As much as I ragged on Air Canada for the way they treated their customers during the pandemic (they wouldn’t refund passengers’ money even when the airline canceled the flights), I have to tell you … this new promotion between Air Canada and Destination Canada, Canada’s tourism board, is incredible.

Destination Canada has partnered with Air Canada for a very tempting promotion to woo U.S. travelers to our northern neighbors. In fact, it’s so great that I’ve just filled out the application myself (it take two minutes) and I’m now planning a trip to the Great White North.

So, what’s the deal? Well, Air Canada is offering complimentary Aeroplan Elite Status for eligible travelers with US-based airline status.

All you need to do is:
Enter your name and Aeroplan number.

Answer which US Airline you currently hold elite tier status with. (The options are: American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest or Other). The glaring omission is United Airlines but that’s because they’re Star Alliance partners so it looks like MileagePlus members are out of luck.

Enter your existing elite status tier level. I’m Executive Platinum on American Airlines which is their second to highest level behind Concierge Key. The screenshot below shows if I’m accepted I would be granted Air Canada’s 75K status which is their second from the top tier level.
Enter your mileage number.

Prove your verification status by either taking a photograph of your physical membership card, or take a photo of your computer / tablet screen logged into your account.

That’s it!

I just applied and the automated email let me know that if approved, my Aeroplan account will be upgraded within 5 business days.

To give you an idea how huge this is … we live in Los Angeles (LAX) and my wife is from Toronto (YYZ). My only elite status right now is with American but they no longer fly nonstop between LAX and YYZ. So if we wanted to take advantage of my AA flight benefits (think: first class check-in line, free checked bags, free seat assignments, priority boarding, dedicated phone lines…) we would have to make a stop in either Chicago, Dallas, Charlotte, Miami or New York. I never want to make a stop but especially not during a pandemic and when I’m traveling with my little kids.

If I were to purchase flights on Air Canada without status, our add-ons would end up costing more than the plane ticket. For example, to reserve a seat in the bulkhead row costs $91 a piece. To check a bag it’s $30 for the first bag and $50 for the second. With 75K elite status, all of this would be free. And as an added bonus, we could get complimentary access to Maple Leaf Lounges.

Here’s a list of all of Air Canada’s elite status benefits.

And here are some important questions answered:

How long do I get elite status for if approved for a Status Match?
Approved customers will receive the matched status at no cost until December 31, 2021.

How do I keep my new elite tier status for 2022?
To keep my Status beyond December 31, 2021, I must book and fly 1 return trip travelling with Air Canada before midnight on the January 15, 2022. I will then have my status extended until December 31, 2022.

“If you do not complete the return trip before December 31, 2021, you will lose the Elite status for the period between January 1-15 2022, but your status will be returned as soon as the flight is processed. Please allow for 5 business days post flight for change to be processed.”

It’s important to know that this promotion is available on a limited basis and no one knows how many they will grant. Also, you must currently be a US resident and hold the relevant airline status to be eligible for the match.

For more information, see canada.statusmatch.com/faq

 

3 Comments On "Air Canada's Incredible Promotion For U.S. Travelers"
  1. Dan Nainan|

    Fantastic tip, thank you! I applied for a status match and was approved within the hour.

  2. Alan Levine|

    On the Newark Airport story: Those of us who live in the New York metro area have long known that the only good thing about flying out of Newark is that you’re flying OUT of Newark.
    As Ed Koch used to say: What would New York City be without Broadway? Newark!

    Yours, Alan Levine

  3. Dave Ashby|

    Johnny, Air Canada had to do something. As far as Aeroplan is concerned, they have very few Canadian Merchants in comparison to Air Miles. About a year ago they lost ESSO. I personally prefer Westjet, but I am bias. A,C. is a Crown Corporation which has the ear of the Canadian Government. Maybe you could read between the lines on that one.

Leave a Reply

Required fields are marked *