, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’re breaking down each of the Elite Status Select Benefits–what they are, how they work, and who gets access to what. 

New to Aeroplan or still figuring out the perks? Start with our guide on How to Reach Aeroplan Elite Status, then check out How to Maximize the Aeroplan Rewards Program for tips on getting the most out of your points. 

Aeroplan Core Benefits vs Select Benefits

One of the best perks of having Aeroplan Elite Status is the benefits. They are split into two categories: Core Benefits and Select Benefits. 

Core Benefits are automatically given to you at the beginning of the year. Each tier of Aeroplan Elite Status gets different Core Benefits, each adding to the next. They include priority airport services, lounge access, eUpgrades, and exclusive rewards. 

Take a look at the Core Benefits for each tier of Aeroplan Elite Status.

Select Benefits give you the flexibility to choose one or two extra perks that best match your travel preferences or goals. Depending on your level of Elite Status, they can include additional eUpgrade credits, the ability to earn more Aeroplan points, a one-year Wi-Fi plan, and Elite Status for a friend. 

Here’s a handy chart of what Select Benefits you can choose from for each tier of Aeroplan Elite Status:

Aeroplan Elite Status Select Benefit Bundles

The number of Select Benefits you can choose depends on your Elite Status level—some members get one, others get two. Here’s a quick overview of each benefit, which Aeroplan status levels are eligible to select them, and why you may want to consider choosing it:

Aeroplan Elite Status Bonus

Earn bonus Aeroplan points on eligible flights operated by Air Canada and select partners, like United, Copa, and Air Canada Rouge. You can earn:

• 25% bonus points for 25k Members

• 35% bonus points for 35k Members

• 50% bonus points for 50k Members

• 75% bonus points for 75k Members

• 100% bonus points for Super Elite Members

This Select Benefit is perfect for those who plan to book and fly frequently with Air Canada partners, especially in the near future. If you want to maximize the points you earn from paid flights, you should choose this bonus. 

Air Canada eUpgrade Credits 

Air Canada eUpgrades are one of the most valuable benefits for Aeroplan Elite members. They let you upgrade from economy to business class–yes, really! There’s more to how eUpgrades work, and we break it all down in this article. 

You can use eUpgrade credits on flights operated by Air Canada, and they’re valid for 12 months. If you choose this Select Benefit, the number of eUpgrade credits you receive will depend on your Elite Status level:

• 5 credits for 25k Members

• 15 credits for 35k Members

• 20 credits for 50k Members

• 35 credits for 75k Members

• 50 credits for Super Elite Members

This option is ideal for those who fly frequently with Air Canada and want to add some luxury to their travel experience without paying full price for business class. It’s especially useful for those booking long-haul or international flights, where an upgrade can make a big difference in comfort. 

Maple Leaf Lounge Passes

Only 25k Elite Status Members have the option to choose two Maple Leaf Lounge one-time guest passes. 35k, 45k, 50k, and Super Elite Members already have two lounge passes included in their Core Benefits. 

Each pass allows you to access a Maple Leaf Lounge in the domestic and transborder zones of Canada, Los Angeles, and New York. You must have a same-day departure ticket for a scheduled Air Canada flight to use these passes. 

If you have long layovers or want to get some work done or relax in comfort before an Air Canada flight, this Select Benefit might be useful. 

One-Time SQM & SQS Bonus

50k, 75k, and Super Elite Members can choose to receive a one-time bonus of 5,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) and 5 Status Qualifying Segments (SQS). These Miles and Segments help you reach a higher tier of Elite Status faster. 

This bonus is best for 50k and 75k Members aiming to level up to the next tier of Aeroplan Elite Status qualification, especially if you’re close to reaching 75k or Super Elite. Those extra 5,000 SQM and 5 SQS can give your status progress a helpful boost. 

It’s also great for those who fly often but fall short of qualifying thresholds due to travel patterns or certain route lengths. 

Elite Status for a Friend 

This perk can be quite useful if you have a friend trying to reach Elite Status and needs a boost. 

75k Members can award Aeroplan 35k status to a friend, while Super Elite Members can award Aeroplan 50k status to a friend. 

This status will be valid through the end of the benefit year. If you choose this benefit, make sure to award it as early as possible–as it’ll only be valid until December 31st of that year. 

Aeroplan Elite Wi-Fi Plan

75k and Super Elite Members can choose to receive a 12-month Aeroplan Wi-Fi Plan, meaning you can enjoy one year of unlimited access on any Wi-Fi-equipped Air Canada flight.

This benefit is a great pick for frequent flyers who want to stay productive or entertained in the air–especially those who often take domestic or short-haul flights within North America, where Wi-Fi is more commonly available. 

Just keep in mind that you can only use one device at a time, and this benefit doesn’t apply to 737-MAX aircraft even when Wi-Fi is available.

Air Canada Status Pass

If you’re feeling generous, you can pass on Status Passes to anyone you want, regardless of their Elite Status. They can use this pass while travelling without you, and their premium travel services can extend to up to 9 other people travelling with them. 

While on Air Canada flights, they can enjoy certain perks, including:

• Priority check-in

• 3 complimentary checked bags with priority baggage handling

• Priority security clearance

• Maple Leaf Lounge access

• Priority airport standby

• Priority boarding 

50k Members can gift 2 Air Canada Status Passes, 75k Members can gift 3 passes, and Super Elite Members can gift 4 passes. 

How to Choose Aeroplan Select Benefits 

You can choose your Select Benefits by logging into your Aeroplan account and heading to your dashboard. From there, go to the Benefits tab and click on Choose Benefits to see what’s available at your current status level. 

Keep in mind that once you choose your Select Benefits, you can’t go back. So, make sure you choose the ones that suit your travel style and goals. 

As you move up through the different Aeroplan status levels, you’ll unlock new Select Benefits at each level. This means you can choose two Benefits when you reach 25k, one Benefit when you reach 35k, and so on. 

Check in every so often to see your status–if you don’t choose Select Benefits for one tier and move on to the next, you won’t be able to go back and claim the missed ones. Be sure to make your selections before December 30th each year to avoid missing out. 

Which Select Benefits Are the Best?

There’s no singular answer here–it really depends on what kind of traveller you are and what Select Benefits you value the most. 

For example, if you’re a business traveller or a digital nomad who wants to stay connected at all times, you might want to choose the 12-month Wi-Fi plan. On the other hand, if you are a Super Elite Member and want to gift your benefits to someone, you might choose the Status Pass or Elite Status for a Friend benefit. 

It’s wise to consider choosing the eUpgrade credits due to their flexibility, as you have one year to use them before they expire or two years if you have a co-branded Aeroplan credit card. 

Do Aeroplan Select Benefits Expire? 

Yes, Aeroplan Elite Status Select Benefits do expire, but the expiration dates vary depending on the benefit. 

You need to choose your Select Benefits by December 30th of the benefit year. Once selected, these benefits are typically valid through December 31st of the same year. Generally, the earlier you select, the better. 

Expiration Timelines for Each Benefit

Here’s a quick breakdown of the expiration timelines:

• eUpgrade Credits: Valid for 12 months from the date they’re issued. 

• Wi-Fi Plan: You have 12 months to use the Wi-Fi plan from the date you activate it. 

• Status Passes: Valid for 12 months from the date they’re issued. You can use it on flights departing after the expiry date as long as it’s applied before it expires. 

• Elite Status for a Friend: Valid through December 31 of the benefit year. 

If you have a premium Aeroplan co-branded credit card, you might have extended validity or rollover options for certain benefits. Check your card benefits to see! 

Aeroplan Select Benefits let you customize your travel experience to match what you value most–whether that’s bringing a friend along with you to enjoy the perks or staying productive with unlimited Wi-Fi. 

Want to fast-track your way to more perks? With Chexy, you can use your Aeroplan co-branded credit card to pay rent and bills—earning points on every dollar you spend. Each rent or bill payment brings you closer to unlocking a new tier of Aeroplan Elite Status, getting you free flights and better upgrades. 

Get started with Chexy today. 

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