What if AP points worked like this?
Oct 22, 2014, 8:00 am
#1
Formerly known as tireman77
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,583
What if AP points worked like this?
OK. Many people here are really annoyed by the current AP redemption system. Full discolour: I don't love it, but I don't hate it either, sort of...meh.
The background of the system is merchants pay AP to give you points as an incentive to buy from them. A buddy of mine used to own a store that offered AP points and it cost him apx 2% (2 cent per mile cost).
So... what if AP decided that starting Jan 1st, 20XX you're AP points we worth 2 cents each and you could use them to purchase any ticket on any *A carrier at the dollar value, all in. (OK, maybe legally the GST/PST/HST on some of the fees would need to be paid out of pocket, but thats it)
Let's also say you can get the AQM/AQS according to the fare ticket. Same change/cancel fees as the fare class.
Example, you find a fare for YUL-LHR in Tango for $800 = 40,000 points. YYZ-HKG in J for $5,000 = 250,000 points.
This is all very hypothetical, and I'll admit I'm not a fan (since I use miles for far off planned trips in J/F to far off, exit places) but I'm curious how people would react to this. It does not take into account the cost structure at AP, so the 2 cents per mile is a 'dart-thrown at a board' estimate. But to keep the concept as clear and easy as possible, I'm suggesting it.
Thoughts?
The background of the system is merchants pay AP to give you points as an incentive to buy from them. A buddy of mine used to own a store that offered AP points and it cost him apx 2% (2 cent per mile cost).
So... what if AP decided that starting Jan 1st, 20XX you're AP points we worth 2 cents each and you could use them to purchase any ticket on any *A carrier at the dollar value, all in. (OK, maybe legally the GST/PST/HST on some of the fees would need to be paid out of pocket, but thats it)
Let's also say you can get the AQM/AQS according to the fare ticket. Same change/cancel fees as the fare class.
Example, you find a fare for YUL-LHR in Tango for $800 = 40,000 points. YYZ-HKG in J for $5,000 = 250,000 points.
This is all very hypothetical, and I'll admit I'm not a fan (since I use miles for far off planned trips in J/F to far off, exit places) but I'm curious how people would react to this. It does not take into account the cost structure at AP, so the 2 cents per mile is a 'dart-thrown at a board' estimate. But to keep the concept as clear and easy as possible, I'm suggesting it.
Thoughts?
Oct 22, 2014, 8:10 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
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Posts: 19,284
OK. Many people here are really annoyed by the current AP redemption system. Full discolour: I don't love it, but I don't hate it either, sort of...meh.
The background of the system is merchants pay AP to give you points as an incentive to buy from them. A buddy of mine used to own a store that offered AP points and it cost him apx 2% (2 cent per mile cost).
So... what if AP decided that starting Jan 1st, 20XX you're AP points we worth 2 cents each and you could use them to purchase any ticket on any *A carrier at the dollar value, all in. (OK, maybe legally the GST/PST/HST on some of the fees would need to be paid out of pocket, but thats it)
Let's also say you can get the AQM/AQS according to the fare ticket. Same change/cancel fees as the fare class.
Example, you find a fare for YUL-LHR in Tango for $800 = 40,000 points. YYZ-HKG in J for $5,000 = 250,000 points.
This is all very hypothetical, and I'll admit I'm not a fan (since I use miles for far off planned trips in J/F to far off, exit places) but I'm curious how people would react to this. It does not take into account the cost structure at AP, so the 2 cents per mile is a 'dart-thrown at a board' estimate. But to keep the concept as clear and easy as possible, I'm suggesting it.
Thoughts?
The background of the system is merchants pay AP to give you points as an incentive to buy from them. A buddy of mine used to own a store that offered AP points and it cost him apx 2% (2 cent per mile cost).
So... what if AP decided that starting Jan 1st, 20XX you're AP points we worth 2 cents each and you could use them to purchase any ticket on any *A carrier at the dollar value, all in. (OK, maybe legally the GST/PST/HST on some of the fees would need to be paid out of pocket, but thats it)
Let's also say you can get the AQM/AQS according to the fare ticket. Same change/cancel fees as the fare class.
Example, you find a fare for YUL-LHR in Tango for $800 = 40,000 points. YYZ-HKG in J for $5,000 = 250,000 points.
This is all very hypothetical, and I'll admit I'm not a fan (since I use miles for far off planned trips in J/F to far off, exit places) but I'm curious how people would react to this. It does not take into account the cost structure at AP, so the 2 cents per mile is a 'dart-thrown at a board' estimate. But to keep the concept as clear and easy as possible, I'm suggesting it.
Thoughts?
Oct 22, 2014, 9:27 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,539
It won't be 2 cents a mile but it'll be 1 cent per mile, maximum. That changes the value proposition considerably.
Currently it already costs 6000-6500 Aeroplan miles for a $50 giftcard, so 1 cent per mile is the highest they could possibly go (and on base fares only).
At which point they should just rename themselves to Westjet Dollars
Currently it already costs 6000-6500 Aeroplan miles for a $50 giftcard, so 1 cent per mile is the highest they could possibly go (and on base fares only).
At which point they should just rename themselves to Westjet Dollars
Oct 22, 2014, 9:35 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,387
That's an awful value, as Aeroplan already has that to an extent, which are market fares. I'm happy going wherever and whenever I want for under 100k in business class which is much cheaper than anything you'd get at a fixed price rebate system.
Oct 22, 2014, 9:58 am
#9
Formerly known as tireman77
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,583
Agreed. As I stated, I don't like it neither, but was curious to hear people's opinion.
So this doesn't work, and no one likes the current system. Anybody want to suggest something else?
And please don't say the current system without YQs. I love a pet monkey that poos gold coins, but that's not gonna happen either.
So this doesn't work, and no one likes the current system. Anybody want to suggest something else?
And please don't say the current system without YQs. I love a pet monkey that poos gold coins, but that's not gonna happen either.
Oct 22, 2014, 9:59 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,694
My feelings are inline with everyone else's here... the value of your proposition would be relatively terrible, much like the existing market fares.
Honestly, I wouldn't be too upset if the redemption levels went up a little from their current levels *if* the surcharges went down. That being said, your idea would turn a 15,000 short-haul award ticket into potentially a 35,000-ish ticket, so I'm not a fan.
Honestly, I wouldn't be too upset if the redemption levels went up a little from their current levels *if* the surcharges went down. That being said, your idea would turn a 15,000 short-haul award ticket into potentially a 35,000-ish ticket, so I'm not a fan.
Oct 22, 2014, 10:03 am
#11
Formerly known as tireman77
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,583
My feelings are inline with everyone else's here... the value of your proposition would be relatively terrible, much like the existing market fares.
Honestly, I wouldn't be too upset if the redemption levels went up a little from their current levels *if* the surcharges went down. That being said, your idea would turn a 15,000 short-haul award ticket into potentially a 35,000-ish ticket, so I'm not a fan.
Honestly, I wouldn't be too upset if the redemption levels went up a little from their current levels *if* the surcharges went down. That being said, your idea would turn a 15,000 short-haul award ticket into potentially a 35,000-ish ticket, so I'm not a fan.
So what's reasonable for you?
Oct 22, 2014, 10:11 am
#12
Suspended
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Location: YYZ
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The ability to pay off YQ charges with aeropesos. Not sure as to how much I would pay though...
Oct 22, 2014, 10:13 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,694
Oct 22, 2014, 10:19 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,539
What's reasonable to the customer means nothing.
What Aimia is willing to give is everything.
I think if customers were allowed to pay taxes and fuel surcharges with Aeroplan points at a penny a mile, more people would still feel like they got their free trip, rather than feel like there's no way to get a decent redemption.
I mean, 60k base rate + 100k for YQ and taxes to Europe in economy is a terrible redemption for everybody on FT, but it's better than 60k + $1000 for the guy who doesn't value his Aeroplan miles much
What Aimia is willing to give is everything.
I think if customers were allowed to pay taxes and fuel surcharges with Aeroplan points at a penny a mile, more people would still feel like they got their free trip, rather than feel like there's no way to get a decent redemption.
I mean, 60k base rate + 100k for YQ and taxes to Europe in economy is a terrible redemption for everybody on FT, but it's better than 60k + $1000 for the guy who doesn't value his Aeroplan miles much
Oct 22, 2014, 10:19 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SEMM, NEXUS
Posts: 858