Last edit by: WoodlandCreature
Who is eligible for Air Canada’s Concierge service?
- Super Elite, 24/7, via phone or email.
- Those booked into Signature Class, "at the airport".
- More details here: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...-services.html
In which cities are Concierge services available?
- For a no-longer up-to-date list, check the link above.
How do I contact a Concierge?
- Remotely:
- For SE: From the app, click your virtual Aeroplan Card and Customer Support. Email and phone numbers for Super Elite are shown.
- There are per-airport email aliases as well, unpublished, but following an obvious pattern if you interact with them.
- For Others: You don't.
- For SE: From the app, click your virtual Aeroplan Card and Customer Support. Email and phone numbers for Super Elite are shown.
- At the airport:
- They are wearing black AC uniforms.
- The following Canadian airports are known to have accessible, landside, offices, all relatively nearby the check in desks: YVR, YYC, YYZ, YOW, YUL
- Others: Good luck. Priority check in agent, or MLL agents, may be able to trigger one to materialize.
What exactly can/does the AC concierge do?
#61
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,958
I'm flying out of YYT today (via YYZ and YVR to SYD) and it looks like things are getting messy with cancelled/ delayed flights. Since there's no concierge at YYT, if I need help with flights out of here, should I contact a concierge at another airport? Or is it better to call the generic SE line or wait to talk to a regular agent at the YYT counter?
Last night at 01:00est my YYZ-LAX flight was cancelled. I called YVR Concierge as I thought they would be the only one still available in Canada. They rebooked me in the last seat on the LAX flight this morning (whether that flight goes is another matter). The SE phone line was very backed up.
#62
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: YHM
Programs: AC*S100K SPG Gold
Posts: 258
I'm really late getting this up, but the YYZ concierge named Grace was really helpful with me and Dr Hussar whilst on reward vacation 26 Dec - 2 Jan in ANU.
AC had re-assigned the priority seats I had requested at booking. They used re-sched as an excuse It was a matter of minutes, neither substantial nor even a change in metal. Not only were we on window and aisle around row 25, we weren't even side by side! I didn't even find out until on-line check-in.
AC and AP played the blame-the-other game, neither could / would sort it out. It took some time but Grace was able to get us back together. She put us on the UG list as I wasn't given the option on-line. <one J seat cleared at the gate, but I declined so that Dr H and I could sit together.>
I called back for the return flight because the check-in agent wouldn't put us on the UG list. It was Grace again; she remembered our prior discussion and helped once again.
It was the only time I have needed the service, but will miss it because I have dropped to 75K for 2014-15.
AC had re-assigned the priority seats I had requested at booking. They used re-sched as an excuse It was a matter of minutes, neither substantial nor even a change in metal. Not only were we on window and aisle around row 25, we weren't even side by side! I didn't even find out until on-line check-in.
AC and AP played the blame-the-other game, neither could / would sort it out. It took some time but Grace was able to get us back together. She put us on the UG list as I wasn't given the option on-line. <one J seat cleared at the gate, but I declined so that Dr H and I could sit together.>
I called back for the return flight because the check-in agent wouldn't put us on the UG list. It was Grace again; she remembered our prior discussion and helped once again.
It was the only time I have needed the service, but will miss it because I have dropped to 75K for 2014-15.
#63
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,326
Okay, new question.
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...concierge.html says:
But the Altitude Report today (along with anecdotal evidence from FT) says:
And when you call, after selecting a language, you get:
"If you are travelling today, press 1."
So can they help me with a restaurant reservation or not? Or only if it's on the day of travel? What if I want to make the reservation for a flight in two days? I highly doubt the SE desk (I'm assuming that's where that option goes) is going to get me a table.
Personally, I can't see myself using a concierge for anything that isn't related to flights, but they do advertise the service.
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...concierge.html says:
Our Concierge Agents are available to assist you with:
Travel and airport related matters;
Special requests, such as hotel or restaurant reservations, special in-flight meals and entertainment; and
Additional support if ever your travel plans are disrupted.
Travel and airport related matters;
Special requests, such as hotel or restaurant reservations, special in-flight meals and entertainment; and
Additional support if ever your travel plans are disrupted.
Air Canada Concierge Service is making a few changes in order to better assist you on your day of travel. When contacting our Concierge at Canadian airports by phone, you are now provided with two options. When selecting assistance for future travel, you’ll be directed to a Super Elite 100K agent who can help you with reservations, eUpgrade requests and more. This allows our Concierge agents, who will soon be available 24 hours a day, to focus on providing you with attentive personalized service.
"If you are travelling today, press 1."
So can they help me with a restaurant reservation or not? Or only if it's on the day of travel? What if I want to make the reservation for a flight in two days? I highly doubt the SE desk (I'm assuming that's where that option goes) is going to get me a table.
Personally, I can't see myself using a concierge for anything that isn't related to flights, but they do advertise the service.
#64
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
I assume you could send an e-mail to the concierge, but honestly I wouldn´t bother a concierge with anything that isn´t flight-related.
I´d also think the process would be less efficient vs. me just calling the restaurant myself; and I doubt they have access to any tables you can´t book yourself.
You obviously raise a valid point - I´d guess the feature is very rarely used by anyone, so they didn´t give it much thought. It may have been useful before everyone had a laptop / smartphone etc., but I honestly can´t think of a good reason why anyone would ask an AC concierge to handle a restaurant reservation.
I´d also think the process would be less efficient vs. me just calling the restaurant myself; and I doubt they have access to any tables you can´t book yourself.
You obviously raise a valid point - I´d guess the feature is very rarely used by anyone, so they didn´t give it much thought. It may have been useful before everyone had a laptop / smartphone etc., but I honestly can´t think of a good reason why anyone would ask an AC concierge to handle a restaurant reservation.
#65
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SEMM, NEXUS
Posts: 858
I like the idea of 24-hour concierge service - although I guess this would be limited to major stations like YYZ/YUL/YVR (LHR/FRA?). I certainly hope it's not just for YYZ.
This is probably linked with the recent job postings for 8 new concierge positions at YYZ...
This is probably linked with the recent job postings for 8 new concierge positions at YYZ...
#66
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,326
Even if you had to call YYZ, the ability to get in touch with someone at an airport is still a great service to have 24/7.
#67
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,717
I have had excellent experiences there, and very bad ones; depends on who's working!
#68
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Canada
Programs: AC*SE
Posts: 1,924
So can they help me with a restaurant reservation or not? Or only if it's on the day of travel? What if I want to make the reservation for a flight in two days? I highly doubt the SE desk (I'm assuming that's where that option goes) is going to get me a table.
Personally, I can't see myself using a concierge for anything that isn't related to flights, but they do advertise the service.
Personally, I can't see myself using a concierge for anything that isn't related to flights, but they do advertise the service.
I assume you could send an e-mail to the concierge, but honestly I wouldn´t bother a concierge with anything that isn´t flight-related.
I´d also think the process would be less efficient vs. me just calling the restaurant myself; and I doubt they have access to any tables you can´t book yourself.
You obviously raise a valid point - I´d guess the feature is very rarely used by anyone, so they didn´t give it much thought. It may have been useful before everyone had a laptop / smartphone etc., but I honestly can´t think of a good reason why anyone would ask an AC concierge to handle a restaurant reservation.
I´d also think the process would be less efficient vs. me just calling the restaurant myself; and I doubt they have access to any tables you can´t book yourself.
You obviously raise a valid point - I´d guess the feature is very rarely used by anyone, so they didn´t give it much thought. It may have been useful before everyone had a laptop / smartphone etc., but I honestly can´t think of a good reason why anyone would ask an AC concierge to handle a restaurant reservation.
Great for flight situations, less good for other stuff.
On that note, I hear all of these changes are coming from a new Director of the program that AC has. Let's just see how much longer you're able to call an individual airport's Concierge office with this new phone system in place...
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
It seems the new system is designed to reduce the workload for concierges by re-directing any issues to the SE line that don´t necessarily need to be dealt with by the airport staff and cannot be handled by the general res line.
Since there probably are quite a few SEs who don´t really know when to call the SE line and when to call the concierge line (or to phrase it less politely: SEs who waste the concierges´ time), that´s fine with me.
#70
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Canada
Programs: AC*SE
Posts: 1,924
If AC eliminated the ability to contact the concierges directly, it would to a large extent eliminate the usefulness of the this benefit - one of the few benefits left where AC outperforms its competitors.
It seems the new system is designed to reduce the workload for concierges by re-directing any issues to the SE line that don´t necessarily need to be dealt with by the airport staff and cannot be handled by the general res line.
Since there probably are quite a few SEs who don´t really know when to call the SE line and when to call the concierge line (or to phrase it less politely: SEs who waste the concierges´ time), that´s fine with me.
It seems the new system is designed to reduce the workload for concierges by re-directing any issues to the SE line that don´t necessarily need to be dealt with by the airport staff and cannot be handled by the general res line.
Since there probably are quite a few SEs who don´t really know when to call the SE line and when to call the concierge line (or to phrase it less politely: SEs who waste the concierges´ time), that´s fine with me.
#71
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: All Accor Plat, 1865 Voyager, AE E35K, HH Gold,Hyatt, Hrtz Gold, Marriott Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 1,670
I have already had the SE line tell me to phone back and push 1 when I am travelling the next day and needed to speak to a concierge. The agent at the end of the SE line acknowledged that the concierges have the ability to do things that we cannot. I just wanted to get on an earlier flight the next day from YYZ to LGA.
#72
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 252
If they are making changes how about having the concierges actually provide some service to non-SE international J passengers as they are meant to do - rather than just making it very clear to us that we don't count.
#73
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,326
I have already had the SE line tell me to phone back and push 1 when I am travelling the next day and needed to speak to a concierge. The agent at the end of the SE line acknowledged that the concierges have the ability to do things that we cannot. I just wanted to get on an earlier flight the next day from YYZ to LGA.
If they want to improve the system, there are two things they need to do:
1. "Hello, I see you are calling from a number registered to an SE account whose language is set to English. Are you travelling today?"
2. "Hello, I'm not familiar with your phone number. Would you like English or French" - "Do you want to identify yourself with a booking reference or Aeroplan number?"
I think this IVR is a great first step in the right direction for keeping people away from concierges who don't have access, as well as ensuring access for those who are entitled.
But as was seen with the eUp issues, sometimes it's hard to implement a huge technical change at once. I have had no problems with the new system (not that I've used it much), so I can only hope they'll continue to improve it.
#74
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 252
Why not have a central concierge telephone number for international J passengers where AC can check the locator and easily verify that you are indeed eligible for the service.
AC makes it as hard as possible for J passengers to reach concierges and then the concierges themselves are often dismissive to non-SEs if you do manage to track one down in an airport.
#75
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,326
I don't see how the new system helps non-SE international J passengers as we are not given any SE phone numbers in the first place.
Why not have a central concierge telephone number for international J passengers where AC can check the locator and easily verify that you are indeed eligible for the service.
AC makes it as hard as possible for J passengers to reach concierges and then the concierges themselves are often dismissive to non-SEs if you do manage to track one down in an airport.
Why not have a central concierge telephone number for international J passengers where AC can check the locator and easily verify that you are indeed eligible for the service.
AC makes it as hard as possible for J passengers to reach concierges and then the concierges themselves are often dismissive to non-SEs if you do manage to track one down in an airport.
If they can secure the IVR, then they can make the phone numbers public.