Like many other FT'ers, when I fly on business, I require a certain amount of flexibility because stuff happens! To that end I make sure that my TA gets me fares that are changeable for a fee and will permit standby wherever possible. I am sitting in the MLL in YYZ T2 at the moment reflecting on how the so called simplified fares are helping AC's business.

I am currently holding a ticket issued on UA stock in W class for an AC codeshare flight (AC 793 to LAX UA 8323). The fare for this ticket is approx $740 CAD. The rules permit standby, and changes for $100 plus fare differences. For the exact itinerary on AC stock the closest fare was $2200 and there was no standby permitted on the return leg.

So in the world of simplified fares, I pay more money for less flexibility on an AC ticket. Presumably UA must share some revenue with AC on the codeshare booking, so is UA losing money on my seat, or is AC flexing its monopolistic muscle to push potential passengers away?? Try as I might to remain loyal to AC, the current policies make it very difficult, because I cannot operate my business on the type of economics the require I pay nearly 3 times more to do the same job???

Am I missing something here????

DF

BTW since I am SE, I stopped at the concierge desk on my way into the lounge, and they are busy working on an upgrade for me even though I am on a UA ticket. ^