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?
Jul 10, 2021, 6:43 pm
#31
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE, Marriott Plat
Posts: 73
24left Thank you! I was thinking of pulling up the details on my phone, but there was a lineup at transborder checkin and I didn’t want to make things worse for my BF. Paper might have been smarter.
The entire check in experience was bizarre, in all my years flying AC I never had someone so mean. No eye contact at any point, couldn‘t engage in dialogue, just barked the name of the documents she wanted to see.
My poor BF didn’t want to be on this trip in the first place and I tried to do something nice for him, but am afraid it backfired on him now amd she will punish him at the gate by taking his little carry on away 😓
The entire check in experience was bizarre, in all my years flying AC I never had someone so mean. No eye contact at any point, couldn‘t engage in dialogue, just barked the name of the documents she wanted to see.
My poor BF didn’t want to be on this trip in the first place and I tried to do something nice for him, but am afraid it backfired on him now amd she will punish him at the gate by taking his little carry on away 😓
Jul 10, 2021, 6:54 pm
#32
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
24left Thank you! I was thinking of pulling up the details on my phone, but there was a lineup at transborder checkin and I didn’t want to make things worse for my BF. Paper might have been smarter.
The entire check in experience was bizarre, in all my years flying AC I never had someone so mean. No eye contact at any point, couldn‘t engage in dialogue, just barked the name of the documents she wanted to see.
My poor BF didn’t want to be on this trip in the first place and I tried to do something nice for him, but am afraid it backfired on him now amd she will punish him at the gate by taking his little carry on away 😓
The entire check in experience was bizarre, in all my years flying AC I never had someone so mean. No eye contact at any point, couldn‘t engage in dialogue, just barked the name of the documents she wanted to see.
My poor BF didn’t want to be on this trip in the first place and I tried to do something nice for him, but am afraid it backfired on him now amd she will punish him at the gate by taking his little carry on away 😓
Really sorry about your experience. I say that as a human, not as an apology for AC.
As for her barking, ah yes, IIRC, there is at least one CBC news story about such agents.
BTW, as I was in the line for the YYZ MLL recently, a guy whose first language was not English, but had some status, was trying to use his lounge pass. He knew he selected it as a privilege but it wasn't showing in his AC App. The desk agent was pleasant and tried to help him find it but I thought it would be easier to guest him in and help him from there. I walked him through the app, and suggested when he had time, to call Aeroplan and clear it up. The next day, he sent me an email thanking me and saying yes, the 2 passes were in his account and he could see them on the browser and Aeroplan confirmed he had selected them. They managed to clear it up.
It's not that hard. Being nasty just messes everyone's day and why make customers be part of your "mood".
P.S. Here are 2 of the episodes posted on AC FT. Just read the OPs
I work at the airport/for the airline. You're wrong.
How Can AC employees tell that you have Altitude Status?
.
Jul 10, 2021, 7:07 pm
#33
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: 44,326
24left Thank you! I was thinking of pulling up the details on my phone, but there was a lineup at transborder checkin and I didn’t want to make things worse for my BF. Paper might have been smarter.
The entire check in experience was bizarre, in all my years flying AC I never had someone so mean. No eye contact at any point, couldn‘t engage in dialogue, just barked the name of the documents she wanted to see.
My poor BF didn’t want to be on this trip in the first place and I tried to do something nice for him, but am afraid it backfired on him now amd she will punish him at the gate by taking his little carry on away 😓
The entire check in experience was bizarre, in all my years flying AC I never had someone so mean. No eye contact at any point, couldn‘t engage in dialogue, just barked the name of the documents she wanted to see.
My poor BF didn’t want to be on this trip in the first place and I tried to do something nice for him, but am afraid it backfired on him now amd she will punish him at the gate by taking his little carry on away 😓
Jul 16, 2021, 12:15 am
#35
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: 35,255
Jul 16, 2021, 7:15 am
#36
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ottawa
Programs: Altitude E50K / *G
Posts: 924
Well I used my status pass for on a booking I made for my parents so I am hoping things go well at YWG today. The biggest thing is the baggage allowance and the lounge in YYZ (assuming it's not at capacity).
I guess I will see in a few hours if I get an irritated phone call telling me the agent won't let them use the priority checkin line.
I guess I will see in a few hours if I get an irritated phone call telling me the agent won't let them use the priority checkin line.
Jul 16, 2021, 11:26 pm
#38
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: 44,326
Jul 22, 2021, 6:13 pm
#39
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 1,505
Friends are flying YYZ - FRA - JNB. It's a Lufthansa booking, but the first flight, YYZ - FRA, is on an Air Canada aircraft.
It's my understanding that I can give them a status pass so they can get benefits at YYZ, including the MLL. My question is, would the status pass also entitle them to the MLL lounge in Frankfurt during their layover?
It's my understanding that I can give them a status pass so they can get benefits at YYZ, including the MLL. My question is, would the status pass also entitle them to the MLL lounge in Frankfurt during their layover?
Last edited by TheCanuckian; Jul 22, 2021 at 6:19 pm Reason: Clarity
Jul 24, 2021, 12:07 pm
#41
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
.........
As is often recommend on AC FT, it's helpful sometimes to carry a paper version of the rules and benefits as well as have the web page link handy to show.
AC page https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/.../benefits.html
Status pass
As is often recommend on AC FT, it's helpful sometimes to carry a paper version of the rules and benefits as well as have the web page link handy to show.
AC page https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/.../benefits.html
Status pass
Jul 24, 2021, 2:06 pm
#43
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,423
Apparently you can only use these status passes before a trip commences. Have a friend who needs it for the return leg, they already flew the outbound and the website says that the pass has to be transferred before commencement of journey.
Jul 24, 2021, 3:32 pm
#44
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YYZ
Programs: Ex-Bonvoyed, Hyatt, Hilton, BR, AC, AA
Posts: 1,294
I think someone mentioned the automatic priority security gates at YYZ, and apparently Status Pass recipients are not cleared by those machines. Obviously trying to explain to the employees working there what a Status Pass is doesn’t yield much result (since they think the priority security is only for “business class passengers”
).
Hope they fix this, but I have little faith.
).Hope they fix this, but I have little faith.
Jul 24, 2021, 3:42 pm
#45
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: 44,326
I think someone mentioned the automatic priority security gates at YYZ, and apparently Status Pass recipients are not cleared by those machines. Obviously trying to explain to the employees working there what a Status Pass is doesn’t yield much result (since they think the priority security is only for “business class passengers”).
Hope they fix this, but I have little faith.
).Hope they fix this, but I have little faith.