Question about Air Canada’s Aeroplan program: How does the 2026 Aeroplan program benefits compared to those of a Super Elite member with 223,000 SQM in 2025, mostly flown on long distance and otherwise Toronto to Vancouver flights?
43% Frequent Flyer Bonuses
25% Plane 'n Simple
23% View from the Wing
9% Other
The 2026 Aeroplan overhaul reshapes how a Super Elite member who logged 223 000 SQM in 2025 will earn points, qualify for status, and access new perks, while keeping many of the core elite benefits unchanged.
Points‑earning shift
- Revenue‑based multiplier: Starting 1 January 2026, Super Elite members earn 6 times the base points on the Canadian‑dollar value of the base fare and carrier surcharges, instead of distance‑based accrual View from the Wing .
- Higher‑fare advantage: A business‑class YVR‑NRT flight now yields 56 202 Aeroplan points and 37 468 SQC, compared with 6 990 points and 6 990 SQM under the 2025 model Frequent Flyer Bonuses . This illustrates the dramatic boost for long‑haul, premium‑cabin trips that a Super Elite traveler typically flies.
Status qualification
- Single metric – SQC: The old mix of SQM, SQS and SQD is replaced by Status Qualifying Credits (SQC). The Super Elite threshold rises to 125 000 SQC, a 25 % increase over the former 100 000 SQM requirement Plane ‘n Simple .
- Head‑start for premium‑card holders: Aeroplan co‑brand premium cards now provide a 10 % SQC “Head Start” at the start of each qualifying year, adding unlimited credit versus the previous 200 000 SQM rollover cap Frequent Flyer Bonuses .
- Eligibility: With 223 000 SQM in 2025, the member far exceeds the new 125 000 SQC threshold, so status is retained without extra effort.
New elite‑level perks
- Milestone Benefits: For every 10 000 SQC earned (up to 200 000, then every 20 000 SQC), Super Elite members unlock automatic eUpgrade credits, lounge‑pass vouchers, bonus points and other choice rewards, amounting to up to 1 million SQC worth of benefits per year Plane ‘n Simple .
- Consistent baggage allowance: The complimentary checked‑baggage benefit for elite tiers above 25K remains unchanged, so Super Elite baggage privileges are preserved Points Miles and Bling .
Overall impact for a high‑spending Super Elite
- Earnings: Points accrue faster on revenue, especially on long‑distance, premium‑cabin flights, turning high‑cost itineraries into substantially larger point balances.
- Qualification: The higher SQC threshold is easily met given the 2025 SQM volume, and the 10 % Head Start further cushions any shortfall.
- Perks: Milestone Benefits add a layer of incremental rewards (eUpgrades, lounge access, bonus points) that did not exist under the 2025 distance‑based system.
In short, the 2026 program keeps the core elite privileges (baggage, lounge access) intact for a Super Elite traveler, while delivering far richer point earnings, a new SQC‑based qualification path, and a suite of milestone‑driven perks that enhance the value of high‑spending, long‑haul travel.
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Air Canada has announced some upcoming changes to the Aeroplan program that will become effective on January 1, 2026, The airline will move to revenue based earning, introduce Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) as the only elite qualifying metric and introduce new Milestone Awards for elite members. These are probably the most significant changes to the program since it was relaunched in November 2020. PLEASE NOTE: This article is the same that appeared on our Canadian site Rewards Canada earlier this morning Let’s take a look at all these changes that are coming to Canada’s largest airline loyalty program:
Major Aeroplan Changes Coming in 2026 from Air Canada: What Elite Members Need to Know
Air Canada just dropped some massive news that’ll shake up the frequent flyer world. Starting January 1, 2026, Aeroplan is completely overhauling how you earn points and qualify for elite status. We’re talking about the biggest changes since the program relaunched in 2020. If you’re currently holding Aeroplan elite status or working towards it, you need to understand these changes now – because they’ll fundamentally alter your strategy for earning and maintaining status going forward. Here’s the headline: Aeroplan is ditching its distance-based earning model and going full revenue-based, just like American Airlines and Delta did years ago.