Lots of info on here now. Can anyone find if awards on ie. AA or BA would include connecting space on another airline (ie. Roots) where AA or BA do not fly to the originating city? The full points concept is awesome and service to YEG (as per National Post) even better - a real choice (pending seeing the schedule) for travellers!

As it happens, the logical address (www.rootsair.ca) will not get you there--it gets you to an ad for a domain registration service. In this, it is unlike all other Canadian airlines (AC, WestJet, Canjet, Royal, Canada 3000, and Air Transat all have .ca addresses). The only acceptable address is www.rootsair.com

The .com/.ca thing has caused me grief on a number of occasions. My inclination is to type .com and I often forget that there is such a thing as .ca. But I agree, it's surprising they haven't registered the less well known .ca domain name.

I don't think there is enough info for me to sign up and start flying yet. Very vague if you ask me. Like to see more info.

Nice to see they have finally updated their site. Seems the BA levels are the same as they were when Cdn+ offered them. Particularly the 100K J-class and 125K F-class awards to Africa and India.

As a MVP Gold member, it appears one would accumulate 10K or more per round trip between YYZ and YVR, before any class of service bonus. And upgrades are issued every 5K for this tier of elite, rather than every 10K. [Site talks about flight miles, so I assume this is their version of Q-miles and not total miles after elite bonuses, thus requiring slightly more than one return trip to YVR to earn them. This comes close to making them self-replenishing, though certificates are only issued quarterly with statements.] Also no details if these are one-class upgrades -- i.e. Silver to Gold, Bronze to Silver -- or "any fare" upgrades.

It will probably be worth trying a trip when the YYZ-YEG service starts up in June, just to see how things work out in practice. Thanks for the update, Altaflyer. I guess you are pleased about the YEG service.

[This message has been edited by Shareholder (edited 03-26-2001).]

Thanks for the update, Altaflyer. I guess you are pleased about the YEG service. [/B][/QUOTE]


I am pleased that there is a real choice and if Roots will offer a decent schedule (2 flights may not do it if they are at the wrong times) and points in a program that will give a wide choice of awards then I will certainly give them a try. Heck, if I effectively get double points on every flight (no 50% points as on AC) then this is a viable option.

Still not tempting me (although perhaps I should be). I effectively get 100% bonus on all flights (at least in 2000 I did with all the threshold bonuses) plus I got the 25% class of service bonus for all J flights (including certificate upgraded and paid J). I am still ahead with AC plus I get more lounge access etc. Now if Roots was part of oneworld or, heaven forbid, even SkyTeam I might be more interested . . .

Just spoke to Roots who said that an existing account with Alaska will NOT get you Roots specific benefits (ie. Roots upgrades as you will get Alaska upgrades). A seperate account is needed. Also, when redeeming a BA award from a non-BA city connecting space on Roots is included (presumably only if you have a Roots specific account?).

Too bad re: existing Alaska account as I just got a free 4000 pts for opening one on-line!

<Marv Albert/ON>
YES!!!!!
<Marv Albert/OFF>

. . . now that's starting to look interesting. How easy will it be to get those awards since they are not in the alliance?

While 6J seems to be all excited about their partnership with AS, AS doesn't seems to be as their website still doesn't reflect 6J as one of their partners yet.

Still not tempting me (although perhaps I should be). I effectively get 100% bonus on all flights (at least in 2000 I did with all the threshold bonuses) plus I got the 25% class of service bonus for all J flights (including certificate upgraded and paid J). I am still ahead with AC plus I get more lounge access etc. Now if Roots was part of oneworld

Same here...

I think some of our travel pattern just does not allow us to fly on 6J and their partners.

[This message has been edited by Empress (edited 03-27-2001).]

But if the were to link up with oneworld...

Dup

[This message has been edited by Ken hAAmer (edited 03-29-2001).]

I've just receive the monthly email letters from Alaska. I think it will comfort Empress that Alaska is indeed very interested by their partnership with Roots.


HERE�S WHAT�S HAPPENING IN MILEAGE PLAN'S WORLD
=================================================

Mileage Plan does it again, adding more partners and offering more benefits!
Alaska Airlines is pleased to announce that Roots Air, the newest Mileage Plan
partner, now serves three destinations in Canada. If you�re headed south,
you�ll be interested in our discounted redemption to Mexico and Bonus Miles
from Paradise Village in Puerto Vallarta. We just can�t help ourselves; we love
to give you the most for your miles!

Christiant