When does it end then? How about SE Rev J passengers, should they get a billion AQM's? :rolleyes:

Now youre gonna hear it from our resident AC YSB flyer :D

If AC went to 5 miles per dollar (more for SE/E/P), wouldn't most people on domestic flights be getting more miles under than under the current structure?

Yes, on average about 2.2x more for my top 9 routes. Which would without a doubt lead to a increased milage / redemption chart.

Just out of curiosity, if you're usually buying into business class, what will a higher SE status give you?

I suppose the priority rewards on AE? All other benefits (lounge/check-in) are covered with the purchased Z fare.

As Clipper noted, concierge only on international business class tickets and not available on domestic (and maybe domestic legs of international ticket--not sure how that works?)

Priority telephone number could also be helpful in some situations.

Meal priority is less than SE.

Priority rewards is a key benefit with Aeroplan but most other benefits are covered.

Priority phone number :p

What about luggage? Is it still 3x70 for J?

I'm not saying there are a lot of perks of being SE if you always fly paid J, but there are definitely some.

The all-mighty super elite tag :)

If I'm paying 500%+ of Flex fare with my J fare but only getting 150% of the miles - that doesn't seem reasonable. There should be a parallel qualification option based on spend IMO.

In terms of the benefits that are missed by those that buy J fares but don't make SE - IMO by far the biggest is the ability to actually use AE miles. Even in its watered down state IKK is a HUGE benefit. Even more important than the meal priority, being shunned by concierges etc.

As the Bens noted there are some E50s/E75s etc that spend far more than SEs - and yet we get virtually nothing from AC whatsoever.

This isn't quite correct. Revenue-based mileage will be applicable to all UA-operated flights no matter who tickets it, with the small exception of bulk/tour tickets that earn mileage, which will be a percentage based on the fare class (as low as 50% for the lower fare classes). Ticketing UA flights on AC and crediting to MP will make no difference to the mileage earned. However, for non UA-ticketed non UA-operated flights accruing to MP, they will continue to be distance-based, assuming its in a class eligible for mileage accrual in the first place.

It's not hard for UA to track spending when they are operating the flights - revenue is still broken down by segment, and this kind of calculation is already being done by UA. It calculates this for PQD for US-residents today, who are accruing to MP on UA-operated flights ticketed by other carriers.

Correct - spending without flying will not get you status. You need to hit one of the mileage or segment goals and the spend requirement (unless you have a UA credit card and hit the $25,000 spend waiver, which applies to all levels except 1K).

Ah, I had misread their statement. It has to be non-UA metal AND non-UA ticket to get it based on distance.

Well that changes my beliefs :)

So really, flying J/F on 016 ticket stock, non-UA operated equals win?

So what? The more you (spend advocates) say it, the more times I remind you that there are non-status and FF below 50K who spend more than everybody else. The simple question you have refused to answer is why with all your spend you can't follow the rules and attain SE. Currently,there are two pathways to status - miles and segments. Why you don't use them baffles me. Maybe you want to purchase with money what others achieve by sitting extra multiple hours on the plane and/or passing through countless airports and security barriers annually.There is no Airline (to my knowledge) that gives status exclusively on spend.

In addition to the Benns admitting that some non-SEs spend more than SE, they noted that pricing (flex), restrictions on miles accumulation, etc appear to be working similarly to spend. Next time, quote their full post not just a convenient fraction.

You get the hard/soft product, that's it. SE's and E's (perhaps) outspend what you do annually and so get the "privileges" that are associated with that. You get the same ways/avenues to get status.

Want to get status another way? Become a VIP with AC ;)

Shhh, don't share the details, or else everyone will want to be VIP :p

Isn't SQ PPS purely spend based?

No.
Having UA address not in the USA, flying UA only on the 4 required sectors that are higher fare and flying el cheapo on partners that give 100% mileage=win

I know many SEs who do not use the tag. They don't consider it such a big deal!

Or those who have 5 of them for multiple years as a sort of pride of accomplishment. Not judging, just saying :)

And flights exclusively in Suites, First and Business.

Lol my bad. Didn't define it literally enough.

I guess the definition of "status purely based on spend" sort of defies the definition of frequent flier program. What's the point of status if you get it without putting your bum in a seat.

I think you may have missed the previous posts on this: el cheapo's (or any fare) flown after March, booked through UA (016 stock) on partner carriers still will earn based on revenue, not distance flown (assuming they're eligible for mileage) when credited to MP. Even when earning based on distance, there are very few el cheapo's on partners, even booked through them, that give 100% anymore. But feel free to name some, if you can. AC, TK, LH, LX, LO, SA, SQ, TG, ET, etc. all have at least some, if not many, low fare classes that earn either 50% or zero mileage on el cheapo's to UA.

I don't have time in my life to fly an airline based on the FF program - I fly based on convenience and timing of flights above all else (and quality of airline second).

AC is not an airline I fly a lot but I stand by my view that AC and Altitude treat J rev passengers such as myself terribly - pathetic 150% FF points (even though often paying 500% of Flex fare), not the first choice of meal, ignored by some concierges etc etc . Not the way to treat someone paying $8K a ticket IMO - but I don't think international rev J pax are the target market for AC management.

I'll still fly AC when their timing makes sense and there are no better options(for example I fly 868) but the treatment they provide to rev J pax is very poor. If I have a choice of 2 flights at the same time I obviously rarely choose AC.

In terms of airlines that award status based on spend - it is possible with your beloved AC I believe through purchase of a flight pass - you don't even have to set foot on a plane and can buy SE if required.

In your view then, what other North American airline treats their J passengers better than AC and gives a million miles if you fly J AND treats their elite passengers exactly the same as non elite J. IIRC all n. American airlines have an equivalent elite status designation as well as some form of super duper elite. (MM)

You assume that I love AC and have status at AC. Hope you read my mostly critical posts. Like you I buy J because it "guarantees" a minimum level of comfort. (Not bought Tango or Flex all year). Meal choice, concierge service, priority boarding and COS bonus are not issues with me. Leg room, space, "privacy" and a little quiet, are. I will be traveling BA and SQ over the next four weeks. AC services those routes so like you, I select a best option( for me) when available.