Jun 28, 2013, 7:15 am
Last edit by: tcook052
Aeroplan is making major changes to the program that will be implemented on January 1, 2014, including:
• The launch of Distinction, a new tiered recognition program that rewards top accumulating members, based on total Aeroplan Miles earned across all coalition partners, with preferential mileage levels for redemption, bonus mile offers and exclusive privileges;
• New Market Fare Flight Rewards to replace ClassicPlus Flight Rewards, offering significantly improved value, with all members having access to mileage levels reduced by up to 20%, and Distinction members enjoying reductions of up to 50%; and
• The cancellation of the seven-year mileage redemption policy, with Aeroplan Miles no longer expiring for members active in the program each year.
• The launch of Distinction, a new tiered recognition program that rewards top accumulating members, based on total Aeroplan Miles earned across all coalition partners, with preferential mileage levels for redemption, bonus mile offers and exclusive privileges;
• New Market Fare Flight Rewards to replace ClassicPlus Flight Rewards, offering significantly improved value, with all members having access to mileage levels reduced by up to 20%, and Distinction members enjoying reductions of up to 50%; and
• The cancellation of the seven-year mileage redemption policy, with Aeroplan Miles no longer expiring for members active in the program each year.
Distinction, Aeroplan's new member recognition program
Jun 27, 2013, 5:37 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: dDiamond, A50K*G, AA Gold, Fairmont Plat, AMEX Plat, SPG Gold, Avis First
Posts: 60
Distinction, Aeroplan's new member recognition program
Well I guess this gives something for everyone to talk about. Couldn't find any previous or current discussion on the topic so starting a thread on the topic.
Let's take a look at all the enhancements!
Press Release:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1191...lty-experience
Let's take a look at all the enhancements!
Press Release:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1191...lty-experience
Jun 27, 2013, 5:48 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,272
1) Looks like the 7 year redemption didn't really last that long.
2) All Altitude members will be Distinction members, but not all Distinction members will be Altitude members.
3) Potential (gigantic) dilution of E/SE priority rewards.
2) All Altitude members will be Distinction members, but not all Distinction members will be Altitude members.
3) Potential (gigantic) dilution of E/SE priority rewards.
Jun 27, 2013, 5:48 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: dDiamond, A50K*G, AA Gold, Fairmont Plat, AMEX Plat, SPG Gold, Avis First
Posts: 60
Here's what I've noticed so far:
- 25 (dSilver), 50 (dBlack), 100k (dDiamond) levels (note: this seems to be all Aeroplan miles earned through the year, not just Air Canada flight miles - airline, travel, retail, financial card partners)
- If you have achieved the 25,50,100 so far this year you already have qualified for 2014 status
- Removal of 7 year mileage expiry
- 1 way rewards are now 1/2 of RT rewards in terms of mileage. However, business class redemptions have been enhanced, requiring 25k-30k more miles for Asia/Africa/Australia, and First Class redemptions are now 35-40k more for the same regions:
http://www3.aeroplan.com/whats_new/n...&cid=WEBUP3624
- "Distinction Flights" reserved for distinction members at Classic Flight Reward levels
- "Market Fare" flight rewards - will be replacing classic plus. All members have mileage discounts of 20%, Distinction members have mileage discounts of up to 50% (according to press release, though dDiamond says 35%). Will have access to all available seats on AC metal at mileage levels determined by fares at time of booking (read: sure you can get that YYZ-YVR flight for 300k, no problem!)
- Priority call centre
- Hotel bonus points
- Terms and conditions: http://distinction.aeroplan.com/asse...conditions.pdf
What else am I missing here?
- 25 (dSilver), 50 (dBlack), 100k (dDiamond) levels (note: this seems to be all Aeroplan miles earned through the year, not just Air Canada flight miles - airline, travel, retail, financial card partners)
- If you have achieved the 25,50,100 so far this year you already have qualified for 2014 status
- Removal of 7 year mileage expiry
- 1 way rewards are now 1/2 of RT rewards in terms of mileage. However, business class redemptions have been enhanced, requiring 25k-30k more miles for Asia/Africa/Australia, and First Class redemptions are now 35-40k more for the same regions:
http://www3.aeroplan.com/whats_new/n...&cid=WEBUP3624
- "Distinction Flights" reserved for distinction members at Classic Flight Reward levels
- "Market Fare" flight rewards - will be replacing classic plus. All members have mileage discounts of 20%, Distinction members have mileage discounts of up to 50% (according to press release, though dDiamond says 35%). Will have access to all available seats on AC metal at mileage levels determined by fares at time of booking (read: sure you can get that YYZ-YVR flight for 300k, no problem!)
- Priority call centre
- Hotel bonus points
- Terms and conditions: http://distinction.aeroplan.com/asse...conditions.pdf
What else am I missing here?
Last edited by Rosens222; Jun 27, 2013 at 6:07 am
Jun 27, 2013, 5:50 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC: Ac*A, , Nexus: Expired
Posts: 1,489
Sounds like it is replacing "aeroplan". This I found funny:
[b] In addition to Aeroplan's ClassicFlight Rewards, which remain the most competitive in Canada [\b] is it not the only one in Canada!?!
Maybe, the executive team at Armina actually Listened? But that begs the questions, what "enhancements" will AC inevitably be announcing in the coming weeks? Based on the article, it sounds like aeroplan/distinction will still be partnered with AC (which I know a lot of people here were wanting AC to re-take over the FF program)
Needless to say, it's going to be an interesting few months.
[b] In addition to Aeroplan's ClassicFlight Rewards, which remain the most competitive in Canada [\b] is it not the only one in Canada!?!
Maybe, the executive team at Armina actually Listened? But that begs the questions, what "enhancements" will AC inevitably be announcing in the coming weeks? Based on the article, it sounds like aeroplan/distinction will still be partnered with AC (which I know a lot of people here were wanting AC to re-take over the FF program)
Needless to say, it's going to be an interesting few months.
Jun 27, 2013, 5:53 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,272
However, business class redemptions have been enhanced, requiring 25k-30k more miles for Asia/Africa/Australia, and First Class redemptions are now 35-40k more for the same regions:
http://www3.aeroplan.com/whats_new/n...&cid=WEBUP3624
http://www3.aeroplan.com/whats_new/n...&cid=WEBUP3624
You have written down that you're dBlack. The program hasn't even started...
Jun 27, 2013, 5:57 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*Gold), DL, CZ
Posts: 1,252
Should I be looking at booking a trip to Asia 1 in the next few weeks or months before the January 2014 date? I'll have some extra down time in July 2014.
I figure it's kind of hard to figure out where I'll want visit 1 year from now, and my friends don't have the leeway to ask for vacations so far in advance.
I figure it's kind of hard to figure out where I'll want visit 1 year from now, and my friends don't have the leeway to ask for vacations so far in advance.
Jun 27, 2013, 5:58 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 202
Looks likes an Aeroplan version of the old Prestige, Elite and Super Elite levels, perhaps to counteract the separation of Altitude from Aeroplan.
I cant help but wonder about them removing the 7 year limit - they must have found there was a significant lack of draw from the program from people who were accumulating miles for the trip of a lifetime over many years - who would be the same people making a point of purchasing from Aeroplan stores. Wonder how much damage this caused to their bottom line. I would certainly be furious if I had dumped abunch of points this year at a poor redemption value (as I almost did) to prevent them from expiring.
I cant help but wonder about them removing the 7 year limit - they must have found there was a significant lack of draw from the program from people who were accumulating miles for the trip of a lifetime over many years - who would be the same people making a point of purchasing from Aeroplan stores. Wonder how much damage this caused to their bottom line. I would certainly be furious if I had dumped abunch of points this year at a poor redemption value (as I almost did) to prevent them from expiring.
Jun 27, 2013, 5:59 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,958
Really??
So now I will be Altitude SE100K and dDiamond??? What is the significance of this? Will dDiamond be recognized by *A members?
C'mon Air Canada. While it seems that the launch of Altitude may have been a first step in taking back control of your ff program, maybe you need to be acting faster and more aggressively on this.
It is getting more strange by the day....
So now I will be Altitude SE100K and dDiamond??? What is the significance of this? Will dDiamond be recognized by *A members?
C'mon Air Canada. While it seems that the launch of Altitude may have been a first step in taking back control of your ff program, maybe you need to be acting faster and more aggressively on this.
It is getting more strange by the day....
Jun 27, 2013, 5:59 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: dDiamond, A50K*G, AA Gold, Fairmont Plat, AMEX Plat, SPG Gold, Avis First
Posts: 60
Thought it does show up on my Aeroplan profile. Counter and all. How many more miles do I need to go out and get today!?!?!
Jun 27, 2013, 6:02 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYC
Posts: 1,876
Distinction does not appear to be an "Elite Status" Frequent Flyer Program, rather Aeroplan's own Elite Status program that awards you on the miles you earn. Benefits are strictly limited to some bonus miles, discounted flight rewards, distinction flights and a couple of other items. No eUpgrades, no Star Alliance recognition, no lounge access etc like Air Canada Altitude.
Jun 27, 2013, 6:03 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC: Ac*A, , Nexus: Expired
Posts: 1,489
I don't think #3 is going to be that bad, as an SE you will automatically be top tier on distinction which will probably have better priority rewards.
Jun 27, 2013, 6:06 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,272
But if you're top tier in Distinction via CC spend? They will now have access to E/SE priority awards? How many of those are there?
Jun 27, 2013, 6:08 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC: Ac*A, , Nexus: Expired
Posts: 1,489