Originally Posted by
Transpacificflyer
I don't understand the point. Yes, AP is a lot better than some of the other programs out there. So what? I detest AA and UA and do my utmost to avoid them. I don't need points that are all but useless for anyone who isn't a super dooper FF. I'll take the lower fares on other airlines and forgo the scam charges with AP if you please. I am treated just fine on West Jet or Porter. I like the polite personnel, and the willingness to help. I love the lower fares of AF/KLM. $2,000 in my pocket is worth more to me than AP miles or AC status or the possibility of an easier redemption, and the catch of $700- $1200 in AP J class related charges on an Asian long haul redemption
If you want a crappy FF program look no further than EVA. It is one of the worst and makes AP look wonderful. I lost 40,000 points last year because I forgot about the expiry date and hadn't been able to use them to get the $100 credit or whatever lousy credit it is on a ticket. That's ok. I made up for it by a nice cost savings over AC (approx. $1500 ) last purchase. What do I need AC status for when I am treated with dignity and respect by EVA? What do I care about EVA infinity land silliness or AP miles when I do much better by showing no loyalty?
Maybe AC and AP work for you. That's great. Really, I am happy for you. Enjoy it all you can. For the majority of customers, regular folk like me, there is nothing special about AC or AP. They both stink.
Like everything in life, it's all about finding the right program that works for you.
A colleague of mine does YYZ TPE and back 2x a month. The BR program works for him because he can have access to redeem more seats in J than I can using AE for redemptions. He's not restricted to two weeks out.
He's also been opped up so many times we've lost count. So there are certain "greener" parts of the BR FF program vs AE. However, earning top tier is harder than SE top tier. And if one thinks that SEMM are treated well on AC....I'll leave it at that. Depending on what Altitude 2016 looks like, I may bail to BR given a change in my travel patterns.