Aeroplan Elite Status: Guide to Qualifying and Privileges

Aeroplan Elite Status is Air Canada’s elite program for its most frequent flyers. There are many opportunities to earn and benefit from status, which can help to make your travels more seamless.

Having a thorough understanding of the program will benefit you greatly, whether you’re seeking to earn Aeroplan Elite Status or maximize it. 

This post will guide you through the elite program, how to qualify for Aeroplan Elite Status, and the privileges that come with each tier.

How to Qualify for Aeroplan Elite Status

Qualifying for Aeroplan Elite Status depends on three factors:

• Status Qualifying Miles (SQM)
• Status Qualifying Segments (SQS)
• Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD)

You reach the various status tiers by reaching minimum levels of SQM or SQS, in addition to SQD, through your paid flying activity. 

Status Qualifying Miles

SQM are earned as a percentage of the actual distance flown and on the fare purchased. The destination to which you fly (within Canada, United States, Sun Destinations, or International) also plays a small role in the SQM earned.

For example, if you fly from Vancouver to Toronto on a Flex fare, which earns 100% SQM, you’d earn 2,085 Status Qualifying Miles. If you booked a Premium Economy (Lowest) fare, you’d earn 2,606 SQM, which is 125% of the distance flown.

Earning status through SQM often is easier for those who tend to fly longer distances. 

(The amount of Aeroplan points you earn on a flight largely mirrors the amount of SQM earned, although it’s important to point out that these are two very different things.)

Status Qualifying Segments

SQS are determined by the amount of actual flight segments you have on a particular booking. For example, if you fly from St. John’s to Toronto on a direct flight, you earn 1 SQS, but if you were to fly via Montreal, you would earn 2 SQS. In some cases, it can be worthwhile to book milk-run routes in order to earn more SQS. 

Qualifying for status through SQS can be easier for people who tend to fly more short-haul flights, or for those who always require a connecting flight to a major airport hub to get to their destination.

For both SQM and SQS, you are able to boost your earnings with an eligible c0-branded credit card: you’ll earn 1,000 SQM and 1 SQS for every $5,000 spent on a premium Aeroplan credit card or every $10,000 spent on a core or small business Aeroplan credit card.

If you tend to be a big…