This is likely the first time a senior AC exec has actually responded in the press. Thus far, Aeroplan spokespersons have been unavailable to the media, much to the frustration of those trying to do stories. I recall when the new TRAVEL CHANNEL did an item on being Elite and SuperElite, the producer was telling me how they could get no one from Air Canada or Aeroplan, even though the item was not going to be critical. Or else they have used Ms. Cook to issue semi coherent denials.

I wonder how many elites who are not quite as fanatical as those of us here, will care about the changes? I know back a year ago from watching elites try to get their upgrades at the gate and being turned down due to the fare class of their ticket, that most don't have a clue about such minutia. Are we about to see an outbreak of such rejections in March, or will res agents stem this at the 72- and 48-hour threshold by informing elites their fares a not eligible for upgrading?

So even with this errorplan thing, it will be interesting to watch the reaction around the gate in those early weeks in March, or listen to the grumbling in the MLLs prior to flights.