The 2013 Air Canada Top Tier Program
Dec 22, 2011, 4:39 pm
#211
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
Posts: 9,708
hate to say, no one size fits all program.... but it does "separate the boys from the men and the girls from the women".....
Dec 22, 2011, 4:40 pm
#212
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: AC*SE
Posts: 138
Perfect, just in time for my new role starting Jan 1 that will take my miles from 120K/year to ~40K/year...
Although at the same time, wish they had this those years when I was averaging 75K-80K miles and got no more recognition than E
Although at the same time, wish they had this those years when I was averaging 75K-80K miles and got no more recognition than E
Dec 22, 2011, 4:44 pm
#213
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YYZ (formerly YXH, seriously)
Programs: AP basic (formerly prestige, wannabe SE)
Posts: 55
In essence 35K and below hasnt changed much. The only thing is:
*S instead *G
*S check in baggage levels with other *A carriers
Have to buy high fares to upgrade internationally with eupgrades
Lose priority when travelling other *A carriers due to *S status
You still have
3 bag check in
MLL access
Option of getting the complimentary *A lounge access
Priority boarding/checkin/numbers etc
*S instead *G
*S check in baggage levels with other *A carriers
Have to buy high fares to upgrade internationally with eupgrades
Lose priority when travelling other *A carriers due to *S status
You still have
3 bag check in
MLL access
Option of getting the complimentary *A lounge access
Priority boarding/checkin/numbers etc
Dec 22, 2011, 4:48 pm
#214
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: AC 100K; SPG Plat (CEM); Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 95
Well, hopefully this will eliminate the clusterf**k of people scrambling to pre-board domestic AC flights - my biggest pet peeve as a SE flying J. 
Even though I'm SE (who may not make it for 2013), my partner has earned E through self-funded leisure flights for the last several years (never over 50K). I can say that our behaviour won't change because of this announcement. But I can see how for most 35K Es there really is little incentive to be loyal to AC. You can get better priority security clearance with Nexus and can just buy MLL access with AMEX.
One question I have is what will happen to 35K's access to seat selection when buying AC flights? Hopefully, that won't disappear (didn't see this when I scanned through AC's site).
Last thing I want to stress is that AC should now only refer to 50Ks as Elite, as that title should align with Star Alliance Gold status. They'll probably be concerned with perception, but 35Ks are not stupid, just call it what it is. I'm still chasing MM status and would hate to get there just to receive lifetime Star Alliance Silver.
Even though I'm SE (who may not make it for 2013), my partner has earned E through self-funded leisure flights for the last several years (never over 50K). I can say that our behaviour won't change because of this announcement. But I can see how for most 35K Es there really is little incentive to be loyal to AC. You can get better priority security clearance with Nexus and can just buy MLL access with AMEX.
One question I have is what will happen to 35K's access to seat selection when buying AC flights? Hopefully, that won't disappear (didn't see this when I scanned through AC's site).
Last thing I want to stress is that AC should now only refer to 50Ks as Elite, as that title should align with Star Alliance Gold status. They'll probably be concerned with perception, but 35Ks are not stupid, just call it what it is. I'm still chasing MM status and would hate to get there just to receive lifetime Star Alliance Silver.
Dec 22, 2011, 4:48 pm
#215
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: A hotel near you, Seat next to you
Programs: AC SE, PC-Platinum Royal Ambassador, DL-Silver, HH-Gold, Marriott-Gold
Posts: 141
In essence 35K and below hasnt changed much. The only thing is:
*S instead *G
*S check in baggage levels with other *A carriers
Have to buy high fares to upgrade internationally with eupgrades
Lose priority when travelling other *A carriers due to *S status
You still have
3 bag check in
MLL access
Option of getting the complimentary *A lounge access
Priority boarding/checkin/numbers etc
*S instead *G
*S check in baggage levels with other *A carriers
Have to buy high fares to upgrade internationally with eupgrades
Lose priority when travelling other *A carriers due to *S status
You still have
3 bag check in
MLL access
Option of getting the complimentary *A lounge access
Priority boarding/checkin/numbers etc
Dec 22, 2011, 4:50 pm
#216
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Platinum, hhonors Gold
Posts: 3,428
Lots of interesting discussion. I can see why the 35k elites are annoyed. But I also think everyone saw this coming.
Keeping a 35k level with MLL access is probably more than most expected. Everyone is saying there is too many levels but I think the 35k E- is a good compromise.
I understand that it is mostly down for many, but also realize it could have been much worse. They've also answered the why fly more after 35k which is positive. Did anyone expect it would be an improvement for all?
Assuming I get over my current dispute with AC I may stick around and go for 100k. As my travel slows I may move to greener pastures.
Agree they need to fix the status miles on Tango. Lack of sales and discounts is making the price of T+ too rich and for high Canadian fares no status is slap in the face. For leisure I stopped flying to Canada unless I have to.
Keeping a 35k level with MLL access is probably more than most expected. Everyone is saying there is too many levels but I think the 35k E- is a good compromise.
I understand that it is mostly down for many, but also realize it could have been much worse. They've also answered the why fly more after 35k which is positive. Did anyone expect it would be an improvement for all?
Assuming I get over my current dispute with AC I may stick around and go for 100k. As my travel slows I may move to greener pastures.
Agree they need to fix the status miles on Tango. Lack of sales and discounts is making the price of T+ too rich and for high Canadian fares no status is slap in the face. For leisure I stopped flying to Canada unless I have to.
Dec 22, 2011, 4:53 pm
#217
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: Via Preference Privilege, AC*A, Fairmont Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,334
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.
Dec 22, 2011, 5:02 pm
#218
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
As I said above, what AC is also giving them is a higher probability of upgrades on TATL an TPAC flights - The <50Ks can't upgrade T+, the >50Ks can.
Dec 22, 2011, 5:18 pm
#219
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CHI
Programs: UA 1K, MR Titanium, IHG Gold, National Exec
Posts: 3,842
This system is not competitive. Tango should be at least 75% (if not 100%) and differentiated by no-upgrade potential. Latitude should offer some COS (AC has actually hinted at this on their top tier Twitter), and I don't see why Exec International does not give 150% when domestic does. The cost multiplier is actually higher for international than domestic in J.
Dec 22, 2011, 5:27 pm
#221
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Toronto
Programs: SPG LT Plat, Hilton G,Priorty Club G, AC E
Posts: 2,979
So other than making the SE's happy...
...this is a big F....U to the domestic flyers.
So Westjet here I come, I will get an Amex Plat to get all the same bennies that AC will offer me in 2013.
Hopefully others will be as fully committed, because honestly there's allot more E's than SE's and if some of the folks are actually as serious as I am maybe they will realize as the economy tightens up in this country that most folks will be flying less not more.
So all the self satisfied SE's who are thrilled at the lessening of wait times at the gate...guess what...when our numbers decline...you will be next.
So happy trails for one or two years...be ready for the clawback when E's realize the shaft they've been given the last 2 years.
So Westjet here I come, I will get an Amex Plat to get all the same bennies that AC will offer me in 2013.
Hopefully others will be as fully committed, because honestly there's allot more E's than SE's and if some of the folks are actually as serious as I am maybe they will realize as the economy tightens up in this country that most folks will be flying less not more.
So all the self satisfied SE's who are thrilled at the lessening of wait times at the gate...guess what...when our numbers decline...you will be next.
So happy trails for one or two years...be ready for the clawback when E's realize the shaft they've been given the last 2 years.
Dec 22, 2011, 5:30 pm
#222
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
Posts: 9,708
...this is a big F....U to the domestic flyers.
So Westjet here I come, I will get an Amex Plat to get all the same bennies that AC will offer me in 2013.
Hopefully others will be as fully committed, because honestly there's allot more E's than SE's and if some of the folks are actually as serious as I am maybe they will realize as the economy tightens up in this country that most folks will be flying less not more.
So all the self satisfied SE's who are thrilled at the lessening of wait times at the gate...guess what...when our numbers decline...you will be next.
So happy trails for one or two years...be ready for the clawback when E's realize the shaft they've been given the last 2 years.
So Westjet here I come, I will get an Amex Plat to get all the same bennies that AC will offer me in 2013.
Hopefully others will be as fully committed, because honestly there's allot more E's than SE's and if some of the folks are actually as serious as I am maybe they will realize as the economy tightens up in this country that most folks will be flying less not more.
So all the self satisfied SE's who are thrilled at the lessening of wait times at the gate...guess what...when our numbers decline...you will be next.
So happy trails for one or two years...be ready for the clawback when E's realize the shaft they've been given the last 2 years.
Also load factor and SE demands dont mix LOL
Dec 22, 2011, 5:31 pm
#223
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: YUL
Programs: E35K, Delta SM, AM ADV, Priority Club Plat, SPG Plat, MR *S, GR *E, Hyatt GP, AM
Posts: 532
Hmmm...the writing was on the wall that the 35k E was too low. What's the point of a 35K *G when everyone else is at 50K. I knew this was not going to last forever! This will be very good for AC to trim the number of low level elites. Also all the SE's seem peach keen as it will equal less crowded lounges and they can still be king of the hill! I'm going to enjoy my sixth and final year of E and remember the good times!
Dec 22, 2011, 5:32 pm
#224
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
Posts: 9,708
Depends which level of ML Club membership you buy. Some do allow access to all *A lounges
http://www.airclublounge.com/AIMSClu...stomerNWW.aspx
Then again, 35K still gets you the *A Lounge membership
Dec 22, 2011, 5:42 pm
#225
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Programs: AC *E/PC Gold /BW Diamond/Hertz Gold Plus/SPG Gold/Marriot Silver/ TUMI Alpha
Posts: 1,470
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