Star Alliance or Death Star?
Oct 30, 2014, 8:52 am
#16
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Aeroplan Diamond, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, Marriott
Posts: 1,839
Oct 30, 2014, 9:36 am
#17
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: YYG
Programs: airlines and hotels and rental cars - oh my!
Posts: 2,993
There is no point. None at all.
If you want to collect points and redeem for flights, there are a bunch of different credit cards that will do that for you - and give you the option of booking your redemption on any flight, any airline. You're not locked into what one specific alliance offers.
If you want to enjoy features like lounge access, priority lanes through security and priority boarding, well, the right credit cards can give you that too.
So why exactly does one need to remain loyal to a specific airline or alliance?
You don't. Those days are over.
Airlines and alliances aren't loyal to you. There's no longer any valid reason you need to be loyal to them.
If you want to collect points and redeem for flights, there are a bunch of different credit cards that will do that for you - and give you the option of booking your redemption on any flight, any airline. You're not locked into what one specific alliance offers.
If you want to enjoy features like lounge access, priority lanes through security and priority boarding, well, the right credit cards can give you that too.
So why exactly does one need to remain loyal to a specific airline or alliance?
You don't. Those days are over.
Airlines and alliances aren't loyal to you. There's no longer any valid reason you need to be loyal to them.
Oct 30, 2014, 11:00 am
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,302
you get 6 SWU per year at 100k, more as you get more qualifying miles.
Those 6 SWU can clear the day you book your flight or 300 days in advance if R space is open. You can also use them to upgrade from business class to First Class. NO copay! and you can gift or trade for more SWU.
So for SYD with UA you can pay almost $1000 less for an upgradeable fare vs AC, and you don't have copays. UA needs a W or higher fare to use SWU on international flights.
Those 6 SWU can clear the day you book your flight or 300 days in advance if R space is open. You can also use them to upgrade from business class to First Class. NO copay! and you can gift or trade for more SWU.
So for SYD with UA you can pay almost $1000 less for an upgradeable fare vs AC, and you don't have copays. UA needs a W or higher fare to use SWU on international flights.
You're talking about upgrades given to a 1K. The equivalent status on AC is S100K. There is no co-pay.
If you want to talk about lower levels, UA members do not have any upgrade instruments valid for international flights, and AC members have to pay for Flex and a co-pay.
Oct 30, 2014, 12:44 pm
#19
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
I do not understand these moans - I have never been rejected any PUBLISHED *A benefits. It is definitely not Star Alliance fault that AC uses outdated 1960's Res system that cannot properly communicate with other airlines' systems. All sort of Aeroplan devaluations are not *A fault, either.
Oct 30, 2014, 5:50 pm
#20
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,153
I do not understand these moans - I have never been rejected any PUBLISHED *A benefits. It is definitely not Star Alliance fault that AC uses outdated 1960's Res system that cannot properly communicate with other airlines' systems. All sort of Aeroplan devaluations are not *A fault, either.
Oct 30, 2014, 6:16 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,791
Oct 31, 2014, 1:15 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
Preposterous that AC has been a founding member since 1997 and that their IT can't get it together.