Originally Posted by
ACB777
The OP is essentially playing into the AC business strategy of souring the milk of the upgrade scheme, lowering the prices of Z fares, and having people buy directly into the J cabin to avoid uncertainty and frustration.
Reflecting on my days as E, I used to happily buy up to Lat fares on those routes where an upgrade was important, and several people here have said the same.
So I'm not sure how much this new tactic is changing the amount of revenue generation for AC (particularly considering how often Z<Y/B), except that clearly loyalty is being chipped away slowly, and no substitution for lounge passes, free meals in Y, etc.etc.etc. will change that.
Certainly any paid international J I buy has not been on AC this year. I either pays my money and takes my chances in T+ with eups, or enter the market of discount business fares as a free agent
One’s experience really depends on the route(s) that one frequently flies.
For North America, R is generally quite plentiful and the flexible Latitude fare is generally cheaper than the restrictive Executive lowest. One loses on the 50% COS but it only costs 1 or 2 eUpgrade credits. Therefore, lots more upgrade opportunities than before and still represent good value for an upper tier member – the ability to fly Executive class on a confirmed basis at a discount.
The situation is completely different on many international routes where R is frequently ≤ 1. Upgrade is difficult and Latitude fare is also frequently more expensive than Executive First Lowest. In the past, many played aerolotto but AC has effectively closed that door with the introduction of the non-upgradeable Tango fare and significantly more expensive Tango Plus fare.
I am one of those who have switched from buying Latitude (and upgrade) to Executive First Lowest.
In the past, AC priced its Z/D fares quite competitively, usually about 3~5% more expensive than its competitors. With a better FF programme, more convenient routing and somewhat better or comparable hard and software, many chose to pay the small premium to fly AC. The strategy worked well.
Lately, AC is getting too greedy. Recently, on one particular route, AC’s Executive First Lowest is priced $700 more expensive than CX’s cheapest business class fare, $1,000 more than UA and $3,000 more than BR. For those who do not mind a long transit at ZRH and IST, LX is $900 cheaper and TK is $1,200 cheaper.
Yes, I voted with my wallet. I am sure that many others have done the same.
When the budget does not allow, other airlines offer me a “soft landing” to Premium Economy. It’s better than paying Tango Plus to play aerolotto when the price difference is usually only about ≤ 10%.
Another nail to the coffin is the anticipated changes to the Top Tier qualifications and benefits for 2013.