I was alright (personally) with the S/E 2004 benefits until they decided to lower the qualification levels once again.

Take SuperElite as an example, just in the past few years alone:

- Some members got selected for double Q miles on all fares for a period of 3 months.
- S/E level lowered to 88K in 2001.
- S/E level lowered to 0K in 2002 (because they were renewing people's status early this year even though they didn't fly enough and 0K Q miles in some cases)
- S/E level lowered to 62K in 2003 (instant S/E for the remaining of the 2003 benefit year for those who fly 62K).
- S/E level lowered to 90K in 2003 (instant S/E until 2005 for those who fly 90K before the end of this year)
- Then finally, S/E level lowered to 85K.

So a person could have made status for 3 years in a row without having to fly the required 100K. I don't have a problem with lowering it so more people could make their status level. The problem I have is how they claim the reason for lowering the levels is:

Recognizing top-tier members' loyalty to the airline during what has been a very challenging year, which included the war in Iraq, the SARS outbreak, the black out and Air Canada’s restructuring under CCAA, Air Canada and Aeroplan decided to reduce the qualifying levels for 2004 top-tier status.

Based on their past behaviour, they only care about you if they feel you're slipping away and not flying them anymore. They claimed "Recognizing top-tier members' loyalty to the airline during what has been a very challenging year" yet they don't even give an acknowledgement to those who flew the required miles year after year during those 'challenging years'. UA has got it right in this aspect, they will be rewarding members with extra Q miles and extra SWUs for flying the required miles.

I feel the fair way for AC to do it is: sure, go take care of those that have not flown much by offering them incentives but at the same time, they need to take care of those who are truly loyal to you. Don't go lower the requalification levels 5 times during a year while those who met the real requirement are left out to dry (with more competition for all the benefits).

Something as simple as extra Q miles and/or SWUs for being a true loyal member throughout the tough times is not too much to ask for IMO.

It's fine when they do this once or twice. But when this happens year after year, this question has got to be answered:

So what happens for those who met the original qualification levels? if the claim has been made that 'Recognizing top-tier members' loyalty to the airline' during tough times is very important.

This question will be posed to Aeroplan in Monday's chat. (Of course if Randy doesn't filter it out like in the past. )

What do you guys think? It's almost like: you'll be better recognized if you don't fly enough.

[This message has been edited by Empress (edited Dec 14, 2003).]