Aeroplan 25K by Air Canada is the entry level status for the airline. However, it can be hard to quantify the value of the benefits extended by Air Canada. This article will go through how to quantify the value of Air Canada Aeroplan 25K status.
Qualification Criteria
Starting in 2026, you will need 25,000 SQC (Status Qualifying Credits) or 100,000 EDQ (Everyday Status Qualification) points. However, you need to qualify in either criteria independently. You cannot accumulate 12,500 SQC and 50,000 EDQ points to qualify for Aeroplan 25K status.
- Earn 1 EDQ point for every 1 point earned in Aeroplan, other than bank bonuses, or,
- Earn 1 SQC point per dollar on all Air Canada Vacations packages, or,
- Earn 1 SQC point per 5 Aeroplan points earned with Aeroplan Partners (up to 25,000 across all partners, including Airline partners), or,
- Earn 2 SQC points per dollar on all Air Canada Economy Standard Fare, or,
- Earn 2 SQC points per dollar on all E-Upgrade add-ons, or,
- Earn 4 SQC points per dollar on all Air Canada Economy Flex, Economy Comfort, Economy Latitude, Premium Economy and Business class fares, or,
- Earn 1,000 SQC for every $5,000 spent on your Air Canada Aeroplan Premium Credit Card (up to 25,000 across all Air Canada credit cards), or,
- Earn 1,000 SQC for every $20,000 spent on any non-premium Air Canada Aeroplan Credit Card (up to 25,000 across all Air Canada credit cards)
Honestly, qualifying for Aeroplan 25K is far more complicated than WestJet Silver.
Benefits of Air Canada Aeroplan 25K
There are two ways to earn Aeroplan 25K status, either 25,000 SQC or 100,000 EDQ. I strongly believe that the value of the status will be based on how you earn Aeroplan 25K status. So, I will list both values to allow you to better make a decision.
Unlike WestJet, if you are earning Aeroplan 25K status through 25,000 SQC, then I will not assume any credit card spend. The $120 annual fee Aeroplan Credit Cards only will only provide 2,000 SQC in the new program, starting 2026. If you hold a premium Aeroplan Credit Card, paying annual fees of $599, then many of the benefits are largely repeated. Hence, I will assume you are earning it organically if the qualification criteria is 25,000 SQC.
Points Earnings
Aeroplan 25K members will earn 2x the points for every dollar spent on Air Canada flights. Assuming you spend between $6,250 to $12,500 on Air Canada flights that would translate to an additional 6,250 to 12,500 Aeroplan Points. However, taxes will not count, so I will deduct the value by 10%.
Additional Value: $90 to $180 for earning it through 25,000 SQC.
Additional Value: $0 if you earned it through 100,000 EDQ. At most, you might get a few hundred miles if you are not a frequent Air Canada flyer.
Seat Selection Benefits
Aeroplan 25K are allowed preferred seat selection, including bulkhead and extra legroom seats, for free, at time of check-in, for yourself and everyone on the same reservation as you.
I find this benefit very generous. Unfortunately, on elite heavy routes, such as YVR to YYZ, all the preferred seats are sold out by the time check-in opens. However, on the few occasions it does work, this can be a drastic money saver. I will apply a flat value of $25 per flight, assuming you fly four times a year. This will only apply for those who are earning 25K due to spending money on Air Canada flights. If you don’t spend money on their flights, then the value of seat selection is also redundant.
Additional Value: $200 for earning it through 25,000 SQC.
Additional Value: $0 if you earned it through 100,000 EDQ.
Priority Security
There is no priority security for Aeroplan 25K members.
Priority Check-In, Boarding
How often do you need to go to the airport for Priority Check-In? I value Priority Check-In and Priority Boarding a bit more than most people. While everyone hates queues, I go out of the way to avoid queues. Hence, assuming you travel once a quarter, I would put the value of each flight at $25 for Priority Check-In and Priority Boarding.
Additional Value: $200 for earning it through 25,000 SQC.
Additional Value: $50 if you earned it through 100,000 EDQ, and if you fly once a year on a family vacation.
Upgrades to Economy Comfort, Premium Economy and/or Business Class
Starting 2026, the biggest devaluation for Aeroplan 25K members is that they are issued only 5 E-Upgrade credits by default. You will earn another 10 E-Upgrade for every 10,000 SQC you earn within the calendar year.
If you earned Aeroplan 25K through EDQ qualification, chances are, you have no E-Upgrade credits. As such, your upgrade odds are extremely low and your there is no value to upgrades to any cabin of service.
If you earned Aeroplan 25K through 25,000 SQC, you will have between 20 and 30 E-Upgrade credits. The value of an E-Upgrade credit can vary tremendously depending on multiple factors. Honestly, as 25K, your upgrade chances clearing are quite low in all routes other than international routes. I would argue, with 20-30 E-Upgrade credits, if used strategically, one person can easily get an upgrade on a round trip flight anywhere in the world. As such, I would put the value of that closer to $250 per direction.
Additional Value: $500 for earning it through 25,000 SQC.
Additional Value: $0 if you earned it through 100,000 EDQ. Your E-Upgrade credits will most likely expire without any benefit.
Total Value of Aeroplan 25K
$990 to $1,080 if you earned it through 25,000 SQC.
$50 if you earned it through 100,000 EDQ.
Honestly, this begs a broader question, if you are earning status through credit card benefits, is it really worth spending on your Aeroplan Credit Card? I am personally struggling to justify the value proposition of 25K if you are earning it only through 100,000 EDQ. Rather, you might be better off earning all the valuable benefits through a Premium Aeroplan Credit Card instead.
