Air Canada Unifies With American, Delta, United, Jetblue, British Airways, And More In Revolutionizing Travel Rewards With Revenue Based Loyalty Programs: All You Need To Know

Published on August 8, 2025 |

By: TTW News Desk

Air Canada is embarking connected a broad redesign of its Aeroplan loyalty scheme, signalling a basal improvement successful hose reward structures directed astatine its astir devoted passengers. Effective January 1, 2026, members will accrue Aeroplan points according to nan fare and ancillary gross generated by eligible Air Canada flights, departing from nan bequest distance-based accrual that has persisted for astir half a century. This improvement reflects nan ascendant activity successful nan recreation assemblage toward incentives that correlate straight pinch spend, enabling carriers and recreation providers to amended synchronise loyalty pinch existent gross contribution.

Complementary to this points recalibration is nan preamble of Status Qualifying Credits (SQC), a caller capacity yardstick that will find eligibility for Elite tier membership. Under this amended framework, Air Canada will prioritise customers whose spending patterns thrust higher profit margins, efficaciously decoupling nan attainment of sought-after Elite privileges from nan specified accumulation of formation segments aliases full recreation distance. This recalibration is emblematic of Air Canada’s overarching ambition to cultivate a loyalty ecosystem anchored successful profitability.

This study will analyse nan Aeroplan translator wrong nan broader improvement of loyalty programmes successful nan aviation sector, measure nan ripple effects connected nan wider recreation and tourism worth chain, and see nan applicable implications for nan conception of travellers whose recurrent action of Air Canada has defined their loyalty for years.

A Revenue-Based Approach to Points Earning: Aligning Rewards pinch Customer Spending

Historically, loyalty programs successful nan aviation manufacture person been based connected nan region flown, rewarding customers pinch points aliases miles based connected really acold they travel. While this strategy has worked good for galore years, it doesn’t ever bespeak really customers are engaging pinch airlines today. Frequent travelers are progressively opting for premium services, specified arsenic elastic fares, further baggage, and upgrades, alternatively than flying longer distances. To bespeak these evolving patterns, Air Canada has decided to instrumentality a revenue-based strategy that rewards customers based connected really overmuch they walk connected flights, alternatively than nan region they travel.

From January 2026, Aeroplan members will gain 1 Aeroplan constituent for each $1 CAD spent connected eligible Air Canada flights (excluding taxes and third-party charges). For example, if a personnel spends $427 connected guidelines fare and bearer surcharges (excluding applicable taxes), they will gain 427 Aeroplan points. This alteration provides greater transparency and elasticity for members, arsenic they will beryllium rewarded based connected their existent spending behaviour, which aligns much intimately pinch nan services they are purchasing.

This overhaul makes it easier for predominant flyers to gain points faster. Aeroplan Elite members will besides gain 2x to 6x points per dollar spent, depending connected their position level, making high-value customers—those consenting to salary for much costly aliases elastic fares—better rewarded for their spending.

Status Qualifying Credits (SQC): A New Metric for Achieving Elite Status

One of nan astir important changes to Aeroplan is nan preamble of Status Qualifying Credits (SQC), which will switch nan aged strategy of Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) and Status Qualifying Segments (SQS). Under nan caller system, members will suffice for Aeroplan Elite position by earning SQC done their spending connected Air Canada flights, in installments paper purchases, and activities pinch Aeroplan partners.

For each dollar spent connected eligible Air Canada flights, members tin gain up to 4 SQC depending connected nan fare type. Furthermore, members tin besides gain up to 25,000 SQC done Aeroplan in installments paper spending and an further 25,000 SQC done activities pinch Aeroplan’s recreation and mundane partners, which see Star Alliance airlines, Marriott Bonvoy, Uber, and more.

The preamble of SQC simplifies nan qualification process for Aeroplan Elite status, allowing members to gain credits done much divers activities. This alteration is designed to beryllium much elastic and rewarding, giving members who prosecute pinch Air Canada and its partners a clearer way to Elite status.

Before nan preamble of SQC, members had to way their SQMs and SQS, which was sometimes a cumbersome and confusing process. Now, pinch SQC, members tin accumulate position credits much easy done spending and partner activities, reflecting their wide engagement pinch nan program.

Milestone Benefits: Unlocking Additional Perks pinch SQC

Air Canada is besides introducing Milestone Benefits, a caller group of rewards that members tin unlock by accumulating SQC passim nan year. For each 10,000 SQC, members will person further benefits specified arsenic prize SQC, Status Passes, Priority Reward vouchers, and more. These milestone benefits supply other worth for loyal customers, offering incentives that spell beyond accepted rewards points.

The caller milestone strategy encourages predominant engagement, allowing members to gain valuable rewards nan much they prosecute pinch Air Canada and its services. These benefits will not only thief predominant travelers but besides those who are actively progressive successful nan programme done Aeroplan in installments cards and partner activities.

In summation to nan milestone rewards, members will proceed to bask halfway benefits, specified arsenic complimentary checked bags and privilege airdrome services, based connected their position level. These benefits stay cardinal elements of nan Aeroplan Elite status, ensuring that members proceed to bask premium recreation services arsenic portion of their loyalty.

Credit Cardholders Benefit from SQC Head Start and Additional Milestones

The revised Aeroplan program’s astir enticing facet is nan SQC Head Start for premium Aeroplan in installments paper holders. Starting successful 2027, eligible Aeroplan Elite position holders will gain a 10% prize SQC for their erstwhile year’s SQC total, allowing them to deed Elite position for nan pursuing year. This alteration adds tremendous worth for in installments paper holders, encouraging them to participate successful nan Aeroplan programme and summation their Aeroplan-affiliated spending.

Chase Aeroplan in installments paper holders from nan U.S. will summation a 5,000 SQC Head Start use starting successful 2026. Additionally, different SQC benefits will beryllium disposable to Chase cardholders based connected their spending: a period of 10,000 SQCs will beryllium unlocked aft $25,000 spent, pinch further rewards for spending aft that. These benefits are tailored to precocious spenders, successful peculiar those loyal to Aeroplan’s web partners specified arsenic Marriott, Uber, and more.

The Growing Trend of Revenue-Based Loyalty Programs successful nan Aviation Industry

Air Canada’s displacement to a revenue-based exemplary for earning Aeroplan points and qualifying for Elite position is portion of a broader inclination crossed nan world hose industry. Many of nan world’s starring airlines, including Delta, United Airlines, British Airways, and American Airlines, person already embraced revenue-based loyalty programs, shifting distant from accepted mileage-based systems.

This alteration reflects a increasing nickname that spending is simply a much meticulous reflection of loyalty than region flown aliases segments completed. With much passengers choosing elastic fare options, business-class upgrades, and premium services, airlines are uncovering it much effective to guidelines loyalty rewards connected really overmuch customers are contributing to their revenue.

For Air Canada, this alteration besides aligns pinch its semipermanent business goals. By focusing connected spending alternatively than distance, Air Canada intends to reward customers who are engaged crossed its network, whether done predominant flying, in installments paper usage, aliases activities pinch partners for illustration Uber and Star Alliance airlines. This displacement is not only astir enhancing customer acquisition but besides astir fostering greater engagement and building marque loyalty successful an progressively competitory market.

The Future of Air Canada’s Aeroplan Program

With nan preamble of Status Qualifying Credits, spending-based loyalty earning, and milestone benefits, Air Canada’s revamped Aeroplan programme is group to toggle shape really nan hose rewards its astir loyal and engaged customers. By aligning rewards pinch spending alternatively than distance, Air Canada is offering a much flexible, rewarding strategy for its predominant flyers, making nan Aeroplan Elite position genuinely typical and accessible.

This overhaul reflects Air Canada’s committedness to enhancing nan recreation acquisition and fostering loyalty among its astir dedicated customers, each while aligning pinch broader trends successful nan aviation industry. As Air Canada and different airlines proceed to clasp revenue-based models, Aeroplan’s early looks bright, offering much ways for travelers to earn, bask rewards, and prosecute pinch nan hose and its world partners.

Airlines Shift to Revenue-Based Loyalty Models: A New Era of Frequent Flyer Rewards

As nan aviation manufacture continues to evolve, hose loyalty programs are adapting to meet nan changing demands of modern travellers. One of nan astir important shifts successful nan hose loyalty scenery is nan move towards revenue-based models. Instead of earning points aliases miles based connected nan region flown aliases nan number of segments completed, revenue-based loyalty programs reward members based connected their spending. This displacement reflects a broader manufacture inclination arsenic airlines progressively attraction connected rewarding customers who walk much connected premium services, elastic fares, and different recreation add-ons.

Air Canada is 1 of nan latest awesome carriers to overhaul its loyalty system, aligning pinch a increasing world inclination of spending-based rewards. Beginning January 1, 2026, Aeroplan members will gain points based connected dollars spent alternatively than nan region travelled. This is conscionable 1 of nan galore changes crossed nan manufacture arsenic airlines clasp a new model to prosecute and reward their astir loyal and valuable customers. But Air Canada is not alone—other awesome airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, United, and British Airways, are besides making akin adjustments to their loyalty programs. This article will research really this displacement is reshaping nan global recreation rewards scenery and what it intends for some predominant flyers and nan tourism industry.

The Revenue-Based Shift: A Global Trend Among Airlines

The move to a revenue-based loyalty strategy aligns much intimately pinch nan measurement today’s consumers are engaging pinch airlines. As passengers progressively opt for elastic fares and premium services, airlines are recognizing that spending is simply a much meticulous reflection of loyalty than region flown. By rewarding customers based connected really overmuch they spend, airlines tin amended align their loyalty programs pinch their gross goals while providing customers pinch rewards that bespeak their existent spending behaviour.

Several airlines person already implemented aliases announced plans to adopt revenue-based loyalty models, including, American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, JetBlue, and British Airways. Let’s return a person look astatine really these carriers are embracing this displacement and what it intends for their customers:

American Airlines (AAdvantage)

American Airlines was 1 of nan first carriers to instrumentality a revenue-based loyalty program, transitioning to this strategy successful 2016. Under nan AAdvantage program, members gain 5 miles per dollar spent connected eligible flights, pinch further miles awarded for Elite members based connected their position level. This attack to loyalty rewards is successful statement pinch nan broader inclination successful nan industry, recognising nan worth of customers who walk much connected flights and services, alternatively than conscionable those who alert longer distances. The programme is designed to reward customers who take premium services and prosecute actively pinch nan airline, whether done predominant flights, in installments paper usage, aliases different activities.

Delta Air Lines (SkyMiles)

Delta Air Lines adopted a revenue-based strategy for its SkyMiles programme respective years ago. Members gain miles based connected summons price, pinch further Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) earned done spending. This accommodation intends to amended reward predominant travelers who lend to nan airline’s bottommost line, peculiarly those who acquisition premium services aliases elastic fares. Delta’s Medallion position is now much intimately tied to spending alternatively than miles flown, aligning nan rewards building pinch customer value.

United Airlines (MileagePlus)

United Airlines besides transitioned to a revenue-based exemplary for its MileagePlus programme successful 2015. Members gain miles based connected nan fare paid, and Elite members tin gain Premier Qualifying Dollars (PQDs) done their spending. This alteration reflects nan broader inclination towards recognising spending arsenic a cardinal parameter of loyalty. United’s strategy besides includes prize miles for Elite position members, ensuring that those who walk much connected premium services are adequately rewarded.

JetBlue Airways (TrueBlue)

JetBlue’s TrueBlue programme is different illustration of a afloat revenue-based loyalty system. Members gain points based connected nan fare paid, pinch further points for utilizing JetBlue’s co-branded in installments card. The programme focuses connected simplicity, offering transparency successful really points are earned and redeemed. For travelers looking for a straightforward, no-fuss loyalty program, JetBlue’s TrueBlue provides a compelling action successful nan increasing spending-based loyalty market.

Alaska Airlines (Mileage Plan)

Alaska Airlines made its displacement to a revenue-based exemplary successful 2024. Under nan caller system, members now gain Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) based connected nan fare paid, aligning pinch nan industry-wide inclination of rewarding spending alternatively than miles flown. The alteration simplifies nan qualification process for Elite status, making it much accessible for high-value customers who often recreation pinch Alaska Airlines.

British Airways (Executive Club)

British Airways introduced a revenue-based strategy successful 2025 arsenic portion of an overhaul of its Executive Club program. Under nan caller system, members gain Avios points based connected nan fare paid, pinch a higher number of points required for Elite status. British Airways besides offers nan action for unlimited tier points from vacation packages, appealing to business travellers and those looking to gain position done different types of travel.

Qantas Airways (Frequent Flyer)

Qantas Airways transitioned to a revenue-based strategy for its Frequent Flyer program, rewarding members pinch points based connected nan fare paid. Qantas intends to make important gross done its loyalty program, targeting $1 cardinal successful net by 2030. The displacement is successful statement pinch nan airline’s broader strategy to reward high-value customers who walk much connected premium services.

Virgin Australia (Velocity Frequent Flyer)

Virgin Australia besides adopted a revenue-based exemplary for its Velocity Frequent Flyer program. Members gain points based connected nan fare paid, pinch Elite position requiring higher spending. The programme rewards high-value customers and intends to heighten loyalty by aligning pinch spending patterns alternatively than accepted formation metrics.

Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer)

Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer programme has switched to a revenue-based model, wherever members gain miles based connected nan fare paid. Elite position qualification now besides relies connected spending, rewarding those who prosecute pinch nan hose much often and walk much connected premium services.

The Benefits and Challenges of Revenue-Based Loyalty Programs

The move to spending-based loyalty systems offers respective advantages for some airlines and customers. For airlines, these systems supply much predictable gross streams and promote higher spending connected premium services. Customers use by earning points much quickly, arsenic their rewards are straight tied to nan magnitude spent, alternatively than nan region flown aliases segments completed.

However, nan displacement whitethorn besides airs challenges for budget-conscious travelers who trust connected mileage runs—flights designed to thief them accumulate position miles without spending much. For these customers, revenue-based systems whitethorn make it much difficult to execute elite position without spending connected higher-tier tickets.

Despite these challenges, nan revenue-based exemplary represents a important improvement successful really airlines prosecute pinch their customers. As nan aviation manufacture continues to adapt, much airlines are expected to adopt akin systems to align loyalty pinch gross procreation and heighten customer engagement.

The Future of Airline Loyalty Programs

The revenue-based loyalty paradigm is swiftly establishing itself arsenic nan manufacture modular wrong aviation and travel. Carriers including Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, and United are astatine nan forefront of this evolution, recalibrating reward structures to prioritize full walk alternatively of region travelled. This recalibration aligns loyalty awards much precisely pinch customer profitability, creating incentives that are straight proportional to nan financial worth nan rider delivers to nan airline.

Frequent travelers should anticipate, arsenic nan exemplary matures, a suite of enhancements: progressively tailored rewards, expedited attainment of elite tiers, and a frictionless loyalty interface. While nan contiguous advantages accrue to nan high-spend segment, nan modulation signals a much expansive customer-centric loyalty architecture, 1 designed to stay applicable to a traveler demographic characterised by shifting preferences and divers recreation patterns.