Emirates first class awards restricted to Aeroplan 35K status or higher

all members → Aeroplan 35K status or higher

Effective July 21, 2026, Aeroplan members must hold Aeroplan 35K status or higher to redeem points for Emirates first class, mirroring the elite-only restriction Emirates applied to its own Skywards program in May 2025. For members without status, this closes one of the most aspirational uses of Aeroplan points, which receive 1:1 transfers from American Express, Chase, Capital One, and Bilt. As a partial offset, Emirates premium economy became bookable with Aeroplan points on the same date, making Emirates the first Aeroplan partner bookable in all four cabins. Under the SQC qualification system, credit card spending counts toward reaching 35K status.

What to do: Aeroplan members without 35K status should book Emirates business instead, or note that card spend counts toward status under the SQC system.