Air Canada has announced improvements to some of the benefits offered through its Aeroplan Elite Status program.
Members can now use eUpgrades for more passengers, and Status Passes are more flexible.
Use Air Canada eUpgrades for More Passengers
As of August 1, 2023, passengers have been able to make eUpgrade requests for up to two passengers on the same booking in advance of a flight.
Furthermore, it’s now possible to make eUpgrade requests for up to two additional passengers on the day of travel.
With today’s announcement, these features have become official, even though the enhancements were launched at the beginning of the month.
Previously, it was only possible to use eUpgrades in advance for one additional passenger travelling on the same booking, as well as one other passenger requested on the day of travel. In total, you could use eUpgrades for up to three passengers from one account this way (except for Super Elites, who also have an eUpgrade nominee).
These changes make it possible to request eUpgrades for up to five passengers from the same account: the account holder, up to two passengers travelling on the same booking as the account holder (requested in advance), and up to two more passengers travelling on the same flight as the account holder (requested on the day of travel).
For Super Elites, the total number of passengers with whom they can share eUpgrades on the same flight is now up to six, with all of the above plus their eUpgrade nominee.
There are no changes to the method by which eUpgrades are requested. In advance of a flight, you can make a request on your eUpgrade dashboard, and on the day of travel, you can make the request with an Air Canada agent at the airport.
Air Canada Status Passes Now Apply to All Confirmed Bookings
Air Canada has also made some changes to the range of flights that are eligible for a Status Pass.
Previously, Status Passes could only be used for bookings with travel on or before the expiration date of the Status Pass, which was usually December 31.
Now, Status Passes may be applied to a confirmed booking on any date in the future, as long as the Status Pass was applied on or before its expiration date.
For example, previously, if a Status Pass was set to expire on December 31, 2023, it could only be used for bookings on or before December 31, 2023. It wouldn’t have been valid for bookings on January 1, 2024, or any time thereafter.
However, that’s no longer the case, and a Status Pass may be used for travel at any point in the future, as long as it’s applied before its expiration date.
For example, if a Status Pass expires on December 31, 2023, it can be applied to an eligible booking at any time in 2023 or 2024, as long as the request is made by December 31, 2023 (or whenever it expires).
As a reminder, Aeroplan 50K, 75K, and Super Elite members have access to Status Passes, which bestow some Aeroplan Elite Status benefits to passengers travelling on a separate reservation. If a Status Pass is applied to a booking, all passengers enjoy priority airport services, an increased baggage allowance, Maple Leaf Lounge access, and more.
Aeroplan Elite Status Benefits Are Now More Flexible
These are wholly positive changes to some of the benefits offered to members with Aeroplan Elite Status.
One criticism of eUpgrades in the past was that it wasn’t possible to share them with many passengers. Many members had leftover eUpgrades at the end of the benefit year, as they weren’t able to fully make use of their entire allotment.
This was especially true for families, who’d either have to resort to making separate bookings and taking a chance with a day-of eUpgrade request, or just forego the ability to use eUpgrades for their entire family altogether.
For groups of three passengers travelling together, it’s now possible to make eUpgrade requests in advance, and perhaps use the “Latitude Attitude” to instantly confirm an upgrade to business class well in advance of the flight’s departure.
For groups of four or more, there’s still the requirement to make eUpgrade requests on the day of travel; however, since this simply wasn’t possible before, it’s still a welcome development.
For Super Elites, it’s now possible to request eUpgrades for up to four passengers in advance, and up to six in total.
As for Status Passes, they’re now more flexible than they were before, since they can be applied to any confirmed booking in the future, as long as the request is made before the Status Pass expires.
It should therefore be easier for eligible members to make the most of their Status Passes.
Conclusion
Air Canada has made improvements to some of the benefits offered through its Aeroplan Elite Status program.
eUpgrades may now be used in advance for up to two additional companions travelling on the same reservation, as well as up to two additional companions on the same flight, requested on the day of travel.
Status Passes may now be applied to any confirmed Air Canada booking, as long as the request is made prior to the Status Pass’s expiration date.
These changes are wholly positive, and members have more flexibility to use the benefits offered through the program.
