Aeroplan Status in 2026: The SQC Math That Replaces Miles and Segments
Aeroplan Elite Status has a new currency in 2026: Status Qualifying Credits, or SQC. The old combination of miles, segments and dollars has been replaced by one ladder, but “one currency” does not mean one earning rate. Fare family, operating airline, ticket stock, partner activity and card spend all change the result. This guide turns the official rules into a planning model.
The five thresholds
The published tiers require 25,000 SQC for 25K, 35,000 for 35K, 50,000 for 50K, 75,000 for 75K and 125,000 for Super Elite. Eligible Air Canada spend means base fare plus carrier surcharges, excluding taxes, fees and third-party charges.
On an Air Canada-issued ticket beginning with 014, Economy Standard earns 2 SQC per eligible Canadian dollar and Flex or higher earns 4. Basic earns none. The same 2-or-4 rate applies to Star Alliance-operated flights on 014 ticket stock. Other partner-operated flights on 014 stock earn no SQC.
Three earning lanes — and two separate caps
Eligible partner activity converts at one SQC for every five base Aeroplan points, up to 25,000 SQC per calendar year. Bonus points, transferred points and Aeroplan eStore points are excluded from this route. Eligible non-014 Star Alliance flights share the partner framework.
Selected Aeroplan cards create a second lane. The official launch material says premium cards can earn 1,000 SQC per CAD 5,000 in eligible card spend and core cards 1,000 per CAD 20,000, with a combined annual card cap of 25,000 SQC. Card eligibility varies by product and country, so the issuer's current terms control.
Worked examples
A CAD 1,000 eligible base fare and surcharge in Standard on 014 stock produces 2,000 SQC. The same eligible spend in Flex produces 4,000. A cheap long-haul Basic ticket produces zero SQC regardless of distance. A Star Alliance flight on non-014 stock that earns 5,000 Aeroplan base points produces 1,000 SQC, subject to the partner cap.
The common planning error is using the total ticket price. If a CAD 1,200 checkout total includes CAD 310 in taxes and third-party fees, the programme does not simply multiply 1,200. Use the eligible amount shown by Air Canada or credited to the account.
What changed strategically
- Fare choice matters more than distance. Paying a small premium from Standard to Flex can double flight SQC, but only if the other fare benefits justify the total difference.
- Basic is a hard zero. A mileage run in Basic is not an SQC run.
- Partner flying needs the ticket number. The same operated flight can follow a different rule depending on whether the ticket begins with 014.
- Cards and partners complement flying. Their 25,000-SQC caps prevent either lane from replacing the full 125,000-SQC Super Elite target.
Milestones and next year
Aeroplan awards milestone benefits every 10,000 SQC up to 200,000, then every 20,000. The announced Head Start feature begins in 2027 and is based on 10% of the prior year's SQC, so it should not be counted as 2026 earning. Flight rewards do not earn SQC.
Verdict
The new system is easier to model but less forgiving of vague assumptions. Capture eligible spend, fare family, operator and ticket number for every booking. Compare the incremental fare cost with both the additional SQC and the fare benefits; never pay a large premium for SQC alone.
Sources (official, checked 19 August 2026): Air Canada — Aeroplan Elite Status and SQC earning rules, Air Canada — 2026 programme announcement. Credit-card eligibility and credited amounts depend on current product and account terms.