2012 top tier requirement
Dec 3, 2010, 12:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 612
2012 top tier requirement
Just got my elite connection email. For 2012, you need 10000 status miles or 5 segments on AC metal to qualify.
"On top of existing qualification criteria, members will need to earn a minimum of 10,000 Air.Canada Status Miles or five (5) eligible Air.Canada Status Flight Segments on eligible flights operated by Air.Canada and its regional affiliates to achieve 2012 Top.Tier status. Remember, the qualification period runs from January 1 to December 31, 2011. Full details will be revealed when we launch the 2011 Top.Tier program."
"On top of existing qualification criteria, members will need to earn a minimum of 10,000 Air.Canada Status Miles or five (5) eligible Air.Canada Status Flight Segments on eligible flights operated by Air.Canada and its regional affiliates to achieve 2012 Top.Tier status. Remember, the qualification period runs from January 1 to December 31, 2011. Full details will be revealed when we launch the 2011 Top.Tier program."
Dec 3, 2010, 1:09 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
Interesting!
Actually this is a clever strategy to lower the number of Elites who have never flown AC and just credit their miles to AC/AP due to the (comparably) low 35k threshold and only create costs for AC.
Definitely a better strategy than increasing the threshold and annoying loyal AC customers.
Actually this is a clever strategy to lower the number of Elites who have never flown AC and just credit their miles to AC/AP due to the (comparably) low 35k threshold and only create costs for AC.
Definitely a better strategy than increasing the threshold and annoying loyal AC customers.
Dec 3, 2010, 1:22 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,607
From a selfish point of view this works fine with me. I'm in no danger of missing these targets.
However it's a bit if an ominous turn for star alliance. The fact that we could use any *A programme and fly any carrier was part of the selling point of the alliance. I like that if one day AC stops working for me I could shop around and try Aegean or Turkish or BMI (not for long...)
If these kinds of requirements start spreading there will be a lot less competition between programmes and a lot less pressure to have good extra benefits like upgrades since your flying pattterns will lock you into a much more limited set of choices.
However it's a bit if an ominous turn for star alliance. The fact that we could use any *A programme and fly any carrier was part of the selling point of the alliance. I like that if one day AC stops working for me I could shop around and try Aegean or Turkish or BMI (not for long...)
If these kinds of requirements start spreading there will be a lot less competition between programmes and a lot less pressure to have good extra benefits like upgrades since your flying pattterns will lock you into a much more limited set of choices.
Dec 3, 2010, 1:27 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Canada
Programs: AC*SE
Posts: 1,924
From a selfish point of view this works fine with me. I'm in no danger of missing these targets.
However it's a bit if an ominous turn for star alliance. The fact that we could use any *A programme and fly any carrier was part of the selling point of the alliance. I like that if one day AC stops working for me I could shop around and try Aegean or Turkish or BMI (not for long...)
If these kinds of requirements start spreading there will be a lot less competition between programmes and a lot less pressure to have good extra benefits like upgrades since your flying pattterns will lock you into a much more limited set of choices.
However it's a bit if an ominous turn for star alliance. The fact that we could use any *A programme and fly any carrier was part of the selling point of the alliance. I like that if one day AC stops working for me I could shop around and try Aegean or Turkish or BMI (not for long...)
If these kinds of requirements start spreading there will be a lot less competition between programmes and a lot less pressure to have good extra benefits like upgrades since your flying pattterns will lock you into a much more limited set of choices.
Dec 3, 2010, 1:27 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YYC
Programs: AC*E, A3*S, SPG Gold
Posts: 209
Interesting!
Actually this is a clever strategy to lower the number of Elites who have never flown AC and just credit their miles to AC/AP due to the (comparably) low 35k threshold and only create costs for AC.
Definitely a better strategy than increasing the threshold and annoying loyal AC customers.
Actually this is a clever strategy to lower the number of Elites who have never flown AC and just credit their miles to AC/AP due to the (comparably) low 35k threshold and only create costs for AC.
Definitely a better strategy than increasing the threshold and annoying loyal AC customers.
Dec 3, 2010, 1:34 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
- more booking classes that do not earn any miles with Ā partners (NZ, SQ, intra-European LH/OS)
- more restricitons on redemptions: SQ blocking nearly all premium awards, LH blocking F awards on the 380
- top tier bonuses only on a very limited number of airlines (except for the AC/UA/CO reciporcal agreement)
....
Effectively one needs to choose one airline and join their FFP to really benefit from status (e.g. flying UA and enjoying 1K benefits, flying AC enjoying E/SE benefits), the *A benefits like "priority" service, extra luggage and lounge access (which I could also get through a CC, Priority Club etc.) wouldnīt keep me loyal.
Dec 3, 2010, 1:40 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
- UA/CO fliers who donīt get lounge access otherwise, the number of UA-flying Es probably even increased since the top tier mileage bonus also applies to UA/CO flights
- FFs located in Europe who mainly fly TATL routes and wouldnīt make SEN status with LH M&M (= *G)
AC was the best option for these FFs for a long time, until TK and A3 joined *A who have much lower mileage requirements.
Dec 3, 2010, 1:42 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: AE, SPG, HH
Posts: 340
Also agreed that this is a good move and one that won't bother me, rather than increasing the miles needed for status. I personally fly AC as much as I can - and on my own dime no less. Upping the mileage req for achieving status will have me looking elsewhere for sure but requiring one to actually fly AC to receive AC status just makes sense.
And on another note... was at about 8k status miles at the beginning of October, now over 35k with more planned. End of year flying is the suckage but it brings me status!
And on another note... was at about 8k status miles at the beginning of October, now over 35k with more planned. End of year flying is the suckage but it brings me status!
)