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Important updates to Air Canada Altitude in 2015

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Old Nov 1, 2014, 10:31 am
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Last edit by: mendy7511
Important updates to Air Canada Altitude in 2015 23 October

This afternoon, we will be announcing changes to certain elements of Air Canada Altitude in 2015, as well as new features to the program.

Minimum Air Canada Flight Requirement
The Minimum Air Canada Flight Requirement to reach Altitude status for 2016 is increasing. To qualify for Altitude status in 2016, the following Minimum Air Canada Flight Requirement will need to be met:
• Prestige 25K: 12,500 AQM /12 AQS
• Elite 35K: 17,500 AQM /17 AQS
• Elite 50K: 25,000 AQM /25 AQS
• Elite 75K: 37,500 AQM / 37 AQS
• Super Elite 100K: 50,000 AQM / 47 AQS
The new MFR will not impact qualification for Altitude 2015.

500 Mile Minimum
For travel as of March 1, 2015, mileage accrual will no longer be rounded up to a 500 Mile minimum. Miles earned will be based on the distance flown and the fare option purchased for flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada rouge and Star Alliance™ member airlines.

eUpgrades to Business Class
For eUpgrade requests made on or after March 1, 2015, the number of eUpgrade Credits required to upgrade is increasing. The number of eUpgrade Credits you can earn through the Threshold eUpgrades program is also changing. These changes were made following a thorough benchmarking of the upgrades practices of other major international airlines who often limit international upgrades solely to their highest membership tier, and often severely limit the number of upgrades a member may request over the course of a year.

We will also be expanding the “high Flex” eligibility category to include the “U” and “H” booking classes on the Domestic, Transborder and Sun markets, as well as the “U” booking class on International markets. The inclusion of these booking classes within the ‘higher Flex’ eligibility category actually decreases the number of credits required to upgrade flights on certain markets when compared to 2014.

For eUpgrade credit requirements as of March 1, 2015, visit: http://www.aircanada.com/en/aeroplan...e/updates.html

eUpgrades to Premium Economy
In early 2015, you will be able to access the comfort of Premium Economy using eUpgrade Credits, when upgrading from an eligible fare. eUpgrade Add-ons will not apply for these upgrades.

eUpgrade Nominees
Beginning March 1, 2015, Altitude Super Elite™ 100K members will be entitled to share their eUpgrade privileges with one eUpgrade Nominee. Members will maintain their ability to share their eUpgrade privileges with Travel Companions.

Priority Boarding
In early 2015, a new streamlined boarding process will be introduced to ensure that you get even more out of the Priority Boarding privilege.

Complimentary access to International Maple Leaf Lounges and Star Alliance Business Lounges
As lounge occupancy grows, many of our lounges are at capacity levels. And while we continue to invest in many lounge expansion projects, the reality is that in many locations, additional space is simply not available. At the same time, benchmarking shows us that our eligibility polices are still over-indexed as compared to many of our competitors. In particular, access to lounges is not a privilege offered by most international airlines at the 35,000 qualifying miles level. We have therefore modified our policy whereby Elite 35K members will continue to have access to Maple Leaf Lounges located in the domestic and trans-border departure zones, as well as those in Los Angeles and New York (LaGuardia). However access to International Maple Leaf Lounges or Star Alliance Business lounges will no longer be available as a Select Privilege. Instead, an option to purchase a Maple Leaf Club membership will be introduced with a 50% discount.

Priority Rewards
In order to maintain the integrity of the Priority Reward privilege for eligible Altitude members, Priority Rewards will be limited to ten (10) reservations (with up to 9 passengers each) per member per benefit period, beginning March 1, 2015. While a thorough analysis has indicated that this change will not impact the vast majority of members (over 95%), it will allow us to maintain a benefit which we know is widely appreciated.

Flight Rewards for Premium Economy
In early 2015, you will be able to redeem Aeroplan miles for seats in the Premium Economy cabin on Air Canada. Details will be coming soon.

Fuel Surcharge on Flight Rewards & Flight Reward change fee waivers
For reservations made as of March 1, 2015, the fuel surcharges on ClassicFlight rewards for travel within Canada and between Canada and the U.S. will be waived for all Altitude members (ie. 25K and higher) . This is applicable on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada rouge.

At the same time, Aeroplan Flight Reward change fee waivers for Super Elite 100K members will no longer be available for changes made on or after March 1, 2015. However, the fuel surcharges on ClassicFlight Rewards for travel between Canada and international destinations will be waived for Super Elite 100K members on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada rouge.

For a complete list of details regarding these changes, visit http://www.aircanada.com/en/aeroplan...e/updates.html

New REVISED REVISIONS to the Altitude Program (Oct 31 email)

=============
Last week, changes to Air Canada Altitude™ for 2015 were announced. As always, we’ve been listening to your feedback and will be adjusting certain elements of the program accordingly.

Threshold eUpgrades
The amount of eUpgrade Credits offered through the Threshold eUpgrade program will increase. As of 100,000 Altitude Qualifying Miles or 100 Altitude Qualifying Segments, 20 eUpgrade Credits will be awarded for every 40,000 AQM or 40 AQS flown.

eUpgrade Validity Date
eUpgrade Credits earned on or after November 7, 2014 will be valid until February 29, 2016.
Additionally, eUpgrade Credits earned on or after November 1, 2015 will be valid until February 28, 2017.

Mile Minimum
For travel from March 1, 2015 onwards, all Altitude members will earn a minimum of 250 miles on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada rouge as well as Star Alliance™ member airlines.

Minimum Air Canada Flight Requirement
For non-Canadian residents, the Minimum Air Canada Flight Requirement needed to reach Altitude status in 2016 will be 50% lower than the recently published Minimum Air Canada Flight Requirement.
These changes are representative of Air Canada’s focus on recognizing our most valued and important members. We remain committed to offering you one of the best frequent flyer programs in the industry.

Air Canada
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Important updates to Air Canada Altitude in 2015

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Old Jul 2, 2015, 9:53 am
  #4156  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Originally Posted by Sean Peever
depending on where you are leaving from as well, departing from YYZ they clear everyone (down to the lowest) before the YVR pax even get a chance.

Re: LMU on waitlist, I have been offered before over the last couple years - and you can always ask at checkin / lounge / gate too.
Yes, that is true...leaving from YYZ makes life a little easier but I have missed upgrades from there to SYD.

Yes, I could ask...and truth, other than noting the option is there I don't know if I would take it.

There is such a premium put on SYD from Tango To Flex, I don't think I could do it twice (Flex + LMU)

Right now, I'm just trying to mix V/U together when I can so make sure I eupgrades last.

As it stands, I'm crossing for the 4th time this year with a 5th in August.

I've already routed through Asia once and I'll probably do it again then just to try and maximize J/eUps and the like.

2015 has been a frustrating year with these changes.
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Old Jul 2, 2015, 10:09 am
  #4157  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
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Originally Posted by lcohen999
Yes, that is true...leaving from YYZ makes life a little easier but I have missed upgrades from there to SYD.

Yes, I could ask...and truth, other than noting the option is there I don't know if I would take it.

There is such a premium put on SYD from Tango To Flex, I don't think I could do it twice (Flex + LMU)

Right now, I'm just trying to mix V/U together when I can so make sure I eupgrades last.

As it stands, I'm crossing for the 4th time this year with a 5th in August.

I've already routed through Asia once and I'll probably do it again then just to try and maximize J/eUps and the like.

2015 has been a frustrating year with these changes.
Yes, the reduction in credits, reduction in earning more, and requirement for more credits to upgrade has substantially changed the R games.
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Old Jul 2, 2015, 10:13 am
  #4158  
 
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Originally Posted by Sean Peever
Yes, the reduction in credits, reduction in earning more, and requirement for more credits to upgrade has substantially changed the R games.
Well, not only that...

With the reduction in the 500 mile to 250, I have had a few flights where that happened.

No big deal, until of course I sit at 99,740, 42 credits in the bank. 20 used on my outbound and I can't waitlist the return until, the AE miles post and eupgrades post. With the 500 mile limit, I would have been over and waitlisted.

Hopefully it posts quickly

Frustrating
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Old Jul 2, 2015, 10:18 am
  #4159  
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Originally Posted by lcohen999
...There is such a premium put on SYD from Tango To Flex, I don't think I could do it twice (Flex + LMU)

I've already routed through Asia once and I'll probably do it again then just to try and maximize J/eUps and the like.

2015 has been a frustrating year with these changes.
Try Air New Zealand PE to Australia. Cost is typically midway between Tango and Flex.
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Old Jul 2, 2015, 10:23 am
  #4160  
 
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I think the best way to guarantee J at a cheap price is to buy a P fare in advance
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Old Jul 2, 2015, 11:19 am
  #4161  
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Originally Posted by SparseFlyer
I think the best way to guarantee J at a cheap price is to buy a P fare in advance
Between that and the Europe latitude pass. All our planned travel until early December booked and paid for. So far this year, mostly, P has been better for us. However right now it looks like the pass may be a better option for late this year/early next year.
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Old Jul 2, 2015, 11:53 am
  #4162  
 
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Originally Posted by The Lev
Try Air New Zealand PE to Australia. Cost is typically midway between Tango and Flex.
I am 45,000 miles away from a million. So this + SYD in August will put me over.

Once I hit that and do my 50k qualify (next year), I'll have to start looking elsewhere, like PE on ANZ (assuming they don't fix things in 2016)
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Old Jul 2, 2015, 11:56 am
  #4163  
 
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Originally Posted by lcohen999
I am 45,000 miles away from a million. So this + SYD in August will put me over.

Once I hit that and do my 50k qualify (next year), I'll have to start looking elsewhere, like PE on ANZ (assuming they don't fix things in 2016)
once you hit that you don't need to do your 50k qualify next year, you'll have 50k for life.
Sean Peever is offline  
Old Jul 2, 2015, 11:59 am
  #4164  
 
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Originally Posted by Sean Peever
once you hit that you don't need to do your 50k qualify next year, you'll have 50k for life.
I mean 50k of 100k to get my SE next year (AC minimum)
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Old Jul 2, 2015, 12:00 pm
  #4165  
 
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Originally Posted by lcohen999
I mean 50k of 100k to get my SE next year (AC minimum)
Ah! sorry!
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Old Jul 2, 2015, 12:10 pm
  #4166  
 
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Originally Posted by Sean Peever
Ah! sorry!


Either way, the whole thing is silly. My father is also a million and we both cross the pacific often.

He's already shopping around, since he is already a million...won't hit 2 and has done his 50k.

There is no intensive on the SYD route with the way things are
lcohen999 is offline  
Old Jul 2, 2015, 1:35 pm
  #4167  
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Originally Posted by lcohen999
Once I hit that and do my 50k qualify (next year), I'll have to start looking elsewhere, like PE on ANZ (assuming they don't fix things in 2016)
Should be interesting for AC once they begin offering PE on the SYD route in 2016 - presumably it will have to be priced competitively with NZ's superior PE that is typically sold for $3,000- $3,500, so that will put them in a bit of a pickle with their $4,000+ Flex fare.

But I guess there is nothing preventing them from selling Flex>PE for those suckers that have a Economy only maximum Flex fare policy. Too bad they'll rank behind the PE people for upgrades to J.
The Lev is offline  
Old Jul 2, 2015, 3:21 pm
  #4168  
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Originally Posted by The Lev
Should be interesting for AC once they begin offering PE on the SYD route in 2016 - presumably it will have to be priced competitively with NZ's superior PE that is typically sold for $3,000- $3,500, so that will put them in a bit of a pickle with their $4,000+ Flex fare.

But I guess there is nothing preventing them from selling Flex>PE for those suckers that have a Economy only maximum Flex fare policy. Too bad they'll rank behind the PE people for upgrades to J.
Indeed. AC PE YYZ-NRT return on the 787 was <$2k all-in recently. Not sure how the AC PE (I have not flown AC PE) compares to competitors TPAC but you and me have both flown NZ PE and it was excellent. More like J than PE.
vernonc is offline  
Old Jul 2, 2015, 4:19 pm
  #4169  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Originally Posted by The Lev
Should be interesting for AC once they begin offering PE on the SYD route in 2016 - presumably it will have to be priced competitively with NZ's superior PE that is typically sold for $3,000- $3,500, so that will put them in a bit of a pickle with their $4,000+ Flex fare.

But I guess there is nothing preventing them from selling Flex>PE for those suckers that have a Economy only maximum Flex fare policy. Too bad they'll rank behind the PE people for upgrades to J.
I am watching that closely, too

Even P fares to SYD in advance are quite high...so it will be very interesting how this prices out
lcohen999 is offline  
Old Jul 3, 2015, 4:08 pm
  #4170  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: YYZ, NYC, ORD
Posts: 151
E50k requalification

Hi everyone,


I sort of left AC this year. I did lots of flying with BA and got a Silver card. Now this has been achieved, I'd like to see if I can retain my current E50k status.

If memory serves, requalification is 45k - is that correct?

If so, I may just make it.
Clark_Shuster is offline  


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