Issues with AC
Jul 19, 2012, 8:03 am
#46
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,153
I personally don't care about AC MM.
I pay to fly in business class, not looking for upgrade on a Tango Plus ticket. When it's free, take whatever is provided and not be a "choosy beggar".
CX does not have free upgrade. That may be one of the reason why they are able to preserve the quality of that premium cabin.
While AC boasts itself as the best North American airlines by Skytrax, the same organization also rated CX as #4 best and TK #9 best in the world.
CX is voted the best transpacific airline and its $700 cheaper than the 3-star rated AC. How did AC justified the premium? CX is non-stop too. Additionally, CX will throw in a pair of HKG-PVG, or HKG-TPE, or HKG-PEK in business class for free when you book YYZ-HKG in business.
If the price is comparable, I'd gladly fly AC. The other airlines require an intermediary connection and are not as convenient, but this is reflected in the cheaper price ($1,200 cheaper on TK but gets full *A Status Miles and COS and $3,100 cheaper on BR but no daily flight and no *A Status Miles). Both AC and CX are direct non-stop service. One is rated better than the other. I find it difficult to justify the large premium (>10%) demanded by AC since I am not looking to play Aerolotto.
I pay to fly in business class, not looking for upgrade on a Tango Plus ticket. When it's free, take whatever is provided and not be a "choosy beggar".
CX does not have free upgrade. That may be one of the reason why they are able to preserve the quality of that premium cabin.
While AC boasts itself as the best North American airlines by Skytrax, the same organization also rated CX as #4 best and TK #9 best in the world.
CX is voted the best transpacific airline and its $700 cheaper than the 3-star rated AC. How did AC justified the premium? CX is non-stop too. Additionally, CX will throw in a pair of HKG-PVG, or HKG-TPE, or HKG-PEK in business class for free when you book YYZ-HKG in business.
If the price is comparable, I'd gladly fly AC. The other airlines require an intermediary connection and are not as convenient, but this is reflected in the cheaper price ($1,200 cheaper on TK but gets full *A Status Miles and COS and $3,100 cheaper on BR but no daily flight and no *A Status Miles). Both AC and CX are direct non-stop service. One is rated better than the other. I find it difficult to justify the large premium (>10%) demanded by AC since I am not looking to play Aerolotto.
So, for a 20,000 mile RT I get about 35000 miles from AC and 3500 from Amex , resulting in a free J award after 3 trips and a bit. So, I fly 4 TPAC for $5000-$8000 all in. That's basically what keeps me on AC at the moment. Without upgrades, no AC.
Jul 19, 2012, 8:29 am
#47
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
In my pricing consideration I figure 100 % upgrade on T+ and double miles.
So, for a 20,000 mile RT I get about 35000 miles from AC and 3500 from Amex , resulting in a free J award after 3 trips and a bit. So, I fly 4 TPAC for $5000-$8000 all in. That's basically what keeps me on AC at the moment. Without upgrades, no AC.
So, for a 20,000 mile RT I get about 35000 miles from AC and 3500 from Amex , resulting in a free J award after 3 trips and a bit. So, I fly 4 TPAC for $5000-$8000 all in. That's basically what keeps me on AC at the moment. Without upgrades, no AC.
Many will still fly AC this year because they earned their E and SE status from 2011, for priority services, lounge access and extra baggage allowance, etc. However, I suspect that many will fall away in 2013 with the 50% accrual ratio on Tango fare and the higher 50K E threshold.
Then in 2013 with the higher tier status out of the equation, the decision process to purchase with which airline will likely be very different.
For those of us who pay to fly in business class, the price differential between AC and many of its competitors is so wide that many of us are switching. The end result will be fewer passengers buying business to fly AC and hence more vacant seats available for upgrade.
AC is perhaps getting too greedy but price is a function of supply and demand with rational consumers. I honestly don’t see the value to pay 10% more to fly AC than CX and save even more with some of AC’s other competitors such as LX, TK and BR. None of the three requires a connection via the U.S.A. and an interview with the U.S.C.B.P. If there are AC loyalists willing to pay the huge premium to fly AC, good for AC.
Last edited by Clipper801; Jul 19, 2012 at 8:47 am
Jul 19, 2012, 9:01 am
#48
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3*G AC*nobody TK*nobody
Posts: 1,967
....your most consistent customers with downgrades in benefits and then having the added gall of calling them enhancements.
Don't fill the front of the plane with employees in uniform when the back of the plane is filled with folks with SE/E tags on their carry on.
Don't compare your service levels to the lowest common denominator (US legacy airlines) compare them to Airlines that actually provide decent levels of service.
Don't fill the front of the plane with employees in uniform when the back of the plane is filled with folks with SE/E tags on their carry on.
Don't compare your service levels to the lowest common denominator (US legacy airlines) compare them to Airlines that actually provide decent levels of service.
AC is perhaps getting too greedy but price is a function of supply and demand with rational consumers. I honestly don’t see the value to pay 10% more to fly AC than CX and save even more with some of AC’s other competitors such as LX, TK and BR. None of the three requires a connection via the U.S.A. and an interview with the U.S.C.B.P. If there are AC loyalists willing to pay the huge premium to fly AC, good for AC.
Jul 19, 2012, 9:33 am
#49
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
Hey everyone,
I'm taking a marketing class this summer, and my prof gave me a brand assignment. I have to highlight THREE things that a brand needs to improve on (I chose Air Canada). So what are the top three things that Air Canada needs to work on? He recommended this forum to me, so I was hoping I could get some feedback- I've never flown Air Canada before!
Thank-you in advance,
Katie N.
I'm taking a marketing class this summer, and my prof gave me a brand assignment. I have to highlight THREE things that a brand needs to improve on (I chose Air Canada). So what are the top three things that Air Canada needs to work on? He recommended this forum to me, so I was hoping I could get some feedback- I've never flown Air Canada before!
Thank-you in advance,
Katie N.
Read the few foregoing posts. AC's pricing on some routes are significantly more expensive than some of its competitors.
Last edited by Clipper801; Jul 20, 2012 at 6:12 am