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Home  >  aeroplan • Status Match  >  Why I’m Going For Air Canada Status Match
aeroplanStatus Match

Why I’m Going For Air Canada Status Match

Matthew Klint Posted onSeptember 27, 2021 28 Comments

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

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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28 Comments

  1. NancyO Reply
    September 27, 2021 at 12:52 pm

    Same reasoning I have too! Free status match for domestic lounge access is fabulous!

  2. K Reply
    September 27, 2021 at 12:54 pm

    Does this mean you would have to use the Aeroplan status on UA domestic flights? Or can you just show your card?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 27, 2021 at 12:57 pm

      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.

      • Jay Reply
        October 21, 2021 at 11:38 am

        After status is matched by Aeroplan then it would be Star Alliance Gold level until December 31, 2021. I understand to keep Gold status until the end of 2022 I would need to fly one roundtrip on Air Canada by January 15, 2022 then does the Star Alliance Gold status automatically transfer to United or is their another step that needs to be done?

        • Matthew Klint Reply
          October 21, 2021 at 12:18 pm

          It remains with Air Canada. But you will enjoy benefits when flying on United like lounge access and priority boarding.

  3. Nico Z Reply
    September 27, 2021 at 12:56 pm

    I applied for this match immediately after I read the news.

  4. Stuart Reply
    September 27, 2021 at 1:00 pm

    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.

    • Stuart Reply
      September 27, 2021 at 1:08 pm

      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.

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        September 27, 2021 at 1:12 pm

        My application was submitted instantly as well.

  5. a Reply
    September 27, 2021 at 1:03 pm

    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?

    • PM Reply
      September 27, 2021 at 5:26 pm

      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!).

      • PM Reply
        September 27, 2021 at 5:27 pm

        *after my purchase

  6. Justin Reply
    September 27, 2021 at 1:09 pm

    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.

    • Kenny Reply
      September 27, 2021 at 3:48 pm

      You can use UA Gold+ to access the AC lounge cafes I thought.

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        September 27, 2021 at 4:01 pm

        Correct. Can use my UA or my new AC credentials.

  7. John Reply
    September 27, 2021 at 1:14 pm

    @matthew What program will you be matching to AC since United isn’t an option?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 27, 2021 at 1:15 pm

      American Airlines. I’m EXP.

      • John Reply
        September 27, 2021 at 1:35 pm

        Nice!

  8. Doug Reply
    September 27, 2021 at 3:22 pm

    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.

  9. Kenny Reply
    September 27, 2021 at 3:47 pm

    Would you be able to status match from UA to AA/DL then status match to AC?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 27, 2021 at 4:01 pm

      Yes.

  10. Carl Reply
    September 27, 2021 at 4:52 pm

    I may match once I get United 1k next month. It won’t hurt to explore.

  11. Gregory C Reply
    September 27, 2021 at 6:27 pm

    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.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 27, 2021 at 11:44 pm

      One round-trip.

      • MarcosG Reply
        September 29, 2021 at 12:18 pm

        The RT must be a paid ticket or can be an award ticket? Thanks

        • Matthew Klint Reply
          September 29, 2021 at 12:30 pm

          Revenue only. No award, sadly.

  12. zara Reply
    September 27, 2021 at 8:03 pm

    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

  13. Andrew Reply
    September 28, 2021 at 8:12 am

    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.

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