superangrypenguin

Yes, ask them to call up the resources department and they will honor the ac.com fares, even in Lat

superangrypenguin

Just came across this. Our very own Ben Smith!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA1V8...UlaJVwu3Za1iKg

Ben Lipsey

Should be able to.

gbeaumont

We need Western Rapidair (YYJ, YVR, YEG, YYC) and allow us to purchase an East West Rapdiair flight Pass - What say you Bens?

Trinidoc94

So I will first say that I have been a flyertalk lurker for many years and I would like to thank the community for all the helpful info that I have learned from the forum. It is also nice to see that the Bens seem to be listening to the views of the forums hence I wanted to comment on the priority boarding on AC flights.

It seems that the priority boarding announcement is always followed by more than half the plane coming up to board especially with all of the credit cards which give this privilege now. As a frequent revenue J customer I must admit that this is somewhat annoying as this is the reason why I am paying a hefty premium for this benefit.

I firmly believe that AC needs to restructure this procedure. Possible scenarios of
1. J class and SE 100K, MMs (you've earned that right)
2. E75, 50, 35 and 25K and *G
3. Credit card non status fliers
4. Non status general boarding

moorw003

Does it really matter. You get on the plane, you fly on the plane, you get off the plane.

I like priority boarding because, especially on full regional flights and the 777HD, you are guaranteed rack space.

But it doesn't matter if 1/4 of the plane is priority.

wolvie007

This is the main point of this issue though. It seems totally random finding an agent willing to do this. I have heard different excuses from "we can't, computer won't let me, air canada will fire me, mgmt doesn't think we are needed and pushing everyone to website, cheaper to process through web so cheaper tickets on web". I have received each of these responses to this particular request and it has been from more than one agent. Almost makes me feel like AC doesn't want us booking these fares through call centre and that some agents don't care about breaking the rules.

OttawaMark

Should, but often can't. Whether this is because the agents don't know how to, or simply can't be bothered to, I don't know. I suspect some of each.

And this is especially frustrating after the long telephone waiting times.

Are you going to be doing anything to address phone hold times. This really is my only real point of contention with AC service.

DaveObee

It really varies by route. Last week, YYJ-YYC-YYJ, there were four priority boarders on the first flight and two on the second. I have also seen short short lineups for NRT-YVR.

I like to get on first so I don't have to fight for carryon space. That said, don't forget the theory that a free-for-all is the most efficient process. Those in the know will board right away. The infrequent flyers will board later, of course taking the time to read all of the row numbers as they work their way to the back. (I don't have faith in that theory, just to be clear.)

In any event, I can't see adding complications to flights when there is no need.

superangrypenguin

You're kidding right? 35K having priority boarding is contentious enough, 25K is not "frequent" flying. AC should bring in line all *G requirements. 50K and up. Cue trolling now.

canadiancow

I'd put *S in with credit cards.

1. SE/J
2. *G
3 *S/CC
4. Everyone else

PLeblond

+1

jarusoba

I'd put *G and J together.

1. SE
2. *G/J
3 *S/CC
4. Everyone else

According to *A rules, *G should board with J. So this arrangement would comply with *A rules and make SE higher than J with no status.

Aircraft like E90/E75 only has very limited overhead storage in J. SE should have a slight priority over people with no status to board.

okazon69

I once wanted to combine a Latitude fare YUL-LAX with a United economy fare LAX-FAT. The call centre agent only offered the very expensive Latitude fare and not the one shown online. Result: lost revenue for AC as I didn't book the Latitude fare at all.

YEGcg

OK, I'll bite.

By most airlines' definitions, flying more than 25 000 miles, or the equivalent of once around the world at the equator, is frequent flying. The definition of frequent flying could rely on segments, not distance, but that's another discussion.

I'm at E35K this year (domestic only) and I fly more than twice as frequently than the rest of my immediate family combined. I also flew more segments than a number of TPAC/TATL SEs out there. Given all of this, yes, lower tier members are frequent flyers too.

From a revenue standpoint, I probably spent a few $1000s more on the T/T+ differential to accrue the suite of benefits, not including the actual flight cost that may have gone to other carriers. I suspect that there are many E35Ks in the same boat... and (like me) consistently paying more for domestic AQM than a lot pay for international AQM (but have a higher status).

Some folks in higher status tiers seem to forget that the benefits are incremental. At lower tiers it's "get this discount" and "pick 1 of 2 choices", while at higher tiers it's "get this included" and "pick 2 of 3 choices". Core to the program are the soft benefits of priority contacts, check-in, boarding, etc.; low cost (free!) methods of enhancing loyalty.

Since this thread is about providing feedback and the topic of zoned priority boarding has come up, here's my preference:

1. Paid J, SE125K, MM
2. E-Up J, SE100K, E75/50/35K
3. P25K, CC Holders
4. Non-FF Passengers

... I bet this troll bait is more enticing.