Airlines shooting themselves in the foot
Apr 16, 2012, 10:45 am
#16
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: YQT
Programs: AC, US, AA, UA, BA, QF, DL...
Posts: 466
As a SE, I value the level of service I receive. I could not care any less about the points. They're completely useless for travel (fuel charges etc) and I'm not into La Croix toasters.
I'd propose to AC a method whereby AC could save/make money AND keep some loyalty paying customers. I'm using the premise that frequent flyers are more interested in the perks rather than the miles. Therefore, gaining status without the points.
Let's assume 1 point for travel of short haul. (Use the current chart to define territories and divisions below)
2 points for travel on *A anywhere in North America.
3 points for travel anywhere in North America on Air Canada.
4 points for to eastern Europe on *A carriers
5 points for eastern Europe on Air Canada
6 points for travel on *A to Middle East/Asia
7 points to Middle East/Asia on Air Canada
9 points to Australia
10 points to Australia on Air Canada
The sum of points earned after one year would set the status for the member.
When purchasing a ticket, the user can choose to NOT earn AE points, but only the travel points to attain status. I'm sure there could be a reduction of fare (better than $5.00). Regardless of fare paid, the trip counts as status, but no mile point accumulation.
Therefore, people like myself could still attain SE status because of flying every week, mostly short haul or N America, provided we ensure MUCH of that travel is on AC. Others who travel more international could also attain status. And finally, AC won't be spending cash to award miles to an AE account.
I'd propose to AC a method whereby AC could save/make money AND keep some loyalty paying customers. I'm using the premise that frequent flyers are more interested in the perks rather than the miles. Therefore, gaining status without the points.
Let's assume 1 point for travel of short haul. (Use the current chart to define territories and divisions below)
2 points for travel on *A anywhere in North America.
3 points for travel anywhere in North America on Air Canada.
4 points for to eastern Europe on *A carriers
5 points for eastern Europe on Air Canada
6 points for travel on *A to Middle East/Asia
7 points to Middle East/Asia on Air Canada
9 points to Australia
10 points to Australia on Air Canada
The sum of points earned after one year would set the status for the member.
When purchasing a ticket, the user can choose to NOT earn AE points, but only the travel points to attain status. I'm sure there could be a reduction of fare (better than $5.00). Regardless of fare paid, the trip counts as status, but no mile point accumulation.
Therefore, people like myself could still attain SE status because of flying every week, mostly short haul or N America, provided we ensure MUCH of that travel is on AC. Others who travel more international could also attain status. And finally, AC won't be spending cash to award miles to an AE account.
Apr 16, 2012, 10:45 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 12,074
The Q400s are as fast and roomier than the lousy Barbie jet(RJ100)
I like the 777-300 as well but they do not service YYZ/YQT
I picked the A330 over the B777 this weekend as time was better
Apr 16, 2012, 10:50 am
#18
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,759
Apr 16, 2012, 11:44 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 12,074
Greater Sudbury has a population of +160,000. Catchment area of +300,000 for flights ex YSB. Porter has added 4 flights weekdays over the last few years and AC Express is adding Q400s in place of the trusted battletank Q100.(more seats too
)
)
Apr 16, 2012, 7:12 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AC 75K, SPG P, CX SL
Posts: 548
Let's assume 1 point for travel of short haul. (Use the current chart to define territories and divisions below)
2 points for travel on *A anywhere in North America.
3 points for travel anywhere in North America on Air Canada.
4 points for to eastern Europe on *A carriers
5 points for eastern Europe on Air Canada
6 points for travel on *A to Middle East/Asia
7 points to Middle East/Asia on Air Canada
9 points to Australia
10 points to Australia on Air Canada
2 points for travel on *A anywhere in North America.
3 points for travel anywhere in North America on Air Canada.
4 points for to eastern Europe on *A carriers
5 points for eastern Europe on Air Canada
6 points for travel on *A to Middle East/Asia
7 points to Middle East/Asia on Air Canada
9 points to Australia
10 points to Australia on Air Canada
Apr 16, 2012, 9:22 pm
#24
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YLW
Programs: AC- SE100 1MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, National Executive, Nexus/GE
Posts: 4,388
I want value for my money! You pay a lot from YYZ/YOW/YUL which is silly compared to YYC/YEG/YVR and of course T+ fares are more and more expensive. I still pay less to fly T+ YOW-YUL-LAX-YVR then I do YOW-YVR with T+! I double my points and it takes an extra six hours! I like using on 10 eUpgrades for this trip instead of 10 for YOW-YVR!
I stay loyal for the points for use OUTSIDE of Canada! I do the above trip on UA and its more stops but still cheaper and points on their cheap fares!
AC planes are also much, much better!
I stay loyal for the points for use OUTSIDE of Canada! I do the above trip on UA and its more stops but still cheaper and points on their cheap fares!
AC planes are also much, much better!
Apr 16, 2012, 10:59 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MEX
Programs: AC E75K
Posts: 4,219
Given all the turmoil we've seen in AP (as well as what I've seen in other FF plans) I'm left scratching my head as to the logic of it all. All the "Enhancements" that have occurred over the past several years, the airlines are pushing more and more people to shop for tickets based purely on price and schedule.
I just can't understand the logic of this. There is nothing more valuable to a company than a loyal customer who comes back time and time again, and yet the airlines seem to be intent on driving them away. Given the current financial situation of Air Canada, the folly of this just boggles my mind. If Rovinescu and the other higher ups had any functional brain cells between their ears, they would be doing everything possible to woo frequent flyers to themselves, not drive them away.
I just can't understand the logic of this. There is nothing more valuable to a company than a loyal customer who comes back time and time again, and yet the airlines seem to be intent on driving them away. Given the current financial situation of Air Canada, the folly of this just boggles my mind. If Rovinescu and the other higher ups had any functional brain cells between their ears, they would be doing everything possible to woo frequent flyers to themselves, not drive them away.
My conclusion from all that is that FF programs were launched a long time ago, and management simply failed to foresee what would happen down the road (higher costs, lower fares, and swelling frequent flyer ranks). Now they are all scrambling to readjust these programs to fit the realities of today.
Apr 17, 2012, 1:09 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: *G
Posts: 26
Im actually glad AC pushed me away with its horrible ffp. Ive started booking flights on the cheapest airline now when i used to book flights exclusively with ac that were more expensive and usually involved multiple stop overs to ensure i reached elite. Now i just pay for annual lounge access and flying is so much easier and less stressful 
Apr 17, 2012, 10:25 am
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 1,014
Im actually glad AC pushed me away with its horrible ffp. Ive started booking flights on the cheapest airline now when i used to book flights exclusively with ac that were more expensive and usually involved multiple stop overs to ensure i reached elite. Now i just pay for annual lounge access and flying is so much easier and less stressful
Apr 17, 2012, 1:31 pm
#28
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ottawa (YOW)
Posts: 405
Im actually glad AC pushed me away with its horrible ffp. Ive started booking flights on the cheapest airline now when i used to book flights exclusively with ac that were more expensive and usually involved multiple stop overs to ensure i reached elite. Now i just pay for annual lounge access and flying is so much easier and less stressful
Apr 19, 2012, 8:17 am
#29
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE, AA Plat, SPG Plat, HH Diamond, PC Plat Ambassador, Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Plat
Posts: 1,182
SG