Aeroplan Elite Status: How Will Milestone Benefits Work?

In 2026, Air Canada will introduce Milestone Benefits as part of its revamped Aeroplan Elite status. Importantly, Milestones will replace Select Benefits, Threshold Rewards, and automatically awarded Priority Rewards that members are accustomed to with the current program.

In this guide, we’ll explore how Milestone Benefits will work when they come into effect in 2026, with some general discussion of the best selections at each tier and how you might wish to approach them.

How Will Aeroplan Elite Status Milestone Benefits Work?

Beginning on January 1, 2026, Aeroplan Elite members will earn Milestone Benefits as they accumulate Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) throughout the qualification year.

As a reminder, Status Qualifying Credits will become the new metric by which you qualify for Aeroplan Elite status and earn Milestone Benefits. In total, there are five avenues by which you can collect SQC, and all will count towards reaching Milestone Benefits:

• Paid flying with Air Canada
• Engaging with Aeroplan’s everyday and travel partners (5 Aeroplan points earned = 1 SQC (up to 25,000 SQC each year))
• Credit card spending (1,000 SQC per $5,000 spent on a premium Aeroplan card, 1,000 SQC per $20,000 on a core Aeroplan card, or by hitting spending thresholds on the Chase Aeroplan Card (up to 25,000 SQC each year total across all Aeroplan credit cards))
• 10% Head Start benefit on premium Aeroplan cards (to be introduced in 2027)
• Bonus SQC as a Milestone Benefit (see below)

You’ll earn Milestone Benefits for every threshold of 10,000 SQC collected (up to 200,000 SQC), and then at every threshold of 20,000 SQC thereafter (up to 1 million SQC).

Depending on the SQC threshold you reach, you’ll get an automatic allotment of eUpgrades, a selection of one Milestone Benefit, or both.

The below table summarizes Air Canada’s new Milestone Benefits, including what’s available at each SQC threshold. 

Here are some general notes about the Milestone Benefits in the above chart:

• At the 10,000-, 30,000-, and 50,000-SQC thresholds, you receive an automatic allotment of 10 eUpgrades
• At the 20,000-, 40,000-, and 60,000-SQC thresholds, as well as every increment of 20,000 SQC thereafter (up to 180,000 SQC), you can make a selection of one Milestone Benefit
• At the 70,000-SQC threshold, and for increments of every 20,000 SQC thereafter (up to 190,000 SQC), you receive an…