Aeroplan Adopts Revenue-Based System

Core Insights - Air Canada's Aeroplan program is transitioning to a revenue-based earning system starting January 1, 2026, which will change how members earn points and elite status [1][7] Revenue-Based Points Earning - Members will earn 1 Aeroplan point for every CA$1 spent on Air Canada flights, excluding taxes, fees, and third-party charges [2] - Earning rates can increase up to 6 points per CA$1 spent, depending on the member's elite status level [2] - This change means that passengers purchasing more expensive last-minute tickets will earn more points compared to those who buy cheaper tickets in advance, even on the same flight [2] New Status Qualifying Credits - Starting January 1, 2026, Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) will be the sole metric for earning Aeroplan status, replacing the previous metrics [4] - Members can earn up to 4 SQCs for every CA$1 spent, with different earning rates based on fare types [5] - Members can accumulate a maximum of 25,000 SQCs annually from Aeroplan partners [5] Earning Rates for Elite Members - Aeroplan members will earn SQCs at different rates based on their elite status: - 2x for Aeroplan 25K members - 3x for Aeroplan 35K members - 4x for Aeroplan 50K members - 5x for Aeroplan 75K members - 6x for Aeroplan Super Elite members [6] Additional Benefits - Members can earn up to 25,000 SQCs through eligible Aeroplan credit card spending [7] - For every 10,000 SQCs earned, members unlock Milestone Benefits, including bonus SQCs and status passes [7] - Starting in 2027, primary account holders of premium Aeroplan credit cards will receive a 10% SQC bonus based on the previous year's earnings [7] Final Thoughts - The shift to a revenue-based system is often viewed as a devaluation of the loyalty program, despite being marketed as a customer-centric change [7][8]