Updates on Air Canada Altitude: AQM & eUpgrades
Aug 19, 2013, 3:12 pm
#16
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
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Actually, that's interesting. ALL members with status will be able to do this on North American flights, but only SEs on international.
I could totally see myself going up to a GA, asking how much space there is in J, and then shouting "Anyone want to sit in business class? I'll get you there for $200"
I hadn't thought of it that way. On United, you have to buy a higher fare to use a GPU, but I believe you can confirm those at time of booking a lot of the time. And it still isn't as much as Flex. Now, as you said, it's a double co-pay, and you pay one of them regardless of whether you get the upgrade.
Or you could just fly United
I could totally see myself going up to a GA, asking how much space there is in J, and then shouting "Anyone want to sit in business class? I'll get you there for $200"
Ah, the infamous co-pay. Twice.
Notwithstanding that Air Canada has often claimed, incorrectly, that they don't have a co-pay, they really did. The difference was that on other airlines you could request the upgrade and then only pay the co-pay when the upgrade cleared. With Air Canada you needed to pay the co-pay up front (in the form of much higher Tango+/Flex fares) and all you got was the risk of an upgrade.
Now you need to pay the non-refundable, up-front co-pay, regardless of whether or not you get an upgrade, and then pay another co-pay if the upgrade clears. Ta-da! The Double Co-Pay!
Notwithstanding that Air Canada has often claimed, incorrectly, that they don't have a co-pay, they really did. The difference was that on other airlines you could request the upgrade and then only pay the co-pay when the upgrade cleared. With Air Canada you needed to pay the co-pay up front (in the form of much higher Tango+/Flex fares) and all you got was the risk of an upgrade.
Now you need to pay the non-refundable, up-front co-pay, regardless of whether or not you get an upgrade, and then pay another co-pay if the upgrade clears. Ta-da! The Double Co-Pay!
Aug 19, 2013, 3:13 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,166
umm...what did I just read?
The flex prices to Asia are already ridiculous.
Buying flex + paying the upgrade add-on will be just a little shy of buying a Z fare...no?
The flex prices to Asia are already ridiculous.
Buying flex + paying the upgrade add-on will be just a little shy of buying a Z fare...no?
Aug 19, 2013, 3:15 pm
#18
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 6,222
Aug 19, 2013, 3:15 pm
#19
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: YVR
Programs: ACSEMM QRGold SPGLifetimePlat FairmontPlat HyattD AMEXCenturion SerenaPlat TalkBoard Founding Member
Posts: 8,963
Wow, this is going to piss a lot of people off big time!
Aug 19, 2013, 3:17 pm
#20
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 6,222
Indeed. Even though I earn 100k-150k status miles on AC metal each year, the MM benefits get "enhanced" faster than I can earn MM status, thereby eliminating any motivation to reach MM status. I´m quite sure that when I reach MM status, only lounge access and possibly upgrades from B fares will be left.
Aug 19, 2013, 3:17 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: AC*SE100K, SPG Gold
Posts: 331
How does the new accumulation schedule work with the minimum aeroplan miles for altitude members (500 miles)? If I fly YVR - YYC on Tango, will I get the minimum 500 AQM or will I just get 125 AQM?
Aug 19, 2013, 3:17 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,237
Looks like Lounge access and baggage are only thing left to "enhance"
Lounge, maybe a new threshold level to get in a guest ?
Lounge, maybe a new threshold level to get in a guest ?
Aug 19, 2013, 3:19 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,604
The AQM changes are welcome and long overdue. The add-on program is the first step from effectively allowing free-upgrades only from premium economy.
Eliminating e-upgrade nominees is unfortunate. This was a great benefit that I used for my immediate family over the past couple years. They kept 2 for SE, but could have at least kept 1 for E50K and E75K. With add-ons, it's mostly only useful for NA routes anyway.
So in effect, it's easier now to get status, but you just can't do as much with it.
Eliminating e-upgrade nominees is unfortunate. This was a great benefit that I used for my immediate family over the past couple years. They kept 2 for SE, but could have at least kept 1 for E50K and E75K. With add-ons, it's mostly only useful for NA routes anyway.
So in effect, it's easier now to get status, but you just can't do as much with it.
Aug 19, 2013, 3:20 pm
#24
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 6,222
Will this become the fast growing thread in FT/AC history?
Aug 19, 2013, 3:25 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: YVR
Programs: ACSEMM QRGold SPGLifetimePlat FairmontPlat HyattD AMEXCenturion SerenaPlat TalkBoard Founding Member
Posts: 8,963
[erroneous post]
Last edited by Dorian; Aug 19, 2013 at 3:39 pm Reason: Lies.
Aug 19, 2013, 3:26 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,237
I like changes to AQM, they needed to simplify and for any Executive fare it should be 150% ( I have a few coming so helpful to get to 100K this year )
The co-pay on non-NA flights, well since I mostly pay for it on those long flights rather then hope to upgrade really does not impact me. I might even do the co-pay since there should always be upgrade room now.
The co-pay on non-NA flights, well since I mostly pay for it on those long flights rather then hope to upgrade really does not impact me. I might even do the co-pay since there should always be upgrade room now.
Aug 19, 2013, 3:28 pm
#28
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Aug 19, 2013, 3:28 pm
#29
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: AC*E50k, AvisFirst, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 136
I'm too shocked to even comment right now. That's a massive step change in benefits.
I used to go out of my way to fly AC via FRA for Poland, but now I'll just take the LOT flight.
I used to go out of my way to fly AC via FRA for Poland, but now I'll just take the LOT flight.
Aug 19, 2013, 3:28 pm
#30
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 6,222
Not that anyone cares (except perhaps me) but this is how I feel about the changes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxxajLWwzqY
My, how things have changed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxxajLWwzqY
My, how things have changed.