Will a Super Elite member with the same amount of flights and costs be better or worse off in the 2026 Aeroplan program compared to 2025?
39% Frequent Flyer Bonuses
39% Plane 'n Simple
22% FrequentMiler
Assuming the same flight schedule and spending, the member would generally be better off under the 2026 Aeroplan program, though some specific itineraries would feel a downgrade.
Why the overall picture improves
- Higher‑multiplier points on revenue: Super Elite members now earn 6 points per CAD spent on the base fare and carrier surcharges, compared with the distance‑based mileage that capped earnings on long‑haul trips. A business‑class Vancouver‑Tokyo flight jumps from ≈ 7 000 points in 2025 to ≈ 56 000 points in 2026 Plane ‘n Simple . This boost applies to any premium‑cabin or higher‑fare segment the member flies.
- SQC threshold still easily met: The new elite‑qualification metric (125 000 SQC) is well below the 223 000 SQM the member earned in 2025, so status is retained without extra effort Frequent Flyer Bonuses .
- Milestone Benefits add value: Super Elite travelers now unlock additional eUpgrade credits, lounge‑pass vouchers and bonus points for every 10 000 SQC earned, providing extra perks that did not exist under the 2025 mileage system Frequent Flyer Bonuses .
Where the member may feel a loss
- Cheap economy fares earn far less: Basic‑economy flights no longer generate any SQC, and even Economy Standard only yields 2 SQC per CAD spent. A low‑fare Toronto‑Vancouver round‑trip that previously contributed mileage now contributes little or nothing toward status Plane ‘n Simple FrequentMiler .
- Long‑haul economy runs are penalized: The revenue model “decimates earnings on cheap long‑haul flights,” with top‑tier elites seeing up to 50 % fewer points on low‑fare long‑distance itineraries FrequentMiler .
Bottom line
Because the member’s profile includes many premium‑cabin, high‑cost long‑distance flights, the significant increase in points and the new milestone perks outweigh the reductions on cheap economy legs. The member will end 2026 with more Aeroplan points, retained Super Elite status, and extra benefit credits, while only seeing a downgrade on the lowest‑fare segments.
Air Canada Aeroplan program updates (mileage and status earning changes)
Air Canada Aeroplan announced sweeping program changes for next year that affect mileage earning on paid flights and status earning. Note that there have not been any award chart changes announced, the changes here only affect mileage and status earning when crediting your paid flights to Air Canada Aeroplan. The main idea here is that Air Canada Aeroplan has gone revenue-based when it comes to earning points on paid flights and earning elite status for the 2026 qualification year. To be clear, these changes take effect in 2026, so flight earnings and status earning for flights taken in
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.
Air Canada Aeroplan changes: Revenue based points accrual on flights & a single elite status qualification metric – Status Qualifying Credits
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: