From AC's news release:

Air Canada and Canadian will not initially be merged. Both carriers will be operated separately, providing choice and distinct brands. Seat sales will continue and the frequent flyer points of both airlines will continue to be honoured according to their respective programs.

There will be reciprocal code sharing on the flights of both Air Canada and Canadian Airlines, permitting passengers to continue to support their choice of frequent flyer program.

Canadian Airline's network will eventually be part of Star Alliance.

Reciprocal code-sharing means we can fly on any plane and post points where we like. Wonder if the service levels on CP will remain the same? Will upgrade access on CP include AC Elite and Super Elite and on AC include CP Gold and Executive Platinum?

It may be easier to add a new FF partner to Cdn and AC res software to permit crediting Aeroplan and Cdn+ almost immediately, but to program their PNR system with elite status from each other may be a bigger problem, thus making reciprocal upgrading somewhat more difficult. (How do you confirm Elite or SE status on Cdn's Sabre, and Gold and EP on AC's system?) As it stands, I can only think of NW and CO, and Cdn and AA that permit reciprocal upgrading.

And until we get confirmation about 2000's fare categories for Cdn upgrades, there will be a major disparity on upgrades from the lowest fare categories. (I expect we Cdn+ folks will now get hit with the same exclusion of upgrading from the lowest fares, and likely lose the "ultimate upgrade" sticker as well.)

So, we'll all just have to wait and see what Santa/Grinch Robert Milton has in store for us.

I wonder if a similar merger in the US would have seen the government require a guarantee of FF points as part of an anti-trust settlement? It seems our points have become as sacrosanct as Medicare to Canadians! Obviously, commercial pressure would have led to an honoring of outstanding balances in any case.

Cdn has an interesting summary of what will happen posted on their website, new this week. Doesn't reveal too much, but does stress the "integration" may take up to two years.

What would be the best way to max points for reward flights?

I am trying to get both my girlfriend and I to England in the summer. I have 120K plus in my Aeroplan, and about 20K in Canadian. I should get another 20K by that time on AC.
Any ideas?

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Not sure what you mean "max points for reward flights"? Are you looking for more point earning opportunities or possible ways to bring AC and CP accounts together?

Easiest point earning (besides flying) if you do a lot of credit card purchasing is to get CIBC Visa Aerogold for $120/year. I figure you have to spend at least $20000 a year to make it really pay for itself though.

We do not have promotions like Pudding Guy's Healthy Choice where you can rack up 30000 points per hour!

Hussar, you'd be best to continue to build your points on AC because in all likelihood, even if an announcement about merging accounts occurs in the next few weeks, it is likely to take many months to actually happen.

As well, if you are hoping to go to the UK during the peak summer travel period -- not to mention peak redemption period for these routes -- you had better book your flights now so AC is the obvious carrier you'll use since 2 Y-class tickets will cost most all your points. You may or may not be able to use them on CP flights, but these too are likely to be filling quickly.

The programs HAVE to remain separate for a while, because their are some major technical issues to work out. First, their is the reciprocal upgrade matter. Anyone who is a CO or NW Elite knows what I am talking about.

Second, AA is continuing its relationship with CP for years to come. If the programs were immediately merged, theoretically, AC members could earn points on AA. UA, I'm sure, would NEVER stand for that. They will have to look for some way for you Cdn+ guys to keep earning miles while flying AA. Perhaps they are developing system where Cdn+ members who are rolled into Aeroplan will have their accounts annotated such that points can be earned on AA, so that the others will not have that opportunity.

[This message has been edited by avek00 (edited 01-03-2000).]

Thanks for the advice about booking early.

I was looking (hoping) to be able to combine the points into one account.

I do use my aerogold visa, and get lots of points. (I also pay too much interest, but that's another story)

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