Aeroplan Elite Standing: How Do Milestone Advantages Work?

Air Canada has launched Milestone Advantages as a part of its revamped Aeroplan Elite standing. Importantly, Milestones exchange Choose Advantages, Threshold Rewards, and robotically awarded Precedence Rewards that members are accustomed to with the earlier program.

On this information, we’ll discover how Milestone Advantages work, with some common dialogue of the very best choices at every tier and the way you may want to strategy them.

How Do Aeroplan Elite Standing Milestone Advantages Work?

Below the present program, Aeroplan Elite members earn Milestone Advantages as they accumulate Standing Qualifying Credit (SQC) all through the qualification 12 months.

As a reminder, Standing Qualifying Credit are the metric by which you qualify for Aeroplan Elite standing and earn Milestone Advantages. In whole, there are 5 avenues by which you’ll be able to accumulate SQC, and all rely in direction of reaching Milestone Advantages:

• Paid flying with Air Canada
• Participating with Aeroplan’s on a regular basis and journey companions (5 Aeroplan factors earned = 1 SQC (as much as 25,000 SQC annually))
• Bank card spending (1,000 SQC per $5,000 spent on a premium Aeroplan card, 1,000 SQC per $20,000 on a core Aeroplan card, or by hitting spending thresholds on the Chase Aeroplan Card (as much as 25,000 SQC annually whole throughout all Aeroplan bank cards))
• 10% Head Begin profit on premium Aeroplan playing cards (to be launched in 2027)
• Bonus SQC as a Milestone Profit (see under)

You’ll earn Milestone Advantages for each threshold of 10,000 SQC collected (as much as 200,000 SQC), after which at each threshold of 20,000 SQC thereafter (as much as 1 million SQC).

Relying on the SQC threshold you attain, you’ll get an computerized allotment of eUpgrades, a choice of one Milestone Profit, or each.

The under desk summarizes Air Canada’s Milestone Advantages, together with what’s accessible at every SQC threshold. 

Listed here are some common notes concerning the Milestone Advantages within the above chart:

• On the 10,000-, 30,000-, and 50,000-SQC thresholds, you obtain an computerized allotment of 10 eUpgrades
• On the 20,000-, 40,000-, and 60,000-SQC thresholds, in addition to each increment of 20,000 SQC thereafter (as much as 180,000 SQC), you possibly can make a choice of 1 Milestone Profit
• On the 70,000-SQC threshold, and for increments of each 20,000 SQC thereafter (as much as 190,000 SQC), you obtain an computerized allotment of eUpgrades and may make a choice of 1 Milestone Profit
  • The automated allotment of eUpgrades is 10 on the 70,000-, 90,000-, and 110,000-SQC thresholds, and 20 thereafter
• On the 200,000-SQC threshold and for each incremental 20,000 SQC collected thereafter (as much as 1 million SQC), you obtain an computerized allotment of 20 eUpgrades and may make a choice of 1 Milestone Profit

As you possibly can see, the Milestone Advantages accessible at every SQC threshold fluctuate, and as you accumulate extra SQC, the advantages change into extra sturdy. 

Breaking Down Aeroplan Elite Standing Milestone Advantages

On this part, I’ll break down every of the accessible Milestone Advantages, and I’ll additionally provide my common ideas about every one.

eUpgrades

eUpgrades are awarded each robotically and as a selection-based Milestone (on the 20,000- and 40,000-SQC thresholds solely) within the revamped Aeroplan Elite standing program.

Your eUpgrades can be legitimate for 12 months from the date on which they’re earned (both robotically or as a Milestone choice), or for twenty-four months when you’ve got a premium Aeroplan bank card.

As a reminder, you possibly can apply eUpgrades to Air Canada flights booked with money or Aeroplan factors and (doubtlessly) journey in larger class of service (premium economic system or enterprise class). 

For my part, eUpgrades might be extraordinarily highly effective and priceless when you strategy utilizing them strategically. In some circumstances, you’re in a position to verify an improve prematurely (which is extra usually the case with money bookings), whereas in others, you possibly can up your odds of clearing the eUpgrade waitlist by balancing your standing with the suitable fare.

Listed here are some issues to remember when you’re contemplating selecting eUpgrades over different Milestone Profit choices:

• You possibly can accumulate eUpgrades robotically as a Core Profit and by hitting SQC thresholds, so you might wish to contemplate different choices when you discover that you’ve a ample eUpgrade stability to your wants
• Elite members at decrease tiers could wish to bolster their eUpgrade stability with selection-based Milestones, because the Core Profit eUpgrade allotment is diminished for 25K, 35K, and 50K members beneath the present program
• Elite members at larger tiers (specifically 75K and Tremendous Elite) could wish to forego selection-based eUpgrades in favour of different Milestones, as they’ll accumulate extra as they attain the upper SQC thresholds (and have an equal (75K) or better (Tremendous Elite) eUpgrade allotment as a Core Profit)

Precedence Rewards

Precedence Rewards can be found as selection-based Milestones starting on the 20,000-SQC threshold, and in increments of 20,000 SQC thereafter (all the best way as much as 1 million SQC).

If chosen, they’re legitimate for 12 months from the date on which they’re chosen. Whilst you should use them by the expiry date, they are often redeemed for journey that happens after their expiry date.

As a reminder, every Precedence Reward will scale back the price of an Aeroplan redemption with Air Canada or any companion airways for one passenger by 50%.

Importantly, the applying of Precedence Rewards is dependent upon your tier of standing, outlined as follows:

• Aeroplan 25K: Economic system flights in Canada and the US
• Aeroplan 35K: Economic system and premium economic system flights in North America
• Aeroplan 50K: Economic system and premium economic system flights in North America
• Aeroplan 75K: Economic system and premium economic system flights worldwide
• Aeroplan Tremendous Elite: Economic system, premium economic system, and enterprise class flights worldwide

Listed here are some issues to remember when you’re contemplating selecting Precedence Rewards over different Milestone Profit choices:

• For my part, Precedence Rewards are a robust contender for a alternative at most SQC Milestone choices, particularly since Aeroplan factors are comparatively straightforward to earn by way of bank cards
• Precedence Rewards legitimate for economic system and premium economic system flights are nice to make use of along with eUpgrades (particularly on Economic system (Latitude) and Premium Economic system fares)
• Tremendous Elite Precedence Rewards are extraordinarily priceless, particularly when used with Aeroplan’s many companion airways (or to cut back the consequences of dynamic pricing with Air Canada and Choose Companions)
• Contemplate leveraging the Aeroplan stopover function (if accessible) to spice up the worth of your Precedence Reward much more

It’s price noting that whereas the applying of Precedence Rewards isn’t altering, you now should forego different Milestones to accumulate them, which I’d see as a unfavourable growth.

Plus, the efficient spending thresholds to earn Precedence Rewards are additionally rising in comparison with the earlier program, although it’s additionally price noting that you could earn SQC with out flying beneath the present program, which additionally counts towards Milestone Advantages.

Maple Leaf Lounge Passes

On the 20,000- and 40,000-SQC thresholds, you possibly can select 2 or 4 one-time Maple Leaf Lounge passes as a Milestone Profit, respectively. 

Every cross is legitimate for one visitor to entry any Maple Leaf Lounge worldwide, and should be used on a same-day Air Canada departing flight earlier than their expiry date (12 months from the date on which they’re chosen).

It’s price noting that Maple Leaf Lounge passes are not supplied as a Core Profit beneath the present program, as they had been beforehand. They’re additionally legitimate for any Maple Leaf Lounge on this planet, whereas they had been beforehand solely legitimate for Maple Leaf Lounges in Canada and the US.

Listed here are some issues to remember when you’re contemplating selecting Maple Leaf Lounge passes over different Milestone Profit choices:

• It’s all the time good to share lounge entry with household or associates; nevertheless, lounge entry is pretty straightforward to acquire by means of bank cards (each for Maple Leaf Lounges and third-party lounge operators)
• For those who fly on a enterprise class ticket booked with money or factors, lounge entry can be included within the overwhelming majority of circumstances
• Aeroplan 50K members and up take pleasure in complimentary lounge entry and Star Alliance Gold recognition
• Different choices accessible on the 20,000- and 40,000-SQC thresholds ought to end in better worth (specifically Precedence Rewards and/or eUpgrades)

Aeroplan Factors

At any of the selection-based Milestones, you possibly can select to obtain a bonus allotment of Aeroplan factors. Relying on the SQC threshold, you’ll obtain 5,000, 7,500, 10,000, 15,000, or 20,000 Aeroplan factors. 

Aeroplan factors might be redeemed many various methods, together with flights, lodge stays, automotive leases, present playing cards, merchandise, dwell occasions, and extra. Whereas it’s good to have so many choices for redeeming your factors, you are inclined to get the very best worth to your factors by utilizing them for flights, which is what we suggest over all different choices.

We worth Aeroplan factors at 2.1 cents per level (all figures in CAD), and utilizing this, we’d estimate the next worth at every tier of factors:

• 5,000 Aeroplan factors = $105
• 7,500 Aeroplan factors = $157.50
• 10,000 Aeroplan factors = $210 
• 15,000 Aeroplan factors = $315
• 20,000 Aeroplan factors = $420

After all, you may worth Aeroplan factors otherwise, and it’s definitely attainable to get extra worth (particularly when you redeem them for journey in premium cabins) or much less worth (when you redeem them for present playing cards, merchandise, and many others). 

For those who want a fast top-up to your account to deliver you over the road for a flight redemption, it could possibly be price contemplating bonus factors at some thresholds. 

Nonetheless, Aeroplan factors are comparatively straightforward to come back throughout by different means, so I’d in all probability look to different Milestone Profit choices and pad my Aeroplan stability with any of the next as a substitute:

30% Off Automotive/Resort Redemption

One of many new advantages that hasn’t been supplied to Elite members prior to now is 30% off a automotive/lodge redemption. This selection is out there as a selection-based milestone starting at 20,000 SQC, and at each increment of 20,000 SQC thereafter (as much as 1 million SQC).

If chosen, you’ll obtain one promotion code that gives you 30% off the full value in factors for a single redemption for a automotive rental or lodge booked by way of the Aeroplan platform.

The promo code is legitimate by way of to December 31 of the 12 months following the 12 months it’s awarded. In different phrases, when you select this Milestone Profit in July of a given 12 months, the 30% off promo code can be legitimate by way of to December 31 of the next 12 months.

Listed here are some issues to remember when you’re contemplating selecting 30% off a automotive rental or lodge redemption over different Milestone Profit choices:

• For those who select this selection, you’ll get the very best worth when you redeem your factors along with a HotelSavers lodge and the Fourth Evening Free profit
• With that stated, you’ll probably nonetheless get better worth (from a cents-per-point perspective) by redeeming your factors for flights as a substitute
• For essentially the most half, I’d say that the opposite Milestone Advantages are higher selections (although it’s price noting that not everybody redeems their factors for flights)

Primarily based on our earlier analyses, the very best worth for redemptions apart from flights comes each time there’s an Aeroplan promotion that provides factors again for eligible lodge redemptions, particularly when you can stack it with the Fourth Evening Free profit for Aeroplan cardholders (and in addition a 30% off promo code).

In these circumstances, it’s common to get worth of over our goal redemption worth of two.1 cents per level (although you can too get much less, so it’s all the time good to do the mathematics earlier than you redeem).

Aeroplan has put plenty of effort into increasing the methods in which you’ll be able to redeem factors, and in contrast to many different packages, there are nonetheless methods to get outsized worth for redemptions apart from flights.

30% Off Reward Card/Merchandise Redemption

Just like the 30% off automotive rental/lodge redemptions above, there’s one other Milestone Profit that provides 30% off a present card/merchandise redemption. This selection can also be accessible as a selection-based milestone starting at 20,000 SQC, and at each increment of 20,000 SQC thereafter (as much as 1 million SQC).

If chosen, you’ll obtain one promotion code that gives you 30% off the full value in factors for a single redemption for present playing cards or merchandise by way of the Aeroplan eStore. Importantly, you could have a Canadian residence tackle to be eligible for this Milestone Profit.

The promo code is legitimate by way of to December 31 of the 12 months following the 12 months it’s awarded. In different phrases, when you select this Milestone Profit in July of a given 12 months, the 30% off promo code can be legitimate by way of to December 31 of the next 12 months.

Listed here are some issues to remember when you’re contemplating selecting 30% off a automotive rental or lodge redemption over different Milestone Profit choices:

• By and enormous, the redemption worth for present playing cards and merchandise is far decrease than what you’d get for flights, and even decrease than what you’d get for automotive leases/merchandise
• In nearly each case, I’d say that the opposite Milestone Advantages are higher selections, since they’re extra priceless

For those who redeem Aeroplan factors for present playing cards or merchandise on the Aeroplan eStore, you possibly can count on to get a redemption worth of 1 cent per level at most, and often much less.

Typically, the eStore launches promotions that provide better worth to your redemptions; nevertheless, you’re nonetheless prone to get much less worth out of your factors than what you get by redeeming them for flights.

Bonus SQC

You possibly can choose varied quantities of bonus SQC as a Milestone Profit at particular thresholds. Observe that these aren’t robotically awarded, however they’re accessible as a range.

Particularly, you could have the choice of selecting the next quantities of SQC when you hit every listed SQC threshold as a selection-based profit:

• 40,000 SQC = 2,500 bonus SQC
• 80,000 SQC = 2,500 bonus SQC
• 100,000 SQC = 2,500 bonus SQC
• 120,000 SQC = 2,500 bonus SQC
• 130,000 SQC = 5,000 bonus SQC
• 140,000 SQC = 5,000 bonus SQC
• 160,000 SQC = 5,000 bonus SQC
• 180,000 SQC = 5,000 bonus SQC

If chosen, you’ll get the respective quantity of SQC deposited in your account, which might help you attain the following tier of standing. You could have till December 31 of the 12 months by which the Milestone is reached to decide on bonus SQC, and so they’ll apply in direction of your standing qualification for that very same 12 months. 

In different phrases, when you select 2,500 bonus SQC partway by way of a 12 months, it’ll rely towards your standing pursuit in that very same 12 months (and never the next 12 months).

Listed here are some issues to remember when you’re contemplating selecting bonus SQC over different Milestone Profit choices:

• Since you possibly can accumulate SQC with bank card spending and/or by way of participating with Aeroplan companions (along with paid flights), I’d say that the opposite Milestone Advantages ought to take precedence over bonus SQC
• On the identical time, selecting bonus SQC would provide essentially the most streamlined route in direction of 50K standing and above, particularly when collected along with bank card spending, participating with Aeroplan companions, the Head Begin profit, and paid flying
• For those who don’t have an Aeroplan premium bank card, a reasonable quantity of spend, or different technique of amassing SQC, bonus SQC could possibly be price contemplating if it’s going to enable you to attain the next tier of standing or a significant Milestone Profit
• For my part, Precedence Rewards are nonetheless extra priceless than bonus SQC

As I discussed above, you may get SQC by way of bank cards and Aeroplan companions, so you might wish to shift your technique to these relatively than selecting bonus SQC over different Milestone Advantages.

In the case of getting SQC from bank cards, the Chase Aeroplan Card (accessible within the US) presents essentially the most streamlined path to 25,000 SQC, as you’ll get 5,000 at first of the 12 months, 10,000 upon spending $25,000 (USD), and 10,000 upon spending $50,000 (USD).

On Canadian premium playing cards, you’ll get 1,000 SQC per $5,000 spent, which implies that you’d should spend $125,000 (CAD) to max it out. 

If pursuing Aeroplan Elite standing is necessary to you, then having the Chase Aeroplan Card or a premium Aeroplan card in your portfolio can be very useful.

Standing Passes

Standing Passes can be found as a selection-based Milestone Profit starting at 60,000 SQC and at each increment of 10,000 SQC thereafter (as much as 190,000 SQC). They’re additionally accessible as a range on the 220,000-SQC threshold, and each increment of 20,000 SQC thereafter (as much as 1 million SQC).

Observe that Tremendous Elites proceed to be granted with two Standing Passes as a Core Profit at first of every 12 months.

If chosen, you’ll get 2 Standing Passes (as much as and together with 120,000 SQC), and 4 Standing Passes for each accessible possibility following that. The Standing Passes can be legitimate for 12 months following the date on which they’re chosen, although they are often utilized for journey past that date.

As a reminder, Standing Passes grant as much as eight passengers travelling on the identical reserving with premium journey companies previous to and on Air Canada flights. In different phrases, the advantages don’t apply to companion airways.

Every passenger on the reservation to which the Standing Cross is utilized will take pleasure in the next advantages:

• Precedence airport check-in
• Precedence safety
• Precedence baggage
• 3 complimentary checked luggage at 32kg every
• Maple Leaf Lounge and Air Canada Café entry
• Precedence boarding (Zone 2)

On the thresholds that provide a alternative between Precedence Rewards and Standing Passes, I’d probably suggest selecting a Precedence Reward for the explanations coated above.

On the thresholds that provide a alternative between Aeroplan factors, Standing Passes, an Air Canada present card, and/or a Standing Reward, there’s a bit extra nuance.

Personally, I’d probably select both Aeroplan factors or the Standing Reward (particularly 50K) over Standing Passes; nevertheless, you may additionally discover nice worth in utilizing a Standing Cross for big group bookings.

Air Canada Reward Card

Air Canada present playing cards of various quantities can be found as a selection-based Milestone Profit on the following SQC thresholds:

• 70,000 SQC = $150 present card
• 90,000 SQC = $150 present card
• 110,000 SQC = $150 present card
• 150,000 SQC = $250 present card
• 170,000 SQC = $250 present card
• 190,000 SQC = $250 present card

The present playing cards can just about be redeemed for any time it’s essential to pay for one thing Air Canada-related: flights, the taxes/charges on an Aeroplan redemption, seat choice, and many others.

Given the opposite choices accessible on the SQC thresholds at which present playing cards are additionally supplied, I’d be extra inclined to go for a Standing Reward, Standing Passes, or bonus Aeroplan factors, because it’d be very attainable to squeeze out extra worth from these than the worth supplied on the present card.

Nonetheless, when you’re on the lookout for one thing with clear, tangible worth, then the present card presents an easy possibility.

I believe it’s price noting that the present card quantities accessible by way of Threshold Rewards had been for as much as $4,000. Whereas this required accumulating plenty of SQM, it’s additionally a a lot larger determine than the $250 accessible by way of Milestone Advantages.

Standing Reward

Upon reaching 70,000-, 90,000-, 130,000-, and 200,000-SQC thresholds, you’re ready to decide on a 25K, 35K, 50K, or 75K Standing Reward, respectively.

As soon as the standing present is bestowed upon an individual of your selecting, they’ll take pleasure in standing for the rest of the 12 months and thru to December 31 of the next 12 months.

For instance, when you present somebody 35K standing partway by way of a 12 months, it’ll be legitimate by way of to December 31 of the next 12 months.

Listed here are some issues to remember when you’re contemplating selecting a Standing Reward over different Milestone Profit choices:

• If the recipient could make good use of the advantages supplied at 25K and 35K standing, I’d say the Standing Reward is a really compelling alternative
• For my part, 50K standing is by far the strongest Milestone Profit supplied on the 130,000-SQC threshold
• For those who’re contemplating the 75K Standing Reward at 200,000 SQC, keep in mind that you just’d be leaving a banked 12 months of Tremendous Elite standing on the desk, which I’d argue is a stronger profit (until you’re a Lifetime Tremendous Elite already)

It’s good to see that the recipient will take pleasure in standing for the remainder of the 12 months that they’re awarded with standing, and thru to the tip of the next 12 months. Standing Presents could possibly be significantly compelling selections in the event that they’re accessible within the first half of the 12 months.

Banked 12 months of Tremendous Elite Standing

When you’ve hit the 200,000-SQC threshold, you’ll have entry to one of the priceless Milestone Advantages accessible: a banked 12 months of top-tier Tremendous Elite standing.

If chosen, you’ll robotically be granted with a one-year extension of your Tremendous Elite standing when you don’t requalify as a Tremendous Elite. That is how the profit is utilized in the present day when earned as a Threshold Reward.

In different phrases, when you attain Tremendous Elite in 2026 however qualify as a 75K Elite in 2027, the banked 12 months of Tremendous Elite standing would grant you with Tremendous Elite standing for 2027 as a substitute.

For those who hit the 200,000-SQC threshold, that is by far essentially the most priceless profit, and I’d strongly suggest it above all different choices.

The one exception is when you already take pleasure in Lifetime Tremendous Elite standing as a 3 Million Miler, at which level you possibly can take your decide from no matter different Milestones pique your curiosity.

Let Us Take Care of You

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Our knowledgeable Concierge account managers will take care of all the things in your behalf: crafting a complete bank card technique, guaranteeing you’re incomes elite standing and leveraging all the advantages, redeeming factors for max worth, and saving you money and time on reserving journey.

Conclusion

Aeroplan Elite members now earn Milestone Advantages as a substitute of Threshold Rewards, Choose Advantages, and robotically awarded Precedence Rewards from the earlier program.

As you accumulate SQC, you’ll unlock Milestone Advantages that are awarded robotically, as a range, or a mixture of the 2.

Relying in your priorities, some advantages will provide extra worth or influence than others, and on this information, I’ve shared my opinions on the way you may strategy them.