Three words: domestic lounge access. That’s the primary reason I hope to take advantage of the Air Canada Aeroplan status match, though it may end up not being the only reason…
Air Canada Status Match – I’m Taking Advantage
I have Premier 1K status with United which I will re-qualify for this year, even if elite status is not extended for another year on a complimentary basis. I will have flown enough and spent enough, coupled with several quarterly bonuses, to meet the reduced re-qualification threshold.
American Airlines is another story. I’m about halfway to re-qualifying for Executive Platinum status and while I have a trip booked next month that would take me over the top (thanks to this promotion), that trip is now in jeopardy…
Air Canada is currently offering a generous status match promotion for U.S. residents who hold elite status in major U.S. airlines, including:
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
- American Airlines AAdvantage
- Delta Air Lines SkyMiles
- Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
Noticeably missing from the list is United Airlines, which is a Star Alliance and joint venture partner with Air Canada, so the omission is not surprising.
The status match involves two steps:
- Upload your credentials here
- Your request will be approved or denied in three days
- Status will be granted instantly with no challenge necessary
- Status expires December 31, 2021
- Fly one round-trip on Air Canada by January 15, 2022 in order to maintain status through December 31, 2022
This is a very good deal for me. I fly United so often but I don’t splurge for an annual membership to the United Club…frankly because I question the value proposition with Priority Pass and American Express offering compelling alternate options. Furthermore, much of my travel is international and I already have access on international trips as part of my 1K status.
But being able to access United Clubs when I travel domestically would be helpful, if for nothing else than an illy espresso and croissant before my flight.
As soon as the Air Canada Café reopens in Toronto, I’m flying there to review it and review the recently re-opened Park Hyatt Toronto (I want to fly WestJet too…). The single round-trip on Air Canada will be no problem. Let’s hope Mr. Gupta is not onboard…
But View From the Wing points out that Aeroplan has become much more lucrative as a loyalty program with new upgrade currency and reduced-price Priority Rewards. It could well be that this program grows on me, especially because the Star Alliance redemption pricing is better than United MileagePlus and Aeroplan has many additional great partners like Air Serbia, Etihad, and Gulf Air.
CONCLUSION
Air Canada is offering a generous status match that I intend to take advantage of in order to access United Clubs when I fly domestically. But the more I look at Aeroplan, the more attractive that program becomes.
Will you take advantage of the Air Canada status match?
image: United
Same reasoning I have too! Free status match for domestic lounge access is fabulous!
Does this mean you would have to use the Aeroplan status on UA domestic flights? Or can you just show your card?
Good question. I’ve held Star Alliance Gold status with SAS and Turkish and did not have to swap out numbers. Instead, you just scan the card after scanning the boarding pass.
I applied for this match immediately after I read the news.
Signed up earlier and was approved in a few minutes. This is an incredible offer and plan on making sure I keep it for 2022 with a R/T….even if a cheap out and back to Montreal or Toronto for the day.
One thing Gary pointed out and why I jumped on this right away this morning is that the offer seems to be capped at some point. Anyone who is doing this better do it right away as it could potentially vanish in a day.
My application was submitted instantly as well.
My most frequent award is US to India in business class. Unless you live on the East Coast and find a straightforward routing, Aeroplan charges 100k miles one way compared to 93.5k through MileagePlus, assuming in both cases that you’re flying on a partner.
Unrelated, but paid fares in this market in the next few months are around $2300-2700 round trip on AA/BA with convenient connection times in LHR, but fares on UA/LX/LH are considerably higher. Any idea why that is?
Lufthansa Group are in the process of chopping and changing their winter schedule, the short-haul cancellations are very extensive and there are flights which they seem reluctant to sell.
I have just had to rebook a cancelled LX reservation on an SN flight for a family member and purchase a ticket for myself to join them on that flight.
I had to pay the Z fare because P wasn’t available (that actually suited me as I wouldn’t get any miles for P), and it jumped up to D immediately after y purchase.
This is rather unusual for a Sunday evening flight in the middle of November, which gets into BRU too late for many connections, and the A319 seat map only showed a single row of business class. Looks like they are pushing prices up as they don’t want to sell too many seats in case it gets the chop sometime in October (a self-fulfilling prophecy right there!).
*after my purchase
I really like the Air Canada cafe lounge concept. When I went when it was open, it was never crowded, I loved the grab & go options and it had a very smart aesthetic. I fly to Canada at least annually and prefer Air Canada business class over Delta or United. They have a solid offering, the in-flight service superior and unlike Delta, provide lounge access for transborder flights.
You can use UA Gold+ to access the AC lounge cafes I thought.
Correct. Can use my UA or my new AC credentials.
@matthew What program will you be matching to AC since United isn’t an option?
American Airlines. I’m EXP.
Nice!
I’ll do this for the discounted awards, but the lounge access is WAY overrated. The only good UA lounges are Polaris lounges, which you wouldn’t be able to access with StarGold. The United Clubs are dirty, way overcrowded, and have zero good amenities.
Would you be able to status match from UA to AA/DL then status match to AC?
Yes.
I may match once I get United 1k next month. It won’t hurt to explore.
To keep status it’s one fight on air Canada metal correct?. I’m looking at a den -yyc the non stop is on a United Express.
One round-trip.
The RT must be a paid ticket or can be an award ticket? Thanks
Revenue only. No award, sadly.
sadly Canadian residents can’t apply – please visit YVR and take the float plane to YQQ – good coffee and food! Like Justin I prefer Air Canada to United or Delta, however Delta and United offer more direct options to Central and South America *sigh* first world problems
Priority Rewards for half priced redemptions can only be obtained if you have the spend associated with status. AFAIK they’re not handing any out automatically this year (they awarded some as part of the transition to new Aeroplan though). So unless you plan to qualify for status the hard way, I wouldn’t count on earning any Priority Rewards.