Originally Posted by ralphshenkis

Hi. I've tried to figure this out on my own by reading various threads but they've only confused me further. I have some very basic questions about Aeroplan.

1) If I achieve 35,000 miles by the end of this month will I receive super elite status or do I not get that until next year? Some threads seemed to suggest a new policy was in place that the status would not kick in until the following year.

When you achieve 35,000 miles you will receive ELITE (not Super Elite = 100,000) status. You will not have to wait until year end although it may take a few weeks to get your package. While you wait for your Elite card, you should satill be able to get Maple Leaf Lounge access because your boarding pass will show you as Elite and you can explain you haven't got your card yet.

2) As an SE member there are no opportunities to upgrade using miles but you do receive certificates. These certificates can be used on certain, higher fares but cannot be guarenteed at the time of purchasing that fare. So one buys the higher fare and hopes the upgrade clears. Is that correct?

SSWU certificates can be used to upgrade from all but Tango (really cheap) fares. SWU are Latitude/YMBH upgradeable which are "reasonably" cheep (especially H international). Upgrade window opens 4 days prior to your departure. If you are on some of the higher fares e.g. M, you should be able to upgrade at time of booking and not wait for the window hence guranteeing your upgrade.

3) What is the difference between the various upgrade certificates and the pros/cons to each.
SSWU = Special System Wide Upgrade. These are invaluable if you travel a lot on "seat sale" (Q,V) fares especiually internationally. You get a max of 2 initially and then another 2 when you hit 45K miles.

SWU = System Wide Upgrade. Can only be used from the somewhat higher fares, but H class is typically not THAT expensive (~$1400 transatlantic) or M (~$2400 transatlantic). Definitely worth the extra dollars if you're not on a route where J fills up with revenue passengers and SE upgrades.

Both SSWU and SWU can be used on any AC operated flight(s) North American or International. If you are connecting flights, one certificate upgradews you on all the flights - again provided it's AC metal

North American Upgrades = Good on North American flgihts only. You use one on short haul flight, 2 for long haul. You can only upgrade from Latitude and Freedom (Latitude Plus) fares which tend to already be fairly epxensive. Personally I don't attach a lot of value to these because I don't care about upgrade on short haul and price tends to be too high on long haul (and J is not nearly as good as SJ). If you're flying internationally,gives these a pass and go for the SSWU and SWU. If all you're doing is North America, you might find these useful.

Sorry, I know these are very basic questions!