Originally Posted by parnel
Hey guys calm down.
First of all it is for US residents only and involves an expenditure on a promo AC is highlighting to gain American customers. Its obvious that AC sees a need to entice Americans to fly AC.
I can see the point of getting more american customers flying AC. But giving E to do so. I would have felt more comfortable if AC would have give 10 000 Q miles for example. It would have been a nice head start for the lucky few (500?)
Originally Posted by parnel
My POV is that its for one year effectively and the next year they will have to earn elite like the rest of us as I canot see AC giving it to the same people a second time.
But in the mean time, next year, me, average canadian citizen, that has work his butt off to get to 50K will have to compete for a seat at the MLL in LAX or LHR and for the "I" inventory, which is even more important to me. I don't want to speculate, but what if AC is launching a new promo in Oct 06 to get the UK membership up by offering E again...
Originally Posted by parnel
So, out of say 150,000 elite members they pick up say 500 more this way what real effect does it have on the program or your status. Now if they picked up 5000 more then their offer was too generous. so, my presumption is that its a marketing tool to get some headlines in the US more so than to attract large numbers. Remember marketing is about perceptions and while you think you are maybe being ripped off nothing really changes.
I'm not against promo to attract new customers, but don't give the house to do so. I certainly understand it doesn't affect the SE's of this world, but the bulk of the E membership is working hard to get there and I think it's not the smartest move from AC. It leads me to believe that AC really takes my business for granted and care more less about it.
Originally Posted by parnel
As for the targetted 27K and 87K promos, big deal I say. How many are really going to benefit from this. Again its a marketing tool to remind some pax who are flying on AC less or just flying less period that status is there and that AC cares about them. They do the same for people coming off mat leave or illness.
While they care about those who fly less or for those on mat or illness, do they care about the rest of us?
Originally Posted by parnel
To those who are striving to get to the next level and didn't get the promo I say call AC/AE and plead your case. They have become noticeably better at customer service in the last year and I'm sure reasonable requests will be looked at.
But most likely, if you JUST miss the level required consideration will be listened to after year end as they will prefer you to fly and earn the miles.
At the end of the day if AC offered special consideration to everyone the programs would surely be devalued.
If the E level giving away has the very same value as the one I earned the hard way, then I would say AC is not giving us any consideration and that the program is devaluated.