Symmetre

My understanding has always been that VIP status is something conferred upon those who have significant influence over major travel spend (meaning seven digits), regardless of whether they fly that much themselves ... along with celebrities and others who require a certain level of privacy when flying commercial.

But what do I know ... I always thought an upgrade was when AC lets you ride in the passenger cabin as opposed to the baggage hold.

YVR4Ever

This is all anecdotal, but the large-ish company I work for at one time had 2 VIP's, the CEO and whichever direct report was most favoured (was the CFO for a while, then a group President). The CEO rarely ever traveled, so he met that criteria as well.

allbrosca

No idea and I likely won't see him in the office to inquire until the pandemic is over!

The Lev

My understanding is that it is not lifetime - it is at AC's discretion whether you continue to qualify but some probably have it de facto for life.

For example YVR4Ever 's CEO will likely continue to receive VIP status as long as he/she remains CEO and his company continues to favour AC. When the CEO exits the role, they will likely lose the VIP status but AC may decide to confer it on the replacement CEO. William Shatner probably has it for life because the risk of bad publicity from taking it away far outweighs the cost to AC of giving it to him.

Like any corporate gift, people appreciate it when first given to them but over time the perceived value declines until you take the gift away - at which point the person suddenly remembers how valuable they originally thought the gift was and how evil the company is for taking it away. That's likely why there are very few VIP's in the system..

grumbler

It's not a tier - it is discretionary, and yes, often given to valued commercial partners or people who control very significant spend. I am sure some federal cabinet ministers have accepted it (but others avoid it like the plague). It does not have anything to do with actual miles flown.

I think there is also a distinction between having VIP status as part of the program and special treatment that is given to certain people flying - more in the high visibility category and those people will have people make the necessary arrangements for their trip (and don't need to flash a card).

YVR4Ever

This is my understanding. It is sort of like Sith Lords. There are always 2, so when one departs, another takes their place, possibly based on our total spend or something. We are an "Air Canada preferred" company, so no doubt it is all part of some deal I'll never see.

I am curious if the CEO retained his status when he left, and ended up as chair of the board at a smaller, but also prominent company (and likewise for the group president that ended up as CEO of a smaller, not as prominent company).

IluvSQ

I do know at least 1 former Prime Minister of Canada who is not a VIP.
I do know several current Premier's of large provinces who are not VIPs.
I do know one former CEO of BCE, former CEO of Caisse de Depot, and current Deputy Minister of Finance who is a VIP.

Bohemian1

I know of at least one Canadian Senator who is a VIP. And interestingly always sits in the same highly visible seat on the flights I've seen him on.

YOWgary

Kim Campbell and Joe Clark don't really count, do they?

Adam Smith

I'd love to know who that is... If only it weren't so cryptic!

RangerNS

I think the real question is if Curtis Armstrong fly's AC does he have a VIP?

YOWgary

...the guy who played "Booger" in Revenge Of The Nerds? /s

yyznomad

Saw him in the FRA MLL one time and he was on our flight.
He definitely got some sort of VIP treatment from the concierge staff. Well, I'm assuming that's what he got. Or maybe he's VIP but just got special snowflake service that some SEs demand.

canadiancow

Friend sent me this today. That elusive tier...

The Lev

Now that one ticks all the boxes - SE, MM+, Credit Card and VIP. Kudos.