Air Canada status match now posting, choose Select Benefits now
Last week, Air Canada announced a status match program for U.S. residents. This status match lets those with existing U.S. airline status match to an equivalent status on Air Canada through Dec. 31, 2021, with the option to extend by taking a single round-trip flight with Air Canada by Jan. 15, 2022.
As a refresher, Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue and Southwest elite members are eligible for this status match.
Status matches aren't taking long either. Those who initiated status matches are seeing Air Canada elite status applied to their accounts starting yesterday, Oct. 2, 2021. Members received a standard elite status qualification email that states the airline is sending a physical elite status card and bag tag in "the coming weeks", though the status match FAQ says these haven't been sent yet.
Matched elites can, however, choose their Select Benefits immediately. This includes additional eUpgrade certificates, bonus mileage earning and reduced qualification requirements, among other options. These are essentially ways to let you personalize your Air Canada elite status experience. Other benefits of status include Star Alliance lounge access — including the United Club — at the 50K elite level and upgrade certificates.
Still waiting on your status match? Air Canada's status match FAQ page notes that members will receive confirmation of their status match within three days of applying and see their new airline status within five days of applying.
If you haven't already, you can apply for a status match by filling out this form on Air Canada's Status Matcher page. Note that you can only apply for an Air Canada status match once every two years. The promotion ends Dec. 31, 2021, but there are a limited number of complimentary status matches available, so act quickly if you want to take advantage of it.
Related: Sweet Spot Sunday: Booking low-cost flights to and around Canada with Aeroplan
Bottom line
It's great to see Air Canada's status match post so quickly, especially given that travelers only have three-and-a-half months to book and fly to a recently reopened Canada.
Air Canada status can yield great value for U.S.-based travelers, like United Club access and eUpgrades good for use on most Air Canada flights. Even if you're not traveling to Canada by Jan. 15, 2022, it may be worth matching for United Club access through the end of the year.
Feature photo by Joel Serre / Shutterstock.com
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| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
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The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
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- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
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- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
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- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month