How the Hyatt and Aeroplan status challenge works
As of October 17, 2026, linked World of Hyatt members can enroll in a 90-day Aeroplan status challenge, with the required Status Qualifying Credits, or SQC, tied to their Hyatt status. For travelers who hold Hyatt status and are curious about Air Canada's loyalty program, the challenge offers a structured way to try Aeroplan status without starting from zero. The details matter, so read the terms before you enroll.
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Who can enroll in the Aeroplan status challenge
The challenge is described as open to eligible members who have linked their World of Hyatt and Aeroplan accounts. Linking is the first step, so if your accounts are not yet connected, start there. Check the official terms for any other eligibility conditions, such as current status levels, residency, or restrictions on members who have used a similar offer before.
Because the challenge depends on your Hyatt status, two members may face different requirements. A member with a higher Hyatt status may be asked to earn a different number of SQC than a member with a lower one. Look up the figure that applies to you rather than relying on a number quoted for someone else.
What a 90-day challenge asks of you
A 90-day window gives you a fixed period to earn the required SQC. That is a useful limit, because it forces a plan: how many flights you expect to take, which fares earn SQC, and whether those trips are ones you would take anyway. Start the clock only when your travel calendar supports it.
Ask how SQC are earned in practice. Different fares and routes can earn at different rates, and some tickets may earn nothing. Review the Aeroplan rules for the fares you typically buy, and estimate how close your normal travel would bring you to the threshold.
Is the status challenge worth entering?
A status challenge is worth considering when you already fly with Air Canada or its partners and expect the benefits of Aeroplan status to be useful. If you rarely fly with them, the effort of chasing SQC may cost more than any perk is worth. Think about how you would use the status before you commit to any extra travel.
Avoid buying flights you do not need just to reach a threshold. Elite benefits are valuable only when they save you money, time, or hassle on trips you actually take. If the challenge fits your existing plans, it can be a low-risk way to test the program; if it does not, you can skip it.
A short checklist before you link and enroll
Before enrolling, confirm that your World of Hyatt and Aeroplan accounts are linked and that the names match. Find the SQC requirement for your current Hyatt status, note the start and end of your 90-day period, and list the flights you plan to take during it. Save the terms you relied on, in case the program updates them.
After you enroll, track your progress through the window instead of waiting until the end. If you fall short, review what the terms say about what happens next. Details can change and reported summaries can differ from your account, so check the official pages whenever something does not match what you expected.