This year I am winding up at 75,xxx miles, and am anticipating my drop to Altitude 75K, at least until September by which time I should be SE again.
With the watering down of IKK ( my most important SE benefit) no great
regrets - as most of my travel is in J I will still have access to Concierge
service when I travel, although I will not be able to avail myself of their
assistance when my family is travelling without me.
Just checking my old paper records - I have been SE in every year since
1998 ( which was the first year that level was created). I was Elite every
year before that from 1990 on.
In one year in the 2000's, I did not qualify for SE for the following year,
and dropped down to E for 3 months, but made instant SE in May of that
year.
Wondering if AC is aware ( or care) that I have been SE for 15 consecutive years, and wondering if they will bump me up on an exceptional basis?
( I won't be asking them for that - just wondering if anyone has heard
of that happening). And by the way, any other 15 year SE's out there?
__________________
2012 Flights: AC 19, UA 1, CA2, OZ 3, SQ 3, TG 4, LH 2,US 2,NH 2
2013 Flights: AC 9,SQ 10, NH 1, UA 2, OZ 1, LX 1, LH 1
Last edited by IluvSQ; Dec 25, 12 at 12:58 pm..
Reason: Can't add - 1998-2012 = 15 years, not 14
The likelihood of that happening is about the same as Santa dropping off a bag of gifts for your kids tonight.
Happy holidays anyhow.
Au contraire.
It would not at all be unheard of for a long time SE to be comped for a year without being asked, if the revenue to AC is high enough.
It has happened to at least one well known current FTer who would probably not admit to it because he values his shtick above all else.
In the case of the OP, if his travel is still mostly via F/J*RTW tickets it might be that the revenue to AC is too diluted to make comp SE a priority for AC.
Just looking at the 1998 benefit package ( it was not the best, the programme was
actually enhanced in the true sense of the word in subsequent years) but some of the
things we enjoyed then:
- lounge access anytime ( whether flying on other airlines, or even not flying - that was pre 9/11)
- SE desk open 24/7, 365 days a year
- no blackout dates for reward travel ( there were for lower tiers)
-IKK ( access to any unsold seat)
- extra baggage allowance was 4 bags
- 4 SWU's confirmable at time of booking from Y/M
- 4 NA UG's valid from any fare, bookable 72 hours prior to departure, plus 2 more
certificates every 10K miles
- 10,000 bonus miles every 10K flown after 50 K
- at 70K, buy a ticket get a free companion ticket
- at 100K 2 free nights in a partner hotel
- reduced mileage for rewards during off-season ( i.e Seoul in J for 65K instead of 100K)
- Buy a ticket, get a companion ticket at reduced rates ( i.e. Asia in J at 75 K, Europe in J at 55K)
- Free courier delivery of tickets( you remember those...)
- No fee for reward changes
- Partner offers: Delta Gold,Hilton Silver,Mariot /Radisson upgrades, Avis special rate
of $49 on premium cars, guaranteed Avis car even if location sold out,
Those were the good old days.
__________________
2012 Flights: AC 19, UA 1, CA2, OZ 3, SQ 3, TG 4, LH 2,US 2,NH 2
2013 Flights: AC 9,SQ 10, NH 1, UA 2, OZ 1, LX 1, LH 1
In the case of the OP, if his travel is still mostly via F/J*RTW tickets it might be that the revenue to AC is too diluted to make comp SE a priority for AC.
You know me too well!
__________________
2012 Flights: AC 19, UA 1, CA2, OZ 3, SQ 3, TG 4, LH 2,US 2,NH 2
2013 Flights: AC 9,SQ 10, NH 1, UA 2, OZ 1, LX 1, LH 1
I've been E for nine years. CP Empress Club/Presidents Club prior to the "merchase" of AC/CP. I am winding up all the years and good times over the coming days. I decided to end the whole loyalty alliance thing this year with the change to the program for 2013. I'm just s simple guy spending my own money and who has had a love of contrails and jet fuel since I was a toddler.
No doubt I will buy a J ticket some day but with the competition, F/J discount fares with other airlines, priority pass through my credit card.. So long Aeroplan and Air Canada.
Just looking at the 1998 benefit package ( it was not the best, the programme was
actually enhanced in the true sense of the word in subsequent years) but some of the
things we enjoyed then:
- lounge access anytime ( whether flying on other airlines, or even not flying - that was pre 9/11)
- SE desk open 24/7, 365 days a year
- no blackout dates for reward travel ( there were for lower tiers)
-IKK ( access to any unsold seat)
- extra baggage allowance was 4 bags
- 4 SWU's confirmable at time of booking from Y/M
- 4 NA UG's valid from any fare, bookable 72 hours prior to departure, plus 2 more
certificates every 10K miles
- 10,000 bonus miles every 10K flown after 50 K
- at 70K, buy a ticket get a free companion ticket
- at 100K 2 free nights in a partner hotel
- reduced mileage for rewards during off-season ( i.e Seoul in J for 65K instead of 100K)
- Buy a ticket, get a companion ticket at reduced rates ( i.e. Asia in J at 75 K, Europe in J at 55K)
- Free courier delivery of tickets( you remember those...)
- No fee for reward changes
- Partner offers: Delta Gold,Hilton Silver,Mariot /Radisson upgrades, Avis special rate
of $49 on premium cars, guaranteed Avis car even if location sold out,
Programs: AC SE 1MM, HH Dd, SPG Gld, PC Plt/RA; AA; Wyndham Rewards, AirMiles
Posts: 12,578
"And by the way, any other 14 year SE's out there? "
and heading for 15 I guess . . . Same as you, I made SE the first year and then dropped to E for a couple of months during a slow period but made it back into SE by summer I think so never was without SE for any great length of time.
I agree, benefits have been slashed and it makes it tougher to choose to stay.
no blackouts on Air Canada reward travel
guaranteed access to Air Canada seats (including paid and reward travel
concierge service (for all non-air travel needs that one might have--booking theatre tickets, dinner reservations etc.). The guaranteed access to seats applies to Y or J fares reserved 6 hours before flight (even if oversold) and to all seats for reward travel provided that the flight is not oversold.
Some of the other Super Elite benefits:
--8 one way from any fare upgrade certificates good for anywhere in the world Air Canada flies (not restricted to N. America like the 4 in 1998 AND confirmable at time of reservation--no more 72 hr or 48 hr in advance nonsense!). Note that these are equivalent to 16 of the old N. American any fare certificates as you only need 1 certificate no matter how much distance/how many connections one way! You will receive 2 of these one way any fare worldwide certificates for every 10000 qualifying miles. You can also buy a book of 8 for 28,000 Aeroplan miles.
--Super Elite reward sale in North America 25,000 for Executive Class, 20,000 for Economy; in North America shorthaul 17000 for Exec Class, 12,000 for Economy; April 12-May 31 and Oct 4-Dec 15 and January 7-Feb 29, 2000.
-- reward sale to Caribbean 30000 for Economy, 40000 for Exec Class May 1-June 15 and Sept 15-Oct 31
--reward sale to Europe 40000 for Economy April 1-30 and Oct 16-Dec 15 and Jan 15-Feb 29, 2000
-- reward sale to Tel Aviv 50000 Economy 80000 Executive First Jan 11-Feb 29
-- reward sale to India 80000 Exec First; 50000 for Economy Oct 1-Oct 31;
-- reward sale to Hong Kong 75000 Exec First, 50000 Economy Nov 1-Dec 12 -- same for japan and korea but Oct 16-Dec 15 and Jan 15-Feb 29 dates
--free international cell phone from Rent Express from Pearson or Dorval airports (you pay for time)
--leather Super Elite luggage tags
--access to Air Canada's Maple Leaf lounges anytime--even if you are not flying anywhere (you can request a gate pass at check in to get past security!) or even if you are flying another airline.
--4 Maple Leaf lounge passes to give to spouse or friends when not travelling with you
-- Travel on UA worldwide get preferred seat selection and in economy, space permitting, front of cabin next to an empty middle seat
-- coming new this year will be self service Express check-in kiosks and higher comfort Executive First luxury seats on new A330 and A340 Aircraft being delivered in 1999.
--automatic Delta Hotels Privilege Gold Status
--Crowne Plaza Passport to Privilege
--HHonors Gold VIP Membership (was silver in 1998) including 3rd night free certificate
--$15 gift certificate for Marriott Hotels
--confidential e-mail address, fax and phone numbers (national and international) and mailing address
--free upgrades at Marriotts in Canada and Radissons worldwide
--free upgrade at Ocean Point Resort
--AVIS Luxury car w/ unlimited miles $60 CAD or $69 US
--AVIS Premium car w/unlimited miles $50 CAD or $55 US (depending if you rent in Canada or US)
--free 1 class upgrade on AVIS
--$20 and $15 off certificates on AVIS rentals
--free 2 car class upgrade on Hertz
--3rd day free on Budget Rentals
--buy a ticket get a companion ticket free (from any fare) at 60,000, 100,000, 150,000 and 200,000 qualifying miles
--free Air Canada Vacation packages to Whistler, New York, Orlando, Phoenix, San Francisco, London, Jamaica or Paris at 250,000 qualifying miles
--5,000 bonus miles at a threshold of 35,000 qualifying miles (Elite requalification) and the usual 10,000 at a threshold of 50,000 qualifying miles and every additional threshold of 10,000 qualifying miles thereafter (i.e. 60K, 70K, 80K etc.)
-free rush delivery of award tickets (or pickup at airport)
--no charge for mileage reinstatements for unused and unexpired reward certificates, for changes to reward codes or name on reward certificates or for itinerary changes once travel has begun on rewards
--give reward tickets to anyone as often as you like
--monthly statements
--preferred rates at Avis and Hertz
--free access to all Star Alliance lounges as long as you have Star Alliance boarding pass (even when flying in North America you get access to Red Carpet Clubs)
--access to affiliated lounges worldwide, including several Continental President's Clubs, TWA Ambassador's Clubs and (get this) British Airways Speedwing Lounge in Houston; Air France in Paris; Korean Airlines in Seoul; Swissport in Zurich; Maurya Sheraton and Taj Club in New Delhi and Jet Club in Tel Aviv
--access to Air Canada arrivals lounges
--access to Toronto Board of Trade Business Centre with PCs, fax, photocopier, printers, audio-conferencing and mobile phones
That's it -- those 8 one way any fare world wide upgrades are the best (equal 4 round trips right off the bat) and then the equivalent of 1 round trip (2 certificates) for every 10000 qualifying miles. Just doing some figuring on those one way system wide any fare upgrades (that you can purchase 8 of for 28000 miles). That means you can upgrade to New Delhi from North America for 3500 miles. Where else in the Star Alliance world can you upgrade for so little
Indeed-the world has changed!
Anyway, I still get something out of it--just trying to get rid of over 1 million miles is the issue now. And now my SO is racking up the miles as well. Will try to book her reward travel all next year up front and still do paid flights for me.
Actually for those of us from CP that were being "assimilated", 2000 was the best year. We had access to all of AC's benefits as well as all of CPs, such as the ability to use our CP stickers to upgrade on AA, and top tier reqaulification at 85K miles, which was effectively only 75K as we started the year with 10K bonus status miles as part of our annual package.
Programs: Various airline, hotel and credit card programs
Posts: 1,620
Quote:
Originally Posted by YEGbase
I've been E for nine years. CP Empress Club/Presidents Club prior to the "merchase" of AC/CP. I am winding up all the years and good times over the coming days. I decided to end the whole loyalty alliance thing this year with the change to the program for 2013. I'm just s simple guy spending my own money and who has had a love of contrails and jet fuel since I was a toddler.
No doubt I will buy a J ticket some day but with the competition, F/J discount fares with other airlines, priority pass through my credit card.. So long Aeroplan and Air Canada.
Greetings from Prague.
Nicely said, I feel the same way. The current trip is on AA and BA. Novelty aspect aside, I was impressed by the AA TATL flight from JFK to LHR and by the offerings of the BA Galleries lounge in LHR T3. Even the BA flight from LHR to PRG in economy on A320 was excellent. No reason to fly AC anymore.
I have been Executive Platinum on CP from the very first time it was introduced and SE on AC since CP was taken over. I have seen the deterioration of SE benefits over time. But to get back to IluvSQ's post--although I do not know what AC will do in your case but I was SQ PPS for 2 years and the third year I did not fly as much on SQ and did not qualify--but was given PPS anyway for another year. I did appreciate that and have flown SQ whenever the chance arose.
