Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > Air Canada | Aeroplan
Reload this Page >

Important updates to Air Canada Altitude in 2015

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Nov 1, 2014, 10:31 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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, weve 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 Canadas 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
Print Wikipost

Important updates to Air Canada Altitude in 2015

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:01 pm
  #826  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
Originally Posted by Dorian
Ha! Did until I figured out the marketing dollars needed to get an app exposed!
Only a few billion. Nothing too much.
superangrypenguin is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:04 pm
  #827  
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: YVR
Programs: ACSEMM QRGold SPGLifetimePlat FairmontPlat HyattD AMEXCenturion SerenaPlat TalkBoard Founding Member
Posts: 8,963
Originally Posted by superangrypenguin
Only a few billion. Nothing too much.
For me it came down to about $250k per million population of a city. That was for cities in the 2-10 million range. Unsure what it would be for smaller or larger. Ultimately it added up to too much money.
Dorian is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:06 pm
  #828  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE*2MM. SPG Plat life
Posts: 4,644
Originally Posted by Dorian
Here is our last trip, four of us were on it. This is the revenue they say they want, but will go away.

Mark my words. I will post every ticket I buy on a competitor.



So you are going to stop flying TK? AC revenue most likely under $1000 for this ticket.
Wpgjetse is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:08 pm
  #829  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
Originally Posted by Dorian
For me it came down to about $250k per million population of a city. That was for cities in the 2-10 million range. Unsure what it would be for smaller or larger. Ultimately it added up to too much money.
Wholly crap.
mkjr is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:09 pm
  #830  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC*SE100K 1MM, Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
Posts: 735
Originally Posted by Ben Lipsey
I think this is a salient point for many on here. I'm going to be blunt: we are not a charity. From what I'm hearing, it would appear a majority pays for Y and expects to sit in J. It's not a secret that we would prefer our customers sitting in the J cabin to have paid for it. You say that you would never choose to pay for AC over, say, CX - that is your right as a consumer, but it is one that pushes us to strive to be better and have a product that our customers feel is worth paying for. We are investing heavily in new hardware (see 787 spec), and internally we are trying to create a focus on consistent high-level service delivery (for all the posts about it on here, we are not blind to it). You will see more product enhancements (and I'm not using that word facetiously) in the near future.
Absolutely wrong. I have a both high cost J tickets every year as well as Y, where I Eup where possible, and I value that highly. I burn eUps on NA routes that I honestly don't care about (even 5 hour flight for me is trivial if I have a good seat). On DL or AA, I have had a very high success rate of UDU. So my plan is to status match on a US airline (I don't do much inter Canada and I have MM for that anyway). For international, I will buy lowest cost in the Alliance of my choice (almost always cheaper than AC) and put up with a connection. I will review the options carefully, but Dl is my likely choice. DOn't get me wrong, I have enjoyed AC, and I'm not bitter, but as you say, I will reevaluate. My estimate on $ loss to AC is >$120K per year.
LockheedElectra is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:11 pm
  #831  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC*SE100K 1MM, Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
Posts: 735
Originally Posted by Dorian
Entrepreneur. Have businesses in Asia, UK and Africa currently.

People that travel like myself and some others may not be plentiful, but they are screwing with us and risk losing a lot of money.
+1 me too
LockheedElectra is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:12 pm
  #832  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Originally Posted by Dorian
Mark my words. I will post every ticket I buy on a competitor.
My revenue contribution is almost as much you, so I might just do the same.
yyznomad is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:13 pm
  #833  
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: YVR
Programs: ACSEMM QRGold SPGLifetimePlat FairmontPlat HyattD AMEXCenturion SerenaPlat TalkBoard Founding Member
Posts: 8,963
Originally Posted by Wpgjetse
So you are going to stop flying TK? AC revenue most likely under $1000 for this ticket.
That ticket is one example. We usually fly on AC via Brussels or AC to IST...couldn't get it this time.

Come to think of it, one of the AC flights to/from IST only had J (not C/Z) so we bought Flex or Latitude and e-up'd. Straight up J int'l is not a realistic purchase for anyone.
Dorian is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:14 pm
  #834  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
Originally Posted by yyznomad
My revenue contribution is almost as much you, so I might just do the same.
Wow, are you an entrepreneur too? I really need to start my own (successful) business. I thought I was getting paid well, I feel broke around you fine gentlemen and ladies!
superangrypenguin is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:17 pm
  #835  
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: YVR
Programs: ACSEMM QRGold SPGLifetimePlat FairmontPlat HyattD AMEXCenturion SerenaPlat TalkBoard Founding Member
Posts: 8,963
Originally Posted by superangrypenguin
Wow, are you an entrepreneur too? I really need to start my own (successful) business. I thought I was getting paid well, I feel broke around you fine gentlemen and ladies!
Well....we do have a new app we could like to get going on.....
Dorian is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:18 pm
  #836  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
Originally Posted by Dorian
Well....we do have a new app we could like to get going on.....
My wife would not appreciate the risk of leaving a high paying corporate job. Sigh. I'm 26 and i'm afraid of risk. I know, right? Thanks for the offer though. ^
superangrypenguin is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:18 pm
  #837  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Toronto
Programs: United M+: Platnum to 2016 AC E75K to 2015
Posts: 59
FAREs?

(I Hope) this is related to the problems with AC..fees and AC metal. I was pricing a ticket to Warsaw, I realize the METAL will be LOT.. but look at the pricing.. I include both the rough, GOOGLE FLIGHTS pricing... and then the AC website pricing.. Why would ANYONE buy this ticket through AC? Why is AC price so high??
(sorry if in wrong forum)

and


Thoughts?
NeoRichards is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:19 pm
  #838  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
Originally Posted by NeoRichards
(I Hope) this is related to the problems with AC..fees and AC metal. I was pricing a ticket to Warsaw, I realize the METAL will be LOT.. but look at the pricing.. I include both the rough, GOOGLE FLIGHTS pricing... and then the AC website pricing.. Why would ANYONE buy this ticket through AC? Why is AC price so high??
(sorry if in wrong forum)

and


Thoughts?
I've seen that before. Always chalked it up to a glitch.
superangrypenguin is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:23 pm
  #839  
Original Member
 
Join Date: May 1998
Location: yvr
Programs: AC
Posts: 568
Whew! Finally got through the what...56 pages?

As an SE, but based in YVR flying over to africa and down to latin america, I have a mix of j class (rare), z class, and flex to upgrade. I used to do all sorts of twists and turns to use Air Canada, pay the flex premium, fly via Calgary or Toronto.

These cuts go deep. But it's these coupled with the fact that Air Canada doesn't really fly to Europe from my location (directly) except London (which to connect through is always quite expensive) coupled with the fact that almost all the flights to US are rouged and I end up flying united to latin america in any case, sometimes with a very reasonable z class...has made me finally think I need to go with UA. That, along with a nexus card and fly america rules that I sometimes go under, may make things more comfortable flying to latin america. Not sure about Africa.

Someone on this thread>...mentioned that an AC SE could status match to UA. I didn't think that was possible. Is it?

Lorna
Lornag is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2014, 5:25 pm
  #840  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Originally Posted by superangrypenguin
Wow, are you an entrepreneur too? I really need to start my own (successful) business. I thought I was getting paid well, I feel broke around you fine gentlemen and ladies!
I am no finer than anyone else here. Yes, I do my own thing if that is what you meant I would say that Dorian has it better than me My current situation is a product of various unfortunate and serendipitous circumstances coupled with hard work... kind of like the perfect storm. A quasi result of market and job conditions awhile back forcing my hand in life. Best thing that has happened to me since. You have to fail to know how to not fail.
(Now I am damn good at what I do and my customers know that... oh, and I treat them well too LOL)
yyznomad is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.