Aeroplan Status Challenge for World of Hyatt Members - Star Alliance Gold for Globalists in 90 Days
Aeroplan has launched its status challenge for World of Hyatt elites. Link your accounts, register, and earn the required Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) from eligible Air Canada activity within 90 days. For Globalists, it is one of the cheapest routes to Star Alliance Gold I have seen in a while.
Click HERE to register for the Aeroplan Elite Status Challenge!
Explorists can earn 25K with 8,000 SQC. Globalists can go further: 25K with 8,000 SQC, 35K with 12,000, 50K with 17,000, or 75K with 25,000. For comparison, standard qualification requires 25,000 to 75,000 SQC across those same tiers in a calendar year. The tier that matters is 50K. 25K and 35K map to Star Alliance Silver, while 50K and above carry Star Alliance Gold, which is where alliance-wide lounge access and extra baggage begin.
| Aeroplan Tier | SQC in 90 Days | Hyatt Tier | Star Alliance | Flex / Premium (4x) | Standard (2x) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25K | 8,000 | Explorist or Globalist | Silver | CA$2,000 (~S$1,840) | CA$4,000 (~S$3,680) |
| 35K | 12,000 | Globalist | Silver | CA$3,000 (~S$2,760) | CA$6,000 (~S$5,520) |
| 50K | 17,000 | Globalist | Gold | CA$4,250 (~S$3,910) | CA$8,500 (~S$7,820) |
| 75K | 25,000 | Globalist | Gold | CA$6,250 (~S$5,750) | CA$12,500 (~S$11,500) |
SQC are earned at 4 per dollar on Economy Flex or higher, 2 per dollar on Economy Standard, and 1 per dollar on Air Canada Vacations packages. They are based on base fare and carrier surcharges, excluding taxes, and Economy Basic earns nothing. Fares paid in Singapore dollars are converted to Canadian dollars at Air Canada’s internal rate.
In practice, one premium cabin return to North America on an Air Canada ticket could get a Globalist to 50K. If you are flying economy, price Economy Flex: if it costs less than double the Standard fare, it is the better deal for status.
Do You Have to Fly Air Canada?
No, but Air Canada must either issue the ticket or operate the flight. The following count, all in Economy Standard or higher:
Air Canada-operated flights (including Express and Rouge), whoever issued the ticket.
Star Alliance flights (Singapore Airlines, ANA, Thai, EVA and so on), but only on an Air Canada-issued ticket with a number starting with 014.
Air Canada Vacations packages.
What does not count: partner flights on a partner-issued ticket (such as an SQ flight on an SQ ticket), Economy Basic, Aeroplan award bookings including Points + Cash, SQC from promotions, and non-flight SQC from cards or partners. Check your ticket number before you fly.
The Singapore Catch: Air Canada Is Leaving Changi Airport
Air Canada is discontinuing its Vancouver to Singapore service, with the last Singapore departure on 26 January 2027. Your 90-day window starts when registration is processed (up to 48 hours), and eligible flights must depart within it. Registering in late October gives you a window to around 26 January, covering the December school holidays and the remaining nonstops. After that, you would need Air Canada-ticketed itineraries connecting through other Asian gateways such as Bangkok, which Air Canada is making a year-round route.
How Long Is the Status Valid?
Status lasts until 31 January of the second calendar year after the year you registered, based solely on your registration date. Register in 2026 and status runs to 31 January 2028. Register in 2027 and it runs to 31 January 2029. This is a real trade-off from Singapore. Registering now lets you use the remaining nonstops. Registering in early 2027 adds a year of validity, but the nonstop ends partway through your window.
The Fine Print
One attempt per calendar year. You can only re-register after your current 90-day window ends.
Your Hyatt tier is locked at registration. If you are close to Globalist, finish those nights before you register.
Posting rules. Status is updated within 72 hours of meeting the target. SQC from flights within your window can still post during a 120-day allowance period afterwards.
Existing Aeroplan elites cannot enrol if they already hold a tier equal to or higher than their top challenge tier that is valid through the following year.
For Explorists, 25K is only Star Alliance Silver, so it is hard to get excited unless you fly Air Canada regularly. For Globalists, 17,000 SQC for 50K is the sweet spot: Star Alliance Gold lounges worldwide, Maple Leaf Lounge access and 15 eUpgrade credits. If you already have a North America trip planned, register before you book and make sure Air Canada issues the ticket.
Hyatt Globalists can now fast-track Aeroplan status up to 75K. This is a shortcut to getting Star Alliance Gold - here’s the maths from Singapore, which flights count, and why timing matters with Air Canada leaving Changi.