Canadian Airlines Plus - CP award travel on AC

Just got a call from Cdn this afternoon, informing me of a sked change affecting a FF ticket I booked a few months ago to bring my mother out to Edmonton for a few days in April. Seems the CP flights she was booked on have both been cancelled and she was protected on AC flights both ways (and in Executive class). I know it is now possible to book FF flights using points from the other carrier. I wonder if anyone has tried making such a booking (not that any of us loyal Cdn flyers would actually want to book AC, but...)?

Obviously this is not the best time to try to book award travel, since most seats have been booked for the summer, but curious.

By the way, I could have flown mother out on Cdn, but it would require connecting through Calgary, hardly worth the hassles.

Just posted this to the AC Forum, but thought I'd add it to this one...

Just caught this announcement from Bloomberg's Financial Press report:

AIR CANADA AND CANADIAN AIRLINES EXPAND
FREQUENT FLYER BENEFITS

"MONTREAL, March 16 /CNW/ - Air Canada and Canadian Airlines today announced a major new benefit for members of their frequent flyer programs, Aeroplan and Canadian Plus. Beginning April 3, 2000, Aeroplan and Canadian Plus members will be able to redeem miles/points for reward travel on each other's own-operated flights as well as those of their regional carriers AirBC, Air Ontario, Air Nova and Canadian Regional Airlines. Since January 19, 2000, Aeroplan and Canadian Plus members have been able to accumulate miles/points, qualifying for higher tier status in their respective programs. ``This is great news for all Aeroplan and Canadian Plus members as we move forward to create a new, expanded network that builds on the strengths of Air Canada and Canadian Airlines,'' said LiseFournel, Executive Vice President, Commercial. ``We are constantly striving to find ways of recognizing and rewarding our customers' loyalty. Today's announcement underscores this commitment.''

"Eligible members now enjoy reciprocal airport privileges that include priority check-in, priority boarding, priority baggage handling, extra checked baggage privileges and access to any Air Canada or Canadian Airlines lounge. In mid-April, members will also have reciprocal upgrade privileges on either carrier. Air Canada and Canadian will be communicating more details of expanded benefits to Aeroplan and Canadian Plus members, as the information becomes available.

" In April 2000, Air Canada and Canadian Airlines will begin integrating their routes
and schedules into one, expanded, unified network. In addition, the airlines will be
introducing 32 new routes and 12 new destinations in the coming months."

As I noted elsewhere, CP protected my mother's FF flights to visit me next month on AC flights. Her first one is on April 1st, so she might well be one of the first CP award tickets honoured on AC. (Hope this early start of reciprocity does not turn out to be an April Fools joke on the part of CP/AC!)