Air Canada becomes first North American airline to extend elite status through 2022
As reported by View From The Wing, Air Canada is the first North American airline to extend elite status through 2022 in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The airline first extended 2020 elite status last April when the virus first started to wreak havoc on the travel industry. While vaccines have started to roll out around the world, the virus has continued to spread in Canada and other parts of the world. This had continued to keep many travelers grounded — especially as the U.S.-Canada border remains closed — so it makes sense that Air Canada is further extending status for travelers.
In this article, I'll give you a quick overview of Air Canada's latest status extension and discuss other changes announced.
Air Canada elite status extended through 2022
As discussed, Air Canada has further extended elite status through 2022. This includes those who earned status in 2020 and 2019, giving them an extra year to enjoy elite status benefits.
As you'd expect, an elite who earns a higher elite status tier this year will be able to use their upgraded benefits for the remainder of 2021 and all of 2022.
Air Canada will let elites choose Select Benefits like bonus Aeroplan points, eUpgrade credits, and Status Passes in early 2022. This is a great perk, especially since Select Benefits are usually seen as a bonus benefit on top of standard elite status benefits.
Priority Reward vouchers also extended
The airline is also extending unused Priority Reward vouchers earned in 2020. These upgrades will be extended through Oct. 2022 and can be used any time until that expiration date.
As a reminder, Priority Rewards vouchers are earned when you hit specific SQD milestones. You can use them to book Aeroplan awards with a 50% points discount. Each status tier earns different vouchers that can be used in different cabin classes. For example, Aeroplan 25K members can use their vouchers for 50% off economy flights, while Super Elites can use vouchers for business class tickets.
Aeroplan points won't expire in 2021
Further, Air Canada will pause the expiration of Aeroplan points until Jan. 31, 2022. After this date, the standard 18-month points validity will apply. You can keep your Aeroplan points active by earning or redeeming a single point. The extension will reflect in member accounts in the coming weeks.
Related: How to keep your points and miles from expiring
"Status Jumpstart" added for some members
Aeroplan members who qualify for any elite status tier in 2021 (through flight activity) will have their Status Qualifying Miles (SQM), Status Qualifying Segments (SQS), and Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD) earned in 2021 rolled over to 2022. This will apply to any member who earns at least 25,000 SQM or 25 SQS, plus $3,000 SQD ($1,500 for non-Canadian residents) in 2021.
For example, an Aeroplan 35K member that earns 27,000 SQM, 10 SQS and $3,500 SQD will start the 2022 status year with their Aeroplan 35K status and the same number of SQM, SQS and SQD in their account. In turn, this will make it far easier for Aeroplan elites to earn or upgrade status in 2022 (for the 2023 status year) without worrying about losing their current status tier.
Related: How to earn Air Canada elite status without flying
Bottom line
This is the most generous status extension we've seen so far, and I'm hopeful that U.S. airlines will follow suit in the coming weeks. The travel industry is showing signs of a strong recovery as vaccines rollout around the world, but most business travel is still grounded. This means that many elites will be unable to extend their status in 2021, so further extensions are badly needed.
Feature photo by Heather Dunbar/Shutterstock
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.