How to Obtain Aeroplan Elite Status Faster in 2024

Do you want to be an Aeroplan Elite Status member at jet speed? Air Canada’s Aeroplan Elite Status plan offers a passport to vacation savings. Get ready to fly in style, Canada. Air Canada’s new bonus structure help travelers accelerate their Aeroplan Elite Status points in time for their 2024 travel plans. 

What are the benefits of the Aeroplan Elite Status?

Elite Status grants Aeroplan members access to a range of benefits. You get free seat upgrades, complimentary checked baggage, and access to Air Canada’s exclusive Maple Leaf Lounge. Members check in for their flights with Aeroplan Elite Status priority service at airports. That long line at the airport check-in is not for you anymore. Members have more time to relax on their trip.

The Elite Status perks don’t stop with the skies. Elite Status embers also have access to exclusive sales at participating retailers across the country. 

How does Air Canada Aeroplan Elite Status work? 

To qualify for Aeroplan Elite Status, Aeroplan members must earn a minimum amount of Aeroplan points. The points are divided into three separate categories, Status Qualifying Miles (SQM), Status Qualifying Segments (SQS), and Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD).

First, members earn Status Qualifying Miles and Status Qualifying Segments based on the route a customer flies with Air Canada or participating Star Alliance airlines. While Status Qualifying Miles refer to the actual distance flown, Status Qualifying Segments refer to the amount of layovers a customer has in a particular journey.

Don’t worry, you can buy both Status Qualifying Miles and Segments with dollars spent using Aeroplan credit cards. Lastly, members earn Status Qualifying Dollars based on the airfare members spend on a particular journey.

Aeroplan Elite Status requirements

To be eligible for Elite Status, Aeroplan members must earn a minimum of 25,000 SQM or 25 SQS, and a minimum of $3,000 SQD. As of the company’s January 2022 policy changes, non-residents of Canada must also meet the necessary SQD threshold to qualify for Elite Status membership. The Aeroplan Elite Status program also offers four additional tiers for travelers looking to get the most out of their Air Canada experience. The eligibility requirements for these tiers are listed in the following table: 

• 35K: 35,000 SQM or 35 SQS and $4000 SQD 
• 50K: 50,000 SQM or 50 SQS and $6000 SQD 
• 75K: 75,000 SQM or 75 SQS and $9000 SQD 
• Super Elite: 100,000 SQM or 10 SQS and $20,000 SQD  

Earning Aeroplan SQD

Aeroplan Status Qualifying Dollars earned from Air Canada and Star Alliance flights count from the stated date of travel. Aeroplan applies the SQD after a member’s trip is over. Flight passes are eligible towards Aeroplan Elite Status. The SQD applied is based on the price of the pass before taxes. For last minute eUpgrades and service add ons, members earn SQD based on the monetary value of their purchase.

Like traditional travel rewards programs, Air Canada’s Aeroplan Elite Status program lets travelers earn SQD on money spent on an Air Canada ticket using a qualifying credit card. There are also Aeroplan branded credit cards available to choose from. Travelers can qualify for Aeroplan Elite Status and other membership perks long before it’s time for take off. Earning just 100,000 Aeroplan points in one calendar year is enough to earn members access to the 25K Elite Status tier. 

Members can choose to cash in their points for discounts on seat upgrade and other rewards, or save up to qualify for a higher tier. Members who qualify for Aeroplan Elite Status or an Elite Status upgrade during the middle of a year are eligible to begin using their benefits immediately. 

Read morea about the best travel credit cards

How to earn Aeroplan SQM and SQS

Of course, you earn SQM and SQS with eligible Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights. Members can also earn on flights operated by Air Canada Express and participating Star Alliance members. In addition to flights, travelers can also secure Elite Status by booking Air Canada Vacation Packages.

The airline’s Aeroplan promotion offers members a bonus 50% SQD on qualifying vacations. As an additional perk for Air Canada vacationers, members also earn a pre-determined bonus SQM amount on their vacation package depending on their Aeroplan Elite Status tier. 25K and 35K members receive 25,000 SQM, while 50K, 75K, and Super Elite members get 50,000 SQM for every vacation package booked. By taking advantage of this promotion, travelers can soak up their Aeroplan status while they soak up the sun. 

Aeroplan Elite Status credit cards

With both personal and business cards available, Air Canada members can find an Aeroplan credit card that works for their travel needs. Aeroplan Elite Status eligible Visa cards are available through major Canadian banks including CIBC and TD Canada Trust and can be applied for through participating banks. 

Aeroplan personal credit cards

TD’s Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege personal credit card in particular offers members a welcome bonus of up to 75,000 points if they apply before March 4, 2024. The bank also offers an Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card with a welcome bonus of of up to 20,000 points if applied for by March 4, 2024. And the Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card comes with a welcome offer of up to 40,000 bonus points if applied for by the same date. Conditions apply for all welcome offers, such as specific spending amounts, purchase deadlines, etc.

After they are applied, the cards offer additional Aeroplan points on every dollar spent with the card. There are other perks, too, including free checked baggage, $0 delivery fees from participating restaurants, and free Uber membership passes. 

Another popular suite of cards is CIBC’s line of Aeroplan Visa cards. They include an entry card, a core card, and a premium card to help clients find a card the best suits their income level and travel habits. Members who crave extra peace of mind while sightseeing will benefit from CIBC’s Aeroplan insurance packages which include essentials such as out of province medical insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and flight and baggage delay insurance for core card holders. Aeroplan Elite Status points earned with a CIBC credit card do not expire, making the cards ideal for members who travel infrequently. 

Find the right Aeroplan card for you with the Hardbacon credit card comparison tool

Earning Aeroplan Status with American Express

Aeroplan members on both sides of the border can qualify for Aeroplan Elite Status with one core card and two premium travel cards to choose from. Upon qualifying for American Express’ Aeroplan Reserve Card, members will receive 85,000 welcome points. For even more Elite Status potential, card holders can receive up to 5,000 points for every monthly billing period totaling $1,000 dollars or more for the first 6 months. That might add up to 30,000 extra points.

American Express’ Aeroplan cards are the ideal choice for members looking to experience the finer side of travel with their range of luxury benefits. Premium card holders will enjoy perks such as unlimited entries to Air Canada’s North American Maple Leaf Lounge locations for the cardholder and one guest, complimentary valet service at Pearson International Airport, and one free checked bag for round trip journeys. With perks like these, American Express’ line of Aeroplan Elite Status cards makes it easy to travel the skies in comfort. 

Boosting your Aeroplan earning potential  

Besides earning points towards a dream vacation, Aeroplan cardholders can take advantage of exclusive deals from participating Aeroplan partners across the country including Starbucks, Apple, and Uber.

Starbucks knows what it’s doing here. Airports and Starbucks: you cannot have one without the other. By linking their Aeroplan and Starbucks rewards accounts, members can get 150 free stars and 400 bonus Aeroplan points. The 150 stars can be redeemed for in store perks such as free coffees and other Starbucks beverages, helping Aeroplan cardholders stay caffeinated while they travel. 

Aeroplan, Uber, Apple, and Starbucks perks

Like Aeroplan’s Starbucks promotion, Uber and Uber Eats allow Aeroplan members access to exclusive promotions when they link their Aeroplan and Uber accounts. Members will earn 1 point for every 1 dollar spent on Uber Eats orders over $25 and 1 point for every 1 dollar spent on trips to the airport with Uber. Elite Status points can also be earned on elite uber rides with 1 Aeroplan point for every 1 dollar spent on Uber premium rides and 2 points for every 1 dollar spent on Uber premium rides to the airport. 

Aeroplan cardholders who are new to Uber can unlock an exclusive deal designed for first time Uber users. Upon the creation of a new Uber account, Aeroplan members get 1,000 points on their first Uber Eats order and an additional 1,000 points for their first ride with the company. 

Aeroplan members also receive exclusive offers on select Apple products allowing travelers to earn Elite Status while staying connected in the skies. Aeroplan members can save on iPads, Macbook Air models, and iPad Pros when they also qualify for an educational discount. Eligible members will also receive an Apple gift card with their purchase. 

Obtaining the Aeroplan Elite Status: the takeaways

Air Canada has added a multitude of ways for members to earn Aeroplan Elite Status with their range of exclusive offers. Members can enjoy a vacation to a tropical locale while earning 50% SQD when they book a qualifying Air Canada Vacation Package by the end of the year. Vacation goers will also earn bonus SQM on their getaway packages depending on their Aeroplan Elite Status level. 

Members can also earn points towards Aeroplan Elite Status when they qualify for select personal and business credit cards from major providers CIBC, TD, and American Express. Card holders also qualify for exclusive deals from Aeroplan’s retail partners across the country including Starbucks, Uber, and Apple and get receive exclusive perks offered by the issuers of their Aeroplan cards. 

Air Canada’s Aeroplan Elite Status offers make it easier than ever for members to upgrade their status and begin reaping the benefits of luxury travel with Air Canada.