Announcing Air Canada Altitude
Oct 10, 2012, 12:19 pm
#421
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1
Finally reached Gold Status--oh wait, that's silver now
I have been flying for work for a few years and finally reached Elite Gold status! Access to the lounges and all that goes with it. Oh wait, they changed the program so that I am still a Silver member! Thanks Areoplan.
Oct 10, 2012, 1:15 pm
#423
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
You still select lounge access as a benefit in 2013. They'll likely enhance that away in 2014 for 35K, but for now...
Oct 10, 2012, 2:22 pm
#424
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,022
Thanks Jasper, I appreciate you providing the crib for that post, now I can go back and read it and try and make some sense of it.
As for the Aeroplan program changes - I'm SuperElite, and qualify for SuperElite every year because I constantly travel intercontinental in paid J for work purposes. To me, given my circumstances, the only benefits of Aeroplan SE membership are:
1) The dedicated phone number for SEs, which usually gets answered on the first ring, and;
2) The upgrade points, which allow me to buy Tango Plus fares for my international leisure travel and then upgrade to business. I've never failed to get an upgrade to J from a T+ fare in the past 3 or 4 years.
Everything else that the SE level offers (lounge access, priority boarding, priority check-in, priority baggage) I get automatically from any airline as a paid J passenger.
It doesn't appear to me that these 2013 program changes will affect me too much, although it appears at first glance that I lose a little bit by having to choose between a 100% bonus on Aeroplan points vs. a whole pile of eupgrade points at the start of the year - I think we used to get both in the past. But, I usually have lots of eupgrade points left over at year end, and now I will get a new benefit of being able to use eupgrade points to upgrade coach class Aeroplan reward tickets - so, I suppose it all averages out in the end.
What does surprise me is that Air Canada did not take the opportunity to sweeten the pot and encourage travelers (at all levels) to make more of an effort to fly on Air Canada and earn their frequent flyer status on Air Canada planes, as opposed to flying other Star Alliance carriers. In the past 5 years, I think I have only made 2 flights on any Star Alliance carrier other than Air Canada - in other words, the 100,000+ status miles I earn every year are flown entirely on Air Canada. From reading the comments in this thread, it appears that a lot of people earn Elite or SE recognition on Air Canada even though the bulk of their flying takes place on other Star Alliance carriers.
I would have thought that it would be in Air Canada's best interest to make it more attractive for people to fly specifically on Air Canada, rather than on any Star Alliance carrier.
As for the Aeroplan program changes - I'm SuperElite, and qualify for SuperElite every year because I constantly travel intercontinental in paid J for work purposes. To me, given my circumstances, the only benefits of Aeroplan SE membership are:
1) The dedicated phone number for SEs, which usually gets answered on the first ring, and;
2) The upgrade points, which allow me to buy Tango Plus fares for my international leisure travel and then upgrade to business. I've never failed to get an upgrade to J from a T+ fare in the past 3 or 4 years.
Everything else that the SE level offers (lounge access, priority boarding, priority check-in, priority baggage) I get automatically from any airline as a paid J passenger.
It doesn't appear to me that these 2013 program changes will affect me too much, although it appears at first glance that I lose a little bit by having to choose between a 100% bonus on Aeroplan points vs. a whole pile of eupgrade points at the start of the year - I think we used to get both in the past. But, I usually have lots of eupgrade points left over at year end, and now I will get a new benefit of being able to use eupgrade points to upgrade coach class Aeroplan reward tickets - so, I suppose it all averages out in the end.
What does surprise me is that Air Canada did not take the opportunity to sweeten the pot and encourage travelers (at all levels) to make more of an effort to fly on Air Canada and earn their frequent flyer status on Air Canada planes, as opposed to flying other Star Alliance carriers. In the past 5 years, I think I have only made 2 flights on any Star Alliance carrier other than Air Canada - in other words, the 100,000+ status miles I earn every year are flown entirely on Air Canada. From reading the comments in this thread, it appears that a lot of people earn Elite or SE recognition on Air Canada even though the bulk of their flying takes place on other Star Alliance carriers.
I would have thought that it would be in Air Canada's best interest to make it more attractive for people to fly specifically on Air Canada, rather than on any Star Alliance carrier.
Oct 10, 2012, 5:15 pm
#425
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*Gold), DL, CZ
Posts: 1,252
That fuel surcharge makes all the difference between a UA flight, and an AC flight. So it's with some regret that I focus more on the Mileage Plus program in 2013, while enjoying it using my AC 50K status
I could still log on with an Aeroplan #, but I figure since I'm using UA to gain my 2014 Star Gold status, I'd like to be able to select their Economy Plus seats without upfront fees.
After doing a more thorough search, and reading more pros and cons, I'll stick with Altitude... the lounge access is important to me as I want free internet access at ORD and EWR on long layovers.
In terms of flights, I also prefer AC's E90/320s/319s over UA's 320s, CR7s, and good gawd, those 757s.
Can I keep switching program preferences before I fly the first segment? I logged onto United.com and switched MP over to AC, along with my Aeroplan #.
I could still log on with an Aeroplan #, but I figure since I'm using UA to gain my 2014 Star Gold status, I'd like to be able to select their Economy Plus seats without upfront fees.
After doing a more thorough search, and reading more pros and cons, I'll stick with Altitude... the lounge access is important to me as I want free internet access at ORD and EWR on long layovers.
In terms of flights, I also prefer AC's E90/320s/319s over UA's 320s, CR7s, and good gawd, those 757s.
Can I keep switching program preferences before I fly the first segment? I logged onto United.com and switched MP over to AC, along with my Aeroplan #.
Last edited by yqtyyz; Oct 10, 2012 at 6:14 pm Reason: Addition thoughts at bottom.
Oct 12, 2012, 9:56 am
#426
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1
I have had Elite status and star alliance gold for the past 3 years continuously.
I average 40K miles yearly with Air Canada or Star Alliance. (and 10K with other companies depending on destination)
I'm very pissed off at the new limits as a see my continuous loyalty downgraded from Gold to Silver
in 2013 i'm taking my flights with other companies.
Air Canada is betraying loyal customers like me. If they really care they should automatically upgrade to Gold any member who in the past 2 years flew more than 35K each year
I average 40K miles yearly with Air Canada or Star Alliance. (and 10K with other companies depending on destination)
I'm very pissed off at the new limits as a see my continuous loyalty downgraded from Gold to Silver
in 2013 i'm taking my flights with other companies.
Air Canada is betraying loyal customers like me. If they really care they should automatically upgrade to Gold any member who in the past 2 years flew more than 35K each year
Oct 12, 2012, 11:34 am
#427
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ at this time
Programs: ACMM / Altitude S100K / HH Diamond
Posts: 6,285
If I am not mistaken, most of the *A carriers require 50,000 milles for *A Gold - so good luck with your move elsewhere. This was all announced late 2011 so should not be a surprise to you.
I have had Elite status and star alliance gold for the past 3 years continuously.
I average 40K miles yearly with Air Canada or Star Alliance. (and 10K with other companies depending on destination)
I'm very pissed off at the new limits as a see my continuous loyalty downgraded from Gold to Silver
in 2013 i'm taking my flights with other companies.
Air Canada is betraying loyal customers like me. If they really care they should automatically upgrade to Gold any member who in the past 2 years flew more than 35K each year
I average 40K miles yearly with Air Canada or Star Alliance. (and 10K with other companies depending on destination)
I'm very pissed off at the new limits as a see my continuous loyalty downgraded from Gold to Silver
in 2013 i'm taking my flights with other companies.
Air Canada is betraying loyal customers like me. If they really care they should automatically upgrade to Gold any member who in the past 2 years flew more than 35K each year
Oct 12, 2012, 12:19 pm
#428
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC E75K *G
Posts: 7,107
Some were higher and some were lower.
Oct 12, 2012, 12:24 pm
#429
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
COS is another variable too. Some airlines give more generous COS to those flying in premium fares, e.g., first, business and full Y to make it easier to attain *G even if they do not fly as often but always buy premium fares.
Oct 12, 2012, 12:47 pm
#431
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,130
A3 -20k for *G, 3 year validity
TK -40k first year, 2 year validity, 25k/1yr or 37.5k/2yr for renewal. Can buy 10 k status miles in 2 nd year. They are status matching *Gs from other programs.
OZ - 40k to get status, 40/2yrs to retain it (I think).
There are options.
TK -40k first year, 2 year validity, 25k/1yr or 37.5k/2yr for renewal. Can buy 10 k status miles in 2 nd year. They are status matching *Gs from other programs.
OZ - 40k to get status, 40/2yrs to retain it (I think).
There are options.
Oct 12, 2012, 12:50 pm
#432
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ at this time
Programs: ACMM / Altitude S100K / HH Diamond
Posts: 6,285
Yup - more than I thought are less than 50K 0 - here are some examples ... I did not check her numbers ... obviously AC information is out-of-date at this link
http://maphappy.org/2012/06/quickest...alliance-gold/
My point was I guess that there are not that many options I think for < 50K for *A Gold... so complaining about AC raising to 50K and leaving for an airline who gives *A gold for less that 50K will not have alot of options. Some yes... but I do not think alot of options.
http://maphappy.org/2012/06/quickest...alliance-gold/
My point was I guess that there are not that many options I think for < 50K for *A Gold... so complaining about AC raising to 50K and leaving for an airline who gives *A gold for less that 50K will not have alot of options. Some yes... but I do not think alot of options.
Last edited by PreferBulkhead; Oct 12, 2012 at 1:01 pm
Oct 12, 2012, 1:27 pm
#433
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honors Diamond. Priority Club Platinum. Emerald Club Executive Elite
Posts: 446
It is, for the most part, a crap shoot. Common sense should dictate that I join UA MP. I'd be 100k before the end of 2013. However, I would loose lounge access while in the US, whereas with AC, I get lounge access in the US. UA-I'd get free E+. When traveling AC, I *might* upgrade.
I used to know someone who often said "if I win, I loose. If I loose, I win". That statement makes no sense at all. In the context of customer loyalty and Frequent Flyer programs, it seems somewhat appropriate.
Oct 12, 2012, 10:32 pm
#434
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*Gold), DL, CZ
Posts: 1,252
Completely agree... I switched back to earning Aeroplan points for my UA flights for that express purpose.
I don't really care too much for UA's E+ offerings anyway, so having Star Gold and being to access the lounge is more priority than getting that UA seat upgrade (with their long upgrade lists being what they usually are).
I don't really care too much for UA's E+ offerings anyway, so having Star Gold and being to access the lounge is more priority than getting that UA seat upgrade (with their long upgrade lists being what they usually are).
It is, for the most part, a crap shoot. Common sense should dictate that I join UA MP. I'd be 100k before the end of 2013. However, I would loose lounge access while in the US, whereas with AC, I get lounge access in the US. UA-I'd get free E+. When traveling AC, I *might* upgrade.
Oct 13, 2012, 2:52 am
#435
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Depends on where you post your miles. I flew biz class on TG, OZ, SA, SQ and NH this summer and AE gave 25% COS while MP gave 50% COS. guess where I put my miles?