In August, Air Canada introduced that it’s going to transfer to a revenue-based mannequin for incomes Aeroplan factors on flights and for Elite standing qualification in 2026.
After the announcement, some frequent flyers and Elites raised considerations about how the adjustments would have an effect on their pursuit of Million Mile recognition (and the advantages they’d get pleasure from), amongst different points.
Not too long ago, Air Canada has despatched out an e-mail detailing the affirmation of some amendments it’s making to the Million Mile program and some different key updates, which we’ll go over intimately on this article.
For a full listing of the adjustments, you should definitely seek the advice of the up to date FAQ sections for the brand new points-earning mannequin and the brand new revenue-based Elite mannequin on the Air Canada web site.
Air Canada Makes Updates to Million Mile “Class-of-Service” Bonuses
When Air Canada introduced its transfer to revenue-based incomes for standing and factors on paid flights, one of many largest considerations shared by frequent flyers was the removing of “class-of-service” bonuses on fares eligible for Lifetime Qualifying Miles.
To recap, Lifetime Qualifying Miles depend in the direction of your progress in the direction of Million Mile recognition.
At the moment (and for flights accomplished by December 31, 2025), you get bonus Standing Qualifying Miles for greater fares.
Because of this if you are going to buy an Economic system (Consolation), Economic system (Latitude), Premium Economic system (Lowest or Versatile), or Enterprise Class (Lowest or Versatile) fare, the bonus Standing Qualifying Miles you get additionally depend as Lifetime Qualifying Miles.
For instance, Enterprise Class (Lowest and Versatile) fares get 150% Standing Qualifying Miles primarily based on the space flown. Because of this you’d be credited with 1,500 Standing Qualifying Miles and 1,500 Lifetime Qualifying Miles on a flight that measures 1,000 miles with the “class-of-service” bonus.
What this implies is that individuals had been rewarded for buying greater fares with a sooner path to Million Mile recognition.
Now, when Air Canada first introduced its transfer to revenue-based standing, it was listed that class-of-service bonuses would not apply. This meant that regardless of which eligible fare you bought, you’d be credited with the identical quantity of Lifetime Qualifying Miles (100% of the space flown, beginning with Economic system (Customary) fares).
Many Elites had been very disenchanted to see this go, and it was one of many main matters mentioned on our fireplace chat with Air Canada’s Scott O’Leary.
In response to the suggestions from members, Air Canada has tweaked the class-of-service LQM bonuses to be cabin-of-service bonuses as a substitute.
In apply, which means beginning in 2026, if you journey on a money fare with Air Canada:
- Any Economic system fare (aside from Economic system (Primary), which isn’t eligible for LQM accrual) will get 100% Lifetime Qualifying Miles, primarily based on the space flown
- Any Premium Economic system fare will get 125% Lifetime Qualifying Miles, primarily based on the space flown
- Any Enterprise Class fare will get 150% Lifetime Qualifying Miles, primarily based on the space flown
In comparison with earlier than, listed here are the primary adjustments:
- Economic system (Customary) fares will get 100% LQM primarily based on the space flown, as a substitute of the present 50%
- Economic system (Flex) fares will proceed to get 100% LQM primarily based on the space flown
- Economic system (Consolation) fares will not get 115% LQM, and can get 100% LQM as a substitute
- Economic system (Latitude) fares will not get 125% LQM, and can get 100% LQM as a substitute
- Premium Economic system (Lowest & Versatile) fares will proceed to get 125% LQM
- Enterprise Class (Lowest & Versatile fares will proceed to get 150% LQM)
LQM will proceed to be awarded on a month-to-month foundation for Limitless Flight Passes.
Air Canada Makes Updates to Million Mile Advantages, Provides Tier
Persevering with with the updates to the Million Mile program, Air Canada has added a brand new Million Mile tier, and it has additionally confirmed what Million Milers will get as added perks.
Starting subsequent 12 months, Million Milers will obtain the next perks primarily based on their standing as of January 1 of every 12 months, which might be deposited of their accounts by the tip of February:
- One Million Miles: 2,500 SQC
- Two Million Miles: 5,000 SQC and Aeroplan 35K Standing for a good friend
- Three Million Miles: 10,000 SQC and Aeroplan 50K Standing for a good friend
- 4 Million Miles: 20,000 SQC and Aeroplan 75K Standing for a good friend
- 5 Million Miles: 30,000 SQC and Aeroplan Tremendous Elite Standing for a good friend
It’s value noting that the standing presents have to be accomplished by December 30 of the 12 months by which the profit was awarded. The recipient’s standing might be legitimate by means of to the tip of that profit 12 months.
In different phrases, for those who reward somebody with 35K standing in January 2027, they’ll get pleasure from 35K standing by means of to January 31, 2028 (the tip of the profit 12 months).
To the very best of my data, Air Canada didn’t publish a 5 Million Mile tier previous to this.
Different Updates to Notable Aeroplan Elite Standing in 2026
There are two different notable updates which have been added to the Air Canada web site: adjustments to the Banked 12 months of Tremendous Elite standing advantages, and Elite Factors Multiplier being eligible for Air Canada-ticketed Star Alliance flights.
Adjustments to Banked 12 months of Tremendous Elite Standing Profit
Should you’ve earned a Banked 12 months of Tremendous Elite standing as a Threshold Reward previous to December 31, 2025, it’ll include some additional advantages when it’s used to increase your standing.
When your Banked 12 months of Tremendous Elite Standing Profit comes into impact (which occurs robotically the primary time your standing falls under Tremendous Elite), you’ll now have 20 eUpgrades and a 50K standing for a good friend profit deposited into your account by the tip of February.
You will need to nominate somebody for 50K standing previous to December 30 in the course of the 12 months by which the profit was awarded, and the nominee will get pleasure from standing will stay legitimate by means of to the tip of the profit 12 months.
Importantly, these advantages won’t be awarded for any Banked Years of Tremendous Elite Standing Advantages chosen as a Milestone Profit on or after January 1, 2026.
Adjustments to Factors Accrual with Star Alliance Airways
The final change we’ll cowl as we speak has to do with incomes Aeroplan factors on Star Alliance airways.
When Air Canada first introduced its transfer to a revenue-based factors accrual system, the Elite Factors Multiplier (which awards extra factors per greenback spent primarily based in your standing) had the next breakdown for tickets issued by Air Canada (014 ticket inventory) for journey on different airways:
- Should you’re on a ticket issued by Air Canada and flying with United Airways, Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airways, Brussels Airways, and Copa Airways, you’ll earn revenue-based factors with Elite multipliers.
- Should you’re on a ticket issued by Air Canada and flying with all different Star Alliance and non-alliance accomplice airways, you’ll earn revenue-based factors with no Elite multipliers.
In different phrases, solely flights with some Star Alliance airways (on tickets issued by Air Canada) could be eligible for the Elite Factors Multiplier profit, which supplies Elites a 2–6x factors multiplier relying on their standing stage.
That’s now modified, and when you’ve got a flight with a Star Alliance-member airline on a ticket issued by Air Canada, you’ll earn revenue-based factors (1 Aeroplan level per greenback spent on base fare and provider surcharges), and the Elite Factors Multiplier will apply (2–6x, relying in your standing).
Observe that the touchdown web page for revenue-based factors has this variation up to date within the FAQ part; nonetheless, the touchdown web page for the revenue-based standing hasn’t but been up to date on the time of writing.
My Tackle Air Canada’s Updates
These newest updates to Air Canada’s revamped Elite Standing and points-accrual applications come on the heels of suggestions gathered following the preliminary launch.
Previous to stepping into my ideas on the adjustments, I believe it’s value noting that Air Canada actively gathers suggestions from frequent flyers and Elites throughout numerous sources and applied additional adjustments to handle a number of the considerations raised.
I don’t assume the identical could be stated about different sweeping adjustments that had been made to loyalty applications by different airways lately, and even when everybody’s most urgent points weren’t absolutely addressed this time round, I consider it exhibits a good-faith effort to acknowledge considerations.
Adjustments to the Class-of-Service Bonus for LQM
For my part, the beforehand proposed adjustments to take away the class-of-service bonus for LQM was one of many largest sources of competition from frequent flyers with the revamped program.
Whereas it could not have gotten as a lot widespread consideration because the transfer to a revenue-based format, eradicating the bonus from greater fares (Consolation and above) would not reward individuals who selected to spend extra on their tickets with a shorter runway to Million Mile recognition (which comes with lifetime standing).
With the adjustments to a cabin-based bonus somewhat than a fare-based bonus:
- Economic system (Customary) fares turn out to be extra rewarding (at the least within the pursuit of Million Mile), as at present they get 50% SQM (and due to this fact 50% LQM) and can get 100% LQM beginning subsequent 12 months
- Economic system (Consolation) and Economic system (Latitude) fares turn out to be much less rewarding (at the least within the pursuit of Million Mile), as they transfer from 115% and 125% LQM, respectively, to 100% LQM
- Premium Economic system and Enterprise Class fares retain the identical 125% and 150% LQM accrual, respectively
Should you’re on a trajectory to earn Million Mile recognition, then I believe it’s value factoring in these new accrual charges to your plan.
When accessible, Premium Economic system (Lowest) fares turn out to be extra enticing than Consolation or Latitude fares (at the least with regards to LQM and eUpgrade waitlists, however not with regards to refundability).
Adjustments to Million Mile Advantages
As for the addition of advantages for Million Mile members (bonus SQC for all tiers and standing presents for Two Million Milers and above), I believe it’s a little bit of a blended bag, particularly in comparison with the established order.
Million Mile members will proceed to get pleasure from Core Advantages, equivalent to an elevated baggage allowance, Star Alliance Gold recognition, precedence providers with Air Canada, and rather more.
Nevertheless, two of the most important adjustments for 2026 are the rejigging of the Core Profit eUpgrade allotment and the merging of Choose Advantages, Threshold Rewards, and Precedence Rewards into Milestone Advantages.
Should you’re somebody who makes good use of eUpgrades yearly, you might have to regulate your strategy going ahead (particularly for those who don’t fly as a lot as you used to, and therefore gained’t unlock Milestone Advantages).
Relating to the adjusted Core Profit eUpgrade allotment, One Million Milers (50K standing) will begin the 12 months with 5 fewer eUpgrades, whereas Two and Three Million Milers will get pleasure from the identical or extra:
- 50K members get 15 eUpgrades (down from the present 20)
- 75K members get 20 eUpgrades (the identical as now)
- Tremendous Elites get 30 eUpgrades (10 greater than now)
It’s a little bit of a unique story for those who think about what’s at present accessible by means of Choose Advantages, particularly with regards to eUpgrades.
Proper now, Million Mile members get to decide on Choose Advantages yearly, with choices equivalent to extra eUpgrades, bonus Aeroplan factors, standing presents, and extra, relying in your stage of standing.
Relating to eUpgrades accessible by means of Choose Advantages, you possibly can increase your allotment by the next ranges:
- 50K: 20 eUpgrades
- 75K: 35 eUpgrades
- Tremendous Elite: 50 eUpgrades
Going ahead, One and Two Million Mile members must proceed to spend with Air Canada to gather SQC and unlock Milestone Advantages (although the two,500 and 5,000 SQC bonuses will shorten the runway).
Three, 4, and 5 Million Milers will unlock Milestone Advantages robotically with their bonus SQC:
- Three Million Milers get 10,000 SQC, which unlocks 10 eUpgrades robotically
- 4 Million Milers get 20,000 SQC, which unlocks an extra Milestone Profit choice (Precedence Reward, Maple Leaf Lounge passes, 10 eUpgrades, 5,000 Aeroplan factors, or 30% off a automotive rental, resort, merchandise, or reward card redemption)
- 5 Million Milers get 30,000 SQC, which unlocks one other computerized 10 eUpgrades
In sum, at the least with regards to eUpgrades, Million Milers must put in additional effort (accumulating SQC by numerous means and unlocking Milestones) to come back throughout the identical or the same quantity of eUpgrades they will at present get by means of Core and Choose Advantages.
Maybe Million Milers may even have an computerized additional allotment of eUpgrades added into their account yearly as a recognition of their loyalty through the years, much like how anybody with a Banked 12 months of Tremendous Elite Standing (earned by the tip of 2025) will.
Personally, I like the thought of including annual standing presents to the advantages afforded to Million Milers, along with the lifetime standing presents accessible by means of this system.
In a method, it preserves one of many extra enticing Choose Advantages accessible to 75K and Tremendous Elite members, but additionally provides gifting 75K and Tremendous Elite standing which isn’t at present doable.
Different Notable Adjustments
Relating to the opposite notable adjustments, I believe it’s attention-grabbing that Air Canada added 20 eUpgrades and a 50K standing reward as perks for anybody with Banked 12 months of Tremendous Elite advantages (earned up till December 31, 2025).
As soon as once more, this provides a vestige of a number of the “legacy” Core + Choose Advantages, and I believe it might a terrific everlasting addition to the Banked 12 months Profit, too.
Relating to incomes factors (with the Elite Factors Multiplier) on all Star Alliance airways on Air Canada ticket inventory, it’s a constructive change that can profit Elites whose travels take them past Air Canada’s route community.
On the similar time, it’s value evaluating what your factors accrual would appear like for a similar flight and sophistication of service on non-AC ticket inventory, as factors are awarded primarily based on fare booked and distance flown.
In some circumstances (seemingly long-haul flights in premium cabins), you might wind up with extra factors going with the distance- and fare-based format, although there are different implications to going this route too (with regards to SQC and in any other case).
General, I believe this a constructive change, because it makes the calculation simpler because you gained’t have to determine if the provider you fly with is a Choose Associate or not.
Conclusion
In response to suggestions gathered following the announcement of the transfer to a revenue-based format for factors accrual and Elite standing, Air Canada has made amendments to some program options.
The return of the cabin-of-service bonus for LQM will proceed to reward those that buy premium cabin fares, whereas it’s a blended bag for Economic system fares (Customary up, Consolation and Latitude down).
Million Mile members can have some new advantages added, although how they stack up in comparison with the present state of affairs largely is determined by whether or not or not you worth (and make use of) eUpgrades.
