>My reasoning for hating AP is that it is supposed
>to be loyalty program, but they are running it like a business
>to make profit. Because of this, the benefits are watered
>down and it is no longer about loyalty

The problem with AP (and the airlines in general) is their marketing departments are their own worst enemy. They repeatedly sell the Joe Sixpack a false bill of goods which in turn alienates their customer base. AP will promote 'earn free trips!' with 'every seat available!', then customers discover they've got to fly a dozen trips to Toronto just to earn enough points to get anywhere, or put tens-of-thousands of dollars on a credt card that costs then over $100 per year just to carry around.

'Air Canada will advertise Halifax from $299!' Then the flying public tries to actually buy a ticket and it winds up costing nearly a thousand dollars.

These are just two examples of why the brand is disliked, IMHO.

Cheers,
Geoff Glave
Vancouver, Canada