Originally Posted by mrcol

Just a reminder that Aeroplan also forced us Elites to give up the 50% mileage bonus for flying AC/LH/UA if we chose to max out our eUpgrades for 2011.

This means that the typical mini-RTW reward from NA to Asia isn't just a 45% increase from 120k to 175k miles.

A year ago we wouldn't have even had to fly 120k miles to get the award, 80k plus the 50% bonus (40k more) would have been enough.

So in reality Aeroplan has slowly changed the cost from 80k miles flown to 120k and now 175k. Put together the same award as last year now requires **218%** more **miles flown** than what we would have had under last year's program.

For instance, while 8 return flights to Europe from Vancouver last year would have netted an Elite a mini-RTW in F, today an Elite needs almost 18 return flights are needed.

I guarantee you this change was implemented in two stages so we wouldn't connect the dots and complain as much. This is a well known, but dark trick in marketing (google "just noticeable difference").

So glad I've been collecting on UA this year (who still actually gives lowly Elites a 100% mileage bonus)