Points Pulse for Dec. 15, 2025: The Aeroplan overhaul edition
In this edition of NerdWallet Canada’s Points Pulse series:
Aeroplan: Spend big or stay home
Aeroplan’s 2026 program updates can be lumped into two major buckets: changes to how points are earned and changes to how to qualify for Aeroplan Elite status. Both updates favour one type of customer, though. Frequent fliers, prepare to make way for the big spender.
Aeroplan points will be earned on dollars spent, not distance flown
Aeroplan will ditch its distance-based points-earning model for a far simpler dollar-to-point system. Notice I said simpler, not better.
Under the new model, each dollar spent with Air Canada will earn an Aeroplan point. Accelerated earn rates are available for Aeroplan Elite Status members. Worth noting, too, is that this rate applies to Aeroplan members. Earn rates for Aeroplan credit cardholders remain the same.
Will you earn more Aeroplan points once these changes roll out? Depends where you’re going — and how much you pay.
Previously, Economy Basic fares in Canada earned the fewest Aeroplan points and Business fares earned the most, regardless of the route.
Here’s how the points shake out on a one-way flight from Toronto to Vancouver, a distance of approximately 2,084 miles.
Cost* | Old miles-based system | New dollar-based system | |
|---|---|---|---|
Basic | $212 | 208 points (10% of miles flown) | 212 points |
Standard | $267 | 521 points (25% of miles flown) | 267 points |
Flex | $322 | 2,084 points (100% of miles flown) | 322 points |
Business | $1,385 | 3,126 points (150% of miles flown) | 1,385 points |
Nerdy take: Getting a good deal on a ticket just became less enticing for Aeroplan point collectors because the less you spend, the fewer Aeroplan points you earn. Still, I doubt this will sway the spending behaviour of most Aeroplan members when booking travel.
For example, NerdWallet Canada’s 2025 Holiday Spending Report found that 27% of holiday travellers plan to choose flights based on price instead of convenience this holiday season. For many Canadians, what matters most when budgeting for a trip is cost, not how many reward points they’ll earn.
Elite status gets simpler (and more attainable)
Aeroplan is changing its Elite status qualification by swapping its considerably confusing triple-metric system (Status Qualifying Miles, Segments and Dollars) for a new, thankfully singular, metric: Status Qualifying Credits (SQC).
Under the new system, there are several ways to earn SQC.
Booking Air Canada travel
When flying with Air Canada or booking Air Canada Vacations, SQC will be based on how much you spend and the fare type. There’s no limit to the number of SQC you can earn from this travel.
Per $1 spent, members earn:
4 SQC on base fare and carrier surcharges on Flex fares and above
2 SQC on base fare and carrier surcharges on Standard fares and eUpgrade add-ons
1 SQC on Air Canada Vacations packages
Shopping with partners
Accumulating Aeroplan points with 40+ partners can also help achieve SQC toward status.
Members will earn 1 SQC for every 5 Aeroplan points earned with partners, up to 25,000 SQC per member per calendar year.
Using Aeroplan credit cards
Spending on Aeroplan premium and core credit cards can award up to an additional combined total of 25,000 SQC per member each calendar year. And this limit is separate from the SQC limit on partner spend.
Premium cards (like the Amex Aeroplan Reserve, TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege) earn 1,000 SQC for every $5,000 spent
Core cards (like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite, American Express Aeroplan Card and CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite) earn 1,000 SQC for every $20,000 spent
And, at the start of each benefit year in February, eligible Aeroplan premium cardholders who requalify for Aeroplan Elite Status will also get a 10% boost toward qualification, based on the SQC they accumulated the year before.
Reaching Elite tier is also easier
Status Qualifying Credits earned in 2026 will contribute to your 2027 Aeroplan Elite status. Any status-qualifying activities taken in 2025 towards your 2026 Aeroplan Elite status will still be honoured under the current system.
Nerdy take: I’ve never made it to Aeroplan Elite status myself, but I do wonder if I might have a better chance with these new changes. Instead of trying to hit thresholds across miles travelled, flights taken and dollars spent, I can earn credits toward Elite status just by using my co-branded Aeroplan credit card. Not bad for an everyday spender and occasional flier like me.
ON A SIMILAR NOTE...
DIVE EVEN DEEPER
Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell