FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Update on 2011 Benefit Packages + 2010 Threshold Upgrades program

Jan 21, 2011 | 11:55 pm

#169

YEG USER

Join Date: Dec 2006

Location: YEG

Posts: 3,929

As I posted yesterday in the initial thread by jlisi I have very mixed opinions about all of this.

As far as I'm concerned, AC dropped the ball, plain and simple, and I'm really irritated about all of this.

Back in December, AC said that it was not possible to issue eCerts for December thresholds. Now, all of a sudden it is possible to award eCerts? As far as I'm concerned, this should have been fairly simple to implement from the start. AC stated that December 2010 thresholds would not get 2011 eCerts. Because of this I decided to put off (until March) a YEG-YVR trip in December that would have put me over a threshold. At the time, I thought that there was no point in getting 2 SSWU that would have less than 2 months of validity by the time I got them; I opted instead to focus on earning towards a 2011 threshold (if I even decided to fly AC much more). After the fact, I now find out that I could have taken the trip in December and received the bonus eCerts. AC rewards those who fly with them, and in this case I chose not to fly, so I can't be too upset (as it was my decision). However, I relied on information from AC in making my decision; AC management has lost credibility IMHO.

On the other hand, at least AC has acknowledged that it dropped the ball and is giving a token goodwill gesture to its top tier customers. This is a good thing, hopefully they continue to improve things.

I am still undecided as to what to do for my flights going forward. I haven't had to fly yet in 2011, but will have to start flying again starting in February. I don't know if I should bother flying AC, switch to UA or DL for my transborder flying, or switch to WS for my domestic flying. While I do appreciate AC giving extra eCerts, this is a one time thing; next year I think it is safe to assume that the best case is that the originally rolled out 2011 top tier program will be the new status quo. I have a tough time trying to see the bonus eCerts as something "great" as IMHO even with the one time bonus, the program is still significantly devalued from last year.

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