WEIGH IN: Leaving AC, Staying or ALREADY LEFT?
#121
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
#122
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
How.....the.....??? I'm SE and I've only spent maybe like $12K tops
.__. oh, maybe I'm why the SE cuts were so drastic.....
With a combination of YYZ-SFO, YYZ-YVR-SFO, YYZ-YUL-SFO (and reverse), using an average of 5500mi at $800 = $14K
Then subtract a few AC for a few SFO-LAX-PHX or SFO-LAX-ORD flights for work and ... yeah about $12K in my-pocket spending + $3K from work to Eewnited.
.....
Sorry to be so blunt, but if you're flying $50K/yr in domestic and only E75K .... what have you been doing
.__. oh, maybe I'm why the SE cuts were so drastic.....
With a combination of YYZ-SFO, YYZ-YVR-SFO, YYZ-YUL-SFO (and reverse), using an average of 5500mi at $800 = $14K
Then subtract a few AC for a few SFO-LAX-PHX or SFO-LAX-ORD flights for work and ... yeah about $12K in my-pocket spending + $3K from work to Eewnited.
.....
Sorry to be so blunt, but if you're flying $50K/yr in domestic and only E75K .... what have you been doing
#123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,625
Of course if you do this, Air Canada will have won.
#124
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: AC/EK
Posts: 248
It looks like I may have to continue earning with AC next year (already numerous flights booked and want to burn 600k miles while I have at least E50 status) but for 2016 I'll earn elsewhere, likely TK, LH, or SQ but need to do more research into their FFPs.
My biggest issue is the 50% AC metal requirement for AQM.AC doesn't service the majority of routes I need. eUps are useless to me with their copay requirements and redeeming miles for flights appears to get harder and harder so really all I'm after is easy *G and ability to redeem points for flights.
My biggest issue is the 50% AC metal requirement for AQM.AC doesn't service the majority of routes I need. eUps are useless to me with their copay requirements and redeeming miles for flights appears to get harder and harder so really all I'm after is easy *G and ability to redeem points for flights.
#125
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: YYZ, HKG, MFM
Programs: AC35K, AS MVP, WS Gold, ITA EP, Marriott Plat, Hyatt-Explorist, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,019
Already left 2 years ago. The only reason I have my AP account is for my credit card spending. I usually fly around 20k per year TPAC, so I have more options like BR,SQ and NH within the *A.
#127
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ, MNL, WAW
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Lifetime Plat, (now an AC nobody)
Posts: 1,978
My biggest issue is the 50% AC metal requirement for AQM.AC doesn't service the majority of routes I need. eUps are useless to me with their copay requirements and redeeming miles for flights appears to get harder and harder so really all I'm after is easy *G and ability to redeem points for flights.
I'm out and doing research on BAEC now.
#128
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: AC/EK
Posts: 248
I've decided that next year I'll try to earn 25k on AC (+25k *A partners) for E50 just to try and use up my existing miles with them and then likely start accruing on Asiana. It looks like 40k miles over 2 years gets *G for 2 years which seems like a very good deal. I still need to research their program more but the more I look into TK, SQ, and OZ, the more happy to leave AC I become.
#129
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: YXU, ON Canada
Programs: AC LT E50K; AC*MM; SPG LT Gold
Posts: 4,665
I've been SE continuously since 2001. I was thinking of resting at 75K for next year, but with the changes its worth going to SE for one more year so that I can blow my points and take advantage of the YQ drop. After that I'll rely on my MM 50K status for domestic travel and go for EK or the best deals for int'l. It's been a nice ride, but I don't need it any more. And upgrading to EK F with points makes Asia trips very comfortable.
Oh, and I'll try to stick with FT until I make 5000 posts.
Oh, and I'll try to stick with FT until I make 5000 posts.
Last edited by Academic; Oct 25, 2014 at 10:34 am
#130
Join Date: May 2013
Location: YYZ
Posts: 585
reduced AC this year, stopped flying with them exclusively
last year did around 170 segments, this year, around 95 but also did 76K in delta (only around 35 segments)
Loving DL plat so far
With the recently announced changes, I'll only get *G each year and concentrate the rest on DL and CX
Altitude is not worth it
last year did around 170 segments, this year, around 95 but also did 76K in delta (only around 35 segments)
Loving DL plat so far
With the recently announced changes, I'll only get *G each year and concentrate the rest on DL and CX
Altitude is not worth it
#131
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 243
No choice for my husband. His company has a business contract with Air Canada and he has to fly AC if it services his destination. He also has to book with a specific, very large (and mistake prone) travel agency. It doesn't matter if he is going to be stuck somewhere and I could get him out via aircanada.com - the company receives a rebate at the end of the year.
So far he has been able to fly Flex in North America - never business. If he has an overseas trip he can book Restricted Business - but only with prior approval. Even though Latitude often costs more than Restricted Business, he still needs approval to book the Restricted Business.
So, no choice. We are at the point where I pick his flights and then he tells the Travel Agency. He then forwards the e-mail that the agency sends him for approval and I fix the mistakes.
I managed to use up all of his upgrades by sitting at the computer with my finger at the ready. He has a few more trips booked for late November and December. With the weather being what it is and New York being his destination I decided to use them as there would be less chance of cancellation due to weather etc.
And Ben is correct - nearly all of the people seated in Business were using upgrades. I know that some flights do not have business class on short haul flights - or only 4 seats (have seen this). Perhaps business class will eventually be removed for short hauls such as Toronto to New York. I know people who are very senior executives who cannot book business - they have to book economy for short hauls unless they have upgrades.
So far he has been able to fly Flex in North America - never business. If he has an overseas trip he can book Restricted Business - but only with prior approval. Even though Latitude often costs more than Restricted Business, he still needs approval to book the Restricted Business.
So, no choice. We are at the point where I pick his flights and then he tells the Travel Agency. He then forwards the e-mail that the agency sends him for approval and I fix the mistakes.
I managed to use up all of his upgrades by sitting at the computer with my finger at the ready. He has a few more trips booked for late November and December. With the weather being what it is and New York being his destination I decided to use them as there would be less chance of cancellation due to weather etc.
And Ben is correct - nearly all of the people seated in Business were using upgrades. I know that some flights do not have business class on short haul flights - or only 4 seats (have seen this). Perhaps business class will eventually be removed for short hauls such as Toronto to New York. I know people who are very senior executives who cannot book business - they have to book economy for short hauls unless they have upgrades.
#132
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,656
It hasn't been a decade yet since I transitioned from AC Elite to BMI DC Gold. Then when Lufty turfed us and I found myself BA Gold I haven't looked back. Have also had many flights in the continental USA around ATL so that means Delta for the most part. They have done nothing to make me unhappy, and I enjoyed the free upgrades the few times I have received them. I prefer OW, and the lounges are fantastic. At this point, and when I go back to YWG to visit family I have no problem transiting MSP ! CX I fares are a very good deal, just used a return HND-HKG-JFK for 270,000 JPY all in. Very reasonable !
#133
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
Now that its morning, and my math isn't done in a haze of fog, my domestic travel is more around $25k a year. I took flights multiplied by average price instead of round trips multiplied by average price. #fail. That's what you get from me posting on ft late Friday nights Still quite a bit to spend flying Y tho
#134
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: BOS
Programs: BA GLD for LIfe, AA PLT 2 MM miler, B6 Mosaic, Star GLD; HH Diamond; Marriott PLT, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,368
Star Alliance was my second network. I'm Platinum for Life on AA and have been BA Gold for 10 or 12 years (hitting Gold Guest List this year).
But, my wife is Canadian, we have a house there and she has family there, and I was on the board of a couple of Canadian companies in Toronto and Calgary and was Star Gold on AC for a number of years. Left for A3. And, am flying Porter more than I used to. I value Star Gold for US and Canadian lounge access. Will have to switch to another international carrier in the Star Alliance now that A3 has changed its rules.
But, my wife is Canadian, we have a house there and she has family there, and I was on the board of a couple of Canadian companies in Toronto and Calgary and was Star Gold on AC for a number of years. Left for A3. And, am flying Porter more than I used to. I value Star Gold for US and Canadian lounge access. Will have to switch to another international carrier in the Star Alliance now that A3 has changed its rules.
#135
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YQR
Programs: Nexus/GE, UA/MPG, Bonvoy Tit, LTP
Posts: 1,294
I second that. And as I also said earlier it was lounge staff that we sought out to add our MP# again ( when my wife had added her AC# in order to get free bags). Can't see them doing it if they had a problem with our entering.