Aeroplan Elite Standing: How Will Milestone Advantages Work?

In 2026, Air Canada will introduce Milestone Advantages as a part of its revamped Aeroplan Elite standing. Importantly, Milestones will substitute Choose Advantages, Threshold Rewards, and routinely awarded Precedence Rewards that members are accustomed to with the present program.

On this information, we’ll discover how Milestone Advantages will work once they come into impact in 2026, with some normal dialogue of the very best choices at every tier and the way you may want to method them.

How Will Aeroplan Elite Standing Milestone Advantages Work?

Starting on January 1, 2026, Aeroplan Elite members will earn Milestone Advantages as they accumulate Standing Qualifying Credit (SQC) all through the qualification 12 months.

As a reminder, Standing Qualifying Credit will turn into the brand new metric by which you qualify for Aeroplan Elite standing and earn Milestone Advantages. In complete, there are 5 avenues by which you’ll accumulate SQC, and all will rely in the direction of reaching Milestone Advantages:

• Paid flying with Air Canada
• Participating with Aeroplan’s on a regular basis and journey companions (5 Aeroplan factors earned = 1 SQC (as much as 25,000 SQC every year))
• Bank 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 (as much as 25,000 SQC every year complete throughout all Aeroplan bank cards))
• 10% Head Begin profit on premium Aeroplan playing cards (to be launched in 2027)
• Bonus SQC as a Milestone Profit (see beneath)

You’ll earn Milestone Advantages for each threshold of 10,000 SQC collected (as much as 200,000 SQC), after which at each threshold of 20,000 SQC thereafter (as much as 1 million SQC).

Relying on the SQC threshold you attain, you’ll get an automated allotment of eUpgrades, a choice of one Milestone Profit, or each.

The beneath desk summarizes Air Canada’s new Milestone Advantages, together with what’s obtainable at every SQC threshold. 

Listed here are some normal notes in regards to the Milestone Advantages within the above chart:

• On the 10,000-, 30,000-, and 50,000-SQC thresholds, you obtain an automated allotment of 10 eUpgrades
• On the 20,000-, 40,000-, and 60,000-SQC thresholds, in addition to each increment of 20,000 SQC thereafter (as much as 180,000 SQC), you’ll be able to make a choice of 1 Milestone Profit
• On the 70,000-SQC threshold, and for increments of each 20,000 SQC thereafter (as much as 190,000 SQC), you obtain an automated allotment of eUpgrades and may make a choice of 1 Milestone Profit
  • The automated allotment of eUpgrades is 10 on the 70,000-, 90,000-, and 110,000-SQC thresholds, and 20 thereafter
• On the 200,000-SQC threshold and for each incremental 20,000 SQC collected thereafter (as much as 1 million SQC), you obtain an automated allotment of 20 eUpgrades and may make a choice of 1 Milestone Profit

As you’ll be able to see, the Milestone Advantages obtainable at every SQC threshold differ, and as you accumulate extra SQC, the advantages turn into extra strong. 

Breaking Down Aeroplan Elite Standing Milestone Advantages

On this part, I’ll break down every of the obtainable Milestone Advantages, and I’ll additionally provide my normal ideas about every one.

eUpgrades

eUpgrades are awarded each routinely and as a selection-based Milestone (on the 20,000- and 40,000-SQC thresholds solely) within the revamped Aeroplan Elite standing program.

Your eUpgrades can be legitimate for 12 months from the date on which they’re earned (both routinely or as a Milestone choice), or for twenty-four months in case you have a premium Aeroplan bank card.

As a reminder, you’ll be able to apply eUpgrades to Air Canada flights booked with money or Aeroplan factors and (probably) journey in increased class of service (premium financial system or enterprise class). 

In my view, eUpgrades will be extraordinarily highly effective and beneficial if you happen to method utilizing them strategically. In some instances, you’re in a position to verify an improve prematurely (which is extra usually the case with money bookings), whereas in others, you’ll be able to up your odds of clearing the eUpgrade waitlist by balancing your standing with the fitting fare.

Listed here are some issues to bear in mind if you happen to’re contemplating selecting eUpgrades over different Milestone Profit choices:

• You may accumulate eUpgrades routinely as a Core Profit and by hitting SQC thresholds, so you might wish to think about different choices if you happen to discover that you’ve a adequate eUpgrade stability in your wants
• Elite members at decrease tiers could wish to bolster their eUpgrade stability with selection-based Milestones, because the Core Profit eUpgrade allotment is decreasing for 25K, 35K, and 50K members in 2026
• Elite members at increased tiers (specifically 75K and Tremendous Elite) could wish to forego selection-based eUpgrades in favour of different Milestones, as they’ll accumulate extra as they attain the upper SQC thresholds (and have an equal (75K) or better (Tremendous Elite) eUpgrade allotment as a Core Profit in 2026)
• In all instances, think about your utilization of eUpgrades prior to now and your technique for 2026 and past

Precedence Rewards

Precedence Rewards can be found as selection-based Milestones starting on the 20,000-SQC threshold, and in increments of 20,000 SQC thereafter (all the best way as much as 1 million SQC).

If chosen, they’re legitimate for 12 months from the date on which they’re chosen. When you should use them by the expiry date, they are often redeemed for journey that happens after their expiry date.

As a reminder, every Precedence Reward will cut back the price of an Aeroplan redemption with Air Canada or any companion airways for one passenger by 50%.

Importantly, the applying of Precedence Rewards will depend on your tier of standing, outlined as follows:

• Aeroplan 25K: Economic system flights in Canada and the US
• Aeroplan 35K: Economic system and premium financial system flights in North America
• Aeroplan 50K: Economic system and premium financial system flights in North America
• Aeroplan 75: Economic system and premium financial system flights worldwide
• Aeroplan Tremendous Elite: Economic system, premium financial system, and enterprise class flights worldwide

Listed here are some issues to bear in mind if you happen to’re contemplating selecting Precedence Rewards over different Milestone Profit choices:

• In my view, Precedence Rewards are a robust contender for a alternative at most SQC Milestone choices, particularly since Aeroplan factors are comparatively straightforward to earn via bank cards
• Precedence Rewards legitimate for financial system and premium financial system flights are nice to make use of along with eUpgrades (particularly on Economic system (Latitude) and Premium Economic system fares)
• Tremendous Elite Precedence Rewards are extraordinarily beneficial, particularly when used with Aeroplan’s many companion airways (or to scale back the consequences of dynamic pricing with Air Canada and Choose Companions)
• Contemplate leveraging the Aeroplan stopover function (if obtainable) to spice up the worth of your Precedence Reward much more

It’s price noting that Precedence Rewards are awarded routinely by reaching SQD thresholds within the present program, and that may now not be the case in 2026 and past. Whereas the applying of Precedence Rewards isn’t altering, you’ll need to forego different Milestones to accumulate them, which I’d see as a unfavorable growth.

Plus, the efficient spending thresholds to earn Precedence Rewards are additionally growing in comparison with as we speak, although it’s additionally price noting which you could get SQC with out flying beginning in 2026, which can even rely in the direction of Milestone Advantages.

Maple Leaf Lounge Passes

On the 20,000- and 40,000-SQC thresholds, you’ll be able to select 2 or 4 one-time Maple Leaf Lounge passes as a Milestone Profit, respectively. 

Every cross is legitimate for one visitor to entry any Maple Leaf Lounge worldwide, and have to be used on a same-day Air Canada departing flight earlier than their expiry date (12 months from the date on which they’re chosen).

It’s price noting that Maple Leaf Lounge passes will now not be provided as a Core Profit starting in 2026, as they’ve been prior to now. They can even be legitimate for any Maple Leaf Lounge on this planet, whereas they’re at the moment solely legitimate for Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada and the US.

Listed here are some issues to bear in mind if you happen to’re contemplating selecting Maple Leaf Lounge passes over different Milestone Profit choices:

• It’s at all times good to share lounge entry with household or associates; nevertheless, lounge entry is pretty straightforward to acquire by means of bank cards (each for Maple Leaf Lounges and third-party lounge operators)
• For those who fly on a enterprise class ticket booked with money or factors, lounge entry can be included within the overwhelming majority of instances
• Aeroplan 50K members and up get pleasure from complimentary lounge entry and Star Alliance Gold recognition
• Different choices obtainable on the 20,000- and 40,000-SQC thresholds ought to end in better worth (specifically Precedence Rewards and/or eUpgrades)

Aeroplan Factors

At any of the selection-based Milestones, you’ll be able to select to obtain a bonus allotment of Aeroplan factors. Relying on the SQC threshold, you’ll obtain 5,000, 7,500, 10,000, 15,000, or 20,000 Aeroplan factors. 

Aeroplan factors will be redeemed many alternative methods, together with flights, lodge stays, automobile leases, reward playing cards, merchandise, dwell occasions, and extra. Whereas it’s good to have so many choices for redeeming your factors, you are inclined to get the very best worth in your factors by utilizing them for flights, which is what we suggest over all different choices.

We worth Aeroplan factors at 2.1 cents per level (all figures in CAD), and utilizing this, we’d estimate the next worth at every tier of factors:

• 5,000 Aeroplan factors = $105
• 7,500 Aeroplan factors = $157.50
• 10,000 Aeroplan factors = $210 
• 15,000 Aeroplan factors = $315
• 20,000 Aeroplan factors = $420

After all, you may worth Aeroplan factors in a different way, and it’s actually doable to get extra worth (particularly if you happen to redeem them for journey in premium cabins) or much less worth (if you happen to redeem them for reward playing cards, merchandise, and so forth). 

For those who want a fast top-up to your account to convey you over the road for a flight redemption, it might be price contemplating bonus factors at some thresholds. 

Nonetheless, Aeroplan factors are comparatively straightforward to come back throughout by different means, so I’d most likely look to different Milestone Profit choices and pad my Aeroplan stability with any of the next as a substitute:

30% Off Automobile/Lodge Redemption

One of many new advantages that hasn’t been provided to Elite members prior to now is 30% off a automobile/lodge redemption. This selection is obtainable as a selection-based milestone starting at 20,000 SQC, and at each increment of 20,000 SQC thereafter (as much as 1 million SQC).

If chosen, you’ll obtain one promotion code that provides you with 30% off the whole price in factors for a single redemption for a automobile rental or lodge booked through the Aeroplan platform.

The promo code is legitimate via to December 31 of the 12 months following the 12 months it’s awarded. In different phrases, if you happen to select this Milestone Profit in July 2026, the 30% off promo code can be legitimate via to December 31, 2027.

Listed here are some issues to bear in mind if you happen to’re contemplating selecting 30% off a automobile rental or lodge redemption over different Milestone Profit choices:

• For those who select this selection, you’ll get the very best worth if you happen to redeem your factors along with a HotelSavers lodge and the Fourth Evening Free profit
• With that mentioned, you’ll seemingly nonetheless get better worth (from a cents-per-point perspective) by redeeming your factors for flights as a substitute
• For probably the most half, I’d say that the opposite Milestone Advantages are higher decisions (although it’s price noting that not everybody redeems their factors for flights)

Primarily based on our earlier analyses, the very best worth for redemptions aside from flights comes each time there’s an Aeroplan promotion that provides factors again for eligible lodge redemptions, particularly if you happen to can stack it with the Fourth Evening Free profit for Aeroplan cardholders (and likewise a 30% off promo code).

In these instances, it’s commonplace to get worth of over our goal redemption worth of two.1 cents per level (although you can too get much less, so it’s at all times good to do the maths earlier than you redeem).

Aeroplan has put plenty of effort into increasing the methods in which you’ll redeem factors, and in contrast to many different packages, there are nonetheless methods to get outsized worth for redemptions aside from flights.

30% Off Reward Card/Merchandise Redemption

Just like the 30% off automobile rental/lodge redemptions above, there’s one other new Milestone Profit that provides 30% off a present card/merchandise redemption. This selection can also be obtainable as a selection-based milestone starting at 20,000 SQC, and at each increment of 20,000 SQC thereafter (as much as 1 million SQC).

If chosen, you’ll obtain one promotion code that provides you with 30% off the whole price in factors for a single redemption for reward playing cards or merchandise through the Aeroplan eStore. Importantly, you need to have a Canadian residence tackle to be eligible for this Milestone Profit.

The promo code is legitimate via to December 31 of the 12 months following the 12 months it’s awarded. In different phrases, if you happen to select this Milestone Profit in July 2026, the 30% off promo code can be legitimate via to December 31, 2027.

Listed here are some issues to bear in mind if you happen to’re contemplating selecting 30% off a automobile rental or lodge redemption over different Milestone Profit choices:

• By and huge, the redemption worth for reward playing cards and merchandise is way decrease than what you’d get for flights, and even decrease than what you’d get for automobile leases/merchandise
• In virtually each case, I’d say that the opposite Milestone Advantages are higher decisions, since they’re extra beneficial

For those who redeem Aeroplan factors for reward playing cards or merchandise on the Aeroplan eStore, you’ll be able to anticipate to get a redemption worth of 1 cent per level at most, and normally much less.

Typically, the eStore launches promotions that supply better worth in your redemptions; nevertheless, you’re nonetheless more likely to get much less worth out of your factors than what you get by redeeming them for flights.

Bonus SQC

Starting subsequent 12 months, you’ll be capable of choose varied quantities of bonus SQC as a Milestone Profit at particular thresholds. Be aware that these aren’t routinely awarded, however they’re obtainable as a variety.

Particularly, you’ve gotten the choice of selecting the next quantities of SQC when you hit every listed SQC threshold as a selection-based profit:

• 40,000 SQC = 2,500 bonus SQC
• 80,000 SQC = 2,500 bonus SQC
• 100,000 SQC = 2,500 bonus SQC
• 120,000 SQC = 2,500 bonus SQC
• 130,000 SQC = 5,000 bonus SQC
• 140,000 SQC = 5,000 bonus SQC
• 160,000 SQC = 5,000 bonus SQC
• 180,000 SQC = 5,000 bonus SQC

If chosen, you’ll get the respective quantity of SQC deposited in your account, which may help you attain the subsequent tier of standing. You have got till December 31 of the 12 months during which the Milestone is reached to decide on bonus SQC, and so they’ll apply in the direction of your standing qualification for that very same 12 months. 

In different phrases, if you happen to select 2,500 bonus SQC in July 2026, it’ll rely in the direction of your standing pursuit in 2026 (and never 2027).

Listed here are some issues to bear in mind if you happen to’re contemplating selecting bonus SQC over different Milestone Profit choices:

• Since you’ll be able to accumulate SQC with bank card spending and/or through participating with Aeroplan companions (along with paid flights), I’d say that the opposite Milestone Advantages ought to take precedence over bonus SQC
• On the similar time, selecting bonus SQC would provide probably the most streamlined route in the direction of 50K standing and above, particularly when collected along with bank card spending, participating with Aeroplan companions, the Head Begin profit, and paid flying
• For those who don’t have an Aeroplan premium bank card, a average quantity of spend, or different technique of amassing SQC, bonus SQC might be price contemplating if it’ll show you how to attain a better tier of standing or a significant Milestone Profit
• In my view, Precedence Rewards are nonetheless extra beneficial than bonus SQC

As I discussed above, you will get SQC through bank cards and Aeroplan companions, so you might wish to shift your technique to these quite than selecting bonus SQC over different Milestone Advantages.

With regards to getting SQC from bank cards, the Chase Aeroplan Card (obtainable within the US) affords probably the most streamlined path to 25,000 SQC, as you’ll get 5,000 at first of the 12 months, 10,000 upon spending $25,000 (USD), and 10,000 upon spending $50,000 (USD).

On Canadian premium playing cards, you’ll get 1,000 SQC per $5,000 spent, which implies that you’d need to spend $125,000 (CAD) to max it out. 

If pursuing Aeroplan Elite standing is vital to you, then having the Chase Aeroplan Card or a premium Aeroplan card in your portfolio can be very useful.

Standing Passes

Standing Passes can be found as a selection-based Milestone Profit starting at 60,000 SQC and at each increment of 10,000 SQC thereafter (as much as 190,000 SQC). They’re additionally obtainable as a variety on the 220,000-SQC threshold, and each increment of 20,000 SQC thereafter (as much as 1 million SQC).

Be aware that Tremendous Elites will proceed to be granted with two Standing Passes as a Core Profit at first of every 12 months.

If chosen, you’ll get 2 Standing Passes (as much as and together with 120,000 SQC), and 4 Standing Passes for each obtainable possibility following that. The Standing Passes can be legitimate for 12 months following the date on which they’re chosen, although they are often utilized for journey past that date.

As a reminder, Standing Passes grant as much as eight passengers travelling on the identical reserving with premium journey providers previous to and on Air Canada flights. In different phrases, the advantages don’t apply to companion airways.

Every passenger on the reservation to which the Standing Go is utilized will get pleasure from the next advantages:

• Precedence airport check-in
• Precedence safety
• Precedence baggage
• 3 complimentary checked luggage at 32kg every
• Maple Leaf Lounge and Air Canada Café entry
• Precedence boarding (Zone 2)

On the thresholds that supply a alternative between Precedence Rewards and Standing Passes, I’d seemingly suggest selecting a Precedence Reward for the explanations coated above.

On the thresholds that supply a alternative between Aeroplan factors, Standing Passes, an Air Canada reward card, and/or a Standing Reward, there’s a bit extra nuance.

Personally, I’d seemingly select both Aeroplan factors or the Standing Reward (particularly 50K) over Standing Passes; nevertheless, you might also discover nice worth in utilizing a Standing Go for big group bookings.

Air Canada Reward Card

Air Canada reward playing cards of various quantities can be found as a selection-based Milestone Profit on the following SQC thresholds:

• 70,000 SQC = $150 reward card
• 90,000 SQC = $150 reward card
• 110,000 SQC = $150 reward card
• 150,000 SQC = $250 reward card
• 170,000 SQC = $250 reward card
• 190,000 SQC = $250 reward card

The reward playing cards can just about be redeemed for any time it is advisable to pay for one thing Air Canada-related: flights, the taxes/charges on an Aeroplan redemption, seat choice, and so forth.

Given the opposite choices obtainable on the SQC thresholds at which reward playing cards are additionally provided, I’d be extra inclined to go for a Standing Reward, Standing Passes, or bonus Aeroplan factors, because it’d be very doable to squeeze out extra worth from these than the worth provided on the reward card.

Nonetheless, if you happen to’re searching for one thing with clear, tangible worth, then the reward card affords a simple possibility.

I believe it’s price noting that the reward card quantities obtainable via Threshold Rewards have been for as much as $4,000. Whereas this required accumulating plenty of SQM, it’s additionally a a lot increased determine than the $250 obtainable via Milestone Advantages.

Standing Reward

Upon reaching 70,000-, 90,000-, 130,000-, and 200,000-SQC thresholds, you’re ready to decide on a 25K, 35K, 50K, or 75K Standing Reward, respectively.

As soon as the standing reward is bestowed upon an individual of your selecting, they’ll get pleasure from standing for the rest of the 12 months and thru to December 31 of the next 12 months.

For instance, if you happen to reward somebody with 35K standing in July 2026, it’ll be legitimate via to December 31, 2027.

Listed here are some issues to bear in mind if you happen to’re contemplating selecting a Standing Reward over different Milestone Profit choices:

• If the recipient could make good use of the advantages provided at 25K and 35K standing, I’d say the Standing Reward is a really compelling alternative
• In my view, 50K standing is by far the strongest Milestone Profit provided on the 130,000-SQC threshold
• For those who’re contemplating the 75K Standing Reward at 200,000 SQC, keep in mind that you just’d be leaving a banked 12 months of Tremendous Elite standing on the desk, which I’d argue is a stronger profit (except you’re a Lifetime Tremendous Elite already)

It’s good to see that the recipient will get pleasure from standing for the remainder of the 12 months that they’re awarded with standing, and thru to the tip of the next 12 months. Standing Items might be notably compelling decisions in the event that they’re obtainable within the first half of the 12 months.

Banked 12 months of Tremendous Elite Standing

When you’ve hit the 200,000-SQC threshold, you’ll have entry to some of the beneficial Milestone Advantages obtainable: a banked 12 months of top-tier Tremendous Elite standing.

If chosen, you’ll routinely be granted with a one-year extension of your Tremendous Elite standing if you happen to don’t requalify as a Tremendous Elite. That is how the profit is utilized as we speak when earned as a Threshold Reward.

In different phrases, if you happen to attain Tremendous Elite in 2026 however qualify as a 75K Elite in 2027, the banked 12 months of Tremendous Elite standing would grant you with Tremendous Elite standing for 2027 as a substitute.

For those who hit the 200,000-SQC threshold, that is by far probably the most beneficial profit, and I’d strongly suggest it above all different choices.

The one exception is if you happen to already get pleasure from Lifetime Tremendous Elite standing as a 3 Million Miler, at which level you’ll be able to take your choose from no matter different Milestones pique your curiosity.

Let Us Take Care of You

For those who’re an Air Canada frequent flyer trying to maximize the advantages of the brand new Aeroplan Elite standing program, Aeroplan factors, eUpgrades, and extra with out placing in all the work your self, head over to the Prince of Journey Concierge web site to be taught extra about our white-glove service.

Our skilled Concierge account managers will take care of all the pieces in your behalf: crafting a complete bank card technique, guaranteeing you’re incomes elite standing and leveraging all the advantages, redeeming factors for optimum worth, and saving you money and time on reserving journey.

Conclusion

Starting in 2026, Aeroplan Elite members will earn Milestone Advantages as a substitute of Threshold Rewards, Choose Advantages, and routinely awarded Precedence Rewards.

As you accumulate SQC, you’ll unlock Milestone Advantages that are awarded routinely, as a variety, or a mix of the 2.

Relying in your priorities, some advantages will provide extra worth or impression than others, and on this information, I’ve shared my opinions on the way you may method them.