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Loyalty can be rewarding — especially when you stick to a single airline. If you fly 1 million miles with Air Canada, you will join the Million Mile program, which gives members lifetime Aeroplan elite status and additional perks every year.
While lifetime status sounds nice, it'll take significant time and money to reach this status. So make sure it's worth it before you set your sights on becoming a million miler.
Here's everything you need to know about Air Canada's Million Mile program.
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How To Earn Air Canada Million Mile Status
The Air Canada Aeroplan program is incredibly valuable, even if you don't live in Canada or fly the airline regularly. Thanks to its numerous partner airlines, you can use your Aeroplan points to book flights around the world.
However, Air Canada offers some special incentives for those willing to invest time and money into the airline. After flying 1 million miles with Air Canada, you'll enjoy lifetime elite status.
What counts toward Aeroplan Million Mile status?
If you want to become a million miler, you'll need to track your Lifetime Qualifying Miles on Air Canada-operated flights. Keep in mind that these are different from Aeroplan points and Status Qualifying Credits.
Your LQMs are calculated based on the originally purchased cabin and the distance traveled in miles on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express. You'll also earn LQMs for each monthly installment toward an Air Canada unlimited flight pass.
Here's how much you'll earn on flights:
- Economy (excluding Basic fares): 100% of the distance flown
- Premium economy: 125% of the distance flown
- Business: 150% of the distance flown
Unfortunately, you'll only earn LQMs on fares purchased with cash in standard or higher fare classes. If you booked your flight using Aeroplan points, including points + cash bookings, you will not earn any LQMs. Plus, if you were upgraded, you will only earn LQMs based on the cabin class of the originally ticketed fare.
Where to track your progress
To see how many LQMs you've earned so far, you can log in to your Air Canada account, click “My Aeroplan,” and scroll to the section titled “Your progress to 1 Million Miles.”
Then, you'll see the tracker below and your progress toward Million Mile status. As you can see, I still have quite a long way to go before I join the program.
What Do You Get With Air Canada Million Mile Status?
When you reach 1 million LQMs, you’ll receive a welcome package with a membership card and luggage tags featuring the Air Canada Million Mile logo.
Here's what you'll earn when you reach Million Mile status:
- 1 million miles: Earn Aeroplan 50K for life
- 2 million miles: Earn Aeroplan 75K for life, and nominate a friend for lifetime Aeroplan 50K
- 3 million miles: Earn Aeroplan Super Elite for life
- 4 million miles: Continue to enjoy Super Elite, plus upgrade your previously nominated friend to lifetime Aeroplan 75K
Each year after earning Million Mile status, you’ll receive additional benefits based on your status as of January 1:
- 1 million miles: 2,500 SQCs
- 2 million miles: 5,000 SQCs and Aeroplan 35K status for a friend
- 3 million miles: 10,000 SQCs and Aeroplan 50K status for a friend
- 4 million miles: 20,000 SQCs and Aeroplan 75K status for a friend
- 5 million miles: 30,000 SQCs and Aeroplan Super Elite status for a friend
At certain milestones, you'll be able to give someone lifetime status. You’ll also be able to gift a year of elite status to one person each year.
Keep in mind that earning Aeroplan 50K for life also grants lifetime Star Alliance Gold status, which comes with the following perks:
- Priority airport check-in, boarding, and baggage handling
- Extra baggage allowance
- Fast track through security and immigration
- Airport lounge access
- Priority reservations waitlist and priority standby
Related: Why EgyptAir Plus Is the Best Airline To Get Star Alliance Gold Status
Is Air Canada Million Mile Status Worth It?
Let's put into context how much you'll need to fly to reach 1 million LQMs. The longest flight in Air Canada's network is from Toronto (YYZ) to New Delhi (DEL), which clocks in at 7,228 miles. If you exclusively flew business class, you'd earn 10,842 LQMs on each flight. It would take 93 of these flights for you to cross the 1 million LQMs threshold. For this 15-hour flight, that means you'll spend 1,384 hours — or close to 58 full days in the air — before you reach this status.
Also, you only earn LQMs on revenue fares. That route averages $2,270 each way, which means you'll shell out more than $211,000 to gain the coveted spot in Air Canada's Million Mile program.
And that might be the easiest way to earn Air Canada million mile status. If you aren't regularly taking 15-hour flights in business class, it'll take many more flights (and potentially more money) to reach 1 million miles flown.
If you think that lifetime elite status is worth the investment, then consider pursuing Million Mile status. For reference, lifetime Aeroplan 50K status comes with a variety of benefits, including 15 eUpgrade credits, complimentary standard and preferred seats, three checked bags, and priority benefits at the airport. You'll also earn bonus points on your flights.
And as you continue climbing up the Million Mile ladder, your lifetime elite status gets even more beneficial. However, even for the most dedicated Air Canada flyers, it'll take many years before earning Million Mile status. It's a long-term investment.
How Does Air Canada Million Mile Compare With Competitors?
Several airlines offer million miler programs to reward their most dedicated travelers, but these programs aren't identical. Air Canada's Million Mile program benefits focus on elite status, with both lifetime status and bonus SQCs each year. However, other programs give additional benefits.
For instance, American Airlines Million Miler members receive 35,000 bonus miles when they reach 1 million lifetime miles. At the 2 million mark, they receive four systemwide upgrades.
Similarly, United Million Milers can share their highest-earned elite status with a companion of their choosing each year. This is far less restrictive than Air Canada, which dictates what tier of elite status you can share.
Alaska Airlines Million Milers receive benefits like meals in the main cabin and prioritized upgrades, which elevate the travel experience.
Program details vary, but they’re unlikely to drive your decision. In most cases, you’ll remain loyal to the airline you prefer flying.
Bottom Line
Air Canada's Million Mile program rewards the airline's most loyal travelers. And the benefits get better with each additional million miles flown. Plus, you'll be one of the very few people who can say they've flown 1 million miles on Air Canada flights.
Whether it's worth it will depend on your travel habits, but it's certainly nice to aspire to.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $95 Annual Fee
- Redeem points for both international and domestic flights with the Aeroplan® Credit Card.
- Fly to another continent and travel the world with the Aeroplan® Credit Card.
- Earn 3X points for each dollar spent at grocery stores, on dining at restaurants, and Air Canada directly. Earn 1X point for each dollar spent on all other purchases.
- 500 bonus points for every $2,000 you spend in a calendar month - up to 1,500 points per month.
- Member FDIC
- 3x points directly with Air Canada
- 3x points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- 3x points at grocery stores
- 1x point on all other purchases
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Aeroplan® Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
