Hyatt Elite Members Can Now Fast-Track Aeroplan Status

World of Hyatt Elite members are now eligible for a 90-day status challenge to Air Canada status with reduced SQC requirements.

The Aeroplan-World of Hyatt partnership has been lucrative, with the best part being a 90-day Hyatt status challenge for Aeroplan Elite members and premium co-branded credit cardholders. As part of that challenge, Aeroplan members can earn Globalist with just 20 qualifying-tier nights. Aeroplan is now returning the favour to Hyatt Elite members, and it’s quite lucrative in this direction as well.

There’s also a dual points accrual promotion, where members can register to earn 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 USD spent on eligible Hyatt stays in addition to their standard World of Hyatt points earnings through February 14, 2027. Members can register now through November 11.

The Real Question: How Many SQC Are Needed?

Once per calendar year, eligible World of Hyatt Globalist, Explorist, and Courtesy Card members can elect to participate in an Aeroplan status challenge, during which they must earn the required Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) through qualifying Aeroplan activity within a 90-day period.

World of Hyatt Explorist members are only eligible to match to Aeroplan 25K status with an 8,000 SQC requirement (in 90 days).

Globalist members are eligible to match up to Aeroplan 75K Elite status, and the SQC requirements are as follows:

• Aeroplan 25K: 8,000 SQC
• Aeroplan 35K: 12,000 SQC
• Aeroplan 50K: 17,000 SQC
• Aeroplan 75K: 25,000 SQC

Aeroplan Status Challenge Requirements

You may only register for an Aeroplan Elite Status Challenge once per calendar year, so make sure you’re in a good position to complete it.

If you’re already an Aeroplan Elite member, but also a Hyatt Globalist member, you can still participate in the challenge, with only higher Aeroplan status tiers eligible. For example, current 50K members can challenge for 75K status.

Only SQC Earned Through Flying Counts

As a reminder, you earn 4 SQC per $1 on Economy Flex fares or higher, 2 SQC per $1 spent on Economy Standard fares, and 1 SQC per $1 spent on Air Canada Vacations packages. Only the above “Eligible Air Canada Activities” count; SQC accumulated through non-flight activity does not qualify for this challenge.

To be more specific, flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, and Air Canada Rouge qualify. Flights operated by Star Alliance and select partner airlines also count when ticketed by Air Canada (ticket number starting with 014).

Air Canada Vacations packages earn SQC on the full value of the package, including taxes and fees, no matter which cabin class is booked.

When flying Air Canada-operated flights ticketed by another airline, SQC is earned based on cabin class (2 SQC per $1 spent in Economy Class and 4 SQC per $1 spent in Premium Economy and Business Class).

Flights must depart within the 90-day Challenge period.

How Long is Aeroplan Status Valid For?

Aeroplan also stipulates there is a 120-day SQC crediting period, although all eligible activity must have taken place within 90 days.

Aeroplan will update your account within 72 hours of completing the challenge, and you’ll keep your new status until January 31 of the second calendar year after you register.

For example, if you register for the status challenge in 2026, you’ll earn your new Aeroplan status until January 31, 2028.

Full details and FAQ are on the Aeroplan website.

Register for the Aeroplan Status Challenge

As the most important step, don’t forget to register for the challenge before you complete any qualifying activity.

First, link your Aeroplan and World of Hyatt accounts. Then, you can register for the Aeroplan status challenge from your Hyatt dashboard.

Register for the Aeroplan Elite Status Challenge in your Hyatt dashboard

Registration can take up to 48 hours to process, so wait for Aeroplan’s confirmation email with your official challenge start date before flying.

Is the Aeroplan Status Challenge Worth It?

In short, yes (if you care about Aeroplan Elite Status). In this 90-day period, the SQC requirement to achieve Aeroplan 25K through 75K Elite status has been reduced by about two-thirds. Here are the usual requirements for comparison’s sake:

• Aeroplan 25K usually requires 25,000 SQC, but only 8,000 here
• Aeroplan 35K usually requires 35,000 SQC, but only 12,000 here
• Aeroplan 50K usually requires 50,000 SQC, but only 17,000 here
• Aeroplan 75K usually requires 75,000 SQC, but only 25,000 here

Of course, you only have 90 days to complete it, and only SQC earned through flying counts. The last part is particularly interesting, as Air Canada excludes SQC earned through credit card spending, everyday partners, and the 10% Head Start (a premium Aeroplan co-branded card benefit).

In my view, that’s completely fair considering how much easier the requirements are. Normally, Aeroplan 50K status requires 50,000 SQC, and you can only earn up to 25,000 SQC through credit card spending. That leaves another 25,000 SQC to earn through everyday partner activity and Air Canada flights. Now, the requirement is 17,000 SQC earned through Air Canada and Air Canada-partner flights.

Complete the Status Challenge Efficiently

Since Aeroplan awards SQC based on ticket price, let’s assume you’re booking Flex fares or higher to maximize earnings at 4 SQC per $1. Under that assumption, here’s how much you’d need to spend to meet each SQC requirement:

• Aeroplan 25K: 8,000 SQC is $2,000
• Aeroplan 35K: 12,000 SQC is $3,000
• Aeroplan 50K: 17,000 SQC is $4,250
• Aeroplan 75K: 25,000 SQC is $6,250

Earn SQC with Air Canada

Your actual ticket will cost a little more because Aeroplan only awards SQC on the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges (Y, YQ, and YR), excluding taxes, fees, and third-party charges.

There’s no segment requirement, so it’s most efficient to book a single ticket that meets the SQC-earning requirement.

Of course, it’s best to time your status challenge around your planned organic Air Canada/Star Alliance/partner flights, but registering for the challenge in January 2027 maximizes how long you have status, as it’ll stick until January 31, 2029.

Takeaway

The Aeroplan-World of Hyatt partnership continues to deliver meaningful benefits in both directions. Earning Aeroplan 50K status (with it, Star Alliance Gold benefits) with just 17,000 SQC instead of the usual 50,000 is an excellent opportunity for Hyatt Globalist members, especially since the status can remain valid for nearly two years.

The catch is that all qualifying SQC must come from flying or eligible Air Canada Vacations packages within 90 days. I’d time the challenge around planned Air Canada travel rather than spend thousands of dollars solely to earn status. If you already have significant flying coming up, though, this is one of the most efficient ways to fast-track Aeroplan Elite status.