Is Elite worth $240? (And is the 35k figure a hard stop?)
Nov 6, 2010, 5:26 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ, SFO
Programs: AS 100K, UA*S, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond | Formerly: AC Super Elite
Posts: 2,476
Thanks for the input, everyone. I think NewToCanada and YEG USER might have a point in this case. The amount of traveling I'll do next year is a little difficult to predict at this point. But as I mentioned in another thread, even if I do travel, it will not always be on a Star carrier. So maybe the time and $ spent to get Elite is not worth it in this case.
However, NewToCanada does mention something interesting. *S get to skip long security lines? Is this for all airports? Do I look for a special line? I was not aware of this benefit at all!
However, NewToCanada does mention something interesting. *S get to skip long security lines? Is this for all airports? Do I look for a special line? I was not aware of this benefit at all!
I'm not sure if any of the major Canadian airports extend priority security to *S. For example, the Pearson Priority line only extend priority security to E/SE (and amex and etc etc etc ... looks like getting a Plat Amex nowadays mean more than being silver LOLOLOLOL)
Nov 6, 2010, 5:41 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
Posts: 9,708
Canadian airports only offer to AMEX and Air Canada Elite/Super Elites....heard nothing yet about *G...... I priority security using AC*G in SEA but was referred back to the regular lines in SFO and EWR
i believe its because the color of the BP they look for but i may be wrong
i believe its because the color of the BP they look for but i may be wrong
Nov 6, 2010, 6:12 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ, SFO
Programs: AS 100K, UA*S, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond | Formerly: AC Super Elite
Posts: 2,476
That shouldn't happen o_o the UA "premier" security checkpoint at SFO (near the border between the UA domestic and international terminals) allows all *G. Did you go to another security checkpoint?
Nov 6, 2010, 8:58 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Earth
Programs: AC S100K (formerly AC*SE), AC 2MM, AMEX Plat, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 1,469
I believe that you should go for it!
I have considered the opinions of others, but for some reason if you travel more next year, just the access to MLL is enough for the dollar value involved, not to mention additional "soft" amenities.
I have considered the opinions of others, but for some reason if you travel more next year, just the access to MLL is enough for the dollar value involved, not to mention additional "soft" amenities.
Nov 6, 2010, 9:10 pm
#21
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto YYZ UA-1K 1MM,QFgold
Programs: Royal Ambassador/ SPG Platinum 75/Marriott gold
Posts: 14,283
Elite on AC is a very good program one of the better Gold programs for NA fliers.
However the reality its going to upgrade one flight a year for you with SSWU. Or if you company pays for "sucker" fares or Latitude with AC, lots of flights can be upgraded with the SWU's
IF you can do ONE mileage run and get the miles you need go for it! Find another mileage run.
However the reality its going to upgrade one flight a year for you with SSWU. Or if you company pays for "sucker" fares or Latitude with AC, lots of flights can be upgraded with the SWU's
IF you can do ONE mileage run and get the miles you need go for it! Find another mileage run.
Nov 6, 2010, 11:30 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
Posts: 9,708
Elite on AC is a very good program one of the better Gold programs for NA fliers.
However the reality its going to upgrade one flight a year for you with SSWU. Or if you company pays for "sucker" fares or Latitude with AC, lots of flights can be upgraded with the SWU's
IF you can do ONE mileage run and get the miles you need go for it! Find another mileage run.
However the reality its going to upgrade one flight a year for you with SSWU. Or if you company pays for "sucker" fares or Latitude with AC, lots of flights can be upgraded with the SWU's
IF you can do ONE mileage run and get the miles you need go for it! Find another mileage run.
Nov 6, 2010, 11:59 pm
#23
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,225
you have to be able to find a very low dollar run out of EWR, JFK or even LGA to get 700 miles extra. I have *E for the last few years and do appreciate a few perks and have bonused an extra sswu from ZRH when the back was full and exec was empty. Did the same a few years back YYZ HNL YYZ and got an opup on the HNL YYZ due to oversold in Y. One rung higher on the ladder in status can sway an opup when in P you would be the bottom of the list.
Nov 7, 2010, 12:03 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: YYJ
Programs: AS-MVP-G75, AC-25K, UA-1P, DL, AA, BA, PR
Posts: 3
AC E also offers lounge access
Thanks for the input, everyone. I think NewToCanada and YEG USER might have a point in this case. The amount of traveling I'll do next year is a little difficult to predict at this point. But as I mentioned in another thread, even if I do travel, it will not always be on a Star carrier. So maybe the time and $ spent to get Elite is not worth it in this case.
However, NewToCanada does mention something interesting. *S get to skip long security lines? Is this for all airports? Do I look for a special line? I was not aware of this benefit at all!
However, NewToCanada does mention something interesting. *S get to skip long security lines? Is this for all airports? Do I look for a special line? I was not aware of this benefit at all!
Nov 7, 2010, 3:05 am
#25
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto YYZ UA-1K 1MM,QFgold
Programs: Royal Ambassador/ SPG Platinum 75/Marriott gold
Posts: 14,283
Nov 7, 2010, 7:52 am
#28
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan E25, Amtrak Guest Rewards, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold, Delta Skymiles Silver, HHonors Gold, Nexus
Posts: 502
Link.
The amount of miles credited are just not as high with a lot of low fares. (I.e. Lots of low fares on US airlines yield no miles at all.) Keep this in mind before giving it a try.
Nov 7, 2010, 9:25 am
#29
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
Posts: 9,708
Not true. *G is obtainable for 20,000 now, while *S is obtainable at 4,000.
Link.
The amount of miles credited are just not as high with a lot of low fares. (I.e. Lots of low fares on US airlines yield no miles at all.) Keep this in mind before giving it a try.
Link.
The amount of miles credited are just not as high with a lot of low fares. (I.e. Lots of low fares on US airlines yield no miles at all.) Keep this in mind before giving it a try.
Nov 7, 2010, 2:21 pm
#30
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: AE, SPG, HH
Posts: 340
Presumably you're already Prestige, which means you already get early boarding and get to skip long security lines as a *S. You already get to skip the long hold times when you call reservations. You already get priority standby. So what will you miss if you stay at that level and don't get Elite? Two SSWU (the other upgrades are useless if you fly low classes; and if you don't you can use the upgrades you already get as a Prestige). Special baggage tags which are more or less hit and miss. I don't even bother asking for them when the agents forget. And then the lounges, which personally I value a lot.
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