Originally Posted by
Clipper801
The qualification level does not have to be raised. The "price" to attain E needs to be raised rather than cutting benefits.
Reducing the no. of Status Mile earning ratio on cheaper fare works just the same but without antagonizing those who buy more expensive fare.
In other words, if you buy cheap Tango Plus fare, you will have to fly more to attain E.
If you buy Latitude or Executive, you are not affected.
Keep the qualification level at 35,000 but Tango Plus earns only 0.65/mile flown.
Therefore, those usually buy Tango Plus will have to fly 35% more to attain E.
That won't happen. If you look at Aeroplan as a company, which I believe it is, it makes sense to allow points to accumulate at an increased rate but make them worth less to redeem. That then raises the profit on each point in the system.
Taking 200,000 points to buy a $1200 computer vs 2 biz class tix is prime example of how "costly" redeeming AP points is to the program as opposed to typical Aerogold customers. Now making them worth less (yes I know I keep using that split phrase) to upgrade means less money flowing out of the Aeroplan coffers.
The answer here is not to inconvenience yourself by flying another carrier. Simply shuttle the points to another program. The airline has its own issues in terms of being competitive. Make Aeroplan realize it no longer serves as an airline loyalty program but rather as a gas station/credit card loyalty program.