AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
Air Canada recently announced that it is joining several U.S. airlines in moving to a revenue-based earnings model. With the announcement comes changes to how you earn miles and elite status, as well as adjustments to co-branded credit cardholder benefits. If you are a cardholder of the Aeroplan® Credit Card, you'll want to pay attention, as these changes impact a major benefit that you likely don't want to lose. Here's what to know.
Aeroplan Card: What's Changing?
Starting in 2026, you will no longer be able to earn the Aeroplan Elite Status Level Up benefit (which gave you a one-tier status upgrade after spending $50,000 in a calendar year).
In its place, cardholders will get a Status Qualifying Credits (SQCs) boost plus the ability to earn even more based on card spending — up to an annual maximum of 25,000 bonus SQCs per member across all Aeroplan credit cards.
As a cardholder, you'll receive 5,000 SQCs annually. Then, you'll earn the following based on your spending:
- Spend $15,000, earn Aeroplan 25K Status
- Spend $25,000, earn 10,000 SQCs
- Spend $50,000, earn 10,000 SQCs
- Spend $75,000, earn Aeroplan 35K Status
If you are currently a cardholder and you've spent (or will spend) $50,000 this year, don't worry. You'll still receive your Level Up benefit in 2026. But this will be the last time. The Level Up will be based on the highest status you earned for 2026 and will stay valid through January 31, 2027.
Related: A Complete Guide to the Air Canada Aeroplan Loyalty Program
Aeroplan Card: What's Staying the Same?
As of now, other cardholder benefits and earning rates remain the same. You'll still receive your new cardmember Aeroplan 25K status through the end of the following calendar year after approval, a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit, preferred pricing on award redemptions, and bonuses on Ultimate Rewards point transfers.
You'll still earn as a cardholder. This is good news in light of the new spending-based earnings model — travelers without elite status or an Aeroplan credit card earn a measly 1 point per CA$1 spent on base fares on Air Canada flights.
As a member of the Star Alliance, points you earn with the Aeroplan Card can be transferred to a number of partner airlines for maximum value. For a card with an annual fee of just $95, it still packs a punch.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points
- Earn 75K bonus points after you spend $4,000 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
- Rates & Fees
- 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
Final Thoughts
The Aeroplan Card is changing in 2026. Since the Level Up benefit is leaving, it's more difficult to reach a higher tier of elite status. However, the card still provides a lot of value for Air Canada frequent flyers.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Aeroplan® Credit Card (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.