Diners MLL Access
 

Maybe some who has been through this can tell me the real story ....

I am ticketed on AC 5160 YYC/DEN (AC Code share on UA1164). I called Diners customer service to see if I would have access to the MLL, the answer was "Yes".

Then on a subsequent call, I posed the question again (thinking that the first "yes" was a bit too easy) and added that the flight was being operated by UA. With that knowledge, the answer was then "no".

Is that correct? In order to have access to the MLL, I need a AC boarding pass on a flight that is operated by AC? Or can it be an AC code share on UA metal?

Looks like you will have MLL access.

From AC's website:

The real answer is actually a question: Do you have the "regular" Diner's Club card, or the MLL Diner's Club card?

Much appreciated for the responses. I do have the Diners Maple Leaf Club card so according to the quote that Empress has from Air Canada's website, it shouldn't be a problem.

Does this work in reverse. That is, will I have access to the RCC in Denver on either an AC or UA flight back to Calgary?

The DEN lounge is a UA RCC--their access rules apply.

If there is a * Gold logo on the card, you're fine. If not, I doubt it. But ask the agent at check in.

There's a full-page ad for DC/MLL in the May enRoute (it sure looked strange; not that long ago it seemed to be impossible to get, based on reports here!).

Reading the fine print, it did seem to have a strange basis for MLL access. I forgot to keep the magazine, but as I recall, I was struck by the fact (?) that a UA codeshare on AC metal would _not_ be eligible.

Anyone have the magazine and can confirm what the ad says?

Thanks!
andrew

IAmCanadian: Don't know about UA metal, but flying AC with a Diners MLL card, you get RCC access in DEN. Just did it in March.

Thanks again everyone.

Right now I'm just sitting back questioning my decision to get one of the MLC Diners Club Cards. I got it for primarily two reasons: (1) the 60 before late charges are accessed (really helps on the expense account front) and (2) access to the Maple Leaf Lounge.

This thread discusses some questions/concerns that I have with the MLL component and now I can't find reference on the statement to the "two cycles" before you are accessed late charges. Can't find a reference to that at all on the statement. Tried calling last night, but was on hold for what seemed like forever.

Hmmmm. Why did I pay $275?

Are there two types of Maple Leaf Club cards too?

The version I have, and have had since it was AC's own enRoute card, was a true charge card with revolving credit up to a preset limit. If payment was not received within the appropriate billing cycle time limit, interest was charges just as is on a Visa or Master Card. There is an Aeroplan points-only variant of this, which Diners calls their Gold card. It has all the benefits of the Maple Leaf Club card, except for MLL access. I am in the midst of switching to this version as I do not require the MLL feature any longer.

I know that there is also charge card variety of Diners Club which offers Aeroplan bonus points for new members. This one, like Amex's regular cards, requires payment in full by the end of the grace period. This is the one I thought was offering up to 60-days (i.e. two statements) before a delinquency penalty charge was levied. But I did not know it was a Maple Leaf Club card which gave access to MLLs.

All Diners cards offer admission to a set of lounges at many international airports, but these are not necessarily airline-run/affiliate lounges and do not require you to be flying a particular carrier on the day of entry.

All very confusing, so you have to read small print very carefully.

I have posted this in the Diners board before... but I have to warn you.

Diners MLL does not give 12,000 mileage bonus. In fact, it gives no signup bonus at all and askes $275.

And yes, their 24hr customer service is staffed by an answering service after 9pm. All they do is say "Hello, may I take a message so someone can call you back in the morning?... they do have speical department for loss reporting after hours but I believe it's staffed by one person http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

So you will not get any account information or customer service after hours!

IamC: Call Diners and ask for the Customer Service Manager. She is a very helpful lady and will answer any questions you may have http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif. Email me if you would like to have her name.

MoreMiles: CIBC Visa does not have 24/7 customer service either. I have recv'd all bonus miles promissed/ advertised by DC.

When I signed up (last October)for the regular DC En Route with the promise of 12K miles, the deal was 7000 up front and then 500 for the first 10 >$20 transactions. The first 7000 showed up pretty quickly, but there's still no sign of the other 5k. After my last call, they said the points would start appearing on the April (not) or May statements. Still waiting.

I took advantage of a 10k offer in 1999 for the DC credit card. When I wanted to switch to the charge card, the agent adised me that I would lose the 4,000 odd miles I was supposed to get when I renewed the card and suggested that I wait until all bonus miles were credited to my Aeroplan before I, in effect, canceled my DC credit card and requested a new card (the new charge card, that is). It's unfortunate that some cardholders were not given this advice and lost any future bonus miles when they switched from the credit card to the charge card.