mitsou_jpn

I guess I will move back to UAMP for the next year (or maybe OZ) on.
I switched to AC/AE this year for *G. I usually fly around 25K TPAC and to the US. l had been a long time 2P at UAMP, occasional 1K/1P mostly thanks to UA DEQM promos. UA is more likely to offer that sort of promos than AC and "IF" I ever hit 50K EQM again, it would be with UA (or other NA carriers). Recent change for earning rate for NH also pushes me to UA as my trips are mostly to Asia. I guess I can purchase lounge access/priority check-in cheaper at UA as well when I need it.

global happy traveller

who's going to Shepherd the 35K herd

YEG USER

All I have to say is that I'm very grateful that AC is deciding not to devalue the J cabin by giving away UDU. A few months ago I flew in "F" on a 2.5 hour flight on UAX. Drinks were free. For a meal I received a bag of pretzels; not even a snack box (not that a snack box is something great to get in F anyways). Even my 1.5 hour YEG-YVR flight gets me a warm meal (even if it is small) on china, etc.

If you give something away for free for long enough, people won't pay for it. If people don't pay for it, why bother offerning it?

I think you're missing my point. AC only released the details of its 2012 top tier program last week. If you don't like the 2012 program, there isn't much you can do at this point; you've already flown your flights.

If AC followed their previous method of operation, the 2013 benefits that people are bit**ing about in December of 2011 would not have been released until December 2012. By December 2012 people would have already flown almost all of their flights for 2012.

Previously people assumed that status perks would remain relatively unchanged from one year to the next (which often wasn't true) and would have based their travel pattern for 2012 based on the 2012 program. Now people can base their 2012 travel based on the 2013 program and not feel like there was a bait and switch when changes were eventually released. IMHO this was the type of thing AC should have been doing for years and was necessitated this year due to the large number of changes for the 2013 program.

cavitron

They are still there on the website.

mkjr

just my 2 cents but lounge access has rarely been much of a benefit IMO when it comes to status with AC...in fact, on most FF programs. it is the other benefits that were worth well more but now are worth less. probably why they still kept it at 35K.

shuuy

So this is pretty clear to me who wins and who doesn't

0-25k no change
25-35k no change
35-50k devaluation, sucks
50-75k status quo, maybe some extra goodies when you hit 50k, neutral
75-100k get ahead of elites < 75k for upgrades, a good thing
100k+ no change.

Seems quite reasonable from a business standpoint.

jarusoba

Read the FAQ on their webiste@:-)

TelFunku

I wonder how the early recognition will work in a five-tiered system. Imagine all the cumulative eupgrades one would collect in his ascent from P to SE.

Overall, I like the new approach. The carrots are much more uniformly spaced now

CrownRoyalForever

Reminds me of the Chris Rock skit. Should we really be grateful because they're NOT doing a bait and switch?

AC, always trying to get credit for stuff they're supposed to do...

Cheers

croco

I can understand a company trying to increase profits as I certainly try to do that. I also appreciate notice about potential changes as soon as possible. However, I am someone who has already made a significant financial commitment to AC in 2012 and cannot retract it. This leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Everyone is thinking about themselves for the most part cause that is what we do. It is clear many SE's are pleased with the negative part of the announcement. No doubt there is a lot of unrest by the E's in the lower numbers and I can see why. They will be considered P's in 2013 - definitely a demotion.. The AP points have continued to decrease in value and now so are the benefits for E's. All the while AC remains one of the most expense tickets rates on the market.

As an E I would certainly prefer not to be devalued in order show those with 50 plus that they are important to AC. It seems fair that a plateau is set and those achieving it are recognized and those who surpass it acquire additional benefits.

And of course those P's out there that were thinking they were getting close - there is no santa claus

I think AC is putting this out there as a test run to see how much flack they get. I am familiar with this type of process cause I see it from the government quite often. But notice the language in the statement - they left the door open a crack. In strikes me that if they get little to no push back they will follow through. If there is a big stink you can be sure they have a fall back plan. They are shrewd dictators .... I mean negotiators

Because my norm is to fly around 40-45,000 using primarily NA routing I will have to seriously consider the significance of using other airlines in an effort to make an informed decision. Overall, I am not pleased with how this impacts many E's. I am made a hell and I am not going to take it any more ... hello ..... anyone there?

jlisi984

I can't believe that people are upset that AC announced this when they did. Good move IMHO.

The Lev

Actually considerably better than neutral - while the benefits may not change ("goodies" still TBD), you are now not competing with probably 10-15,000 (maybe more) former Elites who flew 35,000 - 49,999 miles for upgrades since your status is now higher than theirs (or they moved to another program).

rehoult

They don't deserve praise for releasing the changes early, but neither do they deserve to be attacked for "not releasing it early enough". More than a year is advance is plenty of warning.

Dorian

I'd say 100k+ should read: "benefits through the beat down of other tiers"

gsearles

+1