Air Canada Aeroplan moves to spend-based points earning and elite status — what it means for US travelers
Air Canada is overhauling how travelers earn points and qualify for elite status in its Aeroplan loyalty program — and for U.S.-based flyers, this change may feel familiar.
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, Aeroplan members will no longer earn elite status based on miles flown or flight segments. Instead, status will be awarded based solely on how much you spend with Air Canada and its partners via an all-new metric.
How you earn Aeroplan points will also move to a revenue-based model, rather than being based on the distance flown.
That's a major change, but it mirrors changes we've seen from American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which have already transitioned to spend-based elite status models. And since Aeroplan is part of Star Alliance, this update will be especially relevant to frequent United Airlines flyers looking to credit flights (or even switch their loyalty) to a partner program.
Here's what's changing — and what U.S.-based travelers need to know about how to earn and maintain status with Air Canada in the future.
Related: Why Air Canada Aeroplan has become my favorite Star Alliance loyalty program
Earn Aeroplan points based on how much you spend
From Jan. 1, 2026, Aeroplan members crediting flights operated by Air Canada (and Star Alliance and other partner-operated flights ticketed by Air Canada) will earn points based on the amount they spend, rather than the distance they fly.
Members will earn just 1 Aeroplan point per Canadian dollar (about 73 cents) spent on their base fare, including carrier-imposed surcharges but excluding airport fees and government taxes. Elite members will earn the following new multipliers:
- Aeroplan 25K members: 2 Aeroplan points per CA$1
- Aeroplan 35K members: 3 Aeroplan points per CA$1
- Aeroplan 50K members: 4 Aeroplan points per CA$1
- Aeroplan 75K members: 5 Aeroplan points per CA$1
- Aeroplan Super Elite members: 6 Aeroplan points per CA$1
For example, a 75K member flying from New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) in Economy Flex, with a base fare of CA$258 (about $187), from Jan. 1, 2026, would earn 1,290 Aeroplan points — 258 multiplied by five, the number of points earned per CA$1 spent — compared to just the 324 Aeroplan points a member would earn under the current distance-based program.
The more you spend on Air Canada and the higher your elite status, the more Aeroplan points you will earn.
At this time, no changes have been made to how members earn points when crediting flights operated by partner airlines (not ticketed by Air Canada) to Aeroplan or points earned through credit card spending.
Related: On board the first Lufthansa Allegris flight — was the new cabin worth the wait?
Elite status will become spend-based
Currently, Aeroplan members earn elite status using a combination of status qualifying miles, status qualifying segments and status qualifying dollars. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, these three metrics will be phased out, and a new status qualifying credits metric will be the only qualification metric.
Here's how the status earning levels will change:
| Aeroplan elite status level | Current requirements | 2026 requirements |
|---|---|---|
25K | 25,000 SQMs or 25 SQSs plus $3,000 SDQs | 25,000 SQCs |
35K | 35,000 SQMs or 35 SQSs plus $4,000 SDQs | 35,000 SQCs |
50K | 50,000 SQMs or 50 SQSs plus $6,000 SDQs | 50,000 SQCs |
75K | 75,000 SQMs or 75 SQSs plus $9,000 SDQs | 75,000 SQCs |
Super Elite | 100,000 SQMs or 100 SQSs plus $20,000 SDQs | 125,000 SQCs |
Aeroplan members can earn SQCs through:
- Flying Air Canada (and Star Alliance-operated flights ticketed by Air Canada) at a rate of 2 SQCs per CA$1 for Standard fares and eUpgrade add-ons and 4 SQCs per CA$1 for Flex fares and up, with no earning limits
- Booking Air Canada Vacations (1 SQC per CA$1, with no earning limits)
- Flying with Star Alliance partners (not ticketed by Air Canada) or other travel and retail partners such as Marriott, Uber, Avis and Starbucks (1 SQC per 5 points earned, up to a total partner cap of 25,000 SQCs per year)
- Spending on Canadian-issued credit cards (rate varies depending on card type), up to 25,000 SQCs per year
Like earning Aeroplan points, members will earn SQCs on base fares and carrier surcharges but not on airport fees and government taxes. Non-Star Alliance partner-operated flights will not earn any SQCs.
Basic economy fares on Air Canada do not accrue SQCs.
Aeroplan will also introduce new milestone rewards, starting at 10,000 SQCs and unlocking every 10,000 SQCs up to 200,000 SQCs, then every 20,000 SQCs after that (up to 1 million SQCs). At each milestone, members receive 10 or 20 eUpgrade credits automatically and can choose one of several additional benefits, including:
- Additional eUpgrade credits (exchanged for upgrades on Air Canada flights)
- Priority Reward vouchers (50% off points for eligible flight redemptions)
- Bonus Aeroplan points (up to 20,000 points at higher thresholds)
- Maple Leaf lounge passes
- Discounts on hotel, car rental, gift card or merchandise redemptions
- Gifting Aeroplan elite status to a friend
- Air Canada gift cards
Related: A review of Air Canada business class on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Montreal to London
Earning Aeroplan elite status from credit card spending
Even under the new spend-based model, U.S. travelers can still earn or accelerate their Aeroplan elite status through credit card spending. For those who hold the Aeroplan® Credit Card (see rates and fees), there are no changes being made to being awarded 25K status after spending $15,000 on the card annually.
From Jan. 1, 2026, cardholders will receive a 5,000-SQC head start; additionally, the Level Up benefit will be replaced with new SQC awards. (Note that Level Ups earned in 2025 will be honored.)
The new SQC system will award:
- 10,000 additional SQCs when cardholders spend $25,000 in a calendar year
- 10,000 additional SQCs when cardholders spend $50,000 in a calendar year
- 35K status when cardholders spend $75,000 in a calendar year
- One Priority Reward each when cardholders reach spending thresholds of $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $750,000 and $1 million
- Global Elite status plus one Priority Reward after spending $1 million
Related: 9 incredible benefits of the Air Canada Aeroplan credit card
What the changes mean for US-based Aeroplan elite members
The new system for earning points may not have a positive impact on nonelite members, which is disappointing. To compare, United's MileagePlus program, a fellow Star Alliance airline, offers an impressive 5 miles per U.S. dollar spent for base members, which is much better than Aeroplan's new 1 point per CA$1 (about 1.35 cents per dollar spent).
For example, on a CA$650 (about $472) round-trip economy-class flight to Europe on Air Canada, which includes $150 in taxes and fees, a base Aeroplan member would earn a measly 500 Aeroplan points.
If you currently hold Aeroplan elite status through flying frequently or crediting partner flights under the existing model, this shift to a revenue-based qualification system may affect how you maintain that status going forward, especially if you're not regularly purchasing premium fares.
For a U.S.‑based traveler who mostly flies domestic or transborder on United or Air Canada, qualifying for entry‑level elite status is generally easier with United MileagePlus than with the 2026 spend‑based Air Canada Aeroplan program — unless you are prepared to run most of your airfare (or significant credit card spend) through Air Canada‑issued tickets or the Aeroplan Credit Card.
Compared with the new Aeroplan program, United's top-tier Premier 1K elite status level remains the more attainable top‑tier status for the average U.S. traveler whose day‑to‑day flying is on United metal or United‑ticketed partners. Aeroplan's top-tier Super Elite status in 2026 can be cheaper on paper, but only if a significant share of your annual spend flows through Air Canada‑marketed Flex or premium fares. Otherwise, the 125,000-SQC target and the 25,000 SQCs partner cap on SQCs earned from partner travel make it a steeper climb.
Related: United Premier status: What it is and how to earn it
Bottom line
Air Canada's move to spend-based elite status and a spend-based points earning structure joins the trend of several major U.S. carriers, and for big spenders who currently hold (or are chasing) elite status, this could be good news. While mileage runners may find the new structure less rewarding, the ability to qualify for status via spend alone simplifies the process. However, the new Aeroplan points earning rates are disappointingly low.
Though the changes are mixed, Aeroplan remains a terrific program for redeeming points and miles, especially given how easy it is to transfer credit card points and miles to Aeroplan.
Related reading:
- The complete guide to Aeroplan's stopover and routing rules
- Is Air Canada premium economy worth it on the Boeing 777-300ER from Amsterdam to Toronto?
- American Airlines, Air Canada expand flights-on-buses options with Landline
- Air Canada to debut new cabin look on Airbus A220s, featuring large overhead bins for 19 extra bags
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees