Top-tier status with Delta, United and American can bring valuable perks, but Air Canada Aeroplan’s Super Elite program offers several benefits that may appeal to frequent travelers, including those based in the United States.
One difference is airport lounge access. Super Elite members can enter Maple Leaf Lounges with their immediate family and one additional guest. The status also includes access to some partner-airline lounges, such as those operated by Emirates and Virgin Australia, and an arrivals lounge at London Heathrow. It does not provide access to Air Canada’s Signature Suites. By contrast, top-tier status with Delta, United and American does not itself include complimentary lounge access when flying domestically.
Super Elite members can also earn Priority Rewards through Aeroplan’s Milestone Benefits. These rewards can provide a 50% discount on eligible one-way or round-trip award flights, including some partner-airline bookings. While Priority Rewards for members with 25K status are limited to economy flights in Canada and the United States, Super Elite members can use them in cabins up to business class. Members can book for someone else using their Aeroplan points, even if that person is not immediate family.
Another feature is Air Canada’s personalized Concierge Service. The source article reports that members have described concierges helping resolve travel disruptions, including by arranging travel on other airlines. Air Canada also has local concierge staff at many major airports.
Qualifying for Super Elite can be challenging for U.S. residents, partly because Air Canada cannot carry passengers between two U.S. cities, even when routing through Canada. International travel, particularly in premium cabins, may offer more opportunities to fly with Air Canada, which connects passengers through hubs in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
The Chase Air Canada Aeroplan Credit Card can also contribute toward status. According to the source article, holding the card provides 5,000 Status Qualifying Credits per calendar year and 25K status, while card spending can earn up to another 20,000 credits. The article says this could account for 20% of the credits needed for Super Elite.
Aeroplan shares many features with the leading U.S. airline programs, but its combination of lounge access, Priority Rewards and concierge support gives Super Elite a distinct set of advantages for frequent travelers.
Sources: The Points Guy.