Originally Posted by canopus27

I don't think AC have any problems with people buying basic fares. I am pretty confident that AC are not losing money on those people.

But they are also not making money from them hand over fist from basic fare passengers - to Adam's point, they are also very price-sensitive - so there is no need to shower those purchasers with additional benefits. You want to pay for a basic flight, then you get a basic flight - you don't also get other status and benefits from that flight.