Sep 15, 21, 4:27 pm
Last edit by: canopus27
A STATUS PASS DOES NOT CONFER YOUR STATUS TO THE RECIPIENT!
SO FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU ARE SUPER ELITE, YOUR BENEFICIARY DOES NOT GET OR HAVE SUPER ELITE PRIVILEGES! THEY DO NOT GET ANY KIND OF STAR ALLIANCE GOLD PRIVILEGES!
SEE WIKI BELOW!
What is a status pass?
A status pass (sometimes abbreviated as "STPA") grants passengers many of the benefits of elite status (detailed below). One status pass is applied to a booking and extends benefits to all passengers (up to 9), on all flights, on that booking.
The benefits of the STPA don't exactly correspond to any elite tier.
The status pass must be applied before travel commences. It cannot be applied after any flights have been taken. It is unclear whether there is a deadline to apply the pass. A pass can be removed from a booking up to 6 hours before travel commences.
What does a status pass get you?
What DOESN'T a status pass get you?
How does a status pass get added to a reservation?
The pass must be applied by the person with elite status (E50K, E75K, Super Elite). It can be done through the AC app or via the AC website.
In order to apply the pass, you will need the PNR (booking reference) and last name of any of the passengers on the PNR.
How do I know if the Status Pass actually was added? How can the PAX show to Airport staff that they have one?
The person granting the pass should see the pass applied in their Benefits section under Status Pass. Look at sent passes.
COWTOOL PNR lookup will indicate "A status pass has been applied" for reservations where it has been successfully applied.
The PAX should have "STPA" on their boarding pass.
Are status passes different depending on the status of the person giving the pass?
No. All status passes are the same. Whether the pass was given by an 50K or a Super Elite is irrelevant.
The AC website says "travel must occur within the current benefit year". What does that mean?
The recipient's trip must start before the end of the benefit year, which is also the calendar year, i.e. the first flight must be taken on or before December 31.
However, if there are additional flights on the PNR in the following year, the status pass will also be valid for those flights (not explained on the AC site, but verified in practice by FTers for bookings straddling 2021 and 2022).
Do they work for award and cash bookings?
They can be applied to both
SO FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU ARE SUPER ELITE, YOUR BENEFICIARY DOES NOT GET OR HAVE SUPER ELITE PRIVILEGES! THEY DO NOT GET ANY KIND OF STAR ALLIANCE GOLD PRIVILEGES!
SEE WIKI BELOW!
What is a status pass?
A status pass (sometimes abbreviated as "STPA") grants passengers many of the benefits of elite status (detailed below). One status pass is applied to a booking and extends benefits to all passengers (up to 9), on all flights, on that booking.
The benefits of the STPA don't exactly correspond to any elite tier.
The status pass must be applied before travel commences. It cannot be applied after any flights have been taken. It is unclear whether there is a deadline to apply the pass. A pass can be removed from a booking up to 6 hours before travel commences.
What does a status pass get you?
- Priority check-in
- Free checked bags (3 per passenger), with priority baggage handling
- Priority security
- Access to Maple Leaf Lounges ("MLL"), including international lounges, prior to your departing flight
- Priority boarding (Zone 2)
- Priority standby
What DOESN'T a status pass get you?
- Access to non-MLL AC lounges (i.e. Cafe and Signature Suites)
- Access to lounges not operated by AC
- Free seat selection
- MLL guesting privileges
- E50K status (some of the status pass benefits are similar, but are certainly not comprehensively equivalent to E50K)
- *G status
How does a status pass get added to a reservation?
The pass must be applied by the person with elite status (E50K, E75K, Super Elite). It can be done through the AC app or via the AC website.
In order to apply the pass, you will need the PNR (booking reference) and last name of any of the passengers on the PNR.
How do I know if the Status Pass actually was added? How can the PAX show to Airport staff that they have one?
The person granting the pass should see the pass applied in their Benefits section under Status Pass. Look at sent passes.
COWTOOL PNR lookup will indicate "A status pass has been applied" for reservations where it has been successfully applied.
The PAX should have "STPA" on their boarding pass.
Are status passes different depending on the status of the person giving the pass?
No. All status passes are the same. Whether the pass was given by an 50K or a Super Elite is irrelevant.
The AC website says "travel must occur within the current benefit year". What does that mean?
The recipient's trip must start before the end of the benefit year, which is also the calendar year, i.e. the first flight must be taken on or before December 31.
However, if there are additional flights on the PNR in the following year, the status pass will also be valid for those flights (not explained on the AC site, but verified in practice by FTers for bookings straddling 2021 and 2022).
Do they work for award and cash bookings?
They can be applied to both
Status Passes - what are they and how to use them?
Dec 30, 21, 10:59 pm
#241
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, DL PM, WS Silver, BA Bronze, Marriott Titanium, Hilton/Radisson Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,124
Originally Posted by painintheuk
Edit: He was on a return leg tomorrow. Looks like a status pass can't just be for part of a trip, but has to be for the entire trip.
Dec 31, 21, 1:43 pm
#243
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,953
Originally Posted by MillennialMiles
I used one of my status passes for a co-worker who was flying YYZ-LAX for a wedding. Cousin booked on her on United ticket stock (016) but flight was on AC metal and operated. After numerous phone calls and escalations, it was doable given T&Cs state any ticket stock and has to be operated by AC.
Saved her roughly $400 for her trip in checked baggage fees. Thanks to expert7700 for passing on the savings to the FOTSGs!!
Saved her roughly $400 for her trip in checked baggage fees. Thanks to expert7700 for passing on the savings to the FOTSGs!!
Jan 1, 22, 11:38 am
#244
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 4,982
Originally Posted by ChrisA330
I believe it also says "Travel must occur in the current benefit year". So, no.
I applied it to a friend's booking, with outbound Dec 23 and return Jan 2. Curious what'll happen.
Jan 1, 22, 12:08 pm
#245
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: LAX
Programs: AC SE, UA Silver, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 236
Originally Posted by YOWgary
I can't find details on this, anyone got a link?
I applied it to a friend's booking, with outbound Dec 23 and return Jan 2. Curious what'll happen.
I applied it to a friend's booking, with outbound Dec 23 and return Jan 2. Curious what'll happen.
Jan 1, 22, 1:11 pm
#246
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 4,982
I was wrong, they're flying today and it (eventually) worked.
First BOS agent insisted the Status Pass doesn't exist, and "if you had status you would know", I guess eventually a supervisor showed up and corrected it.
First BOS agent insisted the Status Pass doesn't exist, and "if you had status you would know", I guess eventually a supervisor showed up and corrected it.
Jan 1, 22, 2:33 pm
#247
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, UA Gold, Bonvoy Tit LT Sil, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Accor Silver
Posts: 41,492
Originally Posted by YOWgary
I was wrong, they're flying today and it (eventually) worked.
First BOS agent insisted the Status Pass doesn't exist, and "if you had status you would know", I guess eventually a supervisor showed up and corrected it.
First BOS agent insisted the Status Pass doesn't exist, and "if you had status you would know", I guess eventually a supervisor showed up and corrected it.
Jan 1, 22, 4:40 pm
#248
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,953
I called AC again today to apply a status pass to my niece's ticket to YYC for tomorrow. (I can't select any benefits nor can I find the passes in my account .) Agent first told me that he had applied a status pass and one of the two pax had cleared. 
I said "Huh? How is that possible? Status pass gives them free checked bags and lounge access, not an upgraded seat. What is there to clear?" He then put me on hold for 20-30 mins and came back and said that status passes would not be available until Jan 15.
Oh AC, you should be ashamed of how you run this company!
I said "Huh? How is that possible? Status pass gives them free checked bags and lounge access, not an upgraded seat. What is there to clear?" He then put me on hold for 20-30 mins and came back and said that status passes would not be available until Jan 15. Oh AC, you should be ashamed of how you run this company!
Jan 2, 22, 4:27 pm
#251
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: YVR
Posts: 2,030
This feels like a silly question, but can you use a status pass on an itinerary that is only AC on the way there, codeshare for the way back? I mean I know the benefits wouldn't apply for the return, but there'd be some advantages for the way over, including a stopover.
Younger sibling booked without conferring with older, wiser sibling first and is now taking family of 4 to Europe on a Basic fare YVR-YUL-NCE//MUC-YVR with the outbound AC, inbound LH. Would like to save fool luggage fees oneway at least.
Edit: In case this answers a question for anyone else, yes you can apply it when only half the itinerary benefits.
Younger sibling booked without conferring with older, wiser sibling first and is now taking family of 4 to Europe on a Basic fare YVR-YUL-NCE//MUC-YVR with the outbound AC, inbound LH. Would like to save fool luggage fees oneway at least.
Edit: In case this answers a question for anyone else, yes you can apply it when only half the itinerary benefits.
Last edited by nomadic.relief; Jan 4, 22 at 3:17 am
Jan 4, 22, 12:16 am
#252
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 547
Figured this Status Pass thing might still be relatively new. But has anyone ever been succesfully managed to get an agent to move it onto a different booking reference?
My situation:
- Was gifted and applied a Status Pass on my booking
- Flown the outbound
- My February 2022 inbound flight has now been cancelled
- Was not given alternative rebooking routes
If I were to book a new one-way return flight now. I would have lose out on my Status Pass' benefits. Primary - the luggage allowance is what I needed. I understand that normally, Status Pass can only be applied to the PNR once only. But given it's AC that cancelled the flight - do you think I have any chance of getting them to apply the Status Pass over to a new booking?
My situation:
- Was gifted and applied a Status Pass on my booking
- Flown the outbound
- My February 2022 inbound flight has now been cancelled
- Was not given alternative rebooking routes
If I were to book a new one-way return flight now. I would have lose out on my Status Pass' benefits. Primary - the luggage allowance is what I needed. I understand that normally, Status Pass can only be applied to the PNR once only. But given it's AC that cancelled the flight - do you think I have any chance of getting them to apply the Status Pass over to a new booking?
Jan 4, 22, 12:40 am
#253
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, UA Gold, Bonvoy Tit LT Sil, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Accor Silver
Posts: 41,492
Originally Posted by JordanWalker
Figured this Status Pass thing might still be relatively new. But has anyone ever been succesfully managed to get an agent to move it onto a different booking reference?
My situation:
- Was gifted and applied a Status Pass on my booking
- Flown the outbound
- My February 2022 inbound flight has now been cancelled
- Was not given alternative rebooking routes
If I were to book a new one-way return flight now. I would have lose out on my Status Pass' benefits. Primary - the luggage allowance is what I needed. I understand that normally, Status Pass can only be applied to the PNR once only. But given it's AC that cancelled the flight - do you think I have any chance of getting them to apply the Status Pass over to a new booking?
My situation:
- Was gifted and applied a Status Pass on my booking
- Flown the outbound
- My February 2022 inbound flight has now been cancelled
- Was not given alternative rebooking routes
If I were to book a new one-way return flight now. I would have lose out on my Status Pass' benefits. Primary - the luggage allowance is what I needed. I understand that normally, Status Pass can only be applied to the PNR once only. But given it's AC that cancelled the flight - do you think I have any chance of getting them to apply the Status Pass over to a new booking?
Post the same thing, without mentioning the status pass, in AC changed/cancelled my flight. What are my options? (new policy effective Q2 2021), and let's see if we can actually help your real issue.
I'm confident we can come up with something AC will book you on the same PNR.
But in terms of your actual question in this thread? No. I don't think you'll have any luck. You've used the STPA.
Jan 5, 22, 8:14 am
#254
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson
Posts: 34,883
Applied another STPA ex-YYZ and everything worked perfectly, including the priority baggage stuff...
No problems using the *G/J dom/int'l check-in area at YYZ T1.
No problems using the *G/J dom/int'l check-in area at YYZ T1.
