AC Presence on FT
#661
Flying Blue Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,857
can anyone argue against the point made that the budget brands in a hotel chain are categorically designed to offer travelers a "budget" price hotel stay? A one-off comparison of a single evening notwithstanding, a night's stay at a Ritz-Carlton will always cost more than a night's stay at that chain's "budget" or "downscale" roof.
More to the point, Ben(s), is that the comments you are hearing is that you've created a budget model for you without the convenient by-product of creating a budget model for PAX. I applaud your attempts to try and bring AC out of the red, but don't try and convince pax that it's a good deal to book ROUGE for the same price as what the former mainline version of that flight once cost.
More to the point, Ben(s), is that the comments you are hearing is that you've created a budget model for you without the convenient by-product of creating a budget model for PAX. I applaud your attempts to try and bring AC out of the red, but don't try and convince pax that it's a good deal to book ROUGE for the same price as what the former mainline version of that flight once cost.
It also competes with a different segment of the market: those that would consider TS or WG. The introduction of rouge didn't mean that we would necessarily slash prices, but rather it allows us to compete effectively in this segment. If prices are high, it means one of two things: 1) the flights are full, or 2) the competition is priced similarly (sometimes this is combined with #1). It is important to note that we will not voluntarily discount the product because it is materially different from mainline, as that would negate our cost advantage, so we continue to use revenue management techniques to maximise our yield where possible. If the fares are high it's because the planes are full and people are paying them. From a business perspective, we are like everybody else in this regard.
#662
Flying Blue Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,857
Well, that's exactly why we launched it: to help drive our profitability and appeal to customers by offering service to destinations that we would not be able to otherwise. Would you rather have an option to earn miles while flying direct to YYZDUB/MAN/LIS/VCE/EDI, or not at all? Often where we offer rouge we are the only non-stop option, or compete with other charter carriers (TS/WG): LIS/EDI/VCE, MAN competes with TS, many Sun destinations, etc.
#663
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Canada
Programs: AC*SE
Posts: 1,901
We invest in extensive and continuous training for our call centre agents. Obviously, policies change and sometimes you may catch someone who hasn't yet had a chance to familiarise his/herself with the new policy. We strive to ensure consistency, and we are working on new ways to make sure the first person you talk to will be able to appropriately handle your issue.
Speaking of web site, something that has always bothered me. I have to go to 4 separate spots to view my AC bookings:
- AC booked online -> My Bookings
- AC flight passes --> My Flight Passes -> Bookings
- AC booked over phone -> e-mail
- reward travel -> Aeroplan web site
I know the last one is complicated, but if my Aeroplan # is attached to my revenue phone bookings, web bookings and flight pass bookings, why can't I just see them all on one page on the web site?
- AC booked online -> My Bookings
- AC flight passes --> My Flight Passes -> Bookings
- AC booked over phone -> e-mail
- reward travel -> Aeroplan web site
I know the last one is complicated, but if my Aeroplan # is attached to my revenue phone bookings, web bookings and flight pass bookings, why can't I just see them all on one page on the web site?
A new website is very exciting, hopefully the booking engine is a bit improved. I've noticed, since many of the flights I book start in YZF, that when there's a forced long stopover (beyond the usual 4 hour window) the web engine barfs on it. I used to have a contact I could e-mail with specific routings that didn't work, but it drives you nuts to find out you can't book basic routes via the website and need to call in (or use Expedia).
#664
Flying Blue Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,857
+1 and amen, ridefar! This is the number 1 question that I wanted to ask our Ben-Santas after reading the hundreds of replies to this thread. I've thoroughly enjoyed the hassle free and SDC free environment out East and feel it is ideally suited as per the post above. I'd even accept just YYC-YEG as a start. Puhleeeeze, I have been a really good SE this year.
BTW, thanks for professionally engaging us at FT. You've more than stepped up to the task and your tone/demeanour is spot-on for us faithful AC status monkeys.
BTW, thanks for professionally engaging us at FT. You've more than stepped up to the task and your tone/demeanour is spot-on for us faithful AC status monkeys.
#665
Flying Blue Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,857
At present, we do not plan on having rouge compete with mainline. In other words, you will never see AC and rouge metal operating the same route. Of course this could change tomorrow, but for now we strive for consistency.
#666
Flying Blue Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,857
This is in the works.
#667
Flying Blue Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,857
Hello Ben and Ben,
Thanks for all your answers. My question:
I am a heavy user of Latitude Flight Passes, including Europe Passes. Given that Latitude is more expensive than Premium Economy most if not all the time, why does a Latitude fare not automatically get a PE seat? I have yet to be in a position where this is an issue, but just wondering...
Best
Visitor
Thanks for all your answers. My question:
I am a heavy user of Latitude Flight Passes, including Europe Passes. Given that Latitude is more expensive than Premium Economy most if not all the time, why does a Latitude fare not automatically get a PE seat? I have yet to be in a position where this is an issue, but just wondering...
Best
Visitor
#668
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM
Posts: 23,273
It keeps getting called low-cost carrier - and never discussed whose low cost.
#669
Flying Blue Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,857
Also, is there any possibility of getting AC onto the UA hubs out of YYC? Specifically DEN, ORD, and SFO. I would even appreciate rouge service in SFO route. Looking at DEN there is a strong connection between the two cities with many YYC based companies with regional offices in the Denver area (Encana, Agrium, and Suncor come to mind but there are many others). For my little midsize energy services company, our USA headquarters is in Denver. Most people in my office prefer the CRA over the UAX CR7, while I am not advocating replacement of UA mainline service, augmenting the route with CRA would be an improvement and would drive YYC based traffic to AC express over UAX.
Originally Posted by WR Cage
For YYC Hawaii flts, when can we expect to see rouge on the run. If I need to do a year end mileage run, premium rouge earn rate to UA is very good, but I would need to see an early (ie July) commitment as to putting rouge 763 onto Hawaii.
AC used to offer once per week service YYC-MBJ and I believe YYC-CUN was operated by the 763. Is there any possibility of getting these services with rouge? Premium rouge with a Sandals all inclusive package through ACV would be a compelling value proposition.
AC used to offer once per week service YYC-MBJ and I believe YYC-CUN was operated by the 763. Is there any possibility of getting these services with rouge? Premium rouge with a Sandals all inclusive package through ACV would be a compelling value proposition.
#670
Flying Blue Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,857
The market leader also has a hub at the other end and sells a LOT of flow traffic. For us it's mostly an O&D market, so the larger aircraft allows us to be more competitive.
#671
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: *G^2, Bonvoyed, NEXUS
Posts: 3,497
#672
Flying Blue Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,857
Well done Ben and Ben; very refreshing to see some questions answered, even the 'trivial' ones. People here spend a lot of time on aircraft so it is interesting to see what is on people's minds.
My pet peeve is checking in while rushing (late as usual) to an airport served by AC and unable to print a BP, then finding the check in staff also serve as gate staff, and then missing my flight. Most recently happened in ATL, and I arrived 55 minutes before my flight, so had lots of time. This happens to me 3 or 4 times a year at ATL, BWI, and used to happen in MSY until check in was moved to United. Is it not possible to put check in kiosks in a couple of these airports? It seems you have made a significant investment in ATL check in already to compete with DL.
Thanks
My pet peeve is checking in while rushing (late as usual) to an airport served by AC and unable to print a BP, then finding the check in staff also serve as gate staff, and then missing my flight. Most recently happened in ATL, and I arrived 55 minutes before my flight, so had lots of time. This happens to me 3 or 4 times a year at ATL, BWI, and used to happen in MSY until check in was moved to United. Is it not possible to put check in kiosks in a couple of these airports? It seems you have made a significant investment in ATL check in already to compete with DL.
Thanks
#673
Flying Blue Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,857
I assume that "AC offers 4 choices on premium long haul NA routes..." means the copied menu from the existing international business classes, at least that is my impression from the late trip of mine from IST to YYZ and from YYZ to YYC, when I saw the menu choices from YYZ-YYC leg was the 4 typical choices, so I skipped and just preferred for the freshly baked cookies. But only found out that the flight attendant was only making 16 cookies - one for each J class passenger.
On my IST-YYZ flight, I asked if I could opt out for the main entre dishes, and could I take one fruit plate and one desert, the answer was no.
On my IST-YYZ flight, I asked if I could opt out for the main entre dishes, and could I take one fruit plate and one desert, the answer was no.
#674
Flying Blue Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,857
I don't think Aeroplan has any kind of relationship with the "operating carrier." They buy their tickets from AC, period.
And I am sure quite cheap too, since they sell miles at around 0.8 cents. So a Y ticket to Europe, $480. You seriously expect AC to sell them many tickets at that price?
Plus, given the tons of miles they sell to CCs and the likes, surely they need to buy quite a few tickets.
And I am sure quite cheap too, since they sell miles at around 0.8 cents. So a Y ticket to Europe, $480. You seriously expect AC to sell them many tickets at that price?
Plus, given the tons of miles they sell to CCs and the likes, surely they need to buy quite a few tickets.
#675
Flying Blue Director
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,857
For YYZ luggage claims (domestic), are there anything being done about the slowness of getting luggage on to the baggage claim area? it's one of the worst airports for luggage claims and one reason why I hate checking luggage to YYZ
Also at least in YYC there is a countdown timer estimating the time it will take for luggage to arrive. Can that be implemented in YYZ?
Also at least in YYC there is a countdown timer estimating the time it will take for luggage to arrive. Can that be implemented in YYZ?