Y2K changes to Aeroplan Elite Program
 

According to Elite news letter;

The year 2000 Aeroplan Elite program will reflect changes to year 2000 north america and system-wide upgrade certificates for Executive first or executive class travel on any scheduled Air Canada, Air Nova, Air BC operated flight. Year 2000 North America upgrade certificates will be valid for use with y,m,b,h or v fare tickets only. Year 2000 system-wide upgrade certificates will be valid for use with y or m fare tickets (only y fare tickets for Europe). In addtition, when reserving reward travel, should reward seats no longer be available, you will be eligible for any unsold seat in Hospitatlity service only. This applies to any flight booked for travel after Feb. 29 2000.

Why am I not surprised that this would happen??????

This is a complete disaster. Often V fares are over $500 more expensive than L or Q fares from YYZ-YYC for example.

This is the way of the future in Canada, and I am already sick of it! The truly disgusting part is - there is nothing we can do about it. I wonder if CP Gold will exclude N and M fares for upgrades (I'm sure they will). I am p*ss*d off!

Is there anything we can do? NO! This will make Elite almost as useless as Prestige to me. What a total joke this is.

Related, but on a different note, the Government of this country should be ashamed of itself. There has been nothing but a total lack of direction and leadership in the airline industry. Some will say that that is a good thing, to let the market take its course. I agree, but in that instance, the transport minister should have never jumped in in August creating panic conditions that have lead to this truly shameful situation.

Sorry for the rambling, but I am not a happy camper. 41 flights, and 38,000 miles on AC this year ALL FOR NOTHING.

[This message has been edited by Fisch (edited 12-08-1999).]

Flyaway:

Can you supply me with one of these AC newsletters? I'd like the real thing, as opposed to a photocopy. Perhaps you'd be prepared to offer your copy. If not, are they available from AC lounges, etc?

P.S. Is this and "Elite" only newletter, different, from S/E, Prestige, and non-status?

Well it was fun while it lasted. I'm still hoping for a better break for Super Elites but who knows? Maybe there will be something in my mailbox on arrival back home.

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KH: It's actually a letter called "Exclusive UPdate for Aeroplan Elite Members" from the desk of Louise Fournel which came with my aeroplan statement yesterday.

Email me your address if you still want it.

See my post on the SE thread on this. I still think the V fares domestically and B or H fares internationally are workable compared to what it would cost for full business ticket. We knew it couldn't keep on forever. Besides Canadian, no other airline came close to this kind of offer. It would be nice to be able to purchase upgrades with points (like UA and others) though.

Another thought--are they standardizing the fare classes with other Star Alliance members? V fares on United are UA's cheapest aren't they?

We could always cling to the hope that the fare classes on the new certificates reflect some new fare class system to be implemented in 2000--now that would be just wishful thinking wouldn't it?

What's the point of AC doing this? They know for sure now that you wouldn't threaten them to switch airlines, right?

So they probably going to fly with more empty seats? What's the point of being an E/SE? Some of our companies just want us to purchase the lowest fare because $200 difference in one ticket will result in $10000 for 50 trips...

Is this rule change sort of a challenge to its Elite member??? This Milton guy is SICK!!

Regards,
Empress

I wonder what the new Prestige "benefits" will be?

A swift kick in the rear!

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On a seperate note, I was looking over the letter that Milton sent to "important customers" during the whole Onex thing. To quote Mr. Milton on November 3rd:

“We would also like to reiterate that your membership status in our frequent flyer program, along with your benefits and your ability to earn and redeem miles, will be unaffected under our proposal.”

This is just an outrage! Milton is an outright liar as well. I do have a letter prepared to send the man, but don't think it will have any bearing on anything. I am a helpless consumer in an airline monoploy.

[This message has been edited by Fisch (edited 12-09-1999).]

Fisch:

Sending it to Milton will probably just make him smile. Send copies of that letter, along with the "screw you" letter, to as many media outlets as you can. It seems most of them are out for Milton over the last 2 days, and I suspect they'd all love to have a copy, fax, or even e-mail of both letters.

I don't think it will accomplish much more, but it can't hurt, and it'll make you feel better.

Ken "Don't get mad, get even" Hamer

P.S. Has AC been advertising the upgrade benefits to Elite members in any form over the last year, to entice people to fly AC? If so, there may be lawsuit potential, at least for some hardy individual.

Just got an e-mail from Aeroplan describing a new "benefit" -- the removal of the right to request an award certificate. This of course, removes one avenue to circumvent award price increases, and means you have to take the flight within 1 year instead of two.

Maybe you guys should just ask for stiffer penalties, like 5000 points for boarding with oversized carry on luggage.

Hopefully web saver fares and student Z fares will still be eligible to receive miles.

I guess I will be traveling in the back more often in 2000. Oh well, as BB noted...."it was good while it lasted."