Originally Posted by Adam Smith

I understand from a source I consider to be reliable that there are major changes coming to Aeroplan in 2026. Status qualification will change in a big way, with Status Qualifying Credit (SQC) seeming to replace SQM/SQS/SQD, and there are also some changes to earning Aeroplan points.

Unfortunately I know very little at this point, as my source didn't have much info.

It sounds like maybe the current status tiers (25K to SE) are staying the same, but it's unclear whether the new qualification system will be based mostly on dollars spent flying like UA or WS, or whether it will be like AA and flying is irrelevant as long as you spend enough money on your credit card.

I don't know much about the changes to earning Aeroplan points. Remember that they did tell us back in 2020 that Aeroplan points for flights would eventually be dollar-based rather than mileage-based, so that may be all this is. Uncertain whether this affects points earning outside of flights.

Sounds like all of these changes are meant to kick in January 1, 2026, so qualifying for 2026 (benefit year) status will still be based on the current system. What that crossover year will look like for threshold gifts and so on is unclear.

I don't know when exactly this will be announced, but sounds like it will be fairly soon. Whether that's next week, a month from now, etc, I'm not sure, but I don't think this will be one of those years where they drop major changes on us in November/December.

Please use this thread to speculate away about the changes. Once they're announced, I expect someone to post a new thread with the details and this thread to be closed.