WildcatYXU

Well, some of us fly exclusively within Canada, so we are stuck. The only thing we can do is to adjust. I sort of anticipated negative changes and booked accordingly. I booked my Jan. 6-th trip to YHZ with an extra segment (YXU-YYZ-YOW-YHZ instead of YXU-YYZ-YHZ) and I will continue to do so whenever it's possible.

Santander

ML Club Worldwide won't get you into a LH SEN lounge.

global happy traveller

Interesting observation, so far majority of the people commented 'happy' with the program are SEs

The fun part will be the E reaction coming forward

Here is my question to this:

"Members who have earned Million Mile recognition will continue to enjoy benefits similar to those awarded upon their initial qualification: If your status is to never fall below Elite, in 2013 you will be entitled to the same recognition as those members who earn 50,000 Status Miles or 50 Status Flight Segments. Of course, you will still be entitled to qualify for a higher level of recognition based on your annual flight activities."

What if your a MM member and fell below Elite? Do you get the 35,000 mile level? The answer above only address "if you never fall below"

Any for yvr76...... the new 35K Elite = *S, *S will not permit you to other carrier's lounges.

drdrma

I did 48k status miles in 2011, all for leisure. I'm cant do 50K for 2013 is not doable, 35K is not worth it to me. The changes means they lost the ~48k in revenue ticket from me for 2012.

Prestige

I think the 35K (35 segments) level is a good product for the domestic traveler. I’ve had many years over 35 segments but below 35K. This new level will now offer the frequent domestic traveler MLL access, priority security clearance and upgrades from T+ on the NA routes. We’ll lose priority baggage handling for whatever that’s worth! I understand that some will be disappointed to loose *G status but we had a feeling that the new 50K *G requirement was coming. I’m overall pleased with the new structure.

global happy traveller

The good thing for us.... 50-75K range people.... is the ability to shop around.....

I have enough ecredits to cover the first 40K plus two transcons i guess?!

anotheran2

the change makes sense. there was just too many AC ppl with Gold status. Most of plane is half boarded on Thursday evenings after letting Gold members pre-board.

I'm disappointed by the lack of addition benefits. Most of the other airlines like Delta, US Airways, United offer complimentary upgrades for their 100K flyers, yet AC hasn't added that.

I'll hit SE this year but i'm not sure i'll bother in 2012.

dbyyz

As "million mile" I am elite for life. I wonder what benefits I have now?

YOWzer

As others have posted, it is nice to have a difference between someone who flies 35k and 95k, especially when it comes to upgrades, rather than be by fare and then time of request. I would have hated to not received my upgrade having 95k status miles when someone with 35k did.

Am I happy or not? I'm indifferent. What really pissed me off 1) Fuel surcharges on partner airlines booking, and 2) increases in mileage for Business/First Class redemptions.

Either way, we all have a choice, and that's to not fly with Air Canada. I know a lot of ppl complained about the "crowd-ness" of the lounges, perhaps this will make it better.

yvr76

The 35k tier is only due to the history of the program. If they were doing it today, you would just have the 4 tiers at 25k increments. I wouldn't be surprised if they removed it a few years down the road.

helraiser

I'm in the same boat. I left in 2011 due to the cuts. Earned about 15k in AC (slightly more than the min reqs in case I had a change of heart.) Now knowing that 2013 means even further reduction in benefit for Elites it pretty much sealed my case. Won't even try to get AC status anymore. I won't abandon AC as there's some cases where I just have to (business pays for flying) but as 95% of my previous 35-43k ranges, I never hit 45k, were on my own dime there's just no incentive anymore. Time to shop by price rather than loyalty/status.

It's been um... interesting!

You can bet that'll come as the business model tries to aggressively encourage people to fly more.

Still, thanks for letting us know sooner than later. Much better than finding out Dec 2012!

global happy traveller

Wait........ 35K gets to choose this option????!!!

"Complimentary Star Alliance Lounge access"

and Priority Boarding still?


Source: http://www.aircanada.com/en/aeroplan...2013.html#none

john_doe123123

I also hope half the plane doesn't line up for priority boarding in 2013.

yvr76

Yes, but you can select *Alliance lounge access as a select privilege (although at the expense of e-credits).

dave0823

Does this mean there will be less gate lice when pre-boarding?

I wonder if there are also plans to introduce pre-boarding by status - that is to offer pre-boarding to J Class and SE's first, and then down the hierarchy list?