Passengers of Air Canada can sign up for its frequent flyer programme called Aeroplan, completely free of charge. Points are earned in a similar way to other schemes, but the amount that you earn is contingent on more variables. Whereas other frequent flyer programmes have a flat rate of x amount of points per dollar spent or miles flown, Aeroplan takes into account factors like the demand for the flight or departure/destination city.
You can also earn points by shopping with Aeroplan credit cards, buying services from Air Canada’s partners - including Uber and Starbucks - or booking holiday services through the airline’s travel portal. Points can then be redeemed in a number of ways. Generally speaking, buying flights offers the best value for money, however, these aren’t the only options. You can also purchase cabin upgrades, gift cards, holiday experiences or donate to charity.
Those that find themselves flying with Air Canada regularly can become eligible for Elite Status. Once this is achieved, passengers can take advantage of a range of perks and benefits, from priority boarding to lounge access and free checked-in bags. There are three elements to qualifying.
Status qualifying miles (SQM) - percentage of distance flown
Status qualifying segments (SQS) - individual flights
Status qualifying dollars (SQD) - a percentage of dollars spent on flights
Passengers need to achieve a certain level of SQM or SQS plus SQD in order to move through the ranks. The higher you go, the better the benefits and perks become.