Earlier Today, I made quite the post in r/aeroplan on how the AC changes will affect us going into 2026.
Earning Aeroplan Points:
Gone are the days where we earn Aeroplan points based on Distance Flown and Fare Class for Air Canada. This is now being replaced by a new revenue based points earning model.
Fare Class and Distance Flown will no longer be the model used to calculate how many points you'll earn.
Points will be earned based on $$ spent. (Base Fare + Surcharges (YQ))
Non AC Elite Status members: 1 Point per Dollar
Elite Status Members: Between 2 to 6 points per Dollar by tier
Flight extras currently don't earn anything extra but subject to change
Star Alliance Partner Airlines:
You'll earn the new Points Per Dollar (PPD) rate for the below partners
flights operated by Air Canada, as well as flights ticketed by Air Canada (ticket number starting with 014) and operated by Copa Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS and United Airlines
All other partner airlines will earn as per the existing model posted on the Partner website here.
Example - A flight on EVA from YVR to TPE will still earn 5,971 points if booked in Economy Y,B.
Updates to the Points earning rate examples:
Here's a few examples of how the changes to Elite status will affect how you earn points going forward: (Assuming you also take the bonus Aeroplan Points Benefit)
Lucky you!
You get first hand use of my new calculator that I’ve built to help go over these changes and see how much points or how less you’ll get to earn
Link here. Make a copy of the spreadsheet and feel free to edit the cells in Yellow. Use IATA name codes to help find the distance and points earned.
What's the biggest takeaway from all this:
Going forward starting in 2026, Aeroplan Points will no longer be offered based on the distance flow for Air Canada based flights but based on the Amount spent on the ticket and earn select multipliers based on the status you own at the time.
Flying long haul in Business with Elite Status will net you more points than the current model but also requires that added amount of spend to attain those tiers.
Short haul with higher priced tickets will tend to favour more points than the current model.
For those who look for deals or lower priced flights than normal, expect to earn less points due to the lower cost attributing to less points earned.
Long Haul Business redemptions will net you more points based on the cost of the ticket and the status you own. For long haul fliers with no status, expect to earn less in the new program.
How about earning via a Credit Card?:
As it stands, no changes have been made to the earn rates offered by banks for Aeroplan Credit cards for points.
NOTE: There are changes to how you earn the 1,000 SQM and 1 SQS benefit per spend.
This will not be replaced with 1,000 SQC per $5,000 spent on Premium Cards such as
Amex Reserve, TD Aeroplan VIP, CIBC Aeroplan VIP
Earn 1,000 SQC per $20,000 on Core Cards such as:
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite, Amex Aeroplan Card, CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite and the US Chase Aeroplan Card.
There is a cap of 25,000 SQC that can be earned via Credit Card Spend
Note for US Card Holders - These changes will also be affecting the Chase Aeroplan Card.
Other Details
You can still earn 25K Status by EDQ of 100K eligible points.
No current change to eUpgrade priority list but the number of eUpgrades earned will be less for those 50K and below and SE will earn more eUpgrades through SQC.
SQC can also be earned via partners such as LCBO or Uber Eats albeit at a 5 to 1 ration
A $100 Uber Eats order would still net you 100 Aeroplan points but you'll also earn 20 SQC to help towards status.
All details can be found here on the new program: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/elite.html#/
I’ll be offering 1-1 Points consulting here for anyone that wishes to learn more! Each session will provide detailed feedback and access to any future guides created by a Budget Points Guy.