Originally Posted by gcashin

Ben and Ben,

Thanks again for the continued dialog - this has been extremely helpful in addressing some of the concerns from your top tier members.

One of the areas I'd like to pass along feedback and ask about is the rollout of additional preferred seats. I'm happy to see additional preferred seats, as at 6'3", legroom is a major concern. I'm disappointed at how it's been rolled out, though.

In the past, as an E50 I could typically book the priority seats at the front of Y (typically rows 13-18 or so). With the rollout of preferred seats, the only rows towards the front that E50 passengers now have access to on a Flex fare without paying additional seating fees are the bulkhead. This has been a major downgrade for E50/E35/P25 passengers, and E75's on Tango fares as it removes a significant chunk of desirable Y seats that mid tier Elites could access previously.

As an example - I just booked 4 segments on aircraft with the new configuration for YYC-YYZ segments. In 3 out of the 4 segments, the bulkhead was taken, but rows 13~17 had plenty of space, but I can't access them without paying a extra fee on top of my already expensive Flex fare. As a result, I'm now at the back of the bus, even though there is plenty of space towards the front in the new preferred seating (formerly priority seating) rows. As well, these seats turn into a free-for-all when OLCI opens, so my only chances of getting a seat towards the front is to try to check in immediately at T-24, but I'm competing with non-status pax trying to get a seat assignment.

I know AC Altitude said on FT that expanded eligibility was coming, but this has been a major downgrade for several months. Any word on when the updated eligibility will be announced? As part of the rollout, why do you need to wait until the aircraft changes are complete to update your eligibility rules? If you are planning to open up more preferred seats to E50's and other elite members, why not update the rules now to reflect the intended end state or provide some clarity on what the rules will be? Right now this is disappointing that mid-tier Elites are getting stuck at the back of the bus because of the new rules.