I just became a SE this year, after being an E since 2001 (before that, I was a Canadian Plus Gold member). I would like to over the coming year, list certain benefits that are not mentioned frequently, or not mentioned at all, even on the AC forum of FT. I will also mention situations where SEs do not have an extra benefit over nonSEs.

1 will not talk about upgrades, award availability (instant KK on J or Y cabins), or concierge service - they are mentioned frequently.

So far:

i) one may go to MLL lounges, upon arrival, as well as upon departure.

2) when one goes to the reservations agent of the SE desk - the agent immediately asks for your Aeroplan number (presumably to confirm SE status - one does not need to give the nonSE reservation agent your Aeroplan number).

3) The agent then pulls up your impending reservation(s) - and asks you whether you want an upgrade (or asks what other things you want to do with the reservation). With the regular nonSE reservations line - this never happened, even after I gave the agent my Aeroplan number - I had to ask that the agent look up my reservation, and then tell her/him that I am calling for an upgrade.

4. The agent voluntarily asked whether she should send me a new itinerary with the new upgraded seats, via email. In all the previous years with Candian and more recently with Air Canada - no agent ever volunteered to do that, and until a recent thread on the matter, I did not even realize that this was a service that AC provides.


(PS-For whatever it is worth, the first 2 SE reservation agents that I have talked to so far, used to work with Canadian Airlines).

5. There is a separate Aeroplan email address for SEs. NonSEs may email Aeroplan through the contact section, of the Aeroplan web site.

However, apparently, the same agents handle emails for SE and non SEs. The first email response that I got as a SE was by the same agent, who responded to me to half of my emails to Aeroplan last year. When this agent responded to me as a SE, he did not use the SE email address, but used the regular Aeroplan email address - to send me his response.

6. SEs can not email nonAeroplan related questions or concerns to the SE Aeroplan email address - SEs, like all other customers, have to go to the Customer Solutions desk in Calgary, either by phone, or by fax.

7. A SE line, separate from the regular priority check-in line (for E, business class passengers, and Star Alliance Golds etc) in Toronto, and in Vancouver (the latter 2 cities for nonRapidair flights). I am not sure if the SE check-in priority line exists at other city airports?

[This message has been edited by FlyerGoldII (edited Jan 18, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by FlyerGoldII (edited Jan 18, 2004).]