Sep 15, 2021, 4:27 pm
Last edit by: Bohemian1
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.
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 prove 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.
My status pass expires December 31 2023. What does that mean?
The status pass must be applied before the expiry date. The actual travel can take place any time in the future.
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.
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) and Cafés, prior to your departing flight
- Priority boarding (Zone 2)
- Priority standby
- Unpublished benefit: the STPA seems to confer eUp priority similar to 50K status
- More details in the FAQ here
What DOESN'T a status pass get you?
- Access to 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 prove 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.
My status pass expires December 31 2023. What does that mean?
The status pass must be applied before the expiry date. The actual travel can take place any time in the future.
Do they work for award and cash bookings?
They can be applied to both.
Status Passes - what are they and how to use them?
Oct 5, 2022, 1:22 pm
#316
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YWG/LHR
Programs: Aeroplan-SE-2018-23
Posts: 211
Status Pass also provide priority meal selection
One other item a status does seem to generate, meal priority status on the flights. My daughter recently flew from Canada to London in Premium economy - aeroplan reward. She has Zero status. She was asked 1st about her meal choice and watched the flight attendant move around the cabin asking others. She recognized it was based on status, on both international flights. She had one of my Super Elite Status pass on her ticket. She also got entry to the domestic and international lounges, which I think is a stated benefit. I did not see meal priority as a stated benefit.
Oct 5, 2022, 1:23 pm
#317
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,284
One other item a status does seem to generate, meal priority status on the flights. My daughter recently flew from Canada to London in Premium economy - aeroplan reward. She has Zero status. She was asked 1st about her meal choice and watched the flight attendant move around the cabin. She had one of my Super Elite Status pass on her ticket. She also got entry to the domestic and international lounges, which I think is a stated benefit. I did not see meal priority as a stated benefit.
It's just another example of FAs making up their own rules.
Oct 5, 2022, 1:25 pm
#318
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YWG/LHR
Programs: Aeroplan-SE-2018-23
Posts: 211
When it happened both ways, and she was traveling alone. So the person next to her, did not get their request until almost the end of the people in Premium - coming and going, which is what makes me believe it is an additional benefit. They also mentioned her by name did not the the same for the person next to her.
Oct 30, 2022, 7:51 am
#319
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: YYZ, NYC, ORD
Posts: 151
AC Status Pass error
Hi everyone,
I awarded a status pass to a friend, but got an error when I applying it from iPhone.
Immediately I retried, but got the error that a pass had already been applied to the booking. Seems good I thought … ?
The beneficiary is supposed to receive an email confirmation. This has not happened.
How can I confirm that the pass has been applied ? Can I tell in the Cow tool ??
Appreciate your help.
I awarded a status pass to a friend, but got an error when I applying it from iPhone.
Immediately I retried, but got the error that a pass had already been applied to the booking. Seems good I thought … ?
The beneficiary is supposed to receive an email confirmation. This has not happened.
How can I confirm that the pass has been applied ? Can I tell in the Cow tool ??
Appreciate your help.
Oct 30, 2022, 10:06 am
#320
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYC
Posts: 2,072
Hi everyone,
I awarded a status pass to a friend, but got an error when I applying it from iPhone.
Immediately I retried, but got the error that a pass had already been applied to the booking. Seems good I thought … ?
The beneficiary is supposed to receive an email confirmation. This has not happened.
How can I confirm that the pass has been applied ? Can I tell in the Cow tool ??
Appreciate your help.
I awarded a status pass to a friend, but got an error when I applying it from iPhone.
Immediately I retried, but got the error that a pass had already been applied to the booking. Seems good I thought … ?
The beneficiary is supposed to receive an email confirmation. This has not happened.
How can I confirm that the pass has been applied ? Can I tell in the Cow tool ??
Appreciate your help.
Oct 31, 2022, 3:20 pm
#324
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,254
When it happened both ways, and she was traveling alone. So the person next to her, did not get their request until almost the end of the people in Premium - coming and going, which is what makes me believe it is an additional benefit. They also mentioned her by name did not the the same for the person next to her.
Oct 31, 2022, 4:34 pm
#325
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,284
Oct 31, 2022, 8:36 pm
#326
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE MM, Marriott Titanium, National Executive
Posts: 1,586
Hi everyone,
I awarded a status pass to a friend, but got an error when I applying it from iPhone.
Immediately I retried, but got the error that a pass had already been applied to the booking. Seems good I thought … ?
The beneficiary is supposed to receive an email confirmation. This has not happened.
How can I confirm that the pass has been applied ? Can I tell in the Cow tool ??
Appreciate your help.
I awarded a status pass to a friend, but got an error when I applying it from iPhone.
Immediately I retried, but got the error that a pass had already been applied to the booking. Seems good I thought … ?
The beneficiary is supposed to receive an email confirmation. This has not happened.
How can I confirm that the pass has been applied ? Can I tell in the Cow tool ??
Appreciate your help.
No email was sent.
Dec 5, 2022, 10:09 am
#327
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YHZ
Programs: AC SE100K, AC .995 MM, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold,Hertz something or other, Sandals Sapphire, etc
Posts: 1,160
I have searched the thread (all 22 pages) and the wiki, but can't find this situation described:
Gave my son status pass for upcoming trip (confirmed on website)
Flights are booked on AC Reward ticket (Economy)
Legs 1 and 2 are on LH, Leg 3 on AC
Check-in will be at PRG (no AC operations)
Question: What are the odds that the status pass will be recognized, specifically the 3 free bags????
Gave my son status pass for upcoming trip (confirmed on website)
Flights are booked on AC Reward ticket (Economy)
Legs 1 and 2 are on LH, Leg 3 on AC
Check-in will be at PRG (no AC operations)
Question: What are the odds that the status pass will be recognized, specifically the 3 free bags????
Dec 5, 2022, 10:38 am
#328
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,284
I have searched the thread (all 22 pages) and the wiki, but can't find this situation described:
Gave my son status pass for upcoming trip (confirmed on website)
Flights are booked on AC Reward ticket (Economy)
Legs 1 and 2 are on LH, Leg 3 on AC
Check-in will be at PRG (no AC operations)
Question: What are the odds that the status pass will be recognized, specifically the 3 free bags????
Gave my son status pass for upcoming trip (confirmed on website)
Flights are booked on AC Reward ticket (Economy)
Legs 1 and 2 are on LH, Leg 3 on AC
Check-in will be at PRG (no AC operations)
Question: What are the odds that the status pass will be recognized, specifically the 3 free bags????
Dec 5, 2022, 10:40 am
#329
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YHZ
Programs: AC SE100K, AC .995 MM, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold,Hertz something or other, Sandals Sapphire, etc
Posts: 1,160
Dec 15, 2022, 8:56 pm
#330
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,254
Got an error. Said it was already applied despite still showing only one applied from January 3 of this year.
Refreshed account and it showed it was applied. Recipient logged in and received the confetti party (cannot confirm or deny if there was a ta-doo-dah involved) on their booking.
