Air Canada Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy Add Elite Status Matching

The elite status benefits of both Air Canada Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy just got a little bit sweeter, thanks to their launch of reciprocal elite status matching.

Here are the details of this expanded partnership and how you can take advantage of it on your upcoming travels.

Get Complimentary Elite Status With Air Canada or Marriott

For starters, to be eligible for reciprocal elite status matching, you need to link your Air Canada Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy accounts if you haven’t done so already.

Air Canada Aeroplan members with 50K, 75K, or Super Elite status will have their status matched to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, which comes with perks like:

• 25% bonus points on stays
• 2 p.m. late checkout (subject to availability)
• Enhanced room upgrades (subject to availability)
• Welcome gift or bonus points at check-in

On the other side of the partnership, those with Marriott Bonvoy Titaniaum or Ambassador Elite status will have their status matched to Aeroplan 25K status, which offers:

• Complimentary preferred seats at check-in
• 2 free checked bags
• Priority boarding
• 2 Maple Leaf Lounge guest passes for 1-time visits
• 25 eUpgrade credits

Other Options for Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status

If you don’t currently have Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy elite status and aren’t eligible for this reciprocal status match, all hope isn’t lost.

Fortunately, there are a handful of credit card options that can offer you complimentary elite status with one of these programs.

A good option is the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan^® Credit Card, which offers cardholders automatic Aeroplan 25K status.

Chase Air Canada Aeroplan^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Aeroplan card is good for Air Canada flyers who want to earn more points and receive automatic elite status.

Chase Air Canada Aeroplan^® Credit Card

The Aeroplan card is good for Air Canada flyers who want to earn more points and receive automatic elite status.

Welcome Offer

For a limited time, new Chase Air Canada Aeroplan cardmembers can earn up to 115,000 bonus Aeroplan points: 75,000 bonus Aeroplan points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, plus an additional 40,000 bonus Aeroplan points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first 12 months from account opening.

115,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,725

Annual Fee

$195

APR

19.74% - 28.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

U.S.-based flyers may think they have little need for the Chase Air Canada Aeroplan^® Credit Card, but it can be useful for travelers who frequently redeem Aeroplan points or fly with Air Canada.

The card offers benefits including Aeroplan elite status, bonus points, statement credits, and travel protections.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on Air Canada purchases
• 3x points on travel purchases
• 2x points at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services)

Cons

• $195 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

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Card Highlights

• Earn up to 115,000 bonus points
• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 40,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 in the first 12 months.
• $195 Annual Fee
• Enjoy automatic 25K Aeroplan Status with benefits such as Priority Check-In, Priority Boarding (Zone 2), Additional Baggage Allowance, Star Alliance Recognition and eUpgrade Credits.
• Earn up to 5X total points for each dollar spent on Air Canada. Earn 3X points on travel purchases.
• Earn 2X points for each dollar spent at grocery stores, on dining at restaurants, and at gas stations. Earn 1X point for each dollar spent on all other purchases.
• Up to $100 in Air Canada statement credits (delivered as up to two $50 credits semi-annually).
• Save 15% on eligible Air Canada flight redemptions as a cardmember.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.74% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Those with the Aeroplan card can jump 1 tier higher to 35K status with $75,000 in spending during a calendar year.

When it comes to Marriott Bonvoy elite status, you’ve got no shortage of card options that provide automatic elite status just for holding the card, including:

• Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card and Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card: Automatic Silver Elite status
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy^® American Express^® Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Business^® American Express^® Card, the Platinum Card^® from American Express (enrollment required), and The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express (enrollment required): Automatic Gold Elite status
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card: Automatic Marriott Bonvoy^® Platinum Elite status

Final Thoughts

Recently, Air Canada and Marriott launched the ability to transfer points between the 2 programs, and now they have further enhanced that partnership by adding reciprocal elite status matching.

This certainly isn’t adding huge value, given that you can easily get both of these elite status levels through certain credit cards. That said, it is still a nice addition for those who have elite status within one of the programs.