Originally Posted by
Quade111
I'm new to the forum. I've searched through the forum looking for a thread on this topic and couldn't find exactly what I'm looking for so I decided to post my own thread.
Background - I've chosen to fly with Westjet almost exclusively for the last 4 years because 1) I haven't been required to travel much and therefore I wasn't accumulating many FF points and 2) it is cheaper and 3) I think Westjet offers much better customer service than Air Canada does to their non status pax.
Anyway, things are changing and my job will require travel between YHZ and YEG regularly and I estimate I will earn just enough FF points to earn Elite status with Air Canada if I fly with them all of 2010. I've spent a lot of time reviewing aeroplan's reward program, talking with friends and reading over the posts in this forum(great forum by the way). Things like the MLL and priority check in are not a big deal to me. The thing that would compel me to fly Air Canada for a year (as non status pax) would be the thought of getting a few complimentary upgrades to Executive class each year.
Now - I know there is a big difference between getting these upgrade certificates and being able to use them and I wanted to hear from others about their success rate in using these certificates. If they are easy to use then I would probably switch to Air Canada and and fly with them for all of 2010 to get Elite status in 2011... if not, then I would stick with Westjet until their customer service drops to Air Canada levels.
So.. how successful have you been at using at using your SWU, SSWU and NAU certificates? What percentage of the time do you get the upgrade you're looking for?
Thanks for your input!
Welcome to FT.
A couple of points and questions for you.
As others have mentioned, a flight pass will be worth looking into. They come in two varieties, T+ and Lat.
T+ allows for upgrades using SSWUs, you will get two a year.
A Lat pass allows complimentary upgrades when space is available.
Will your employer be willing to spring for a Lat pass?
You will need to check if a flight pass is cheaper than booking individual flights, sometimes yes, sometimes no.
If your employer will buy a Lat Flight Pass for you, then AC and AP are your answer for upgrades.
You mention that you have flown Westjet almost exclusively for 4 years. I would encourage you to give AC a try, try and be open minded about it when you do it. I hope you will be suitably impressed. Yes, AC has good and bad days, but overall the experience is good.
Priority ckin is not a big deal, especially when departing places such as YEG and YHZ, even more so with kiosks etc.
Access to the MLL can be a nice perk. I fly many segments, typically I have an oppurtunity once or twice a week to use a MLL, almost always the same one, YVR domestic. Sometimes I use, sometimes I don't. The food offerings have improved, sometime excellent, sometimes mediocre. Occasionaly I'll have a glass of wine or beer. Read the papers. Sit in a comfortable seat. I enjoy having the choice to use the MLL. Maybe you would find the same if you could use it. Bear in mind you will not qualify for free use of the MLL until you have reached Elite. You can buy annual access to it prior to then if you so choose. $425.
http://www.airclublounge.com/aimsclu...ustomerN0.aspx
Who has the better schedule for you? AC or WJ
Maybe you, or you and someone else will use the upgrade certificates for a pleasure long haul trip somewhere as opposed to upgrading your commute.
As an Elite with AC you will have a better chance of getting an operational upgrade to Executive First than you would as a non status pax. Given that WJ has no front cabin, you have a much better chance of an upgrade on AC
If price and schedule are all equal, the scales are tipped towards AC IMO. They have benefits and opportunities that are simply unavailable with WJ.