We've said it before and we'll say it again - Air Canada's Aeroplan has been one of the most proactive, member oriented and rewarding loyalty programs during this pandemic and today's news from them just builds on that.
Aeroplan let us know that they will provide an automatic extension of Aeroplan Elite status, they are instituting an elite status jump start program and are further extending the pause on points expiry.
Automatic of 2021 Aeroplan Elite Status
Current Aeroplan Elite status members rejoice! Your status is being extended right through to the end of 2022! This is awesome news from the program but news that wasn't unexpected since many elite members aren't flying as much as they did prior to COVID-19 while some aren't flying at all given the current travel situation for Canadians. If you are flying or will be flying later on in the year and reach a higher status level you'll get that level for the remainder of the year and for all of 2022. Here are some further details and examples provided to us by Air Canada:
- Just like this year, you'll also be able to choose your Select Benefits once again in early 2022, so that you can enjoy the benefits that you value the most – including eUpgrade credits, Bonus Aeroplan points, and Status Passes. (Take note: since members will receive 20 eUpgrade credits in early 2022, along with the option to choose more as part of their Select Benefits, eUpgrade credits valid in 2021 will not be extended into 2022.)
- In light of this change, we’ll allow members who chose Lower Requalification Level as one of their 2021 Select Benefits to make a one-time adjustment, if they prefer. More details on this will be shared in the weeks ahead.
- Any unused Priority Reward vouchers earned in 2020 will also be extended for another year, and therefore valid for use through October 2022. These extensions will appear in your account beginning later this year.
Example 1: If you hold Aeroplan Super Elite status for 2021, you'll keep that status through the end of 2022. If you earned four Priority Reward vouchers in October 2020, any unused vouchers will be extended through October 2022.
Example 2: If you hold Aeroplan 35K status for 2021, you'll keep that status through the end of 2022. Based on your 2021 flight activities, if you earn at least 50,000 Status Qualifying Miles (or 50 Status Qualifying Segments) and 6,000 Status Qualifying Dollars, you'll enjoy Aeroplan 50K status for 2022. If you earned two Priority Reward vouchers in October 2020, any unused vouchers will be extended through October 2022.
Elite Status Qualification Jumpstart for 2022
Think of this as a gift to those who are flying with Air Canada and their partner airlines during 2021. The Elite Status Qualification Jumpstart Program will see members who achieve any Aeroplan Elite Status based on the actual published qualification criteria have their actual qualifying numbers honoured in 2022. This means those numbers jump start your 2022 qualifying for 2023 status that much easier. Technically speaking you'll have, at a minimum, Aeroplan 25K status for 2023. Here's how Air Canada explains the Jumpstart program:
For certainty, over the course of 2021, members would need to earn at least 25,000 SQM or 25 SQS, and at least 3,000 SQD (1,500 SQD for non-Canadian residents), in order to be eligible for this jumpstart in 2022. (Additionally, this special grant will be incremental to Rollover Status Qualifying Miles for which Elite Status Members may be eligible when holding select Aeroplan credit cards.)
Example: If you hold Aeroplan 75K status for 2021, you'll keep that status through the end of 2022.
- Based on your 2021 flight activities, if you earn 26,000 SQM, 15 SQS, and 3,500 SQD, you’ll have met the qualification requirement for Aeroplan 25K, and therefore all 26,000 SQM, 15 SQS, and 3,500 SQD will be added to your qualification balance in 2022.
- Similarly, based on your 2021 flight activities, if you earn 79,000 SQM, 35 SQS, and 12,500 SQD, you’ll have met the qualification requirement for Aeroplan 75K, and therefore all 79,000 SQM, 35 SQS, and 12,500 SQD will be added to your qualification balance in 2022.
- However, based on your 2021 flight activities, if you earn 12,000 SQM, 4 SQS, and 2,800 SQD, you will not have met the qualification requirement for any Aeroplan Elite Status, and therefore your 2021 SQM, SQS, and SQD will not be honoured in 2022
Temporary Pause of Expiration of Points
The temporary pause on expiring Aeroplan points for any accounts that don't have activity in them has now been extended to January 31, 2022. Aeroplan's inactivity rule states that you have at least one mileage earning or redemption transaction every 18 months. This means any one who hasn't had any Aeroplan activity after July 31, 2020 would see their points expiry on February 1, 2022. Ideally you'll want to have some regular activity in your account as that will keep pushing that 18 month time limit further back. If you aren't traveling just yet, which is a lot of us, you do have options for earning miles like the new Starbucks partnership, redeeming points for education with Higher Ed Points or you can donate miles to a charity like Give A Mile. There are many options on both the earn and burn side to keep your account active.
Recommended reading: The New Air Canada Aeroplan Program - All the resources you need
Wrapping it up
Aeroplan is one of the first programs to announce elite status extensions for next year and honestly we don't know how many others may actually do so. Reports south of the border show that planes are starting to fill up fast and bookings are reaching pre-pandemic levels so in all likelihood we probably won't see extensions from the U.S. programs. However air travel here in Canada isn't recovering anywhere near the pace seen in the U.S. and it only makes sense for Air Canada to provide the extension to keep those elite members happy and more likely to spend money with Air Canada in 2022. The Jumpstart program is icing on the cake for those flying this year and again is a great incentive to remain loyal to Air Canada. And finally, the extension on the pausing of points expiry is great for the Canadian populace seeing that a big portion of Aeroplan's membership base aren't frequent flyers nor frequent shoppers. They're your Grandma, they're your child's teacher and literally millions of others who earn points one month and then may not earn points again for months on end - and that was before COVID. So thank you Aeroplan for thinking of those that love your program but aren't in the position to be earning your points frequently.
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