Aeroplan Threshold Bonuses
 

What are the current Aeroplan Threshold Bonuses for hitting Elite and Super Elite status on AC. Are they comparable to the 25% and 100% bonuses on UA for Prem.Ex. and 1K fliers. I'm thinking of switching from AC to UA as the threshold bonuses seem better. Any advice would be highly appreciated.

Air Canada offers 10,000 bonus points for every 10,000 points earned starting at 50,000 (i.e when you reach 50,000 qualifying miles, you get an additional 10,000, when you reach 60,000 qualifying you get another 10,000 etc.) This is like a 100% bonus on United for the same mileage level. There is no corresponding 25% bonus on Air Canada starting at lower levels. To weigh which program you want is difficult but should be based on which country you fly most frequently in. Maple Leaf and associated lounge access (see Air Canada's site for which lounges are always open to you when travelling on Air Canada)is free for Elite and super elite while you have to pay 200-300 U.S. to get Red Carpet (unless you are always flying Business or First Class). Some special bonuses are only available to US members on United etc. etc. Each person has to look at their circumstances to determine which will work better for them. For me, Aeroplan has been right as I travel mostly in Canada with occasional US and European trips.

That means you are losing 3750 points (25% bonus on United)between 25000 and 40000 miles and potentially 100% of the fractional portion of the next 10000 miles once you have reached the 50 60 70 etc thousand mile leve(it would be a bummer to have 59995 miles for example--you would not get the next 10000 miles. In reality, if you fly enough you come out ahead (slightly) on Air Canada (i.e. if you fly over 50,000 miles). At 50,000 miles on Air Canada you would have earned 10,000 miles extra and only 6250 on United. After 50,000 miles you are sort of on par in each program as long as you are close or a little bit over the next 10,000 miles (see above about the bummer).

Last note: remember these are all "Q" or qualifying miles whether you are talking Air Canada or United. Bonuses, credit cards, hotel and car partner and non Star Alliance airline partners do not count!

Last last note: (unless I think of something else). At 70000 miles on Air Canada you also get a free companion ticket to anywhere Air Canada flies for any purchased ticket, any fare class (this is in addition to your 10000 bonus miles). I will reach this level easily by the year's end and it is a welcome bonus compared with the usual companion ticket on only full fare paid tickets. When you reach 250000 miles you get a choice of home entertainment system and other items of extreme value (if you do qualify, you are probably never home to enjoy them).

thanks so much for the advice. I was wondering if I was missing something but I'm not -- my problem is that I barely qualify for Elite i.e. around 40k miles so I don't get any threshold benefits from AC (I never get the brochures etc. since my address keeps changing and I've been losing mail - I had to call to get a duplicate card issued since I didn't get the original one). Moving to United gets me some benefits (25% etc.). Also since my flights are Can-US - both airlines are equally convenient. Also I've lived until April in Canada then until last week in the US so my country of "temporary" residence keeps oscillating so it's pretty much a toss-up. I do really like AC but a few more miles on UA expecially with the Star Alliance allowing my purely AC flights (such as YYZ-YOW) to be credited to UA also.

Anyways I'll decide at the end of the year since this year is almost over. Thanks for you help and advice.

The other reason that I want to change to UA is very long-term - I'm fairly young and I have a shot at hitting million mile status in the next 10-15 years which AC doesn't even have a comparable program

Another reason you might want to stick with Air Canada (if they quit striking) is that you get better upgrade certificates for every 10000 miles flown (Elite members). On United, for every 10000 paid (Q?) miles they only send you 2000 miles of complimentary Upgrade Certificates valid for travel on UA within North America. For every 10000 Q miles, Air Canada gives you 4 any fare upgrades valid in North America from origin to destination (need 2 certificates for long haul and 1 certificate for short haul). If you do long distance travel (e.g. Calgary to Miami) then two certificates on Air Canada would get you all the way there (almost 3000 miles one way) whereas you wouldn't have enough with your 4 UA certificates to go one way. I like the origin to destination aspect of the Air Canada rather than the "miles" of United.