The 2013 Air Canada Top Tier Program
Dec 22, 2011, 2:12 pm
#151
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Near the pole, at the beach, top of mountains, underwater, golfing
Programs: AC E, FPC plat, TK E, VA G, HIlton diam, spg plat, CX gold, US air Plat, Hyatt Dia, A club Plat
Posts: 287
sucks to be elite
double elite family, husband and wife, leisure travel, paid from our own dime, we reach 38k-45k status each year with combination of latitude fares to haiwaii / florida and tango plus NA and overseas, plus many many first class AE and US air redemptions...
spent 7-10k each to reach lowly elite, not one single overseas flight upgraded in 2011 due to reduction of r spaces... plus with the 2013 enhancements, our choices are:
1. go with agean for star gold
2. go with UA
3. stay with AC to try for SE at low fares to SIN. 5-6 times to SIN for 1.5k each.. SE= 8k spending?. not likely to happen with tango plus earning only 50% status.
4. ditch AC and book only on low fares / services / awards redemptions.
5. any other options without AC ?
looks like AC and AE will both lose all my business. no reasons to be elite anymore, even at the 50k mark, with the reduction of R space, competition from SE and now Elite +..
our paid flights will go to agean. award flights will be with other US UA...
A call to unhappy elites: "hasta la vista air canada" . wesjet now look promising.
spent 7-10k each to reach lowly elite, not one single overseas flight upgraded in 2011 due to reduction of r spaces... plus with the 2013 enhancements, our choices are:
1. go with agean for star gold
2. go with UA
3. stay with AC to try for SE at low fares to SIN. 5-6 times to SIN for 1.5k each.. SE= 8k spending?. not likely to happen with tango plus earning only 50% status.
4. ditch AC and book only on low fares / services / awards redemptions.
5. any other options without AC ?
looks like AC and AE will both lose all my business. no reasons to be elite anymore, even at the 50k mark, with the reduction of R space, competition from SE and now Elite +..
our paid flights will go to agean. award flights will be with other US UA...
A call to unhappy elites: "hasta la vista air canada" . wesjet now look promising.
Dec 22, 2011, 2:15 pm
#152
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Kingston, ON
Programs: AC*E, SPG Gold, Priority Club Gold
Posts: 111
The changes should not come as a surprise to anyone. There is no other airline in North America that gives their FFs the same benefits at 35,000 miles/year as AC did for so many years. This alignment was going to happen sooner or later.
I did 75K miles this year, but I will have a reduced travel pattern next year. So even though it will be difficult to make 50K and achieve *G, I accept the changes and appreciate the notice and the way in which everything has been communicated so far.
Aegean still remains an option for getting *G at 20,000 miles, but don't expect that to last long either.
TK and Asiana also offer *G status at competitive levels and they usually award status for 2 years.
Looking forward to more details in the weeks ahead.
Edited to add: TK's program seems to be especially inviting. For their elite status (*G equivalent) the initial qualification is the hardest at 40K within a year of the start of your membership. The status is good for 2 years. Then, for members residing outside of Turkey, you only need to get 37,500 with this 2-year period to requalify. And TK will let you buy up to 10,000 status to maintain your status. So basically after the initial qualification, you can fly 13,750 per year and spend 300EUR to buy the 10K top-up and continue to enjoy *G status. Not a bad deal.
I did 75K miles this year, but I will have a reduced travel pattern next year. So even though it will be difficult to make 50K and achieve *G, I accept the changes and appreciate the notice and the way in which everything has been communicated so far.
Aegean still remains an option for getting *G at 20,000 miles, but don't expect that to last long either.
TK and Asiana also offer *G status at competitive levels and they usually award status for 2 years.
Looking forward to more details in the weeks ahead.
Edited to add: TK's program seems to be especially inviting. For their elite status (*G equivalent) the initial qualification is the hardest at 40K within a year of the start of your membership. The status is good for 2 years. Then, for members residing outside of Turkey, you only need to get 37,500 with this 2-year period to requalify. And TK will let you buy up to 10,000 status to maintain your status. So basically after the initial qualification, you can fly 13,750 per year and spend 300EUR to buy the 10K top-up and continue to enjoy *G status. Not a bad deal.
There is also no other airline in NA that does "Tango" fares with zero QM.
Air Canada fares are also 90% of the time way more $ than competing NA airlines, especially if you can fly from a US border town.
United, etc often have DEQM promos in the year. Zero chance of that with AC.
Dec 22, 2011, 2:16 pm
#153
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 75k, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,154
i think what he is getting at is at least AC is telling you what you will get in 2013. i do agree, those who booked for 2012 trips on the assumption levels would stay the way they are can be upset, but no more upset than you would be when you find out your 2013 benefits are devalued.
Last edited by m.y; Dec 22, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Dec 22, 2011, 2:21 pm
#154
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Calgary
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 771
I make by doing international travel, so this will hit me hard, no more upgrades on those routes. I can't see myself making E at 50,000, all my travel is personal.
Oh hum, one more year of E an then...... ?
Oh hum, one more year of E an then...... ?
Dec 22, 2011, 2:24 pm
#155
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CHI
Programs: UA 1K, MR Titanium, IHG Gold, National Exec
Posts: 3,841
Domestic Tango: 50%
International Tango: shouldn't exist at all
T+, Lat: 100%
Exec Domestic: 150%
Exec International: 125%
If you have the money for full-fare international C I don't know what you're doing flying AC, really.
Dec 22, 2011, 2:28 pm
#156
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CHI
Programs: UA 1K, MR Titanium, IHG Gold, National Exec
Posts: 3,841
Dec 22, 2011, 2:32 pm
#158
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG (mind in YYZ)
Programs: MPC Green, AC Tangerine :)
Posts: 1,102
in all honesty it's good that they released the benefits of 2013 a year early
the qualification levels were late, but that was due to the retooling and need to release the levels and benefits together, there would be a bigger uproar if they released the new 5 levels without any associated benefits
regarding the names they should really call it P, E-, E, E+, SE to reflect what it actually is
i don't think they can change the mileage accrual rates till 2013, they're wrong either way unless they let people buy up without a change fee
the qualification levels were late, but that was due to the retooling and need to release the levels and benefits together, there would be a bigger uproar if they released the new 5 levels without any associated benefits
regarding the names they should really call it P, E-, E, E+, SE to reflect what it actually is
i don't think they can change the mileage accrual rates till 2013, they're wrong either way unless they let people buy up without a change fee
Dec 22, 2011, 2:38 pm
#159
No longer with Air Canada
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 88
We’ve been reviewing some of your feedback, and we’re glad to see that many of you understand the key rationale around the new program – to realign benefits to those members who are flying with us most frequently. Additionally, as part of this realignment, we’re looking to offer you more choice in the program going forward – a perfect example of which is the fact that we’ll introduce Star Alliance Lounge access as a 2013 Select Privilege for members earning 35,000 Status Miles or 35 Status Flight Segments.
Two other things worth mentioning:
Our FAQs on aircanada.com provide a significant amount of detail on many of the questions and concerns that have been raised here, including how this impacts the Million Mile program, and how Early Status Recognition will be handled for members qualifying for the first time over the course of 2012.
There has been some confusion regarding the Priority Rewards benefit. Note that members earning 35,000 / 50,000 / 75,000 Status Miles or 35 / 50 / 75 Status Flight Segments will enjoy a similar Priority Rewards benefit to 2012 Elite members (ie, double the Classic Aeroplan Miles for Economy seats, up to aircraft capacity). Similarly, there will be no changes to the Priority Rewards program for members earning 100,000 Status Miles or 95 Status Flight Segments.
Two other things worth mentioning:
Our FAQs on aircanada.com provide a significant amount of detail on many of the questions and concerns that have been raised here, including how this impacts the Million Mile program, and how Early Status Recognition will be handled for members qualifying for the first time over the course of 2012.
There has been some confusion regarding the Priority Rewards benefit. Note that members earning 35,000 / 50,000 / 75,000 Status Miles or 35 / 50 / 75 Status Flight Segments will enjoy a similar Priority Rewards benefit to 2012 Elite members (ie, double the Classic Aeroplan Miles for Economy seats, up to aircraft capacity). Similarly, there will be no changes to the Priority Rewards program for members earning 100,000 Status Miles or 95 Status Flight Segments.
Dec 22, 2011, 2:38 pm
#160
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: CT, USA
Programs: Delta Silver, United 2P, SQ, SPG Plat, PC Plat AMB, Hyatt Dia, Hilton Gold, Accor Plat
Posts: 371
double elite family, husband and wife, leisure travel, paid from our own dime, we reach 38k-45k status each year with combination of latitude fares to haiwaii / florida and tango plus NA and overseas, plus many many first class AE and US air redemptions...
spent 7-10k each to reach lowly elite, not one single overseas flight upgraded in 2011 due to reduction of r spaces... plus with the 2013 enhancements, our choices are:
1. go with agean for star gold
2. go with UA
3. stay with AC to try for SE at low fares to SIN. 5-6 times to SIN for 1.5k each.. SE= 8k spending?. not likely to happen with tango plus earning only 50% status.
4. ditch AC and book only on low fares / services / awards redemptions.
5. any other options without AC ?
looks like AC and AE will both lose all my business. no reasons to be elite anymore, even at the 50k mark, with the reduction of R space, competition from SE and now Elite +..
our paid flights will go to agean. award flights will be with other US UA...
A call to unhappy elites: "hasta la vista air canada" . wesjet now look promising.
spent 7-10k each to reach lowly elite, not one single overseas flight upgraded in 2011 due to reduction of r spaces... plus with the 2013 enhancements, our choices are:
1. go with agean for star gold
2. go with UA
3. stay with AC to try for SE at low fares to SIN. 5-6 times to SIN for 1.5k each.. SE= 8k spending?. not likely to happen with tango plus earning only 50% status.
4. ditch AC and book only on low fares / services / awards redemptions.
5. any other options without AC ?
looks like AC and AE will both lose all my business. no reasons to be elite anymore, even at the 50k mark, with the reduction of R space, competition from SE and now Elite +..
our paid flights will go to agean. award flights will be with other US UA...
A call to unhappy elites: "hasta la vista air canada" . wesjet now look promising.
Dec 22, 2011, 2:46 pm
#161
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: AC Altitude -.006k
Posts: 895
Earned Elite for the first time this year and it will probably be the last time I get a chance to enjoy upgrading international flights. Typically fly 4-5 TATL a year for work and vacation (booked in Y) and had planned on buying T+ domestic fares to ensure I kept E. I dont mind losing *G lounge access, but the lack of international upgrades for 35k on T+ fares is really disheartening for a fan of AC. Really happy to see that AC is involved with the FT community again and gave everyone advanced notice but hope they reconsider the international upgrades at 35k.
Funny, eh? AY and ACTT present themselves on FT after a noticeable and silent absence just hours before the 2013 program details are released. Good timing...
Dec 22, 2011, 2:48 pm
#163
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 164
don't forget, if you book with AC, the SQ leg from HKG to SIN is operated by SQ and not eligible for status miles...
Dec 22, 2011, 2:52 pm
#164
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CHI
Programs: UA 1K, MR Titanium, IHG Gold, National Exec
Posts: 3,841
Dec 22, 2011, 2:53 pm
#165
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC E75K *G
Posts: 7,104
PRESTIGE
PRESTIGE PLUS
ELITE
ELITE PLUS
SUPER ELITE
Those are five terms that are spelled the same in English and French and mean roughly the same things.
Gate announcements will become longer!
PRESTIGE PLUS
ELITE
ELITE PLUS
SUPER ELITE
Those are five terms that are spelled the same in English and French and mean roughly the same things.
Gate announcements will become longer!
