With the start of 2025, Aeroplan’s Everyday Status Qualification has been reset, and for us miles and points nerds, it’s time to start grinding towards 100,000 qualifying points.
Since this status can be earned without even setting foot on a plane, there’s no better time to begin. Plus, with new rules for basic fare bookings kicking in today (that’s right, no more free carry-ons on board), having 25k status is now a bit more valuable for budget travellers.
Earn Aeroplan 25K Status Without Flying
Aeroplan members who earn 100,000 Aeroplan points in a calendar year from eligible transactions will automatically qualify for Aeroplan 25K Status.
Once you qualify, you’ll have status for the rest of the current calendar year, and through the end of the following year.
Thus, if you earn 100,000 points between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025, you’ll have Aeroplan 25K Status until the end of 2026.
Throughout the year, you’ll be able to track your progress towards Everyday Status Qualification on your Aeroplan dashboard. However, it’s only visible to members who don’t currently have status.
Hopefully this will change in the future, as current status members might also wish to secure at least Aeroplan 25K status the following year through this channel.
Not every Aeroplan point you earn counts toward Everyday Status Qualification. The following transactions are eligible:
- Flight activity: cash tickets on Air Canada, or on partner airlines with mileage credited to Aeroplan
- Spending with Aeroplan co-branded credit cards
- Earning points through the Starbucks, LCBO, Journie Rewards, and Uber partnerships
- eStore base points, including limited-time bonuses of up to 10x points, specific to each retailer
And these activities are excluded:
- Credit card welcome bonuses
- Points converted from other programs, such as American Express Membership Rewards
- Buying, gifting, or transferring points between members
- eStore bonus points awarded on the basis of Aeroplan Elite Status
- Points + Cash tickets
- Contests and other promotional bonuses
Eligible transactions will be flagged with “EDQ” in your Aeroplan activity log:
If you plan on maintaining Aeroplan 25K Status through everyday spending, it would be best to use an Aeroplan credit card and earn everyday-qualifying points directly.
Credit Card Best Offer Value 
Up to 95,000 Aeroplan points $1,147 Apply Now 
Up to 85,000 Aeroplan points† $871 Apply Now 85,000 Aeroplan points $858 Apply Now 
Up to 60,000 Aeroplan points† $842 Apply Now 
Up to 40,000 Aeroplan points† $683 Apply Now 
60,000 Aeroplan points $634 Apply Now 
40,000 Aeroplan points $573 Apply Now 
Up to 40,000 Aeroplan points† $525 Apply Now 
Up to 20,000 Aeroplan points† $434 Apply Now 
10,000 Aeroplan points† $210 Apply Now
As your primary method to earn Aeroplan points, it would take $100,000 spent on a core Aeroplan card (TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, or the American Express Aeroplan Card), $80,000 spent on a premium Aeroplan card (TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card, CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card, or Amex Aeroplan Reserve Card), or less if you take advantage of bonuses on some spending categories.
(If you use an American Express MR-earning card instead, you wouldn’t earn everyday-qualifying activity when you transfer those rewards to Aeroplan.)
Benefits of Aeroplan 25K Status
Let’s be honest – Aeroplan 25K Status is the entry-level tier, and it’s not going to revolutionize your travel experience.
You’ll be at the back of the priority line, behind members at higher tiers who earn their status through paid flights.
However, I’d say it’s well worth it just for eUpgrades. With Aeroplan 25K Status, you’ll earn 20 credits each year (with the option of an additional five eUpgrade credits as a Select Benefit).
Aeroplan status is the only way to earn eUpgrades, and Everyday Status Qualification is a great way to get your foot in the door. eUpgrades can be extremely valuable with the “Latitude Attitude” – a way to book Air Canada business class seats at reasonable rates when cash fares or dynamic points pricing are outrageously high.
Beyond eUpgrades, 25K Status comes with a suite of perks, including priority check-in, boarding, standby, and baggage handling. You’ll also enjoy two Maple Leaf Lounge passes each year and two free checked bags on Air Canada flights.
But here’s the real MVP perk for 2025: a free carry-on, no matter which fare class you book. That’s right—while basic fare passengers are now squeezing everything into a personal article, you can smugly roll your carry-on right onto the plane.
While many of these benefits overlap with premium Aeroplan credit cards, Everyday Status Qualification is a solid alternative for those who’d rather skip the hefty $599 annual fee.
Furthermore, all Aeroplan elites earn an extra 2 points per dollar spent on all eStore purchases. For frequent shoppers—whether for leisure or business—this bonus can be a quiet workhorse, making it easier to rack up points and get a head start on re-qualifying for 25K Status the following year. Every little bit counts when you’re grinding towards elite perks.
If the 100,000 qualifying points feels out of reach, consider taking a look at the US-issued Chase Aeroplan Card. It gives new cardholders an instant boost to Aeroplan 25K Status through the following year, along with the ability to retain 25K Status by spending $15,000 (USD) in subsequent years.
For Canadians who are able to apply for US credit cards, spending on the Chase Aeroplan Card could prove to be a much easier pathway towards Aeroplan 25K Status than through Everyday Status Qualification.
If you’ve already secured 25K Status for this year, there’s no urgent need to start racking up Everyday Qualifying Points right away. That said, the loyalty program landscape is constantly evolving, so it’s always wise to work on these goals sooner rather than later—you never know when the rules might change.
Conclusion
Aeroplan’s Everyday Status Qualification is an excellent entry point for newcomers diving into the Aeroplan program. It’s a useful way to maintain a base level of Air Canada benefits without relying on cash fares or endless mileage runs to earn status.
As the tally resets for 2025, members have another opportunity to achieve or retain Aeroplan 25K Status through 2026 by earning 100,000 Aeroplan points from eligible sources this calendar year.
With airlines increasingly finding ways to tack on miscellaneous fees—like the new basic fare carry-on restrictions—having elite status is one of the best ways to shield yourself from these added costs.
As travel demand continues to surge and airlines tighten their policies, achieving Aeroplan status through Everyday Status Qualification is more relevant than ever for those looking to maximize their travel experience.