Originally Posted by
Shareholder
Unlike the member themselves upgrading their own flight, and being unable to change the designated FF program from AE to another STAR program without losing the upgrade, I am unaware of any rule that says the designate needs to be an Aeroplan member. If there is such a rule, then the same terms would apply as applies for the elite member sponsoring the upgrade. Otherwise, the recipient could belong to any STAR program.
A Nominee for SEs MUST be an Aeroplan member.
I cannot see any rule that someone on your reservation or on your flight that you upgrade the day of a flight needs to be an Aeroplan member.