Air Canada Aeroplan eUpgrades: How They Work

Aeroplan eUpgrades are one of the most useful benefits available through Air Canada Aeroplan Elite Status. Instead of redeeming a full Business Class award, eligible members can book a lower cabin and use eUpgrade credits to request an upgrade to Premium Economy, Premium Rouge, or Business Class.

The catch is that an upgrade is not always guaranteed. The number of credits required, whether a cash add-on applies, and when your request can clear all depend on the ticket, destination, distance, requested cabin, and your Aeroplan status.

Air Canada substantially changed Aeroplan Elite Status for 2026, so understanding the current rules is important before building a trip around an upgrade.

What Are Aeroplan eUpgrades?

Aeroplan eUpgrades use special credits that can move eligible passengers into a higher cabin on flights operated by:

• Air Canada.
• Air Canada Express.
• Air Canada Rouge.

Depending on the aircraft and original fare, you may be able to upgrade into Business Class, Premium Economy, or Premium Rouge. Unlike Aeroplan points, eUpgrade credits are not a normal reward currency. They cannot be transferred, sold, or exchanged for cash. Their purpose is specifically to request eligible cabin upgrades. The number of Aeroplan eUpgrades required is not fixed across every flight.

Air Canada considers:

• The fare you purchased.
• Your destination or travel zone.
• Flight distance.
• Whether you paid cash or used Aeroplan points.
• The cabin you want to upgrade into.
• Whether an additional cash eUpgrade add-on applies.

How Do You Earn Air Canada eUpgrade Credits?

Aeroplan Elite Status members receive eUpgrade credits as part of their status benefits.

Under the 2026 Aeroplan Elite structure, the core annual allotments are:

Air Canada also awards additional eUpgrade credits through Milestone Benefits as members accumulate Status Qualifying Credits, or SQC. Milestones begin after achieving Elite Status and occur at defined SQC levels.

This means frequent Air Canada travelers can potentially accumulate significantly more credits than the basic status allotment.

How Long Do Aeroplan eUpgrades Last?

Standard Aeroplan eUpgrades are valid for 12 months from the date they are issued. Aeroplan Elite Status members who are the primary holder of an eligible Aeroplan premium credit card receive Extended eUpgrade Validity, giving newly issued qualifying credits 24 months of validity instead.

The credits must still be valid on the actual departure date of the flight you want to upgrade. If you have credits with different expiry dates, Air Canada uses the credits expiring first before newer ones.

Which Fares Can You Upgrade?

Aeroplan eUpgrades can be used on eligible Air Canada fares including:

• Economy Standard.
• Economy Flex.
• Economy Comfort.
• Economy Latitude.
• Premium Economy Standard.
• Premium Economy Latitude.

However, Economy Basic and Premium Economy Basic are not eligible for eUpgrades. This is an important consideration when booking. The lowest cash or points fare may look attractive, but if it is Basic, you cannot later use eUpgrade credits to move into a premium cabin.

Can You Use Aeroplan eUpgrades on Award Tickets?

Yes. Aeroplan eUpgrades can be used on eligible Air Canada flight rewards booked with Aeroplan points. This can create a useful strategy: book an eligible Economy or Premium Economy award and then request an upgrade rather than redeeming the full number of points required for Business Class upfront.

For example, eligible international Aeroplan flight rewards currently have different eUpgrade requirements depending on fare. For an international upgrade to Business Class:

• Premium Economy Latitude can require as few as 11 or 13 credits depending on distance.
• Premium Economy Standard starts higher and can include a C$200 add-on.
• Economy Latitude can require 11 or 13 credits.
• Economy Flex requires more credits and can include a C$500 add-on.
• Economy Standard requires still more credits and can include an add-on starting around C$900.

That makes the cheapest Economy award far from automatically the best eUpgrade strategy. Sometimes paying more Aeroplan points for Latitude can reduce the required eUpgrade credits, eliminate or reduce the cash add-on, and give your request an earlier clearance opportunity.

Read Aeroplan Award Flights: How to Find and Book Seats before choosing your base award.

What Is an eUpgrade Add-On?

Some Aeroplan eUpgrades require both:

1. eUpgrade credits.
2. An additional cash payment.

Air Canada calls the second component an eUpgrade add-on. The amount depends heavily on the fare and route. For example, lower Economy fares on international flights can carry substantial add-ons when requesting Business Class.

Air Canada prices these add-ons in Canadian dollars and includes applicable taxes. The charge is collected only if the traveler is actually upgraded. That means you should calculate the full cost:

Original ticket + eUpgrade credits + cash add-on

and compare it with simply booking Business Class. If you are using Aeroplan points for the original ticket, run the redemption through the Flightpoints Points Value Calculator before deciding which fare gives you the better overall value.

What Is an Aeroplan eUpgrade Clearance Window?

An eUpgrade request can be submitted well before departure, but that does not mean it can immediately clear. The eUpgrade clearance window determines when Air Canada can begin confirming the upgrade.

The timing depends on:

• Aeroplan Elite Status.
• Fare type.
• Whether the flight is within North America/Sun markets or international.

Latitude fares receive particularly favorable treatment. Eligible Economy Latitude and Premium Economy Latitude upgrades can begin clearing earlier, while lower fare categories may only begin clearing closer to departure.

Higher Aeroplan status generally provides an earlier opportunity to clear than lower status when comparable fares are involved. Air Canada maintains an interactive eUpgrade requirements and clearance-window tool because the exact window varies by combination.

Does Requesting Early Guarantee the Upgrade?

No. Aeroplan eUpgrades are always subject to upgrade availability. You can request an upgrade in advance, but Air Canada explicitly states that an upgrade is never guaranteed. If it does not clear during your advance clearance window, the request can move to the airport standby list for assessment around departure.

So seeing empty Business Class seats on a seat map does not prove your upgrade will clear. Seat maps show assigned seats, not necessarily the airline’s upgrade inventory. If Business Class is essential for your trip, booking Business Class directly is safer than relying entirely on an eUpgrade request.

What Happens If Your Aeroplan eUpgrade Does Not Clear?

If the upgrade does not happen, the corresponding eUpgrade credits are returned. For a connecting itinerary where only some eligible segments clear, Air Canada may return the portion of credits associated with segments that were not upgraded.

If your request is still pending close to departure, it may be processed through the airport standby list.

Do not board prematurely while waiting on the list. Air Canada’s current policy says a traveler who boards before the flight closes for check-in can be removed from the airport upgrade list and forfeit the pending request.

Can You Upgrade a Travel Companion?

Yes. Aeroplan Elite Status members can use Aeroplan eUpgrades for eligible travel companions. If your companions are on the same reservation, Air Canada currently allows status members to request upgrades for themselves and up to four companions in advance.

If a companion is on the same flight but a different reservation, the request generally needs to be handled by an Air Canada agent at the airport on the day of departure. There is also a special Super Elite benefit.

Aeroplan Super Elite members can designate one eUpgrade nominee each benefit year and use credits to request upgrades for that person even when they are not traveling together.

Can You Use eUpgrades Without Elite Status?

In limited circumstances, yes. If you previously earned eUpgrade credits but no longer hold Aeroplan Elite Status, Air Canada says you can still use remaining valid credits for yourself when traveling on eligible Economy Latitude or Premium Economy Latitude fares.

However, you cannot use those remaining credits to upgrade a companion once you no longer hold Elite Status. So losing status does not automatically make every unused credit worthless.

Do Aeroplan eUpgrades Work on Partner Airlines?

No. Aeroplan eUpgrades are designed for eligible flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, or Air Canada Rouge. You cannot use them to upgrade a Lufthansa, United Airlines, Turkish Airlines, ANA, or other Star Alliance-operated flight simply because the ticket was booked through Aeroplan.

A codeshare marketed by another airline but actually operated by Air Canada may still be eligible, but Air Canada says those upgrade requests need to be handled at the airport on the day of travel. This distinction is important when comparing Air Canada awards with partner awards.

Is Economy Latitude the Best Fare for Aeroplan eUpgrades?

It can be one of the easiest, but it is not automatically the best value.

Latitude fares generally receive favorable eUpgrade treatment because they can:

• Require fewer eUpgrade credits.
• Avoid some of the larger add-ons attached to lower fares.
• Receive earlier clearance opportunities.

But Latitude itself can cost substantially more than Standard or Flex.

Imagine:

Option A

• Economy Standard award: 35,000 Aeroplan points.
• Large eUpgrade credit requirement.
• Additional cash add-on.

Option B

• Economy Latitude award: 60,000 points.
• Lower eUpgrade credit requirement.
• No large add-on.
• Better clearance conditions.

Option B may be easier to upgrade, but the extra points still need to be justified.

Use the Flightpoints CPP Calculator to compare the value of the original award against purchasing or redeeming directly for Business Class.

Aeroplan eUpgrades vs Booking Business Class Directly

Using eUpgrades can reduce the points or cash needed to access Business Class, but there is a trade-off.

Aeroplan eUpgrades may be better when:

• You already have unused eUpgrade credits.
• An eligible lower-cabin fare is inexpensive.
• The cash add-on is small or zero.
• Your status gives you a favorable clearance opportunity.
• You are comfortable with the possibility that the upgrade does not clear.

Booking Business Class directly may be better when:

• Business Class award pricing is reasonable.
• You absolutely need the premium cabin.
• The lower fare has a large eUpgrade add-on.
• Upgrade availability appears limited.
• You are traveling with several people and do not want the party split.

Use Flightpoints to compare Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class award prices before deciding.

Flightpoints’ Aeroplan Redemption Guide can also help determine whether spending additional points upfront makes more sense than relying on an upgrade.

How to Use Aeroplan eUpgrades

The process is relatively straightforward:

1. Book an eligible Air Canada fare.
2. Make sure your Aeroplan number is attached to the reservation.
3. Sign in to your eUpgrade account.
4. Retrieve the booking using the reservation details.
5. Select the passenger and eligible flight segments.
6. Review the required credits and any cash add-on.
7. Submit the upgrade request.
8. Monitor whether it clears before departure.

Air Canada deducts the necessary credits when the request is submitted. If the eligible upgrade does not clear, the appropriate credits are returned.

Tips for Getting More From Aeroplan eUpgrades

A few strategies can improve the usefulness of your credits:

• Avoid Basic fares. They are not eligible.
• Compare Latitude carefully. The higher initial fare may produce much better upgrade conditions.
• Request early. Do not wait until check-in if you already know you want the upgrade.
• Check several dates. Upgrade availability can differ dramatically between flights.
• Compare cabins first. Sometimes the direct Business Class award is already reasonably priced.
• Watch expiry dates. Credits must still be valid on the date of travel.
• Include add-ons in your math. An upgrade requiring a large cash payment may not be the bargain it appears to be.

If you are flexible, read How to Search Aeroplan Award Flights before booking your base fare.

Are Aeroplan eUpgrades Worth Using?

Aeroplan eUpgrades can be an excellent benefit when the right fare, route, and upgrade availability line up. They are particularly useful for travelers who already hold Aeroplan Elite Status and can combine a reasonably priced Economy or Premium Economy ticket with credits that would otherwise expire.

But an eUpgrade is not a guaranteed cheap Business Class ticket. Lower fares can require more credits and sizeable cash add-ons, while waitlisted upgrades may remain unresolved until departure.

The best strategy is to compare all three possibilities:

• Book the lower cabin and stay there.
• Book the lower cabin and request an eUpgrade.
• Book Business Class outright with cash or Aeroplan points.

Use Flightpoints to compare current awards and the Points Value Calculator to see which option gives your points the strongest return.

FAQs

Q: What are Aeroplan eUpgrades?
A: Aeroplan eUpgrades are credits that eligible members can use to request upgrades into Business Class, Premium Economy, or Premium Rouge on qualifying Air Canada-operated flights.

Q: How do you earn Aeroplan eUpgrades?
A: Aeroplan Elite Status members receive eUpgrade credits as a Core Benefit, with additional credits available through Aeroplan Milestone Benefits and selected eligible activities.

Q: Can you use Aeroplan eUpgrades on award flights?
A: Yes. Eligible Air Canada flights booked with Aeroplan points can be upgraded using eUpgrade credits, subject to the fare, required credits, applicable add-ons, and upgrade availability.

Q: Can Economy Basic be upgraded with eUpgrade credits?
A: No. Air Canada states that Economy Basic and Premium Economy Basic fares are not eligible for eUpgrades.

Q: How long are Aeroplan eUpgrade credits valid?
A: Standard credits are valid for 12 months from issuance. Eligible Aeroplan Elite members who are primary holders of a premium Aeroplan credit card receive 24-month validity on qualifying newly issued credits.

Q: Are Aeroplan eUpgrades guaranteed?
A: No. Upgrade requests remain subject to availability and operational considerations. Requests that do not clear in advance can move to the airport standby list.

Q: Can I use Aeroplan eUpgrades for another person?
A: Aeroplan Elite members can use credits for eligible travel companions. Super Elite members can additionally designate one eUpgrade nominee who can receive upgrades even when the Super Elite member is not traveling with them.

Q: Can Aeroplan eUpgrades be used on United Airlines or Lufthansa?
A: No. eUpgrades apply to eligible flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, and Air Canada Rouge rather than partner-operated flights.