Originally Posted by DanJ

I don't understand why this upsets people and makes them think this is some sort of devaluation of Aeroplan. The chances the average non-flying consumer is going to ring up enough AP points from credit cards and Esso to get a free flight, let alone take their family anywhere, are pretty slim. I doubt these are the people that will be snatching up reward seats from FF'ers. I think these are points that will for the most part never be used.

I would hazard a guess that the majority of those CIBC and Esso points are being awarded to FF'ers who are bulking up their accounts. The average consumer isn't going to pay $120 for a credit card, especially if they do the math and figure out how much they have to charge just to get the same number of AP points they could by with that $120.

As a consumer loyalty plan, I think AP is pretty weak. No where near the penetration or benefits as Air Miles, at least at this point. I think them adding Esso and Future Shop, as well as the various credit cards, are more a benefit to the FF'er, to rack up more points, than it is an attempt to get non-flying AP members flying. Of course, the intent is to make people think they will earn free flights, but AP knows that won't happen often.