Aeroplan Elite Status: The Ultimate Guide from 25K to Super Elite 100K

Aeroplan Elite Status is a program for frequent Air Canada passengers that offers special privileges to loyal travelers. This comprehensive guide will tell you everything you need to know — from Aeroplan status levels (Aeroplan 25K, 35K, 50K, 75K, and Super Elite 100K) to how to earn, maintain, and maximize your benefits. An overview of Aeroplan’s five elite tiers, from the entry-level 25K to the highest Super Elite 100K. Each tier has its own card and benefits.

What is Aeroplan Elite Status?

Aeroplan Elite Status is a multi-tiered loyalty program that rewards Air Canada’s most frequent flyers with VIP service and benefits. These Aeroplan status levels are named after the number of qualifying miles required to earn them: 25K, 35K, 50K, 75K, and Super Elite 100K. Each level offers a set of benefits — from priority check-in and free baggage allowance to service upgrades and lounge access — that make travel more comfortable and convenient. You don’t have to fly hundreds of thousands of miles to earn status. While flying with Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners is the primary way to earn elite status, Aeroplan also allows you to earn status through everyday activities (such as credit card spending and purchases) and periodic promotions. In other words, you can earn Aeroplan 25K status without ever stepping foot on a plane!

If you’re switching from another frequent flyer program (such as United MileagePlus or Alaska Mileage Plan), Aeroplan’s elite tiers are generally similar — higher tiers offer more benefits. For example, Aeroplan also uses Star Alliance status levels: Aeroplan 25K or 35K members receive Star Alliance Silver status, and 50K and above receive Star Alliance Gold status (which is highly valued for access to lounges around the world).

Paths to Aeroplan Elite Status

Earning Aeroplan Elite status may seem like a daunting task, but once you understand the requirements, it’s actually quite simple (and even achievable for those who don’t fly often). Air Canada evaluates your activity using a few key metrics. Here’s a list of them, including their abbreviations:

SQM (Status Qualifying Miles)

SQM (Status Qualifying Miles) – the number of miles you fly. It’s basically the distance flown, with bonuses for higher fare classes (for example, flying Business Class earns 150% of the actual miles as SQM, while a discounted economy fare might earn 50% or 0% if it’s Basic). Think of SQM Aeroplan as the mileage tracker of how far you’ve traveled.

SQS (Status Qualifying Segments)

SQS (Status Qualifying Segments) – the number of flight segments you take. A segment is essentially one takeoff-to-landing. So a round-trip with a connection each way would be four SQS (since it’s four flights). If you take more short flights or connect often, you’ll rack up SQS faster. Some savvy flyers even book “milk run” routes (with multiple stops) to earn extra segments when they’re close to a status threshold.

SQD (Status Qualifying Dollars)

SQD (Status Qualifying Dollars) – the amount of money you spend on Air Canada flights (base fare and carrier surcharges, excluding taxes). In other words, Aeroplan SQD tracks the dollars you’ve given to Air Canada for flights. Every elite tier requires a minimum amount of SQD in addition to miles or segments. It ensures status members are not just flying often, but also contributing revenue.

EDQ (Everyday Qualifying Points)

EDQ (Everyday Qualifying Points) – a unique Aeroplan feature for non-flying activity. Essentially, 1 EDQ is earned for every 1 Aeroplan point you earn from everyday activities (credit card spending, Aeroplan eStore shopping, partner offers, etc). If you rack up 100,000 EDQ points in a calendar year, you can get Aeroplan 25K status purely through everyday earning. We’ll dive more into this “no-fly” path in a moment.

Aeroplan Status Level Requirements

Now, to earn a given elite status, you need to achieve either a certain number of SQM or SQS, and a certain amount of SQD in a calendar year. Think of it as two hurdles: a distance/frequency hurdle (miles or segments) and a spending hurdle (dollars). Here are the Aeroplan status level requirements as of the latest program year:

• Aeroplan 25K Status: 25,000 SQM or 25 SQS and $3,000 SQD in a calendar year (Entry level)
• Aeroplan 35K Status: 35,000 SQM or 35 SQS and $4,000 SQD
• Aeroplan 50K Status: 50,000 SQM or 50 SQS and $6,000 SQD
• Aeroplan 75K Status: 75,000 SQM or 75 SQS and $9,000 SQD
• Aeroplan 100K Super Elite: 100,000 SQM or 100 SQS and $20,000 SQD

(For context, 100 SQS could mean 50 round-trip flights – truly for the super frequent flyers!)

One important note: you can qualify by miles or segments, whichever suits your travel pattern, but SQD is mandatory for all tiers (except if you use the alternate EDQ method). Also, SQM and SQS from any Star Alliance partner flights count as long as your ticket is issued by Air Canada (an AC flight number). So flying Lufthansa or United on an Air Canada-issued ticket still helps your Aeroplan status. However, flights booked through other airlines’ ticket stock won’t earn SQD/SQM in Aeroplan.

Everyday Qualification (EDQ)

Not a frequent flyer? No problem – Aeroplan introduced an Everyday Status Qualification option. If you earn 100,000 Aeroplan points in a year through everyday activities (credit cards, shopping, partner offers), you’ll be awarded 25K status. This is referred to as EDQ. Essentially, every base Aeroplan point you earn = 1 EDQ point. Use your Aeroplan credit card for daily purchases, book hotels and car rentals via the Aeroplan portal, or shop with partners (like Starbucks, Uber Eats, the LCBO, or Aeroplan’s online eStore) to rack up EDQ. It’s a fantastic way for people who don’t fly often to still enjoy elite perks by leveraging their everyday spending.

Co-branded Credit Cards

Speaking of credit cards, Aeroplan offers co-branded cards (with TD, CIBC, American Express in Canada, and Chase in the US) that can significantly accelerate your path to status. Here’s how you can use them:

• Credit Card SQM/SQS Boosts: Certain Aeroplan Visa and Amex cards give you bonus Status Qualifying Miles and Segments for spending on the card. For example, premium Aeroplan cards (with higher annual fees) grant 1,000 SQM and 1 SQS for every $5,000 in card spend, while core cards might award the same for every $10,000 spent. These are sometimes called “Status Boosts” – they essentially mimic flying activity. If you’re a big spender, you could earn thousands of SQM and numerous SQS just by putting your everyday expenses on an Aeroplan card.

Here is a table summarizing Aeroplan credit cards that offer SQM/SQS upgrades:

Card Name	Boost Rate	How It Works	Additional Benefits
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege / Infinite	1 SQM + 1 SQS per CA$5 000 net annual spend	Primary cardholder earns boosts monthly, credited ~1 week after statement close, unlimited during qualifying year	Rollover up to 200 k unused SQM; free checked bag & NEXUS credit; travel insurances; preferred reward pricing.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite	1 SQM + 1 SQS per CA$10 000 net annual spend	Same terms as above; unlimited boosts	First checked bag free; travel insurance; no-fee welcome year; Aeroplan earning accelerators.
CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege / Infinite	Same as TD Privilege: 1 SQM + 1 SQS	Primary holder only; unlimited boosts; posted per spend thresholds	Similar premium perks: baggage, insurance, lounge access with status, welcome bonuses.
Amex Aeroplan Reserve (Personal & Business)	1 SQM + 1 SQS per CA$5 000 spend	Unlimited boosts during qualification period; posted within ~3 days of threshold hit	Priority airport benefits; baggage, lounge passes, travel insurance; premium earn bonuses.
Amex Aeroplan	1 SQM + 1 SQS per CA$10 000 spend	Same as above; unlimited boosts	Lower annual fee; priority benefits on Air Canada flights; eligible for SQM rollover if premium cardholder.

• Instant Status and Shortcuts: In the United States, the Chase Aeroplan Visa has a unique welcome perk: new cardmembers get Aeroplan 25K status instantly for the remainder of the first calendar year plus the entire next year. That means if you sign up mid-year, you could enjoy 25K perks for nearly two years without flying! To maintain Aeroplan 25K status beyond that, you just need to spend $15,000 (USD) on the card each calendar year. It’s a very attainable shortcut – basically, as long as you put ~$15k of spend on the card annually, you keep your 25K status indefinitely. Plus, there’s a further bonus: if you spend $50,000 in a year on the Chase Aeroplan card, you’ll get a one-tier Status Level Up (bumping you to 35K, or from 35K to 50K, etc.) for the next year. This is an amazing fast-track for heavy spenders: imagine getting Aeroplan 50K status without flying just by using your credit card! Canadian Aeroplan cards don’t grant automatic status, but the spending boosts and welcome bonuses can help you towards that 100k EDQ goal or give you lots of points to redeem for flights (indirectly helping you fly more).

Status Matches and Promotions

Air Canada occasionally runs promotions or challenges to fast-track status. For instance, there have been limited-time status match offers where Aeroplan will match your elite status from another airline if you’re a frequent flyer in the US or other markets.

Additionally, Aeroplan has partnership promos (for example, linking to Marriott Bonvoy or other programs) that can yield status matches or bonuses.

Also, top-tier Aeroplan members sometimes get to gift status to a friend or family member. For example, Super Elite 100K members have the ability to gift someone Aeroplan 50K status, and 75K members can gift 35K status as a Select Benefit.

In summary, there are many paths to Aeroplan Elite Status: flying Air Canada and its partners, leveraging everyday spending (EDQ), using Aeroplan credit cards for boosts or shortcuts, and jumping on promotions or matches.

Status Tier	Basic Qualification Methods			Alternative Qualification Methods
	SQM	SQS	SQD
Aeroplan 25K	25,000 SQM or 25 SQS and $3,000 SQD	25	3,000 $	Everyday spend: 100,000 EDQ (Everyday Status Qualification points) in one calendar year earns 25K status. Credit card: Primary Aeroplan credit cardholders earn +1,000 SQM and +1 SQS for every eligible spend threshold (e.g. per $5,000 on a premium Aeroplan card, or per $10,000 on a core card). Chase Aeroplan (USA) card: Instant 25K status upon signup; retain 25K by spending $15k USD annually.
Aeroplan 35K	35,000 SQM or 35 SQS and $4,000 SQD	35	$4,000	Everyday spend: No EDQ path (everyday points method is only for 25K). Credit card: Aeroplan credit card spending can supplement status – earn 1,000 SQM + 1 SQS per spend. Chase Aeroplan card: Cardholders can “level up” one status tier with $50k USD annual spend (e.g. 25K to 35K).
Aeroplan 50K	50,000 SQM or 50 SQS and $6,000 SQD	50	$6,000	Everyday spend: No EDQ option. Credit card: SQM/SQS boosts via Aeroplan credit card spend (same 1k SQM + 1 SQS per threshold).
Aeroplan 75K	75,000 SQM or 75 SQS and $9,000 SQD	75	$9,000	Everyday spend: No EDQ option. Credit card: SQM/SQS boosts via credit card spend (1k SQM + 1 SQS per threshold)
Aeroplan Super Elite (100K)	100,000 SQM or 100 SQS and $20,000 SQD	100	$20,000	Everyday spend: No EDQ option. Credit card: SQM/SQS boosts via credit card spend (1k SQM + 1 SQS per threshold)

Now, let’s look at what you get once you reach each status level.

Aeroplan Elite Status Levels and Benefits

So, what does each Aeroplan status level actually give you? Below, we’ll break down Aeroplan 25K, 35K, 50K, 75K, and Super Elite (100K) – covering how to qualify (in case you skipped the section above) and, importantly, what privileges each status provides.

Aeroplan 25K Status

Aeroplan 25K is the basic elite status, but it still provides several useful benefits that can make your travels much more comfortable. To qualify, you need to fly 25,000 SQM or 25 SQS, plus $3,000 SQD in a year. Regardless of how you earn it, 25K status is a significant step up from basic Aeroplan membership.

Here are the core benefits you’ll enjoy as a 25K member:

• Priority services at the airport: You can take advantage of priority check-in counters, priority boarding, and even priority service at the call center when you contact Air Canada. No more long lines!
• Free baggage allowance: Two pieces of baggage (up to 23 kg each) on Air Canada and its regional partners.
• Seat selection benefits: As a 25K member, you and your companion can select your preferred seats at no extra charge during check-in (subject to availability). Preferred seats are the best seats in Economy Class, such as those near the exit or at the front of the cabin, which usually cost extra. If they are available at the time of check-in, you can take them without paying a penny.
• 20 eUpgrade Credits. eUpgrades are a kind of currency for upgrading your service class: you can spend a certain number of credits to upgrade your seat on a flight (for example, from economy class to business class), subject to availability. Using eUpgrades allows you to try business class or premium economy reclining seats for a fraction of the regular cost.
• Additional eUpgrade Credits for eligible Flight Pass activities: 4 eUpgrade credits are deposited into your eUpgrade account for every eligible Flight Pass activity.

• 750 Status Qualifying Miles are deposited into your eUpgrade account for every eligible Flight Pass activity.
• Priority Rewards (25K level): 50% off the cost of your flight in points, which can be used for Economy class travel within Canada and between Canada and the US.
• Priority standby and waitlist: If you are trying to get on an earlier flight or a flight that is fully booked, your 25K status puts you at the front of the waitlist (for eligible fares). Similarly, if you are on the waitlist for a flight.
• Star Alliance Silver status: Aeroplan 25K grants Star Alliance Silver status.
• Status upgrade from Avis to Avis Preferred Plus

On top of these core benefits, Aeroplan elite members also get to choose some Select Benefits each year. Think of Select Benefits as customization – you get to pick from a small menu of extra perks to suit your preferences. As a 25K member, you can choose two (2) of the following Select Benefits:

• 5 additional eUpgrade credits (on top of the 20 you already got)
• 2 one-time Maple Leaf Lounge guest passes (to bring a friend or family member into an Air Canada lounge with you)
• 25% bonus Aeroplan points on points you earn flying Air Canada and partner airlines. This is a points bonus on top of the base points you’d normally earn for flights

Most 25K flyers tend to choose the 25% points bonus and the extra 5 eUpgrades, since those can be more broadly useful. The lounge passes can be great if you don’t have any other lounge access (via a credit card) and plan to travel with a companion – they essentially let you treat yourself or someone else to the Maple Leaf Lounge twice. It’s your call; you get two picks. If you’re new to all this: Maple Leaf Lounges are Air Canada’s airport lounges, offering comfortable seating, snacks/drinks, Wi-Fi, etc., in many Canadian and a few international airports. At 25K you don’t have unlimited lounge access yet (that starts at 50K), but these passes can give you a taste of the lounge life on a couple of trips.

Aeroplan 35K Status

Moving up, Aeroplan 35K is the next tier and, as the name suggests, requires 35,000 SQM or 35 SQS, plus $4,000 SQD in a year to qualify. (That’s roughly 40% more flying than 25K requires.) The 35K level builds on all the perks of 25K – you keep everything mentioned above – and adds a few nice enhancements that frequent travelers will appreciate.

Here are the additional benefits of Aeroplan 35K status (on top of 25K perks):

• Priority security screening: You and up to 9 people traveling on the same booking can use the fast-track security line.
• More checked baggage: your free baggage allowance is increased, you can check in three (3) bags weighing up to 32 kg each on Air Canada flights, and they will be marked as priority for handling.
• Two (2) one-time Maple Leaf Lounge passes will be credited to your Aeroplan account. You can use them yourself or give them to anyone you choose.
• Priority boarding area: With 35K, you will generally board before 25K (Air Canada assigns zones).
• Additional eUpgrade Credits for eligible Flight Pass activities: 6 eUpgrade credits are deposited into your eUpgrade account for every eligible Flight Pass activity.
• 1,000 Status Qualifying Miles are deposited into your eUpgrade account for every eligible Flight Pass activity.
• Priority Rewards (35K level): 50% discount on Economy or Premium Economy tickets on Air Canada flights within North America (including sunny destinations such as Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Mexico) purchased with bonus points.

To receive Priority Rewards, you need to accumulate a certain number of flights — this is actually linked to SQD and separate accrual — but if you earn it, it will be a valuable saving of money (or points). We won’t go into the details, but imagine booking a flight that normally costs 50,000 points for 25,000 points — that’s the kind of savings we’re talking about. More details on the official website.

As a 35K member, you can choose one (1) Select Benefit each year.

• 15 additional eUpgrade Credits
• receiving 35% Aeroplan bonus points on your flight earnings

In a nutshell, Aeroplan 35K is a solid mid-tier status for those who fly a bit more. The step-up perks like priority security and the extra baggage allowance are big quality-of-life improvements for frequent travelers. You’ll feel the difference at busy airports when you skip the long security lines, and if you’re someone who lugs around a lot of stuff (photography gear, sports equipment, shopping hauls), the baggage perks alone can justify trying to reach this level.

Aeroplan 50K Status

Aeroplan 50K is often considered the sweet spot for many frequent flyers. Qualification requires 50,000 SQM or 50 SQS, and $6,000 SQD in a year. This is roughly the equivalent of say, 5 or 6 round-trip flights from Toronto to Europe in economy, or a bunch of domestic flights, to give you a sense. If you reach 50K, you’re not just loyal, you’re very loyal – and Air Canada rewards you accordingly.

Here’s what you get at 50K status, in addition to all the 25K and 35K perks already covered:

• Higher Priority for Upgrades/Seats. So if there’s one business class seat left and both a 50K and 35K requested an upgrade, the 50K will get it first.
• Additional eUpgrade Credits for eligible Flight Pass activities: 8 eUpgrade credits credits are deposited into your eUpgrade account for every eligible Flight Pass activity.
• 1,250 Status Qualifying Miles are deposited into your eUpgrade account for every eligible Flight Pass activity. 
• Priority Rewards (50K level): 50% discount on on the price in points of a flight reward in Economy and Premium Economy Class within North America and to sunny destinations.
• Star Alliance Gold Status: This is huge. At 50K, you automatically become Star Alliance Gold. Star Alliance Gold is recognized across all 26 Star Alliance member airlines (United, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, etc.), and it comes with some of the best perks in the airline world: lounge access worldwide, priority check-in, priority boarding, extra baggage, and priority baggage handling on any Star Alliance airline. For many travelers, this alone is worth its weight in gold (pun intended). For example, if you fly Lufthansa or United as a Star Gold, you can use their lounges and get priority services even if you’re in economy.
• Unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge Access: As a 50K member, you and your immediate family (spouse and children) get complimentary access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafés any time you’re flying Air Canada. This is unlimited access, as opposed to the limited passes at lower tiers. You can also bring one guest for free (in addition to family) into the lounge with you, as long as they’re traveling with you.
• Extra Lounge Guest Passes: On top of your own access, 50K status grants you 3 one-time Maple Leaf Lounge guest passes to share with others. These are great for when you have friends or colleagues traveling who don’t have status – you can give them a pass to use a lounge when you might not even be there.
• Priority in Everything: At 50K, you’re usually among the highest priority for things like upgrades (when using those eUpgrade credits), standby, and even how quickly customer service will respond. For example, your calls might route faster, and if there’s a waitlist for a business class upgrade, a 50K will generally be ahead of any 35K or 25K on that list (assuming all other things equal). The higher you go, the more “weight” your status carries in such queues.
• Partner Lounge Perks: Aeroplan 50K (Star Gold) also unlocks lounge access with some partner airlines outside Star Alliance. Notably, when flying on Air Canada or Virgin Australia, you can access Virgin Australia lounges, and when flying Air Canada or Emirates, you get access to Emirates Business Class lounges in Dubai and select airports. These are special partnership perks Air Canada has arranged. You can also bring a guest for free in those lounges when traveling together. So if you find yourself in Sydney on an Air Canada flight, you can pop into the Virgin Australia lounge. Pretty cool add-on!
• Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.

When you reach 50,000, you get two (2) options of Selected benefits (more than at lower levels).

• 50% Aeroplan bonus points on flights,
• one-time upgrade of 5,000 SQM + 5 SQS (useful for fast advancement to 75,000 next year),
• Status Passes for 2 passes (electronic passes that can be given to others so they can enjoy status privileges during one trip, even if they don’t have status themselves),
• gift Aeroplan 35K status to a friend.

Most members with 50,000 points ultimately choose 50% bonus points and 20 eUpgrades or sometimes an SQM/SQS increase if they are aiming for 75,000 points. The good news is that you can choose two options, so you can mix and match a little.

In many ways, 50K is the level where you get the full “elite experience,” especially if you travel internationally. It’s often at this level that passengers say, “Okay, this is definitely worth it.” But wait — at the highest levels, things get even better, with some truly special benefits.

Aeroplan 75K Status

Now we’re getting into the upper echelon. Aeroplan 75K is earned by 75,000 SQM or 75 SQS, and $9,000 SQD in a year. This is a serious amount of travel – you’re likely flying every couple of weeks, or taking long-haul trips regularly.

All the 50K benefits remain in place. Here’s what new perks Aeroplan 75K members get:

• Higher Priority for Upgrades/Seats. So if there’s one business class seat left and both a 75K and 50K requested an upgrade, the 75K will get it first.
• Priority Rewards (75K level): If you earn a Priority Reward as a 75K, it can be used for 50% off business class redemptions within North America (including Mexico/Caribbean).
• 10 eUpgrade credits credits are deposited into your eUpgrade account for every eligible Flight Pass activity.
• 1,500 Status Qualifying Miles are deposited into your eUpgrade account for every eligible Flight Pass activity.
• Elite Status Extension For Parental Leave (You can request an extension of your status and continue to enjoy Elite status benefits when you resume regular travel due to the addition of a new family member).

When you reach 50,000, you get two options of Selected benefits (more than at lower levels).

• 35 additional eUpgrade Credits,
• Annual Wi-Fi plan for Air Canada flights (providing Wi-Fi on board all year),
• 75% points bonus Aeroplan bonus points on flights,
• one-time upgrade of 5,000 SQM + 5 SQS (useful for fast advancement to 75,000 next year),
• Status Passes for 3 passes (electronic passes that can be given to others so they can enjoy status privileges during one trip, even if they don’t have status themselves),
• gift Aeroplan 35K status to a friend.

All in all, 75K status is for the truly frequent flyer, and the program acknowledges that by allowing you to elevate others (with Status Passes and gifting status) and enhance your travel in very tangible ways (like free internet on flights, heaps of upgrades, etc.). The next step, Super Elite, will pull out all the stops.

Aeroplan Super Elite (100K) Status

This is the summit: Aeroplan 100K Super Elite. It requires 100,000 SQM or 100 SQS, and $20,000 SQD in a year – truly a sky-warrior achievement. Super Elite isn’t just a higher number; it comes with an aura. Air Canada knows you by name (literally, the airport concierge will often greet Super Elites personally), and the benefits here are designed to make you feel like a VIP celebrity traveler.

On top of everything a 75K gets, Super Elites receive:

• Air Canada Concierge Service: This might be the most cherished perk. Air Canada has dedicated Concierge agents at major airports whose job is to assist Super Elite members with almost anything travel-related. Did you miss a connection? The Concierge is on it, proactively rebooking you. Long layover? They might meet you at the lounge to check if you need anything. There are even stories of AC Concierges tracking down lost luggage personally, escorting Super Elites to make tight connections (even sprinting through the terminal with them), and generally providing white-glove service. It’s like having a personal assistant at the airport.
• Highest Priority: Super Elite trumps all. You will be at the top of standby lists, top of upgrade lists, you board first (even before business class in many cases), and you have dedicated Super Elite check-in areas at certain airports (e.g., separate check-in desks that only handle Super Elites).
• Status Passes for 2 passes (electronic passes that can be given to others so they can enjoy status privileges during one trip, even if they don’t have status themselves) + option to choose 4 additional passes in Select Benefits.
• 12 eUpgrade credits credits are deposited into your eUpgrade account for every eligible Flight Pass activity.
• 2,500 Status Qualifying Miles are deposited into your eUpgrade account for every eligible Flight Pass activity.
• Threshold rewards (Enjoy gifts and earn additional threshold eUpgrade credits when you reach certain Status Qualifying Mile or Status Qualifying Segment thresholds).
• eUpgrade nominee (Share the benefits of a class upgrade with 1 designated candidate on eUpgrade (even if you are not traveling with them).
• Priority Rewards (Super Elite): If you earn a Priority Reward as a Super Elite, it’s valid for 50% off Business class award tickets anywhere in the world, on Air Canada or any partner. This effectively can save you tens of thousands of points on a redemption. It’s one of the best loyalty rewards out there – imagine booking a round-trip business class to Asia for half the usual points. Super Elites, by flying a ton, often rack up a few of these vouchers.
• Heathrow Arrivals Lounge Access: Super Elites get access to the exclusive Arrivals Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 2 when flying Air Canada into London. This lounge has showers, breakfast, etc., to refresh after a long flight. As a Super Elite, you can even bring a guest with you off the same flight.
• Complimentary Food & Drink in Economy: Here’s a fun one – Super Elites get a free alcoholic drink and snack when flying in Economy class on Air Canada. It’s a small gesture, but a nice touch that even on a short flight where you might not get much service, Air Canada says “have a beer and chips on us” as thanks.
• Status Gifting: Super Elites have the option to gift Aeroplan 50K status to one person each year.

Super Elite members also choose two (2) Select Benefits from a list.

• 50 additional eUpgrade Credits,
• 100% points bonus Aeroplan bonus points on flights,
• one-time upgrade of 5,000 SQM + 5 SQS,
• Annual Wi-Fi plan for Air Canada flights (providing Wi-Fi on board all year),
• gift Aeroplan 50K status to a friend.

Essentially, Super Elite 100K is one of the most rewarding airline statuses in North America. The level of service and wide range of benefits you receive are extraordinary. Of course, achieving this level requires a significant investment of time and money in travel. But for those who do, Air Canada goes above and beyond to make it worthwhile.

Air Canada also has a lifetime status program called Million Miler – if you fly 1,000,000 miles on Air Canada over your life, you get status for life. At 1 million, you become a lifetime 50K; at 2 million, lifetime 75K; 3M and 4M grant lifetime Super Elite.

Now that we’ve covered each status and its benefits, let’s talk about how to keep that status once you have it, and some strategies for making your climb up the ladder a bit easier.

Maintaining and Renewing Your Elite Status

Obtaining elite status is only half the battle. You’ll probably want to renew it every year to keep enjoying the benefits (once you’ve experienced lounge access and upgraded service, it’s hard to give it up!). Aeroplan elite status is valid for one calendar year: you earn SQM/SQS/SQD from January 1 to December 31 each year. The status you earn is valid from the time you earn it until the end of the following calendar year. For example, if you reach 50K status by September 2025, you will immediately receive 50K and retain that status through the end of 2025 and throughout 2026. It will then expire in January 2027 unless you earn it again (or higher) during 2026. Essentially, you earn your status for the remainder of the qualification year plus the entire following year.

If you don’t earn it again, you will drop to the level you earned based on your activity in the new year. Let’s say you had 50,000 in 2025, but in 2026 you only earned 30,000 SQM and 4,000 SQD — that would entitle you to 35,000, so in 2027 you would have 35,000. If you hardly flew, you could lose your status. Air Canada does not have a published soft landing policy (some airlines may only downgrade you by one level), so you will generally be downgraded to the level you actually earned. 

However, Aeroplan has some features that make it easier to maintain your status:

Rollover SQM/SQS

If you exceed the requirements, Aeroplan will allow you to carry over a portion of your excess miles/segments to the next year, provided you are the primary holder of an Aeroplan premium credit card. This is called a Status Rollover (we described this in more detail above).

For example, let’s say you need 50,000 SQM for 50k status, but you actually flew 60,000 SQM. As a premium cardholder, the extra 10,000 SQM can be carried over to the new year’s balance (to help you regain your status). There are restrictions: you can carry over up to 200,000 SQM, and the carryover is only to a level below the level you have achieved (points that would have moved you to a higher level are not carried over). 

Threshold Rewards

We mentioned these earlier — they are additional rewards you receive for exceeding certain thresholds above your status.

For example, after reaching 50,000 miles, Air Canada may set a threshold of 60,000 SQM, upon reaching which you will receive an additional 10 eUpgrade credits + 2,500 bonus SQM + some Aeroplan points. There may be another threshold at 70,000, 80,000, etc. These are essentially gifts like “Good job, here’s a bonus.” They do not extend the validity of your status, but they do give you additional benefits (such as more upgrades, which in turn will help you enjoy your flights even more if you fly more often). Threshold rewards are updated annually – if you fly a lot, check the Aeroplan website for current thresholds to see what you can earn on your way to the next status.

Early Recognition

Once you meet the qualifying criteria for a higher status, Aeroplan will immediately upgrade your status. You don’t have to wait until the end of the year. That’s why someone can start the year with 25,000 and reach 75,000 by summer if they fly enough. Your new status takes effect immediately, and you keep it for the next year. So there’s an incentive to focus your flying at the beginning of the year if possible — you’ll get to enjoy your higher status sooner.

Keeping Status via Credit Card Spend

As mentioned above, the Chase Aeroplan card in the US allows you to maintain 25K status simply by spending $15,000 per year. In Canada, although no card guarantees annual status, active use of the card to earn SQM/SQS can effectively replace some flights.

For example, if you have a premium card and spend $20,000 on it, you get 4,000 SQM and 4 SQS, which can be the deciding factor in gaining or losing status. Don’t forget about the 100K EDQ method: if you can’t fly much during the year, you can try to earn 100,000 Aeroplan points with credit cards (sign-up bonuses, spending, partner promotions) to secure your 25K status as a backup.

Note on gift status: if someone has gifted you 25,000 or 35,000, this status is usually time-limited (often only for the rest of the year and not carried over to the next year as usual). Therefore, if you are using gift status, keep in mind that you may need to confirm your eligibility yourself in order to retain it.

How to Track Progress?

When it’s time to renew your status, check your Aeroplan dashboard periodically. On the website or in the Air Canada app, you’ll see a tracker of your progress toward SQM, SQS, SQD, and even EDQ. This will help you know where you stand, especially at the end of the year.

There’s nothing worse for an elite traveler than realizing on December 31 that you were just a few hundred miles or dollars short of renewing your status! By planning your trip in advance (perhaps moving your January trip to December or vice versa, depending on your needs), you can maximize your chances of renewing your status.

Final thoughts

Aeroplan’s elite status is truly designed for all types of travelers. If you travel frequently within Canada, this is your home program – it will generously reward you for your loyalty to Air Canada. If you’re an international business traveler, Aeroplan status (especially 50K+) will make your intercontinental travel easier by giving you access to lounges and priority services that make long trips bearable (even enjoyable!). If you’re new to Aeroplan, don’t be intimidated — there are entry points and fast tracks to get on the status board, and once you’re there, you’ll understand why people love these programs. With Air Canada Aeroplan, you have many tools at your disposal (points, cards, flights, partners) — use them wisely and you’ll quickly achieve status

Happy travels and good luck hunting for status!