MONTREAL— Air Canada (AC) has announced a major overhaul to its Aeroplan loyalty program, effective for travel starting January 1, 2026.
Aeroplan members flying with Air Canada (AC) from airports like Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Vancouver (YVR) will begin earning points based on dollars spent rather than miles flown. A new metric, Status Qualifying Credits (SQC), will also redefine how elite status is achieved.
Photo: Edinburgh AirportAir Canada Overhauls Aeroplan Loyalty Program
Starting in 2026, Aeroplan members will earn points and qualify for elite status based primarily on spending.
Under this new system, members earn at least 1 Aeroplan point per dollar spent on eligible Air Canada flights, excluding taxes and third-party fees. For example, if a member spends CAD 427 on base fare and carrier surcharges, they’ll earn 427 Aeroplan points.
Elite status members will see accelerated earnings—between 2x to 6x points per dollar spent—depending on their tier. These multipliers are designed to reward Air Canada’s most frequent and highest-spending customers, while aligning with industry trends that favor revenue-based loyalty models.
The current qualification structure will remain unchanged for the rest of 2025. The new framework, based on SQC, will take effect from January 1, 2026.
Photo: Air CanadaUnderstanding Status Qualifying Credits (SQC)
SQC will become the single path to qualify for Aeroplan Elite status from 2026 onward. Members can earn SQC in three main ways:
- Flights: Earn up to 4 SQC per eligible dollar spent based on fare class.
- Credit Cards: Earn up to 25,000 SQC annually through eligible Aeroplan credit card purchases.
- Partner Activity: Accumulate an additional 25,000 SQC by engaging with Aeroplan’s travel and everyday partners.
The introduction of SQC simplifies status qualification and rewards members who not only fly but also engage across the Aeroplan ecosystem.
What Elite Members Get
Elite members will continue to receive core travel benefits such as:
- Complimentary checked bags
- Priority airport services
- Early boarding privileges
Additionally, every 10,000 SQC unlocks Milestone Benefits, which include bonus SQC, Status Passes, and other perks.
Starting in 2027, Aeroplan premium credit cardholders will receive a 10% SQC Head Start Bonus based on the previous year’s SQC earnings, making it easier to requalify for elite status.
Aeroplan’s Continued Recognition
In 2025, Aeroplan was awarded:
- Program of the Year (Airline)
- Best Elite Program (Airline)
- Best Promotion (Airline) for its 40th Anniversary Campaign
These recognitions at the Freddie Awards underscore Aeroplan’s strong global reputation and its focus on delivering valuable member experiences.
Photo: Siddh Dhuri | MumbaiPlanesEarning and Redeeming Points Beyond Flights
Aeroplan members can earn or redeem points with over 45 airline partners, including United Airlines (UA), Lufthansa (LH), and Singapore Airlines (SQ), flying to more than 1,300 destinations. Points can also be used for:
- One-way flights from 6,000 points
- Hotel bookings at over 9,000 partner properties via Aeroplan HotelSavers
- Retail purchases from brands like Amazon and Apple via the Aeroplan eStore
With over nine million members, Aeroplan continues to expand its everyday earning opportunities beyond traditional travel rewards.
About Air Canada
Headquartered in Montreal (YUL), Air Canada (AC) is Canada’s largest airline and a founding member of Star Alliance, serving over 180 airports across six continents.
Its Four-Star Skytrax ranking reflects a commitment to quality, while its Aeroplan program, with over nine million active members, remains a leader in travel loyalty.
Air Canada Cargo and Air Canada Vacations further expand their offerings, providing freight services and comprehensive travel packages. The airline aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, aligning with its vision for sustainable travel.
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The post Air Canada to Make New Changes to Aeroplan Loyalty Program from 2026 appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
