Air Canada Million Mile: The Lifetime Elite Status Program

For the most frequent travellers who attain elite status year after year, how does an airline recognize their long-term loyalty?

While we’ve covered Air Canada’s Aeroplan Elite Status extensively, in this article, we’ll take a peek at the Air Canada Million Mile program, which effectively functions as Air Canada’s lifetime elite status program.

Qualifying for Million Mile Status

To qualify as a “Million Miler”, you must have flown at least 1,000,000 Lifetime Qualifying Miles with Air Canada. 

Miles earned by flying with Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express any time after 1988 count towards Million Mile status.

Any Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) earned as a bonus from purchasing an Economy (Comfort), Economy (Latitude), Premium Economy (Lowest & Flexible), and Business Class (Lowest & Flexible) fare, or with the purchase of an Unlimited Flight Pass, also count.

Note that all other SQMs earned through Aeroplan co-branded credit card spending or flying with Star Alliance airlines don’t count as Lifetime Qualifying Miles.

To check your progress, log in to your Aeroplan account and click through to “My Aeroplan.” Under the “Status” tab, scroll down to the bottom of page to see how many Lifetime Qualifying Miles you’ve earned.

One Million Miles

Under the Air Canada Million Mile Program, there are four Million Mile Status thresholds: 1,000,000, 2,000,000, 3,000,000, and 4,000,000 miles.  

Upon reaching 1,000,000 Lifetime Qualifying Miles, you’ll receive a welcome package with a membership card and special luggage tags. 

While luggage tags are indeed a nice gesture, the main benefit of reaching this mark is that you’ll enjoy Aeroplan 50K Status for the rest of your life. So, you’re spared the hustle of reaching SQM/SQS and SQD thresholds ever again.

Having ongoing 50K status will afford you a number of perks, including:

• Complimentary Maple Leaf Lounge and Star Alliance Gold Lounge access for yourself and a guest
• Priority airport services
• Up to 40 eUpgrades each year
• Three checked bags at 32kg each on Air Canada and Star Alliance flights

At the very least, you can rest assured that your airport experience will be less frustrating with priority check-in, priority security, priority boarding, and priority baggage services. 

Having access to lounges of your choosing is another great benefit of 50K status. Not only can you and a guest access…