How to Earn Aeroplan Status
A Complete SQC Guide

Everything you need to know to maximize your Aeroplan status

SQC Overview

In 2025, Aeroplan simplified how members earn elite status. They replaced the old system of SQM, SQS, and SQD with a single metric called Status Qualifying Credits (SQC). The SQC you earn determine which Aeroplan status tier you reach, from 25K all the way to Super Elite. SQC are completely separate from Aeroplan points, which are used for flight redemptions.

Tier	SQC	Notes
25K	25000	EDQ alternative available
35K	35000	SQC only
50K	50000	SQC only
75K	75000	SQC only
Super Elite	125000	SQC only

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.

How Aeroplan SQC Are Earned

SQC can be earned in multiple ways. Here’s a breakdown of the sources, how they work, and annual limits:

1. Flying Air Canada

Earn SQC based on base fare + carrier surcharges.
Basic Economy tickets do not earn SQC.
Max SQC per year: Unlimited

2. Aeroplan Co-branded Credit Cards

Earn SQC from card spending.
Max SQC per year: 25,000

3. Partner Activity (Airline & Everyday)

Earn SQC from qualifying Star Alliance flights and everyday partners like LCBO, Starbucks, Uber.
Max SQC per year: 25,000

4. Bonus SQC

Earn SQC from milestones and special programs.
Max SQC per year: Unlimited

5. Head-Start & Million Mile Bonuses

Premium cardholders can roll over SQC; Million Mile members get bonus SQC.
Max SQC per year: Unlimited

Each source has its own rules and limits. By combining them strategically, you can progress efficiently toward higher tiers. The Aeroplan dashboard provides a useful overview of your progress in each category. Let’s go into detail on each of these methods.

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. Basic Economy tickets do not earn SQC.

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

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.

Example: A Toronto–Regina Air Canada Flex flight with a $348 base fare earns 1,392 SQC (348 × 4). Long-haul premium fares are particularly efficient: a single business class ticket to Asia or Australia can earn tens of thousands of SQC.

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.

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.

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, 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
Journie: earn Aeroplan points at the pump or 300 points each reward cycle
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 ppoint 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.

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.

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.