For over two decades, I’ve chased status across continents — sometimes strategically, sometimes stubbornly. I’ve done the mileage runs. I’ve booked positioning flights. I’ve flown routes that made absolutely no geographic sense because the math worked. That era is now officially over.
The 2026 Aeroplan Overhaul marks the most significant shift in the program’s history. As of January 1, 2026, Air Canada transitioned Aeroplan Elite Status to a revenue-based structure built around Status Qualifying Credits (SQC). Distance is no longer king. Spend, fare choice, and total ecosystem engagement now determine how — and how quickly — you climb the elite ladder.
Aeroplan Overhaul – What Changed?
Aeroplan eliminated the legacy trio of SQM (Status Qualifying Miles), SQS (Status Qualifying Segments), and SQD (Status Qualifying Dollars). In their place is one unified metric: Status Qualifying Credits (SQC).
- 25,000 SQC — 25K
- 50,000 SQC — 50K
- 75,000 SQC — 75K
- 100,000 SQC — 100K
- 125,000 SQC — Super Elite
SQC are primarily earned based on base airfare spend:
- Standard fares: 2 SQC per $1 CAD
- Flex, Comfort, Premium Economy, Business: 4 SQC per $1 CAD
- Taxes and third-party fees do not count
This fundamentally shifts the focus from distance flown to yield generated.
My Take: This wasn’t accidental. This Aeroplan overhaul wants to reward revenue contribution, not seat occupancy. The program now resembles other global revenue-aligned loyalty models — but with uniquely Canadian ecosystem earning layers that still create opportunity for strategic members.
Why Mileage Runs No Longer Work
Under the old model, you could engineer status through long-haul discount fares and creative routing.
Under the new system:
- Deep-discount economy earns slowly
- Fare class matters dramatically
- Domestic premium fares can outperform international economy
- High-value last-minute bookings accelerate status quickly
The mindset shift is simple: optimize return per dollar, not distance per mile.
Everyday Earning: Status Without Flying
Aeroplan now allows members to earn up to 25,000 SQC annually through partner engagement.
For every 5 Aeroplan points earned with eligible partners, you receive 1 SQC.
Partners include Uber, LCBO, Starbucks, and the Aeroplan eStore.
Aeroplan has effectively evolved into a lifestyle loyalty ecosystem rather than a pure flight program.
Premium Credit Cards Matter More Than Ever
The American Express Aeroplan Reserve and TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege cards now award:
1,000 SQC per $5,000 in eligible spend.
For business owners or high-spend households, this becomes a meaningful accelerator.
Everyday Status Qualification (EDQ) Still Exists
Earn 100,000 eligible Aeroplan points in a calendar year and you unlock 25K status — regardless of flight activity.
For entrepreneurs and incorporated professionals, EDQ remains one of the most attainable elite thresholds in Canada.
The Digital Lifestyle of the Modern Traveler
Elite travel today isn’t just about lounge access or upgrades. It’s about ecosystem fluency.
In a Signature Suite or boutique hotel lounge, travelers run businesses from their phones — loyalty dashboards open beside secure cloud workspaces.
Downtime has evolved too. On any given flight, travelers toggle between productivity and personal leisure. Whether reviewing markets, editing content, streaming premium media, or visiting one of the best online casinos in Canada as a mobile-first entertainment option, expectations are the same: seamless, secure, and fast access.
The same device used for entertainment now tracks SQC balances, milestone unlocks, and eUpgrade credits in real time.
Loyalty is no longer physical. It’s fully digital.
Milestone Benefits & Rollover Strategy
The old Select Benefits framework has been replaced by Milestone Benefits.
For every additional 10,000 SQC earned beyond your base tier, you unlock options such as:
- Bonus SQC
- eUpgrade credits
- Status passes for companions
- Priority reward discounts
Rollover Enhancements
Premium Aeroplan cardholders can now roll over select unused eUpgrade credits and certain SQC balances, reducing the need for December panic flights purely to protect tier status.
My Aeroplan Overhaul Strategy in the Revenue Era
I’ve earned status through both optimization and stubborn mileage runs over the years. Going forward, my approach is different:
- Book Flex or higher when the math justifies it
- Consolidate business expenses onto a premium Aeroplan card
- Target EDQ deliberately
- Stop chasing inefficient mileage runs
- Focus on premium cabin redemptions rather than vanity tiers
The 2026 overhaul didn’t eliminate value.
It eliminated loopholes.
Is Aeroplan Still Worth It?
Yes, but only if you understand what the Aeroplan Overhaul actually changed and adjust accordingly. If your strategy was built around cheap long-haul mileage runs and maximizing distance for the lowest possible fare, the program is undeniably tougher. The 2026 Aeroplan Overhaul shifted the focus away from geography and toward revenue, fare class, and total ecosystem participation.
But for travelers who spend intentionally, consolidate expenses onto premium Aeroplan credit cards, leverage partner multipliers, and strategically use eUpgrades, there is still meaningful upside in the Canadian market. In many ways, the value hasn’t disappeared — it has simply become more concentrated around higher-yield engagement.
Aeroplan has evolved from a traditional frequent flyer program into a revenue-aligned loyalty ecosystem. And ecosystems don’t reward nostalgia. They reward strategy.
What say you?
Thoughts on the Aeroplan Overhaul?
Let’s hear it!
