Maybe I worded that incorrectly. Although Million Milers didn’t receive 50,000 SQM deposited on January 1, we effectively started the year at the 50K tier, which meant any SQM we earned went directly toward the next tier.

For example, if I earned 15,000 SQM, Aeroplan displayed 15,000 SQM, but in practical terms I was already at the 50K level, so that 15,000 SQM counted as progress toward the 75K or 100K (Super Elite) thresholds instead of being consumed just to requalify for 50K.



Under the old system:

• 50K required 50,000 SQM

• 75K required 75,000 SQM

• Super Elite required 100,000 SQM

Because I already had 50K for life:

• My 15,000 earned SQM moved me from the 50K tier toward 75K, so I was effectively at 65,000 SQM in terms of tier progression.

• Without Million Miler status, that same person earning 15,000 SQM would be at 15,000 SQM, still 35,000 short of 50K, and 60,000 short of Super Elite.

That is the “real” head start — even though Aeroplan never displayed those numbers in the SQM counter.

This benefit was the only reason I achieved Super Elite last year. I will never earn SE again.