WS charges for first checked bag - how long until AC follows suit?
Sep 18, 2014, 7:36 am
#61
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: YVR
Posts: 251
Just think of this as an actual enhancement to the FF program, free bag that you may actually use. As opposed to a 2nd or 3rd bag. Downside, if you were taking the bag for a companion, it ends up more of negative enhancement, I guess a + and a -, makes it a neutral in terms of improving the FF program.
Sep 18, 2014, 7:48 am
#62
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50K (*G), Westjet Gold
Posts: 788
I like that its only on Tango fares, and more importantly, I like that Latitude now gets 2 free bags on domestic and transborder routes. I always felt that charging Y/B for bags was harsh, so I think its a good change.
I wonder what AC will do with the student flight passes though? They book into Tango, and I doubt anyone who bought the pass looking for a "deal" will be impressed to be charged $50 round trip to check a single piece of luggage...
I'm also happy they didn't cut any Altitude allowances. It is nice to have the ability to check 3 bags, even if I only use it once a year!
I wonder what AC will do with the student flight passes though? They book into Tango, and I doubt anyone who bought the pass looking for a "deal" will be impressed to be charged $50 round trip to check a single piece of luggage...
I'm also happy they didn't cut any Altitude allowances. It is nice to have the ability to check 3 bags, even if I only use it once a year!
Sep 18, 2014, 7:54 am
#63
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 6,138
Existing ticketholders are grandfathered with the rules at time of purchase... I would assume that covers passholders as well?
Sep 18, 2014, 8:29 am
#64
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: YKF
Programs: AC Elite 50K, Amex AP Plat, Choice Privileges, National Exec Elite, Via Prefrence
Posts: 2,996
See:
"I am extremely pleased to report Air Canada's best full year financial performance in the Corporation's history," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer''
I'm aware AC does not follow/believe in GAAP/IFRS but that's another story.
If AC wants to tout their strong financial record, that makes the case of new ancillary fees needed as weak.
If AC wants wants claim they are broke (with austerity measures starting at the top), then that can make their case for new ancillary fees much credible.
Can't/shouldn't have it both ways.
Sep 18, 2014, 8:41 am
#65
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: "The Rock"
Programs: Horrorplan/Priceline Junkie
Posts: 258
Sep 18, 2014, 8:44 am
#66
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
Sep 18, 2014, 9:22 am
#67
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: YKF
Programs: AC Elite 50K, Amex AP Plat, Choice Privileges, National Exec Elite, Via Prefrence
Posts: 2,996
It's also interesting to note no one from AC has officially announced it here on FT as well.
Sep 18, 2014, 9:32 am
#68
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
That caps AC being in the ranks of the lower-service-at-a-higher-price carriers.
The race to the bottom continues, and so fast at that.
The race to the bottom continues, and so fast at that.
Sep 18, 2014, 9:44 am
#69
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Quebec and Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC*E50, SPG/Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,917
I find it reasonable as it is for Tango only, and every status holder (even *S) has 1st bag free. Just credit 3000 miles to A3 to be *S and you will get 3 years at least of 1st bag free.
But I imagine the fee will hit Flex and *S eventually...
But I imagine the fee will hit Flex and *S eventually...
Sep 18, 2014, 9:50 am
#70
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,146
This was a huge error on AC part. Yes in the short term this will bring in some cash. But WJ was getting ALOT of bad press and social media over this.
One of the ways WJ was able to steal so much of the domestic market share over AC was their marketing as a low cost airline as well as people friendly. It worked magically even if WJ fares were not any lower then AC. AC has not been able to break this image effectively.
This was a huge opening for AC to market themselves in a positive manner in comparison to Westjet. Yes they would lose the cash in short term but in the long term this was a real opportunity to start re-branding themselves to customers and capitalizing on West Jet NOT being passenger friendly.
Again however - short sighted - as they have lost what could have been a huge marketing advantage that would have paid off in years to come.
One of the ways WJ was able to steal so much of the domestic market share over AC was their marketing as a low cost airline as well as people friendly. It worked magically even if WJ fares were not any lower then AC. AC has not been able to break this image effectively.
This was a huge opening for AC to market themselves in a positive manner in comparison to Westjet. Yes they would lose the cash in short term but in the long term this was a real opportunity to start re-branding themselves to customers and capitalizing on West Jet NOT being passenger friendly.
Again however - short sighted - as they have lost what could have been a huge marketing advantage that would have paid off in years to come.
Sep 18, 2014, 10:01 am
#71
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 283
I am actually wondering if one of those "we will do it if you do it" meeting took place ahead of time; 3 days apart is just too much of a coincidence. I, for one, don't believe that a giant bureaucracy like AC can act that fast, they wouldn't even be able get a team meeting in such a short time.
Sep 18, 2014, 10:22 am
#72
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SJC
Programs: Southwest, Alaska, United, American Airlines
Posts: 994
This was a huge error on AC part. Yes in the short term this will bring in some cash. But WJ was getting ALOT of bad press and social media over this.
One of the ways WJ was able to steal so much of the domestic market share over AC was their marketing as a low cost airline as well as people friendly. It worked magically even if WJ fares were not any lower then AC. AC has not been able to break this image effectively.
This was a huge opening for AC to market themselves in a positive manner in comparison to Westjet. Yes they would lose the cash in short term but in the long term this was a real opportunity to start re-branding themselves to customers and capitalizing on West Jet NOT being passenger friendly.
Again however - short sighted - as they have lost what could have been a huge marketing advantage that would have paid off in years to come.
One of the ways WJ was able to steal so much of the domestic market share over AC was their marketing as a low cost airline as well as people friendly. It worked magically even if WJ fares were not any lower then AC. AC has not been able to break this image effectively.
This was a huge opening for AC to market themselves in a positive manner in comparison to Westjet. Yes they would lose the cash in short term but in the long term this was a real opportunity to start re-branding themselves to customers and capitalizing on West Jet NOT being passenger friendly.
Again however - short sighted - as they have lost what could have been a huge marketing advantage that would have paid off in years to come.
Sep 18, 2014, 10:33 am
#73
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
they took slower than i thought they would. usually leeches start sucking blood right away.
Sep 18, 2014, 10:43 am
#74
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
What else are they going to do? Take Via / Amtrak? Fly a US carrier (and pay bag fees)?
In the end, bad press and social media hits will not hurt the bottom line.
Sep 18, 2014, 10:46 am
#75
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: YOW
Programs: Aeroplan 25K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz President's Club, VIA Premier
Posts: 283
I am actually wondering if one of those "we will do it if you do it" meeting took place ahead of time; 3 days apart is just too much of a coincidence. I, for one, don't believe that a giant bureaucracy like AC can act that fast, they wouldn't even be able get a team meeting in such a short time.