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How to Get Air Canada Elite Status With the Aeroplan Credit Card
Air Canada's co-branded credit card grants cardholders automatic elite status — a rare benefit on an airline card.
As a digital nomad for nearly five years, JT is a freelance writer that proves through experience that credit card rewards can drastically reduce the cost of travel. After working as a tax accountant for a decade, JT turned his analytical skills to points, miles and credit cards. He published over 2,000 articles as a writer for The Points Guy.
Chris Burkhardt is a former freelance editor for NerdWallet, helping with travel and credit card related content. A graduate of the University of Oregon, Chris has been a writer, editor, videographer and more in his 10 years as a journalist. Prior to joining the NerdWallet team in 2021, Chris was a digital media producer for NBC Sports — where his numerous trips around the country covering major sporting events helped his understanding of the travel world.
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Airline credit cards usually give perks like free checked bags and priority boarding, but they rarely give elite status as a benefit. The major exception is the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card. One of the major perks of signing up for the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card is getting automatic Aeroplan 25K elite status.
However, travelers based in the U.S. are likely unfamiliar with the Aeroplan loyalty program. Perhaps you're wondering what elite perks Aeroplan elite status gets you on Air Canada and on its Star Alliance partner, United. Take a look at the elite status perks you get from the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card to see if it makes sense for you.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
The Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card offers cardholders entry-level Aeroplan 25K elite status automatically, with opportunities to earn higher levels of elite status as well.
The card has a $195 annual fee, but it could still be worth it for frequent Air Canada travelers. In addition to the automatic elite status, it offers some other unique benefits including an up to $100 Air Canada statement credit each year (issued semi-annually in increments of $50) and a 15% discount on eligible Air Canada flight redemptions when you book with Aeroplan points.
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Aeroplan elite status perks
Aeroplan 25K elite status benefits
Aeroplan 25K is Air Canada's first tier of elite status, but it comes with a surprisingly long list of perks on Air Canada flights. These include benefits such as:
Aeroplan 25K benefitsAeroplan 25K Core benefits
Priority phone line.
Preferred seat selection at the front of economy cabins upon check-in
Priority airport check-in.
Priority airport standby.
One free checked bags up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms).
Waived handling fees for sports equipment.
Priority boarding.
5 eUpgrade Credits.
1 extra Elite point per dollar spent every time you fly with Air Canada or with Star Alliance partners booked with Air Canada.
250 minimum point earning on Air Canada and Star Alliance flights.
Finally, you'll get Star Alliance Silver status benefits when flying on other Star Alliance airlines, such as United. Unfortunately, Star Alliance Silver grants only two published perks: priority reservation waitlist and priority airport standby.
Those with an Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card are guaranteed at least Aeroplan 35K elite status if they make at least $75,000 in a calendar year. To help you determine if it's worth putting that much spending on the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card, take a look at the perks of Aeroplan 35K elite status.
Aeroplan 35K elites get many of the same 25K perks, plus some enhanced perks such as:
Three free checked bag on Air Canada of up to 70.5 pounds (32 kilograms) each.
10 eUpgrade credits.
2 extra Elite points per dollar spent every time you fly with Air Canada or with Star Alliance partners booked with Air Canada.
What perks do Aeroplan elites get when flying United?
Most of the perks of Aeroplan elite status are applicable only when flying Air Canada. However, Aeroplan elites can also enjoy priority boarding and one free checked bag on United Airlines as well.
Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card elite status perks recapped
The Chase Air Canada Aeroplan® Credit Card comes with an elite status perk that few airline credit cards offer. Cardholders start off with automatic Aeroplan 25K elite status, and you upgrade your status to at least 35K by spending $75,000.
Having Aeroplan 25K elite status grants a long list of perks when you fly Air Canada or its partners, including United Airlines.