TL;DR: As it turns out, it’s better for me. Using my actual 2025 trips, credit-card spend, and partner purchases, I would have cleared Aeroplan 75K under the new SQC rules without extra flights, whereas under 2025’s SQM/SQD rules, I fell short.
Comparing my travel activities under the 2025 and 2026 rules:
A personal analysis with help from my travel-assistant buddy ChatGPT.
The Backstory
Earlier this year, I mapped out my 2025 travel with the goal of requalifying for Air Canada Aeroplan 75K status.
Under the old rules, that meant hitting 75,000 Status Qualifying Miles (SQM) and $9,000 Status Qualifying Dollars (SQD).
Air Canada recently announced a new qualification model starting in 2026:
- Status is now based entirely on Status Qualifying Credits (SQC).
- Earn rates are tied directly to spend, with different multipliers for fare classes.
- Credit card and partner spend can now contribute up to 50,000 SQC per year.
That’s a big shift, and a lot of people are instantly reacting negatively to the changes, but I wasn’t so sure it would be bad news for me personally. So, with a little help from AI, I ran the numbers to see how my 2025 year would have looked under 2026’s rules.
How SQC Works (Quick Primer)
- 4 SQC per $1: Flex, Comfort, Latitude, Premium Economy, Business
- 2 SQC per $1: Standard
- 1 SQC per $1: Air Canada Vacations (package price, incl. taxes/fees)
- 0 SQC: Basic Economy
- Up to 25k SQC from Aeroplan premium/core credit cards (combined)
- Up to 25k SQC from everyday/travel partners (Uber, LCBO, Starbucks, etc.)
My 2025 Travel & Spend (the baseline)
From my original 2025 plans:
| Activity | SQM (2025) | SQD (2025) | Fare Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| YOW–YVR return (Business) | 6,612 | $2,250 | Business |
| YVR–YLW return (Comfort) | 576 | $662 | Comfort |
| YOW–YHZ return (Comfort) | 1,362 | $636 | Comfort |
| YOW–YYZ–HUX return (Standard) | 2,660 | $857* | Standard Economy (AC Vacations) |
| YOW–YVR–SYD return (Comfort) | 22,954 | $2,400 | Comfort |
| Credit card bonuses | 29,000 | — | — |
*SQD is flight credit portion only; package price was $3,039 per person.
2025 vs 2026 — Side-by-Side
| Activity | SQM (2025) | SQD (2025) | SQC (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| YOW–YVR (Business) | 6,612 | $2,250 | 9,000 |
| YVR–YLW (Comfort) | 576 | $662 | 2,648 |
| YOW–YHZ (Comfort) | 1,362 | $636 | 2,544 |
| YOW–YYZ–HUX (AC Vacations) | 2,660 | $857 | 3,039 |
| YOW–YVR–SYD (Comfort) | 22,954 | $2,400 | 9,600 |
| Credit card spend ($145,000) | 29,000 SQM | — | 25,000 SQC (cap) |
| Partner spend (Uber, LCBO, etc.) | — | — | 25,000 SQC (cap) |
Totals & Percent-to-Target
| Metric | My 2025 Total | % to Target | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQM | 63,164 | 84% | 75,000 |
| SQD | $6,805 | 76% | $9,000 |
| SQC (2026 rules) | 76,831 | 102% | 75,000 |
My Progress Toward 75K Status
In 2026, with the same travel and spending activities that fell short of 75K in 2025, I’d exceed 75K SQC by ~1,831 SQC!
The Verdict
Under 2025’s SQM/SQD rules:
- I’m short of both SQM and SQD for 75K and would need extra flights or spend to qualify.
Under 2026’s SQC rules:
- I’d clear 75K outright with the exact same travel and spending pattern, finishing 2.4% over the requirement.
Why 2026 Works in My Favour
- Full AC Vacations price counts — my $3,039 HUX trip earns 3,039 SQC instead of just $857 SQD credit.
- Maxed card + partner caps — I hit the full 50,000 SQC without flying a mile.
- High fare multipliers — my mix of Comfort and Business earns at the top 4 SQC/$ rate.
What About Super Elite?
I’d still be ~48,169 SQC short of the 125K SE target under 2026 rules. That’s roughly:
- $12,042 in Business/Flex+ spend (4 SQC/$), or
- $24,085 in Standard (2 SQC/$), or
- A mix of high-earning trips and partner spend.
Progress Toward Super Elite (SE)
Super Elite Target:
- 2025 rules: 100,000 SQM + $20,000 SQD.
- 2026 rules: 125,000 SQC.
Where I’d Land in Each Year
| Year | My Earned | SE Target | Shortfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 63,164 SQM / $6,805 SQD | 100,000 SQM + $20,000 SQD | 36,836 SQM and $13,195 SQD |
| 2026 | 76,831 SQC | 125,000 SQC | 48,169 SQC |
What I’d Need to Close the SE Gap
In 2025:
- Add 36,836 miles of flying and $13,195 in qualifying spend.
- Example: Two paid business-class round-trips to Asia or Australia, or three to Europe in higher fare buckets.
- Partner/credit card spend does not help here — all must come from flying.
In 2026:
- Add 48,169 SQC, which could come from:
- $12,042 in Business/Flex/Comfort fares (4 SQC/$)
- $24,085 in Standard fares (2 SQC/$)
- $48,169 in AC Vacations packages (1 SQC/$)
- This can be mixed between flying, AC Vacations, and eligible partner spend (within the caps).
Bottom line for SE:
- In 2025, both distance and spend requirements make SE a much bigger mountain — your credit-card/partner activity doesn’t count.
- In 2026, all qualifying spend counts toward the single target, so SE is still a climb but more achievable, and for slightly less money if you boost premium-fare flying or vacation package spend.
Final Word
For my personal travel pattern — high partner/card spend, some long-haul Comfort and Business flights, and the occasional AC Vacations package — the new 2026 rules make status requalification easier. In fact, they turn what would have been a scramble at year-end into a comfortable finish.
