Newest a la Carte Fare Option: IRROPS Protection
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Toronto, ON
Programs: AC 75K
Posts: 6,397
Newest a la Carte Fare Option: IRROPS Protection
Called On My Way
Introducing On My Way, Air Canada's newest ŕ-la-carte fare option, providing travel assistance service to protect you against unexpected travel expenditures -- including any that apply to your air ticket investment -- and offers you a smooth, stress-free travel experience when unplanned disruptions affect your travel plans.
On My Way service gives you access to specially trained Air Canada customer service agents who will assist to get you on your way more quickly and smoothly by:
Rebooking the first available flight on Air Canada, Jazz or another airline
Arranging complimentary hotel accommodation, car rental or other ground transportation and meals
$25 for flights 1000 miles or less
$35 for flights 1000 miles or more.
http://www.aircanada.com/shared/en/a...es/benefit.jpg
Introducing On My Way, Air Canada's newest ŕ-la-carte fare option, providing travel assistance service to protect you against unexpected travel expenditures -- including any that apply to your air ticket investment -- and offers you a smooth, stress-free travel experience when unplanned disruptions affect your travel plans.
On My Way service gives you access to specially trained Air Canada customer service agents who will assist to get you on your way more quickly and smoothly by:
Rebooking the first available flight on Air Canada, Jazz or another airline
Arranging complimentary hotel accommodation, car rental or other ground transportation and meals
$25 for flights 1000 miles or less
$35 for flights 1000 miles or more.
http://www.aircanada.com/shared/en/a...es/benefit.jpg
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC SE MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,105
Wow, I thought this was a joke
It would be nice if it was included free or deeply discounted for E/SE members. I'd really just like the SMS notification feature which should be a part of AC.com profiles
Right now I think only United provides Weather-delay accommodation for 1K members so this is a nice thing to be able to buy if the weather is bad news!
It would be nice if it was included free or deeply discounted for E/SE members. I'd really just like the SMS notification feature which should be a part of AC.com profiles
Right now I think only United provides Weather-delay accommodation for 1K members so this is a nice thing to be able to buy if the weather is bad news!
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 24,077
Wow, I thought this was a joke
It would be nice if it was included free or deeply discounted for E/SE members. I'd really just like the SMS notification feature which should be a part of AC.com profiles
Right now I think only United provides Weather-delay accommodation for 1K members so this is a nice thing to be able to buy if the weather is bad news!
It would be nice if it was included free or deeply discounted for E/SE members. I'd really just like the SMS notification feature which should be a part of AC.com profiles
Right now I think only United provides Weather-delay accommodation for 1K members so this is a nice thing to be able to buy if the weather is bad news!
As to rebooking on other airlines, I think they are supposed to do that. It's just that they try bullying you.
Bottom line: (1) I don't see the value in this and (2) isn't it damn hypocritical of them to charge extra for stuff that they are supposed to offer in the first place but which they do their best to avoid?
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Toronto, ON
Programs: AC 75K
Posts: 6,397
Well, SEs get access to the SE "desk." As to accommodation etc., most credit cards provide for that anyway.
As to rebooking on other airlines, I think they are supposed to do that. It's just that they try bullying you.
Bottom line: (1) I don't see the value in this and (2) isn't it damn hypocritical of them to charge extra for stuff that they are supposed to offer in the first place but which they do their best to avoid?
As to rebooking on other airlines, I think they are supposed to do that. It's just that they try bullying you.
Bottom line: (1) I don't see the value in this and (2) isn't it damn hypocritical of them to charge extra for stuff that they are supposed to offer in the first place but which they do their best to avoid?
But I think this could be a slippery slope and optically will look very petty.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,393
Wow, I thought this was a joke
It would be nice if it was included free or deeply discounted for E/SE members. I'd really just like the SMS notification feature which should be a part of AC.com profiles
Right now I think only United provides Weather-delay accommodation for 1K members so this is a nice thing to be able to buy if the weather is bad news!
It would be nice if it was included free or deeply discounted for E/SE members. I'd really just like the SMS notification feature which should be a part of AC.com profiles
Right now I think only United provides Weather-delay accommodation for 1K members so this is a nice thing to be able to buy if the weather is bad news!
It might make some sense for anyone connecting through Heathrow any time of year. Getting even one night's hotel in London would probably pay the fees for 2-3 round trips.
Other than that, for most point to point trips, I'll pass.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 24,077
Agreed. But even weather IROPS is typically covered by your credit card. So really, the only thing you can expect from this is less willingness to provide what they should provide in the first place, if you did not purchase this.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salish Sea
Programs: DL,AC,HH,PC
Posts: 8,974
Yes. They are working on the premise that while you can't fool all the people all the time, you can sure fool most of them most of the time.
#11
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salish Sea
Programs: DL,AC,HH,PC
Posts: 8,974
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,488
I'd heard about this from someone I know within AC and will be curious to see how it's received. Seems to me the a la carte options are becoming a long menu list and are at risk of thoroughly confusing average travellers.
#13
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Calgary
Programs: A Few
Posts: 2,339
**Applicable on flights within Canada and between Canada and the USA operated by Air Canada or Air Canada JazzTM (codeshare flights operated by other partners are excluded).
#14
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,103
With the exception of weather they are SUPPOSED to be doing all of these things for FREE already. And even in weather they are still supposed to help!
Great business strategy. I guess AC has hired a new cohort of MBA grads.
1) Make customer service terrible over a number of years.
2) Offer customer option to pay for basic customer service as a new "feature"
3) Profit.
This makes AC look cheap and nasty. Good job!
Great business strategy. I guess AC has hired a new cohort of MBA grads.
1) Make customer service terrible over a number of years.
2) Offer customer option to pay for basic customer service as a new "feature"
3) Profit.
This makes AC look cheap and nasty. Good job!
#15
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: YYT/YYZ
Programs: AC*SE, AC*MM, SPG Gold, FPC Plat, HHonors Diamond, PC Plat Elite, R&C Club 5C, Hyatt GP
Posts: 2,201
There are 3 questions I'd like an answer to.
1. How does this intersect with the FF program if at all? This "service" is not even included in the price of a full J fare - will it be complementary to E/SEs?
2. Who will get first priority during IROPS - E/SEs, or those who paid "protection money"? I've always regarded preferential treatment during IROPS as a leading benefit of status. Is this a watering down of that benefit?
3. Does the new "service" mean that the normal flight notification system will be downgraded, or is it to be enhanced in some way for those who purchase it?
1. How does this intersect with the FF program if at all? This "service" is not even included in the price of a full J fare - will it be complementary to E/SEs?
2. Who will get first priority during IROPS - E/SEs, or those who paid "protection money"? I've always regarded preferential treatment during IROPS as a leading benefit of status. Is this a watering down of that benefit?
3. Does the new "service" mean that the normal flight notification system will be downgraded, or is it to be enhanced in some way for those who purchase it?