How to Earn Aeroplan Status: A Complete SQC Guide

Everything you need to know to maximize your Aeroplan status

Aeroplan elite status is worth pursuing if you fly Air Canada with any regularity. The upgrades, lounge access, priority boarding, and priority waitlist make a real difference on a disrupted travel day or a long-haul flight. Whether those benefits justify the effort depends on how much you fly and how willing you are to complement flying with credit card spend and partner activity.

This guide covers how Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) work, what each earning source is actually worth, and what a realistic path to each tier looks like. The right tier to target depends entirely on your travel patterns and how aggressively you want to combine flying with credit card spend and partner activity.

SQC Overview

In 2025, Aeroplan replaced its old multi-metric qualification system with a single currency: Status Qualifying Credits, or SQC. SQC replaced the previous system of Status Qualifying Miles (SQM), Status Qualifying Segments (SQS), and Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD).

Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) are the primary currency for elite status. Every tier from 25K to Super Elite requires SQC, earned through flying, credit card spending, and partner activity. 25K is the only tier with an alternate qualification path. We cover that separately at the end of this guide.

Status Tiers at a Glance

Tier	SQC Required
25K	25,000
35K	35,000
50K	50,000
75K	75,000
Super Elite	125,000

How to Earn Aeroplan SQC

Aeroplan SQC can be earned from four main sources: flying Air Canada, credit card spending, partner airline and everyday partner activity, and bonus programs. Each source has its own earn rate and annual cap, with the exception of flying Air Canada and bonus programs which are uncapped.

The Aeroplan dashboard tracks your progress across each category and is worth checking regularly.

1) Flying Air Canada – The Fastest and Most Flexible Way

Flying Air Canada remains the core of SQC accumulation. How you book and which fares you choose have a massive impact on how quickly you reach higher status levels. SQC are calculated on the base fare plus carrier surcharges, excluding taxes, fees, and third-party charges.

Earning rates by fare class:

Economy Flex and higher: 4 SQC per $1 spent
Economy Standard and eUpgrade add-on fees: 2 SQC per $1 spent
Economy Basic: 0 SQC
Air Canada Vacations packages: 1 SQC per $1 spent

Basic Economy earns nothing. If status is part of your plan, Basic Economy fares are worth avoiding unless the price difference is substantial or if your company travel policy requires it.

Tickets issued by Air Canada (starting with 014) that are operated by Star Alliance partners still earn these SQC rates. Non-014 partner tickets credited and flown with Air Canada earn 2 SQC per dollar in economy and 4 SQC per dollar in premium economy and business class.

A Toronto to Regina Air Canada Flex fare with a $348 base fare and surcharges earns 1,392 SQC. A business class ticket to Tokyo with a $3,800 base fare and surcharges earns 15,200 SQC on a single flight. Long-haul premium fares are where flying really accelerates status progress.

Tips for maximizing SQC on flights:

Focus on Flex or higher fares whenever possible; the extra cost is often small relative to the SQC earned.
Tickets issued by Star Alliance partners that are credited to Air Canada can earn significantly less SQC. Try to either fly with an AC ticket or a partner ticket on AC metal.
Track your expected SQC compared to your actual posted SQC. Aeroplan has a habit of making adjustments.

From time to time, Air Canada also runs limited-time promotions that accelerate SQC earning on flights. For example, targeted offers have included double SQC on eligible bookings, which can significantly boost progress toward status. These promotions are not guaranteed and are often targeted, but they can be one of the fastest ways to accelerate status when available.

2) Aeroplan Credit Cards – Up to 25,000 SQC Per Year

Aeroplan co-branded credit cards are another powerful SQC source, especially for high spenders.

Canada: Premium cards such as the American Express Aeroplan Reserve, American Express Aeroplan Business Reserve, TD Infinite Privilege, and CIBC Infinite Privilege earn 1,000 SQC per $5,000 spent. Core cards, including TD Aeroplan Infinite, CIBC Aeroplan Infinite, and the Amex Aeroplan Card, earn 1,000 SQC per $20,000 spent.

U.S.: Chase Aeroplan co-branded cards earn 5,000 SQC as a bonus, 10,000 SQC with $25,000 in net purchases, and another 10,000 SQC with $50,000 in net purchases on the card each year. These all count toward the 25,000 limit.

Tips for maximizing credit card SQC:

Use premium cards for large, planned expenses to accumulate SQC quickly.
Explore using credit cards to pay bills you normally cannot with certain companies.
Be aware of the 25,000 SQC cap, there is little value to using the card beyond the cap.

If you already hold Aeroplan 50K status, several of the card’s benefits overlap with what status already provides. We cover that overlap in detail in Should You Keep the Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card Once You Have 50K Status?

3) Partner Activity – Up to 25,000 SQC

Partner activity can supplement SQC, though it’s generally a lot slower than flying.

Airline partners: Only qualifying Star Alliance flights credited to Aeroplan earn SQC. Bonus points are excluded, and earnings depend on fare and distance. Air Canada has published a chart of the Aeroplan points you will earn based on fare and class. You earn 1 SQC for every 5 Aeroplan points earned. Non-Star Alliance flights do not earn SQC.

You can find the complex list of eligible fares and earn rates at: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/partners.html#/airlines

Everyday partners: LCBO, Starbucks, Journie, Bell, Uber, and Uber Eats allow SQC from base points. Examples include:

LCBO: 1 SQC per 5 base points (1 base point per $4 → 1 SQC per $20 spent)
Starbucks: 25 Aeroplan points per $50–$74.99 loaded → 5 SQC
Bell has a number of ways to earn SQC, from linking accounts to signing up for new services. You can read more about this in our Earning Aeroplan SQC With Bell post.
Journie: earn Aeroplan points at the pump or 300 points per reward cycle. The structure is not as straightforward as it looks, especially when it comes to SQC. See our full breakdown of how Journie Rewards works with Aeroplan
Uber & Uber Eats: earn 1 SQC for every 5 Aeroplan points earned.

Travel partners: Marriott and Avis can earn SQC, though generally at a lower value than the company’s own point programs. Marriott stays earn 1 SQC per 5 Aeroplan points earned ( you earn 2 points per US dollar spent), and Avis rentals earn 2 Aeroplan points per CAD spent, converting to 1 SQC per 5 points.

Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty joined as Aeroplan travel partners effective May 6, 2026. At Hertz, earn rates vary by status: base members earn 2 points per dollar, 25K through 50K members earn 3 points per dollar, 75K members earn 4 points per dollar, and Super Elite members earn 5 points per dollar. Dollar and Thrifty are simpler, with all members earning 2 points per dollar regardless of status. Across all three brands, spend is calculated on time and mileage costs plus ancillaries and fees, excluding taxes. You earn 1 SQC per 5 base points earned, and as with all partner activity, this counts toward the 25,000 annual partner cap.

Finally, you can also earn SQC from the Aeroplan travel portal. You will earn 1 SQC for every 5 Aeroplan points earned that way. One word of caution: the amount displayed when you look at hotels and rentals may have an elite multiplier applied; only base points will count toward the SQC rate.

Partner activity can help bridge gaps toward your next tier, however it would be really hard to max out this category unless you are purchasing a lot of fuel or flying a crazy amount with Star Alliance partners. Even then, crediting to Air Canada may not be the best.

4) Bonus SQC

Aeroplan offers several ways to earn bonus Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) beyond regular flying and partner activity, including Milestone rewards, the Million Mile program, and the upcoming credit card head-start benefit.

Milestone Rewards

At specific SQC thresholds, members can choose bonus SQC as a Milestone benefit:

40K, 60K, 80K, 100K, and 120K – Option to select 2,500 SQC
130K, 140K, 160K, and 180K – Option to select 5,000 SQC

Selecting SQC is optional and competes with other Milestone benefits.

Million Mile Bonus

Members in the Million Mile program receive additional SQC based on lifetime flown miles:

1 Million Miles – 2,500 SQC
2 Million Miles – 5,000 SQC
3 Million Miles – 10,000 SQC
4 Million Miles – 20,000 SQC
5 Million Miles – 30,000 SQC

Premium Credit Card Head-Start (Beginning 2027)

Premium Aeroplan credit cardholders will be able to roll over 10% of their earned SQC into the following year.

This head start can be particularly valuable for members targeting higher tiers, including Super Elite, as it provides an early boost toward requalification.

Strategy Tip

Use Milestones strategically. Choosing the 2,500 SQC option may come at the expense of highly valuable benefits such as Priority Rewards. Only select bonus SQC if it meaningfully helps you reach the status level you’re pursuing.

EDQ Explained

Everyday Status Qualification (EDQ) is an alternate way to reach entry-level 25K status. Members can earn 25K by collecting 100,000 points through eligible activities such as credit card spending, shopping with partners, or participating in select promotions. EDQ only applies to 25K. Any tier above 25K, including 35K, 50K, 75K, and Super Elite, must be earned through SQC.

Conclusion: How to Maximize Your SQC

Aeroplan has simplified elite qualification by making Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) the central metric. While EDQ offers an alternate path to 25K status, all higher tiers require earning SQC. Understanding every available source including flights, credit cards, partner activity, and bonuses is essential to qualifying efficiently.

To maximize your SQC and reach higher tiers faster:

Prioritize Air Canada Flex or higher fares to earn the strongest SQC return per dollar spent.
Leverage premium co-branded credit card spending to reach the 25,000 SQC annual cap.
Use partner activity strategically, especially everyday spending that naturally fits your lifestyle.
Plan ahead for Milestone selections and future rollover benefits to accelerate qualification.
Track your SQC regularly through the Aeroplan dashboard and reconcile it against your expected totals to catch discrepancies early.

No single strategy is enough on its own. The most effective approach combines flights, credit card spend, partner earnings, and bonus opportunities into one coordinated plan. With smart planning and disciplined execution, reaching higher Aeroplan status, including Super Elite, is more achievable than ever.

Related Guides

How to Book ANA First Class with Aeroplan – Step-by-step guide for premium cabin redemptions
Aeroplan Stopovers: Rules, Examples, and How to Add One for 5,000 Points
A Beginner’s Guide to Redeeming Aeroplan Points: Top 10 Things You Should Know Before Redeeming
Air Canada Companion Pass: How It Works, Business Class Use, and Risks : Air Canada Annual Companion Pass