Analyzing Air Canada’s New Revenue-Based Aeroplan Elite Status

In 2026, Air Canada will adopt a revenue-based model for earning Aeroplan Elite status (and earning Aeroplan points, which we’ve discussed in a separate article). 

In my opinion, the shift to a revenue-based model for Aeroplan Elite status is a much more significant change than it is for earning Aeroplan points on paid flights, and there’s a lot to digest about the changes.

Acknowledging that there’s no one-size-fits-all outcome for everyone with this new revenue-based model, let’s turn our attention to analyzing the changes to Aeroplan Elite status one-by-one, including who will benefit more and who will have to put in more effort to earn status than before.

Prior to reading this article, I recommend reading through our comprehensive guide to all of the changes that are set to take effect next year as Air Canada adopts a revenue-based earning model, as you’ll want to have all of those details fresh in your mind for this analysis.

Earning Aeroplan Elite Status with SQC vs. SQM, SQS, and SQD

First off, let’s take a look at what earning Aeroplan Elite status will look like with Status Qualifying Credits versus Status Qualifying Miles, Segments, and Dollars.

On a positive note, you’ll only need to concern yourself with one metric for status qualification going forward, and SQCs are a much simpler concept than the current combination of SQM, SQS, and SQD.

Indeed, the math for calculating the SQC you get through flying is much less complex: Economy (Basic) fares won’t get SQC, Economy (Standard) fares get 2 SQC per dollar spent, and Economy (Flex) fares and higher get 4 SQC per dollar spent.

As we’ll explore later in this article, you can also collect SQC by engaging with Aeroplan partners (and flying with Star Alliance-member airlines), spending on Aeroplan co-branded credit cards, the Head Start benefit on Aeroplan premium co-branded credit cards, and through Milestone benefit choices.

Spending Thresholds to Earn Status in the Current vs. New Models

Whether or not qualifying for Aeroplan Elite status will be more or less difficult with SQC than it is with the current model will depend on how you travel, how you buy your fares, how often you engage with partners, how you leverage credit cards, and more. 

As it stands, you qualify for Elite status with the following SQM, SQS, and SQD amounts:

• Aeroplan 25K: 25,000 SQM or 25 SQS, and…