Latest news with #StatusQualifyingCredits
Time Out
07-08-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Air Canada Aeroplan to change how members earn points and elite status
It's official: Aeroplan is getting a major overhaul, with changes to how Canadian travellers earn points, achieve status, and unlock benefits. The Canadian airline just ranked the best in North America just made a game-changing announcement regarding its membership program. Fresh off the news that Air Canada's newest route (returning after a 5 year hiatus) isn't served by an aircraft, the airline has just issued changes to the Aeroplan loyalty program that will update its points-earning system. What are the new changes for Aeroplan members? Under the new system, members will earn points on eligible Air Canada flights based on how much they spend, rather than how far they travel. Each dollar spent on qualifying flights will earn at least one Aeroplan point. According to the airline, the updates aim to better reward members who fly and spend more with Air Canada, while maintaining the exclusivity of Elite Status. On the same date, Air Canada will also launch Status Qualifying Credits, a new way to work toward Aeroplan Elite Status. When is Aeroplan changing how members earn points and elite status? Air Canada has announced upcoming changes to how Aeroplan members earn points, set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Currently, Aeroplan points are based on miles flown, with rates varying by route and fare class. Starting January 1, 2026, points will be earned based on dollars spent: 1 point per $1 on base fares and surcharges (excluding taxes/fees), with Elite members earning 2x to 6x depending on status. This means fewer points for long-haul economy flights but significantly more for business class or high-status travellers. Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) will replace the current mix of status requirements (miles, segments, spend). You'll now need: 25K SQC for 25K status 35K for 35K, and so on up to 125K for Super Elite You'll earn 2x SQC on standard fares and 4x on flex and business fares. Basic economy earns none. SQC can also be earned via partners (like Uber and Starbucks) and Aeroplan credit card spending—capped at 25,000 per year per source. Bottom line: Frequent business travellers and high spenders benefit most; casual flyers may see fewer points but can still earn through credit cards and partners. Why the changes? The switch to Status Qualifying Currency (SQC) is meant to boost revenue by rewarding higher spenders with better perks. Mid-tier members may be motivated to spend more to reach the next status level, while casual travellers won't be heavily affected—especially if they earn points through Aeroplan credit cards. Though it may seem like a cash grab, this shift aligns with typical loyalty programs: the more you spend, the more you're rewarded. For dedicated users, the new system offers a more flexible and fair way to unlock benefits.
Time of India
07-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Fly with Air Canada? How you earn points is about to change; here's what it means for you
Air Canada is overhauling its Aeroplan program starting January 1, 2026, shifting from a distance-based to a spending-based model. Members will earn points per dollar spent on base fares, with elite status holders receiving significant bonuses. A new Status Qualifying Credits system will determine elite status, rewarding spending on flights, credit cards, and partner activities. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Frequent flyers to benefit the most Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 25K status: 2x 35K: 3x 50K: 4x 75K: 5x Super Elite: 6x Popular in International 1. Flight attendants at Canada's largest airline threaten strike after 99.7 percent vote Eligible Air Canada and Star Alliance flights Aeroplan credit card spending Everyday partners like Starbucks and Uber What this means for flyers New rewards and credit card perks Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Earning rewards on Air Canada flights is about to change and for many travelers, that could mean earning fewer Aeroplan points unless they're spending more. Starting January 1, 2026, Air Canada will revamp how Aeroplan members accumulate points, moving away from a distance-based model to one that rewards dollars spent, a major shift for one of North America's largest airline loyalty Aeroplan members earn points based on how far they fly and what fare class they book. For instance, a business class passenger can earn 150 percent of the miles flown, while someone in standard economy might earn just 25 the new system, members will earn 1 point for every Canadian dollar spent on base fares and Air Canada-imposed surcharges. Taxes and third-party fees won't with Aeroplan Elite Status will earn significantly more points per dollar. Depending on their tier, they will receive two to six times the base points:Air Canada is also introducing a new system called Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) to replace the existing status-earning system based on miles, segments, and will be earned through:For example, Flex fares will earn 4 SQCs per dollar, Standard earns 2, while Basic economy earns reach 25K status, travelers will need 25,000 SQCs, scaling up to 125,000 SQCs for Super Elite.A Toronto to Calgary flight on Flex economy would currently earn around 1,726 points, based on mileage. Under the new system, the same $190 ticket would earn just 190 points, unless the traveler has elite status. A 50K member on that fare would earn 760 long-haul routes, the difference is even more dramatic. A Toronto to London business-class ticket would earn 10,298 points under the new model, compared to 3,550 today. A 35K status member would earn 30,894 points for the same Canada says it will also offer new Milestone Rewards for every 10,000 SQCs earned, including eUpgrade credits, Status Passes, and bonus Aeroplan credit card holders will get a 10 percent SQC head start based on their previous year's overhaul is designed to better reward travelers who spend more, whether through flights, partnerships, or credit card use, and to align the Aeroplan program more closely with modern loyalty trends.
Global News
06-08-2025
- Business
- Global News
Collect Aeroplan points? How you earn them could be changing
The way that Aeroplan members earn points is changing next year — and how much you'll earn will depend on how much you spend instead of how far you go. Currently, Air Canada's Aeroplan members earn points based on a percentage of the miles they've flown. For example, a business class member can earn 150 per cent of the miles flown compared with 25 per cent if flying standard economy within Canada. Under the new plan starting Jan. 1, 2026, members will earn one point for every dollar spent on Air Canada base fares and surcharges. The airline says in a news release that applicable taxes, fees and third-party charges don't count. 4:05 Travel: Aeroplan extends miles expiry waiver 'As far as winners and losers, yeah, people who are paying business class cash fares will definitely see better benefits compared to those who are, say, travelling on the cheapest fare in basic or economy,' said Barry Choi, personal finance and travel expert. Story continues below advertisement 'This is the way loyalty programs should work, the people who are spending the most should get the best rewards and the people who aren't spending much or looking for the cheapest fares, they're not going to get much in return.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy But those holding status with Aeroplan can earn even more, from two to six times the points per dollar. How this breaks down depends on what level you are: a 25K status member will earn double the points while a Super Elite would get six times the points. The new points system is also coming with a way for Air Canada travellers to try and get closer to status, through Status Qualifying Credits (SQC). These SQCs can be earned through eligible flight purchases, Aeroplan credit card spending, and activity with the program's travel and everyday partners, like Starbucks or Star Alliance airline members. Two SQC points can be earned per dollar spent on standard economy and eUpgrade add-ons, while four SQCs are earned on economy flex or higher. Basic economy won't be eligible. The five levels of Elite status requires a certain number of SQCs, with 25,000 required for 25K status, up to 125,000 SQCs for Super Elite. How it works and how it compares to previous system Depending on your status and fare type, you could see yourself earn more or less than you would under the current system. Story continues below advertisement A person flying from Toronto to Calgary on Sept. 15 on flex economy — the fare in which you earn 100 per cent of the points — would earn about 1,726 points, the estimated number of miles you'd fly on the flight. If a person flew the same trip under the new points system on flex economy, they'd earn only about 190 points for the $190 fare cost. However, they would earn 760 SQCs towards status for having booked a flex fare. Status would see a person get more points, however, with a 25K member earning 380 Aeroplan points, while a 50K member would receive 760 points. Long-haul flights will also see changes, but status and a higher fare would mean a bigger benefit. A regular traveller flying Toronto to London on Sept. 15 on a flex economy fare would earn about 1,128 Aeroplan points and 4,512 SQC points, compared with the approximately 3,550 Aeroplan points they'd earn now. A 50K status member, on the other hand, would earn 4,512 Aeroplan points and the same number of SQCs. Business class flyers, however, appear to be the ones to benefit the most from the new system. That same Toronto to London flight under the current system would earn 3,550 Aeroplan points for flex fare or higher, but starting Jan. 1, a business class passenger would earn 10,298 Aeroplan points and 41,192 SQCs. Story continues below advertisement But if a 35K member booked the flight, they'd earn 30,894 Aeroplan points and 41,192 SQCs. 'Someone who's just casually booking business fares because they've saved enough and they're looking to travel luxury could potentially earn status now and I think that's a big game changer,' Choi said.
Globe and Mail
06-08-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Major changes coming to Aeroplan put top spenders first
Aeroplan is undergoing a major transformation, changing how members earn points, qualify for status and access benefits. Whether you're a casual flyer or a Super Elite, these updates will impact how you travel and how you're rewarded for it. Earning Aeroplan points on flights Aeroplan currently awards points based on a percentage of miles flown, which varies by route, fare type and class. For instance, 25% for standard economy within Canada and 150% for business class. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, members will earn one point per dollar spent on Air Canada AC-T base fares and surcharges (excluding taxes and third-party fees). Elite members will earn two to six times the points, depending on their status tier: 25,000 earns twice the points, 35,000 earns three times, and so on. Generally, longer flights will earn you fewer points in economy now, but Super Elites or those who book in business will earn significantly more. Status Qualifying Credits introduced Aeroplan Elite status is currently complex, requiring a mix of status qualifying miles (SQM), segments and dollars. You could fly often and still miss status because you didn't spend enough. The reverse is also true for someone who spent a lot on just a few flights. In the new year, Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) will replace all previous requirements. To earn status moving forward, you'll need: Members will earn twice the SQC per dollar spent on standard fares (base fares plus carrier surcharges, excluding taxes and third-party fees) and four times the SQC on flex fares and above, which includes business class. Basic economy fares won't be eligible for SQC. SQC can be earned not only through Air Canada but also via partners such as Star Alliance airline members, Starbucks, Uber and more. You'll also earn 1,000 SQC per $5,000 spent on premium Aeroplan cards or 1,000 SQC per $20,000 on core cards. SQC earned through partner and credit-card spending is capped at 25,000 each annually. New accumulation potential Getting used to this new qualification system will require some adjustment, so it's best to use real examples to demonstrate your new earning potential. For instance, a base member booking a standard economy ticket from Montreal to Toronto with a base fare (including carrier surcharges) of $171 will earn 171 Aeroplan points and 342 SQC. Currently, you would only receive 79 points and 79 SQM. A 35K member purchasing an economy flex fare from Toronto to London with a cost of $1,070 plus taxes will earn 3,210 Aeroplan points, slightly less than the 3,556 points earned now. However, your SQC will be 4,280, up from the current 3,556 SQM. Business travellers with status are the ones who will benefit the most from the new system. A Super Elite travelling business class from Vancouver to Tokyo-Narita where the base fare and carrier surcharges cost $9,367 will earn 56,202 Aeroplan points and 37,468 SQC. That's almost 30 per cent of the SQC needed to requalify for Super Elite status. In comparison, they would earn 6,990 Aeroplan points and 6,990 SQM under the current system. Changes coming to status benefits Aeroplan's new milestone benefits replace priority rewards, select benefits and threshold eUpgrades. Instead of receiving benefits at fixed status levels, members who have requalified for status now earn rewards every 10,000 SQC up to 200,000, and every 20,000 SQC beyond that. Some perks are automatic (e.g. eUpgrade credits), while others are selectable, such as priority rewards, 30 per cent off car/hotel redemptions, lounge passes, bonus points and gifting status to a friend. Although fewer eUpgrade credits are awarded at 25K, 35K, and 50K, you can earn more through milestone rewards. Additionally, since you can choose your benefits, it offers you greater flexibility since you can choose perks that you're most likely to use. New status members begin earning benefits after reaching 25K status and crossing 30,000 SQC, but anyone who has requalified would start getting their rewards at 10,000 SQC. Why have the changes happened The shift to SQC is all about boosting revenue. Frequent flyers are incentivized to spend more, especially with perks tied to higher tiers. Even mid-tier members may be tempted to spend more if a promo puts them close to the next level. Make no mistake, the extra perks that come with higher status could be worth it. Casual travellers shouldn't be too worried because earning status probably isn't a top priority. Also, the points lost from paid flights can be replaced by using an Aeroplan credit card, which gives you points with every purchase. Although it may seem like a cash grab, this is how loyalty programs are meant to work: Top spenders earn the best rewards. For dedicated Aeroplan members, the revamped qualification system offers a fair trade for more flexible and valuable perks. Barry Choi is a credit card and loyalty expert. He was previously affiliated with Aeroplan, but currently has no relationship with the brand.
