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Aeroplan members can take advantage of an excellent opportunity to earn Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) toward Aeroplan Elite Status while supporting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) initiatives. This limited-time promotion, running until October 25, 2026, allows members to contribute to SAF Environmental Attributes and receive SQC that count toward their 2027 status qualification.
Get up to 2,500 SQC by purchasing SAF attributes
For every 250 kg CO₂e of SAF Environmental Attributes purchased, members earn 500 SQC, credited to their Aeroplan account by December 1, 2026. Members can participate in 250 kg CO₂e increments, up to a maximum of 2,500 SQC during the offer period. The pricing, including taxes, breaks down as follows:
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500 SQC (250 kg CO₂e) → $282.49 CAD
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1,000 SQC (500 kg CO₂e) → $564.96 CAD
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1,500 SQC (750 kg CO₂e) → $847.43 CAD
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2,000 SQC (1,000 kg CO₂e) → $1,129.91 CAD
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2,500 SQC (1,250 kg CO₂e) → $1,412.37 CAD
All purchases are final and non-refundable. After completing a transaction, members will receive an order confirmation with the corresponding SQC earned.
Is Purchasing SAF for SQC Worth It?
For members who find themselves short of their SQC threshold by year’s end, this promotion offers a convenient way to close the gap.
To put the shortcut in perspective, earning 2,500 SQC through a premium Aeroplan co-branded card, such as the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege, would require $12,500 in eligible spend, since the card awards 1,000 SQC per $5,000 spent. This promotion instead lets you acquire the same 2,500 SQC immediately for $1,412.37 CAD. You spend far less, but you still pay out of pocket compared to purchases you’ll be making anyway.
This is not necessarily a path for everyone, but for members within reach of a desired status level, it is an efficient way to ensure qualification.
If you already have enough SQC to re-qualify for status, these SQC will also increase the amount used to calculate your 10% Head Start. Premium Aeroplan co-branded credit cardholders will receive bonus Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) equal to 10% of their total SQC accumulated in the previous calendar year, and there is no maximum Head Start.
Granted, 10% of 2,500 SQC is 250 and is a tad steep at $1,412.37 CAD, but you do have the option.
What is SAF and Where Does Your Contribution Go?
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is an alternative to conventional jet fuel that uses renewable resources, often called sustainable feedstocks. Unlike fossil-based jet fuel, SAF uses materials such as used cooking oil, animal fats, and agricultural or forestry residues.
SAF has a similar chemical composition to conventional jet fuel, allowing airports and airlines to use approved SAF blends with existing infrastructure and aircraft without modification. It offers a lower lifecycle carbon footprint while maintaining operational safety standards.
Air Canada says half of each contribution goes directly toward the purchase of SAF, while the associated Environmental Attributes are tracked, independently verified, and retired on the member’s behalf so they cannot be resold or double-counted.
Through this promotion, members are not purchasing physical fuel for their flights. Instead, contributions support Air Canada’s broader voluntary use of SAF. The SAF Environmental Attributes are provided in collaboration with Chooose AS, a company specializing in software solutions that enable the low-carbon fuel value chain.
While your contribution will not directly reduce the carbon footprint of your personal travel, it helps support Air Canada’s long-term aspiration to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Over time, supporting SAF reduces reliance on conventional aviation fuel and helps accelerate the industry’s transition toward more sustainable practices.
Takeaway
This promotion provides Aeroplan members with a unique way to both support sustainability and strategically advance toward their Elite Status goals. For those who find themselves just shy of a status milestone, it may be a worthwhile shortcut compared with trying to generate the final SQC through additional flying or card spend.
With Aeroplan’s new SQC-based status qualification system, this offer provides another way to earn qualifying credits without flying or spending on a credit card. At $282.49 CAD per 500 SQC, it’s not cheap, but the ability to purchase up to 2,500 SQC could make all the difference if you’re close to reaching or renewing your desired Aeroplan Elite Status tier.
Featured Image Credit: Air Canada
