It seems that, by now, most of you have received the e-mail updating you about the Altitude status you've reached based on the Status Miles and Status Flight Segments you've earned as of December 2, 2012. Don't worry, we'll keep tracking your balance through the end of this year – and early into the next, in the event that you have any lingering retro credits.
As many of you seem to be aware, introducing Altitude represents a major transition for Air Canada. There is a significant amount of work going on in order to launch this program in the best way possible, while accounting for our global operations. Additionally, we need to close out the benefit year for our 2012 Top Tier members, delivering to them the privileges that we've committed to through the end of February 2013.
Therefore, in order to accomodate these considerations, March 1, 2013 will be the effective date for your Altitude status in 2013. As some have pointed out, this is the 'official' launch of the benefit year in even a normal year; however, typically in the past, if you've qualified for a higher status earlier on, we would recognize you with that status as early as December.
Unfortunately, for launch in 2013, this will not be the case. That said, we're working on many improvements in the interest of simplifying your travel experience as an Altitude member. To that end, if you can bear with us through the transition, I'm confident that you'll like where you'll find yourself when Altitude launches in March. I can also confirm that this March 1 effective date, while required for launch this year, is not something that we expect to use going forward.
Naturally, we'll be keeping you informed about the launch of Altitude, with regular updates about what you can expect as we get closer to launch. As always, all of the details are at aircanada.com/altitude, which will remain updated throughout this transition.
In the meantime, there are some important questions & comments that have been raised in various threads, which are being addressed below...
Quote:
Originally Posted by xLuther
Got my welcome to 50k today, reminding me I could still make 75k ...I noticed it said address as of Dec 2nd. So guessing it's based miles on Dec 2
Looks like someone's reading his e-mails carefully! As you point out, we took a snapshot of every member's balance as of December 2. Therefore, if you have since rolled up to a higher status in the past few days, you may be receiving a notification that you've achieved a lower Altitude status than your balance currently reflects – don't worry, we'll capture you at the correct level.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 076753k
I got the 75K email. Should I proceed with the luggage tags now, or wait until I cross 100K on the 24th.....?
There's no need to wait! Regardless of where you land in terms of Altitude status, we will ensure that your luggage tag is customized with your preference of name & address, or name only.
Quote:
Originally Posted by yvr76
What I don't understand is that for SE, if we designate someone else as Elite 50k via select privilege, how are they able to sort it out in time if we don't select it until the week of February 25th.
Should you choose Altitude Elite 50K for a Friend as one of your Select Privileges, shortly after you nominate your friend, they will be notified of this nomination by e-mail. Considering that Super Elite 100K members can choose this benefit throughout the year as they roll up to this status during early recognition, we will be able to "sort it out" regardless of when you pick this option.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hydrogen
So somebody decided to add a cool table describing Altitude 2013 on the AC website that says:
December 31: Make sure all your 2012 status flights have been credited to your Aeroplan Account.
So does that mean anything credited after 12/31/2012 no longer count?
As we pointed out in this thread already, flight activities that post after December 31, 2012 – for travel on or before December 31, 2012 – will absolutely count towards your balance of Status Miles or Status Segments for Altitude status in 2013. We just want to ensure everyone is diligent in the interest of ensuring that all of their flight activities are credited on December 31, or shortly thereafter.
Note that this message is similar to what we've communicated to members during December in recent years.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RooFlyer
As a relative newbie, who got E in 2011 covering 2012 and was going to tick over for SE in December this year, I've been following with interest discussions elsewhere here on when new status would be recognised.
Other threads have come to the general concensus is that if (in my case) SE was gained in December, that status would be recognised 'early', maybe after a 'sweep' in late Dec or Early Jan (but kit and formalities sent out for March 1, as per protocol).
Therefore I'm surprised at comments here saying 'Status only recognised March 1 is normal'. And I wonder why, when and if 'early ' status will be recognised should be an AC State Secret, subject to endless speculation in forums like this one.
Early recognition is definitely not a state secret; it's just that, as mentioned above, this year the effective date of your status will work a bit differently in order to best accomodate the transition to Altitude. At a high level, and as outlined on aircanada.com/altitude, we will be confirming the 2013 Altitude status of all qualifying members towards the end of January 2013. Shortly thereafter, we will be deploying Altitude membership packages, to ensure that you have your card in-hand by March 1, 2013. Unlike in previous years, you will choose your Select Privileges after your membership package is deployed – currently targeted for the week of February 25, 2013 – and depending upon what you pick, we will send you a follow-up package by mail. (Of course, should you choose things like eUpgrade Credits, which are fully electronic, no package will be necessary.) Additionally, we will do our best to ensure that these follow-up packages are accelerated, particularly for Altitude Elite 35K members who have chosen access to Star Alliance Business Lounges as a Select Privilege.
Oh... and also?
Quote:
Originally Posted by payam81
Craig Landry is busy again on his desktop.
Trust me... Craig is always very busy ... just like the rest of us here!
Happy holidays everyone!
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Question about the benefit choice on lower requalification level for 2014: If I'm a SE and select that option I understand I will only require 95K status miles to hit SE, but does it imply that if I am unable to hit 95K I only need 45K to hit Elite 50 or 70K to hit Elite 75? Couldn't find it in the FAQ. Thanks for clarifying.
Question about the benefit choice on lower requalification level for 2014: If I'm a SE and select that option I understand I will only require 95K status miles to hit SE, but does it imply that if I am unable to hit 95K I only need 45K to hit Elite 50 or 70K to hit Elite 75? Couldn't find it in the FAQ. Thanks for clarifying.
Good question, I meant to capture that one awhile back. If you reach 2013 Altitude Super Elite 100K and choose the Lower Requalification Threshold for 2014 status as a Select Privilege, it will only apply when requalifying for 2014 Super Elite 100K. The lower threshold will not apply to requalify for 2014 Elite 75K, 2014 Elite 50K or any other status.
(Note that this will be clearly outlined when you choose your Select Privileges.)
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Can you please do something about the expiring eUpgrade credits? Last year we were able to combine expiring 2011 credits with new 2012 credits at the beginning of the year, but it appears that this year we won't get the 2013 credits until after the 2012 credits expire.
There are many of us, myself included that have 'orphaned' credits that we are not able to use.
It would be a great gesture of goodwill by AC if you extended the expiration on the 2012 credits by a couple of months, say to end of April 2013 to give members an opportunity to combine their 2012 and 2013 credits.
Can you please do something about the expiring eUpgrade credits? Last year we were able to combine expiring 2011 credits with new 2012 credits at the beginning of the year, but it appears that this year we won't get the 2013 credits until after the 2012 credits expire.
There are many of us, myself included that have 'orphaned' credits that we are not able to use.
It would be a great gesture of goodwill by AC if you extended the expiration on the 2012 credits by a couple of months, say to end of April 2013 to give members an opportunity to combine their 2012 and 2013 credits.
Programs: AC 100K; SPG Plat (CEM); Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 70
Would be very nice, but I'm certainly not holding my breath.
Appreciate the quick answer about the lower requalification level, though a bit surprised that it only applies to the level you're at (really, what is the cost of offering a SE the lower requalification for other Altitude levels when we will realistically be chasing SE status) - keep in mind how much is already saved from shrewdly changing this option from offering additional status miles (ah the good old days when we used to get 5,000 status miles for being SE!)
Overally, things have gone downhill considerably. While I have too much invested to go the route of some (United points/status), I'm still pretty disappointed.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cyan
Thanks for the post, ACTT! Much appreciated!
Indeed!
One more potential issue I see is that MLL passes won´t be arriving before March or even April which will cause some issues as those were typically sent out in Jan. to those who hadn´t qualified late. Not particularly happy as I was intending to gift lounge access to a family member who´s flying AC in March, but guess I´ll have to live with that.
Bad luck for my SO who just made status for the first time. We were hoping for the additional baggage allowance for flights early January. On the other hand, good communication from AC.
Can you please do something about the expiring eUpgrade credits? Last year we were able to combine expiring 2011 credits with new 2012 credits at the beginning of the year, but it appears that this year we won't get the 2013 credits until after the 2012 credits expire.
There are many of us, myself included that have 'orphaned' credits that we are not able to use.
It would be a great gesture of goodwill by AC if you extended the expiration on the 2012 credits by a couple of months, say to end of April 2013 to give members an opportunity to combine their 2012 and 2013 credits.
I appreciate how you responded to the clear questions that were asked throughout the thread- Mods- is there a better way to keep track of these de facto 'FAQ's from FT'ers' so that TopTier isn't answering the same inquiry over and over?
Good question, I meant to capture that one awhile back. If you reach 2013 Altitude Super Elite 100K and choose the Lower Requalification Threshold for 2014 status as a Select Privilege, it will only apply when requalifying for 2014 Super Elite 100K. The lower threshold will not apply to requalify for 2014 Elite 75K, 2014 Elite 50K or any other status.
(Note that this will be clearly outlined when you choose your Select Privileges.)
This is, I think, quite a (negative) change from prior years. To illustrate, I am SE in 2012 and will be Altitude 75K for 2013 (although I will have 80K+ status miles (and extra eUps) thanks to the 5K benefit I chose at the beginning of the year). My aim is to regain SE for 2013. However, not only do I not have a choice of 5K status miles, it appears I can't choose the 95K requalification for 2013.
As you point out, we took a snapshot of every member's balance as of December 2. Therefore, if you have since rolled up to a higher status in the past few days, you may be receiving a notification that you've achieved a lower Altitude status than your balance currently reflects – don't worry, we'll capture you at the correct level.
