Air Canada Aeroplan has formally rolled out the Status Pass feature that was announced last year as part of the new Aeroplan program. This feature allows Aeroplan 50K Elite Status and higher members to share some elite benefits with friends and family who are not travelling with them.
Status Pass Benefits
Those select benefits are as follows:
- Complimentary Checked Baggage – 3 bags, up to 32kg/70lb each
- Priority Check-in – when departing on AC flights
- Priority Baggage Handling –when checking in with AC
- Priority Security Clearance – at select airports, when departing on AC flights
- Maple Leaf Lounge access
- Priority Airport Standby
- Priority Boarding – Zone 2 boarding
Earning Status Passes
Aeroplan Elite Status members who are eligible have been able to choose Status Pass as one of their Select Benefits since January:
- 50K members can choose 2 passes
- 75K members can choose 3 passes
- Super Elite members can choose 4 passes
Super Elite members also receive 2 Status Passes as a core benefit each year, above and beyond those they can choose as one of their Select Benefits. By extension, exclusively for 2021, Aeroplan are also awarding a single Status Pass to all Aeroplan 50K and 75K members, and 2 for Aeroplan Super Elite members.
All eligible members will find their additional Status Passes deposited into their Aeroplan account over the course of the next week.
Redeeming Status Passes
To redeem a Status Pass simply log in to your account on aircanada.com, or the Air Canada App. Navigate to the benefits section where you’ll see what passes you have available:
And click on Redeem to be presented with the following which you simply have to complete and send off!
Status Passes can be applied to any reservation, including Aeroplan flight rewards, so long as at least one flight is operated by Air Canada, Air Canada rouge, or Air Canada Express. Benefits will apply to all travelers on the reservation, for all directions of travel. I like that last note – if the reservation is for a family of four, then all four travellers will receive the benefits!
Prior to actually flying there is flexibility in the passes. They are considered used as soon as the first leg of the reservation if flown but prior to that members can do the following:
- The member can “revoke” an unused status pass that has been awarded, so long as it is done at least six hours prior to travel. It will automatically be returned to the member’s account.
- If a reservation including a Status Pass is changed, the Status Pass will continue to apply so long as at least one Air Canada-operated segment remains on the reservation. Otherwise, assuming travel has not commenced, it will automatically be returned to the member’s account.
- If a reservation including a Status Pass is cancelled, the Status Pass will be returned, unless travel has already commenced. If travel has not commenced, it will automatically be returned to the member’s account