Following the footsteps of Delta Air Lines and Star Alliance partner United Airlines, Canada’s largest carrier Air Canada announced changes to the qualification of members’ 2021 Altitude status in light of COVID-19.
Air Canada is extending members’ current status through the end of 2021 which enables people to continue to benefit from perks and earn miles towards Altitude status when Canadians start to travel more again. Additionally, members will be able to achieve higher status and enjoy it upon qualification through 2021, while members who reach status qualification by the end of 2020 can opt to gift it to a friend or family member for next year.
HIGHLIGHTS
Automatic extension of 2020 Altitude status
All Altitude status for 2020 will automatically be extended through to the end of 2021. Should a member reach a higher status before the end of this year, they will enjoy it upon qualification, and maintain it through 2021 as well.Share Altitude status with friends and family
Since Altitude status is secure through 2021, if a member has already achieved status for next year, or does so by the end of 2020, they can gift it to a friend or family member.Continue to earn Altitude status and Aeroplan Miles – from home
Source: Air Canada
While at home, a member can still earn Aeroplan Miles, progress towards Altitude status and make a difference with their miles. From now until April 30, for every five Aeroplan Miles a member donates to a charity engaged in fighting the COVID-19 crisis, they will receive one Altitude Qualifying Mile – up to a maximum of 25,000 AQM – all of which count towards 2021 status for the member, and a loved one.
“We’re also making it easier to share status with a loved one, and earn both status and Aeroplan miles from home.” said Mark Nasr, Vice President, Loyalty and eCommerce at Air Canada in a statement.
Members can opt to donate miles to an Aeroplan-affiliated charity engaged in fighting COVID-19, and through April 30, 2020, every five Aeroplan Miles donated will return one Altitude Qualifying Mile up to a maximum of 25,000 AQMs. This can be a great way to give back and help you reach your status.
These updates come following announcements from Aeroplan that enable flexibility around their cancellation and refund policy, as well as a temporary pause to the expiration of points until May 14, 2020.
Source: Air Canada
Hi there. Back in April, Air Canada announced that if any member achieves status (without extension) in 2020, they would be able to gift that status to a friend for 2021. Do you know when/how will be able to gift that status to someone?
Yes, that should happen on a rolling basis through March as they’re transitioning to a end-of-December cutoff from Feb. I’m still waiting for mine, too.