Announcing Air Canada Altitude
#151
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 202
One change that I think was a real mistake on the part of AC was to take away the international upgrades and lounge access to varying degrees from 35/50k. If the assumption that 35/50ks stay mostly in North America is correct (and it probably is), then those benefits would be only minimally costly to the airline but would still be seen as great perk. Almost the ideal situation - offer something that is appreciated and rarely taken advantage of.
I agree with the gravy train statement but i really feel there should be a reward for those who flew only/mostly AC metal. Even for those between 35-50k
Lounge, Priority lines both airline and airport, almost everything is attainable by other methods (CC's Nexus etc)
The one thing that was worthwhile was Ecerts.......if AC would reward loyal AC metal flyers with more ecerts they would have kept me.....but quite frankly it is just about the same price to fly in NA on a US carrier and either buy the J class seat or get a guaranteed upgrade than it is to stay loyal to AC
Lounge, Priority lines both airline and airport, almost everything is attainable by other methods (CC's Nexus etc)
The one thing that was worthwhile was Ecerts.......if AC would reward loyal AC metal flyers with more ecerts they would have kept me.....but quite frankly it is just about the same price to fly in NA on a US carrier and either buy the J class seat or get a guaranteed upgrade than it is to stay loyal to AC
It's funny - in one sense I'm happy with today's confirmation about next years top tier levels. I would have been kicking myself for not doing more status mile flying had they turned out to be better than what I had expected based on earlier info from AC. As it is, I'm pleased to have made the right decision on how to alter my travel patterns.
After writing this, I'm beginning to wonder if the details we were given today were purposely delayed so late into the year to delay/prevent people jumping ship and possibly earning status on other frequent flyer programs. But then again, maybe I'm being just a little too cynical
#152
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Canada
Programs: *G
Posts: 2,304
I'm pretty sure that AC's intent is to require extra eupgrade credits for trips such as Europe/Aust (or as I said in an earlier post, TATL cnx to TPAC), so it will be interesting to see how the implementation of this one plays out based on the opinions expressed here. Hence the 11,000 mile number - no current single AC segment exceeds that, so they are after the crowd connecting to two destinations through Canada.
#153
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYC
Posts: 4,035
Mileage is based on the sum of the segments flown when there's a connection a flight number change not the GC distances. (Only UA screws its members by giving point to point mileage when one has actually flown more distance on two different flights, but it numbers both segments the same.)
YYC-YYZ = 10 credits
YYC-YYZ-ORD = 6 credits
#154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
#155
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 50K, Bonvoy PE; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 425
SE can now upgrade a family/friend to Elite 50K
Anyone want to put a dollar value on this? Of course, it would be a violation of the program to sell this benefit.....
As far as I know, this is the first/only way to "earn" status at AC without flying at all.
Anyone want to put a dollar value on this? Of course, it would be a violation of the program to sell this benefit.....
As far as I know, this is the first/only way to "earn" status at AC without flying at all.
#156
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: Asian Club *g, AC Aeroplan, EK Skywards, QF Frequent Flyer, Velocity VA, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 424
SYD/YYZ
#157
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K2MM ACMME50 SQPPS HHDiamond Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,391
Mileage is based on the sum of the segments flown when there's a connection a flight number change not the GC distances. (Only UA screws its members by giving point to point mileage when one has actually flown more distance on two different flights, but it numbers both segments the same.)
For eCredit purposes in my experience it is Grand Circle Mileage.
I regularly do LHR-YYZ-YVR. The computer auto deducts 14 e-Credit. I do sneak out of paying additional 3 e-Credits as true mileage LHR-YYZ-YVR is >5000, as you are fast in accusing posters of scaming the system.
From AC website:
You are flying on a Latitude fare from Toronto to Frankfurt with a connecting flight in Montreal. Your upgrade can be calculated in two ways:
• Toronto-Frankfurt direct: 6 eUpgrade Credits
• Toronto-Montreal (1 credit) + Montreal-Frankfurt (6 credits) = 7 eUpgrade Credits.
In this scenario, you will be charged 6 eUpgrade Credits.
Note: This example is for indicative purposes only. The actual credits required for this itinerary may differ
The status mileage credit I receive LHR-YYZ-YVR is 5634.
The eCredit purposes the rule followed is City Pair mileage which LHR-YVR is 4723. Thus only 14 e-Credits
So please post facts. This week alone I have had to correct you on the numbers you posted!!!
Last edited by yyzprincess; Sep 20, 2012 at 8:18 pm
#159
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K2MM ACMME50 SQPPS HHDiamond Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,391
I do SYD-LHR-SYD every year and have done for over a decade. Always via YVR and yes 2 distinct AC flight numbers but AC metal all the way. Have always enjoyed one cert in the old days or 17 eupgrades-which I have found a great way to use credits. I wonder what it will become now...?
SYD/YYZ
SYD/YYZ
Only way it will be over 11K,if AC changes the rules to actual segment miles flown.
Last edited by yyzprincess; Sep 20, 2012 at 8:08 pm
#160
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K2MM ACMME50 SQPPS HHDiamond Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,391
AC may take a page from United Miliion Miler benefit gifting page. UA Million Miler one of my benefit is to I can gift my current status. My giftee gets 1K status. However the status comes with san upgrade instruments. No 6 SWU E-Upgrade certs.
#161
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: YYG
Programs: airlines and hotels and rental cars - oh my!
Posts: 2,999
As a lowly E who will finish this year a little under 75k on *A, I don't see these changes affecting me a whole lot. I'll be a little farther up AC's upgrade totem pole, but will still get beat out by the SE's and folks on Latitude flight passes every time. So nothing will change there.
My lounge access won't change - it may be a little quieter in there next year, but not likely since they allow access to anyone with a credit card or willing to fork out $35. My checked bag allowance won't change. I couldn't care less about bulkhead seats and usually find the exit rows gone by the time I book anyway.
Odds of hitting SE remain slim to none, nor will I be lucky enough to have to fly any less.
Attractive looking cards (and presumably bag tags) but otherwise, much ado about nothing - for me, at least.
My lounge access won't change - it may be a little quieter in there next year, but not likely since they allow access to anyone with a credit card or willing to fork out $35. My checked bag allowance won't change. I couldn't care less about bulkhead seats and usually find the exit rows gone by the time I book anyway.
Odds of hitting SE remain slim to none, nor will I be lucky enough to have to fly any less.
Attractive looking cards (and presumably bag tags) but otherwise, much ado about nothing - for me, at least.
#162
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,959
I have been >100K for more than ten years, with most years > 150k.
Overall, I like the changes I see- though would like to see all same-day change fees waived for SEs.
With the new branding, does anyone feel that AC may be looking to take back control of their own ff program in the coming years? By that I mean doing away with Aeroplan all together and being able to offer reasonable redemptions to its members?
Overall, I like the changes I see- though would like to see all same-day change fees waived for SEs.
With the new branding, does anyone feel that AC may be looking to take back control of their own ff program in the coming years? By that I mean doing away with Aeroplan all together and being able to offer reasonable redemptions to its members?
#163
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
do not get me wrong, krug NV is nice, but wholesale cost is really sub US$100 per bottle...now you, and on occasion, I, pay more, but the last time I paid over 100 per was for 1990 vintage and even then it was sub 200 although my mag of 89 was also sub 200. As much as ac picks my arse often, the drappier choice is a smart one. 90 grand sendre is as good as the bolly gA 90 and a few other 90s I have had. Then again, krug aside, personally, ac is just ok in my books compared with cx on hkg runs. But this is ot. I know my boss who loves ac and loves the lounge access on international flights will be pissed about the changes. In fact, I might be able to have him move his dec hkg flight to cx since even with it he will not make 50k so better to fly cx from yyz. I do my part. Friends help friends fly cx.
#164
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Canada
Programs: *G
Posts: 2,304
(So OK, another thread was started but it still took a while).
#165
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC-SE MM
Posts: 1,251
do not get me wrong, krug NV is nice, but wholesale cost is really sub US$100 per bottle...now you, and on occasion, I, pay more, but the last time I paid over 100 per was for 1990 vintage and even then it was sub 200 although my mag of 89 was also sub 200. As much as ac picks my arse often, the drappier choice is a smart one. 90 grand sendre is as good as the bolly gA 90 and a few other 90s I have had. Then again, krug aside, personally, ac is just ok in my books compared with cx on hkg runs. But this is ot. I know my boss who loves ac and loves the lounge access on international flights will be pissed about the changes. In fact, I might be able to have him move his dec hkg flight to cx since even with it he will not make 50k so better to fly cx from yyz. I do my part. Friends help friends fly cx.