Just booked a trip for me and the missus
to HNL in Feb using the AMEX 2 for 1 (yippee!) Booked in "C" class as per require
ments on the coupon. Two questions:
1) Will I get any class of service points?
( I know the "guest" doesn't get ANY pts)
2) When this service starts in Nov., they
are using CP 763's. I have selected seats
1F&G both ways. Is this a good choice?
What Bus. class config are they likely to use on these flights?

I can not answer your questions. But I do have questions on the fare? What was it, and between what Canadian city, and Honolulu?

The major question is whether there are several claases of business cabin fares, as there are in the economy cabin? Of course, in AC/CP operated flights, only J and C fare codes are possible. However, with either fare code, (with or without this Amex promotion), can one through the airline or travel agencies get "discounted" business class fares? Is there such a thing as a "consolidator" business class fare (although I suspect the semantics make the wording contradictory).

What I am asking is how to buy business class fares at the least cost, between any 2 Canadian, or Canadian-US, or Canadian-overseas cities?

The fare I paid was a "C" class fare, which
is a restricted business class fare. there
are only a limited # of "C" class seats on
each flight. The reward seats also come out of this inventory, as well, so you have to
move fast! The fare I paid between Calgary
and HNL was $1808 including taxes, The regular "J" class fare is about $3000!
It is definitely a good deal!

I wonder if one can get similar discounts buying business class fares on other American or international airlines?

Yes - you will get a COS bonus for travel booked in C class.

CP 767-300ERs have a 1-2-2 configuration in J. 1D&F are good seats, unless you are worried about meal selection as CP usually go back to front in J (although I have heard this was changed by AC), or if you want to be first off the plane or near the lav which is on the port side.

Hope this helps! Have a great trip!

CP will most likely use the 1-2-2 config instead of the 2-2-2 which are only used on domestic routes. I would pick seat 5FG as you'll get served first during meal service. I think CP still serve from back to front. The lav being near the end of the business class cabin is not a big issue as it is not like Y class where tons of people use it. Being in the first row means you don't have a seat in front of you where you can store your things.

Just my thoughts... have a great trip!

Muskoka: Are you saying that you paid CDN$1808 for two business class tickets or for each business class ticket?

The US Amex Plat requires the purchase of a full fare business class or first class ticket in order to qualify for the 2 for 1.

Flyaway, it states "This offer is valid on all fares in Economy Class and Business Class."

But it then goes on to say ..

"Business class seats must be booked in "C" Class on Air Canada and in "D" Class on Canadian .."

I think this means the paid ticket can be any business class fare but the free ticket must be from the C/D inventory.

Flyaway:
The CAD $1808 is the "C" class fare, which is
the restricted business class fare, with
the accompanying advance purchase and non-
refundable restrictions. I could have paid
the full "J" fare , but since this was for a
vacation, and we won't be changing our dates,
we didn't need to have a totally open ticket.
The companion ticket must be a "C" class
ticket. This is the class that reward seats
must be booked in as well, so they are
limited on most flights. E.G. on our flights,
there are no more "C" class seats left, but
ITN still shows the business class cabin
almost wide open. (They are all designated
as "J" as they are hoping to SELL them!)

Actually - C class is not the class in which AC award tickets are booked. It is a sort of omnibus upgrade/discount business class. It is definately a revenue booking class though.

Direction of service varies with no consistency. I just did YYC-YYZ on CP metal, Both flights started at the front. On the 763, they served the entre on both aisles at the same time. All other sevice was single aisle. On the 320, pre-ordering of meals, not on the 763. no-one seemed to go without their first choice either.

I always thought and I belive one the of AC/CP employees confirmed on this board that the Amex Plat coupon has to be booked in C class but have to pay J fares?

I think the taking order of meals depends on the FA's preference. If I remember correctly, I've been on flights on both the 320 and 767 where the FA took the order before they started meal service.

It is only logical that since the second ticket is free, it must come from award/upgrade or discounted Business inventory. The paid ticket can be in full or discounted Business, but because of the deal with Amex must also come from a discounted inventory so as not to pre-empt sale of the total full fare J inventory.

Yow! Don't scare me like that! I've booked
but not paid for my Hawaii ticket--I don't
want to pay a "J" price to go, even with
the 2 for 1!! I'm sure that I can pay "C"
fare on the revenue ticket.

D is the booking code for AC Executive Class award travel, and W is the code for their so-called Hospitality Class.