From now through May 31st, Aeroplan members can earn Air Canada Altitude status without ever leaving their house. If you earn 50,000 Aeroplan Miles through "Travel at Home" activities, you will receive Altitude Prestige 25K status through 2021.
Earning status at home
All a person has to do to earn Prestige 25K status is acquire 50,000 miles. This can come from a variety of sources, including welcome bonuses from a new Aeroplan credit card, spending money on a co-branded credit card, making purchases through the eStore, or by transferring 50,000 worth in miles to the program from a partner credit card or hotel program. For full details, check out the program's page on the promotion here.
Additional earnings for Altitude members
For elite members, you can unlock a lot of options, including a one-time upgrade to Altitude Elite 75K, which is the second-highest tier. Here are what existing status members have to do for a boost:
- 15,000 miles = Bonus 1,500 Altitude Qualifying Miles (AQMs)
- 30,000 miles = Bonus 3,000 Altitude Qualifying Miles (AQMs)
- 70,000 miles = 20 eUpgrade credits (which can be used to upgrade flights on Air Canada)
- 100,000 miles = $1,000 Bonus Altitude Qualifying Dollars (AQDs)
- 250,000 or more miles = One-time Altitude status upgrade to Elite 75K
Again, these miles can be earned in the same ways as mentioned above. However, note that you cannot combine both promotions. That is, if you receive Prestige 25K status through the initial offer, you will not receive the added benefits available for current elite members.
What status will I earn?
Prestige 25K status will be awarded through 2021. Passengers will receive the following when flying Air Canada:
- Priority seat selection
- Priority airline contact
- A 50% discount on preferred seats (if you purchase a Flex fare)
- Priority check-in
- Priority boarding.
- Complimentary checked baggage allowance of two bags (23 kg each)
- Waived surcharge fees on travel within Canada or between Canada and the US
Passengers will get to choose Select Privileges that include additional mileage bonuses, discounted lounge membership, and more.
Prestige 25K is the lowest tier in the Altitude program and equivalent to Star Alliance Silver status. So, you will not receive the most fabulous host of benefits. However, this can be a great way to get started with Aeroplan.
Using Aeroplan miles
Aeroplan is an excellent award program that unlocks many opportunities on Star Alliance carriers and other partners like Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon, and GOL. This author has made some incredible redemptions using Aeroplan, including SWISS transatlantic business class on a 777, Lufthansa Cityline ERJ190 business class, and Lufthansa First Class on a Boeing 747-8 with all the ground amenities as well.
Air Canada uses an award chart that is linked here. There are plenty of fantastic redemption opportunities. From Canada and the mainland USA, business class to most of Europe is available for 55,000 miles one-way, or you can fly First Class for 70,000 miles one-way. Other redemptions sweet spots include 75,000-78,000 miles per way in business class to Asia from Canada or the US or 105,000-108,000 each way in First Class. This can unlock some amazing opportunities.
Is it worth it?
If you fly Air Canada with some frequency, then the status could be beneficial. Most of the benefits are reserved only for flights on Air Canada so, while Star Alliance Silver status might be useful, you won't get the same benefits as if you hit entry-level status in your local Star Alliance carrier's program.
Will you take advantage of this promotion? Let us know in the comments!