As we approach the end of the year, Air Canada is sending out targeted offers to purchase Aeroplan Elite Status for 2024.
This type of paid status upgrade has been offered in years prior, and seems to have been sent out to passengers who have made some progress towards qualifying, but who may not reach the required thresholds by the end of the year.
Air Canada Offers Targeted Paid Status Upgrade
The qualification period for Aeroplan Elite Status runs from January 1 to December 31 of any given year. With less than a month left in 2023, some travellers may find themselves a bit short of the requirements to reach the next status level to enjoy throughout 2024.
This year, Air Canada has sent out targeted offers to buy up to base-level 25K status for $299 (CAD), or to secure 35K status for $599 (CAD).
The payments are processed through Points.com, but since there isn’t a public landing page for this offer, it’s likely bound to your specific account. If you’ve been selected for this offer, you must complete the purchase by December 18, 2023 to enjoy the new status in 2024.
So far, we’ve been able to confirm that there are status buy-ups from no status to 25K, and from many other status tiers to 35K. It’s possible that there are buy-ups to other tiers, so if you’ve received one, please reach out and we’ll update this post accordingly.
Furthermore, it appears that Air Canada may be sending the buy-up offer out to people who have made some progress towards reaching status in 2023, but who haven’t met one of the Status Qualifying Mile (SQM), Status Qualifying Segment (SQS), or Status Qualifying Dollar (SQD) requirements.
For example, one offer was sent to an Aeroplan member who currently enjoys Super Elite status, and thus far in 2023 has only earned around 30,000 SQM, 21 SQS, and about 2,500 SQD.
With this offer, they can at least confirm 35K status for $599 (CAD), whereas they otherwise may not have had any status at all.
Another member was offered to buy 25K status, and was just 2,500 SQM short of reaching 25K this year. Rather than hustling to earn the remaining SQM, they could accept Air Canada’s offer to buy 25K status for $299 (CAD).
Is Buying Status a Good Deal?
If you’ve received an offer to level up your status at a price, you may be wondering whether it’s a good deal or not. This is going to be entirely dependent on your personal situation, as if you travel often, you’re likely to get more value out of having a higher status than if you fly a few times each year.
In regard to the 25K status buy-up offer for $299 (CAD), keep in mind that you’ll receive two free checked bags on all Air Canada flights, priority airport services, and up to 25 eUpgrades, amongst other perks.
Of these, the most valuable benefit could be the 25 eUpgrades, which you can use to upgrade to a higher class of service on Air Canada flights on cash bookings or Aeroplan redemptions.
When used strategically, you could wind up saving thousands of Aeroplan points or a tidy sum of cash if you were going to book in the higher class of service to begin with.
If you’re able to squeeze more than $299 out of the upgrade purchase, then it could be worthwhile, but keep in mind that it’s possible to earn 25K status without flying at all. By earning 100,000 Aeroplan points each year through Everyday Status Qualification, or simply by holding the US-issued Chase Aeroplan Card (for the first two years), you can enjoy Aeroplan 25K status.
You’re also able to earn SQM and SQS through credit card spending, so if you’ve already met the SQD requirement for the year, it could be high time to consider adding an eligible Aeroplan co-branded credit card to your portfolio to help you reach the SQM or SQS threshold.
As for the 35K status buy-up for $599 (CAD), it’ll wholly depend on if you’ll be able to take advantage of all of the additional perks that you wouldn’t otherwise enjoy.
Recall that as of June 1, 2023, passengers with Aeroplan 35K status no longer enjoy complimentary access to North American Maple Leaf Lounges.
If you placed a lot of value on lounge access, you can continue to enjoy access to Maple Leaf Lounges by having a premium Aeroplan co-branded credit card, such as the TD Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card, which has an annual fee of $599 (CAD).
However, as a 35K member, you’ll also enjoy up to 35 eUpgrades next year. If you’re able to save some money on cash or Aeroplan bookings by applying eUpgrades, then the extra allotment of eUpgrades could be valuable to you.
35K members enjoy three free checked bags at 32kg each, so if you travel with a lot of baggage, or travel with family members, the extra baggage allowance on Air Canada flights could add up over the year.
Lastly, for any cash bookings you make for work or leisure throughout the year, you’ll also earn Priority Rewards as you accumulate SQD.
Priority Rewards earned by passengers with 35K status will take 50% off an Aeroplan redemption in economy or premium economy within North America and to Sun destinations. If you plan on spending a lot with Air Canada next year, you’ll be able to accumulate Priority Rewards, which can be quite valuable if used strategically.
Conclusion
Air Canada has sent out targeted status buy-up offers, seemingly to Aeroplan members who have made some progress towards reaching status this year. We have confirmed offers to buy 25K status for $299 (CAD), and to buy up to 35K status for $599 (CAD).
This isn’t the first time Air Canada has sent out buy-up offers, and it’s likely not the last. Whether or not it’s worth the upgrade will depend entirely on your expected travel patterns for 2024 – it could be worth the cost if you plan to take full advantage of the added perks, but not necessarily if you won’t be travelling very often.
