We’ll break down the important thing modifications to Aeroplan and discover whether or not they’ll assist members speed up their earnings or simply clip their wings.
Overview of modifications to incomes Aeroplan factors
Understanding the right way to earn Aeroplan factors might be extra simple below the brand new mannequin. At the moment, members earn factors primarily based on a proportion of the miles they fly in a given fare class, with percentages starting from as little as 10% of miles flown for economic system primary as much as 150% for enterprise class fares.
Underneath the brand new plan, factors earned might be primarily based on what you spend. You’ll obtain a minimal of 1 level per $1 spent on eligible Air Canada flights (excluding taxes and charges). Issues get extra difficult in the event you e-book with a companion airline; the way you earn factors—whether or not at a ratio of 1 level to $1 spent or primarily based on distance flown—will rely on what provider you employ and the way you booked your ticket.
Earned factors might be boosted for Aeroplan members with Elite Standing as follows:
- Aeroplan 25K Standing: 2x factors
- Aeroplan 35K Standing: 3x factors
- Aeroplan 50K Standing: 4x factors
- Aeroplan 75k standing: 5x factors
- Aeroplan Tremendous Elite Standing: 6x factors
A pattern flight helps illustrate the modifications. At the moment in the event you have been to e-book a flight from Toronto to Vancouver with an Financial system Flex fare (which earns you 100% of distance flown in factors), it might price roughly $750 relying on once you fly. (Costs are from Air Canada’s web site, sourced on Aug. 14, 2025.) You’d earn 4,170 Aeroplan factors (the space between Toronto to Vancouver is 2,085 flight miles every manner).
Underneath the brand new system, in the event you don’t have Elite Standing, you’ll get far fewer factors for reserving the identical flight—simply 750 factors for the $750 spent (on the bottom fare and provider surcharges, excluding relevant taxes and charges)—which is a major discount for economic system travellers.
The brand new mannequin will doubtless damage discount hunters in search of offers on long-haul journeys, however it does reward these with Aeroplan Elite standing who buy higher-priced fare lessons like premium economic system and enterprise class.
For instance, within the above state of affairs, as of 2026, if a member with 50K Standing have been to purchase a enterprise class seat to Vancouver (which might go for a mean of $5,000 or extra) they’d now earn a minimum of 20,000 Aeroplan factors ($5,000 x 4 factors per $1 spent) fairly than the 6,255 factors (150% of 4,170 miles) they’d earn below the present rewards program.
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Qualifying for Aeroplan Elite Standing is altering
The opposite main change to this system is the introduction of Standing Qualifying Credit (SQCs). These credit will change what has been a really complicated system of incomes Standing Qualifying Miles, Standing Qualifying Segments, and Standing Qualifying {Dollars} to achieve Elite Standing and its advantages.
earn Aeroplan’s Standing Qualifying Credit (SQCs)
You’ll earn SQC primarily based on the quantity spent and fare kind bought. Right here’s what you’ll get:
- 1 SQC per $1 spent on AC Holidays
- 2 SQC on normal fares (Financial system Primary earns no SQCs)
- 4 SQC on Financial system Flex fares and better
- 1 SQC per 5 Aeroplan factors earned with companions like member airways, Uber, and Starbucks
New Aeroplan Milestone advantages for Elite Standing members
Milestone advantages are additionally being launched for these with Elite Standing, changing the present system of choose advantages, precedence rewards, threshold eUpgrades, and items.
A brand new Milestone reward might be obtainable every time you accumulate 10,000 SQCs (to a max of 200,000), and at each 20,000 SQCs after that (as much as a million). Accessible advantages might be a lot as they’re now and embrace issues like eUpgrade credit, Maple Leaf Lounge passes, and 30% off numerous redemptions.
As with incomes factors, as a result of qualifying for standing might be primarily based primarily on what you spend and your fare kind, it will likely be more durable for economy-loving passengers who prioritize value to get standing.
Canada’s finest Aeroplan bank cards
Modifications for Aeroplan bank card holders
Underneath the up to date program, Aeroplan bank cards might be much more helpful for incomes factors and qualifying for Elite Standing.
With the brand new Standing Qualifying Credit (SQC) system, members can earn a most mixed whole of 25,000 SQC yearly from eligible bank card exercise throughout all Aeroplan playing cards, which counts towards reaching Elite Standing. Primary bank cards (just like the American Categorical Aeroplan Card) will earn 1,000 SQC for each $20,000 spent, whereas premium playing cards (just like the American Categorical Aeroplan Reserve card) will earn 1,000 SQC per $5,000 spent.
Beginning in 2027, Aeroplan’s premium bank cards may also introduce a brand new “10% Head Begin” perk for Elite Standing members (changing the rollover profit) that awards 10% of the SQC collected within the earlier yr to your account. Except for getting you to Elite Standing quicker, Aeroplan playing cards will proceed to come back with tempting perks like free checked baggage, precedence airport providers, most popular pricing, and extra.
