Aeroplan ranked as the third lowest FF program 2014
#47
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: AC,BA,CA,SPG,ICHG, HERTZ
Posts: 196
#48
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto YYZ UA-1K 1MM,QFgold
Programs: Royal Ambassador/ SPG Platinum 75/Marriott gold
Posts: 14,283
As one who flies very regularly on AC I know what the brand(s) are.
AC mainline carters to markets where there is sufficient business traffic to fill their premium seats.
Rouge routes are designed to cater to people who mostly fly for leisure purposes and where their yields are too low for mainline traffic.
Many Companies have more than one brand so nothing unusual about that IMHO.
AC mainline carters to markets where there is sufficient business traffic to fill their premium seats.
Rouge routes are designed to cater to people who mostly fly for leisure purposes and where their yields are too low for mainline traffic.
Many Companies have more than one brand so nothing unusual about that IMHO.
#49
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto YYZ UA-1K 1MM,QFgold
Programs: Royal Ambassador/ SPG Platinum 75/Marriott gold
Posts: 14,283
Ben Smith's question was 'looking at the programs and individual networks/products as a whole', not just the award redemption. I don't fly AA, but modeling after UA would lead to:
- inferior J product, both domestically and international
- lounges that basically just offer a place to sit. I often skip the United Clubs altogether.
- no concierges
- no IKK
I would have also added credit card holders entitled to FF benefits on this list last year, but unfortunately AC has followed UA in that respect.
I do think that AC already makes us pay for much of the above with Flex/Tango fare differentiation. My suggestion would be for AC to look at how they can improve the redemption side for its Altitude members. Maybe there is a balance between their bottom line and our satisfaction? e.g.
- reduced YQ for Altitude members (higher % amounts for higher status)
- first free change for Elite members (currently just SE)
- free cancellation for SE
- inferior J product, both domestically and international
- lounges that basically just offer a place to sit. I often skip the United Clubs altogether.
- no concierges
- no IKK
I would have also added credit card holders entitled to FF benefits on this list last year, but unfortunately AC has followed UA in that respect.
I do think that AC already makes us pay for much of the above with Flex/Tango fare differentiation. My suggestion would be for AC to look at how they can improve the redemption side for its Altitude members. Maybe there is a balance between their bottom line and our satisfaction? e.g.
- reduced YQ for Altitude members (higher % amounts for higher status)
- first free change for Elite members (currently just SE)
- free cancellation for SE
And who are you kidding AC does not have IKK anymore.
OH UA also has a type of IKK for 1k flyers. Either way IKK is not needed on UA because it actually has award space, and they run ads saying they have the best availability of reward space. Unfortunately, UA has an huge amount of pressure on its awards seats from AC customers trying to avoid scam charges.
#50
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
Actually UA does have concierge and a version of IKK, for the top status flyers, Global Service. GS agents wear grey suits and unlike an AC concierge, GS can actually do something, other than hold your hand.
And who are you kidding AC does not have IKK anymore.
OH UA also has a type of IKK for 1k flyers. Either way IKK is not needed on UA because it actually has award space, and they run ads saying they have the best availability of reward space. Unfortunately, UA has an huge amount of pressure on its awards seats from AC customers trying to avoid scam charges.
And who are you kidding AC does not have IKK anymore.
OH UA also has a type of IKK for 1k flyers. Either way IKK is not needed on UA because it actually has award space, and they run ads saying they have the best availability of reward space. Unfortunately, UA has an huge amount of pressure on its awards seats from AC customers trying to avoid scam charges.
There are many ways UA is better than AC, but X/I availability for top level elites are not one of them.
I'm also curious what GS agents can do that an AC concierge can't (I'm not disputing anything, I just don't know).
But I know I'd never make GS on UA (I may spend a lot on flying, but I don't spend THAT much), so it doesn't really affect me.
#52
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,426
1K "IKK" is nowhere near as good as SE IKK. And if you think UA has good reward space, try booking SFO-ORD.
There are many ways UA is better than AC, but X/I availability for top level elites are not one of them.
I'm also curious what GS agents can do that an AC concierge can't (I'm not disputing anything, I just don't know).
But I know I'd never make GS on UA (I may spend a lot on flying, but I don't spend THAT much), so it doesn't really affect me.
There are many ways UA is better than AC, but X/I availability for top level elites are not one of them.
I'm also curious what GS agents can do that an AC concierge can't (I'm not disputing anything, I just don't know).
But I know I'd never make GS on UA (I may spend a lot on flying, but I don't spend THAT much), so it doesn't really affect me.
#53
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: YXU, ON Canada
Programs: AC LT E50K; AC*MM; SPG LT Gold
Posts: 4,665
It's instant access to award tickets (at Classic levels) beyond the regular Classic Awards. It used to be that SEs could access any unsold seat in Y or J, domestic or Int'l. Now it's reduced to "preferred access" that is under AC/AE control. So it's almost impossible to get a J award to SYD for example, just like regular folks
#54
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 33
It's instant access to award tickets (at Classic levels) beyond the regular Classic Awards. It used to be that SEs could access any unsold seat in Y or J, domestic or Int'l. Now it's reduced to "preferred access" that is under AC/AE control. So it's almost impossible to get a J award to SYD for example, just like regular folks
#55
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto YYZ UA-1K 1MM,QFgold
Programs: Royal Ambassador/ SPG Platinum 75/Marriott gold
Posts: 14,283
1K "IKK" is nowhere near as good as SE IKK. And if you think UA has good reward space, try booking SFO-ORD.
There are many ways UA is better than AC, but X/I availability for top level elites are not one of them.
I'm also curious what GS agents can do that an AC concierge can't (I'm not disputing anything, I just don't know).
But I know I'd never make GS on UA (I may spend a lot on flying, but I don't spend THAT much), so it doesn't really affect me.
There are many ways UA is better than AC, but X/I availability for top level elites are not one of them.
I'm also curious what GS agents can do that an AC concierge can't (I'm not disputing anything, I just don't know).
But I know I'd never make GS on UA (I may spend a lot on flying, but I don't spend THAT much), so it doesn't really affect me.
AC concierge can do very little but hold your hand now.
PS your employer has upgrades to GS chat with your travel dept.
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
Of course, we know AC has a similar special "uberElite" status that trumps SE, and is similar in many ways to UA's GS and LH's HON. It can't be earned on mileage alone, it's by invitation.
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,305
1K "IKK" is nowhere near as good as SE IKK. And if you think UA has good reward space, try booking SFO-ORD.
There are many ways UA is better than AC, but X/I availability for top level elites are not one of them.
I'm also curious what GS agents can do that an AC concierge can't (I'm not disputing anything, I just don't know).
But I know I'd never make GS on UA (I may spend a lot on flying, but I don't spend THAT much), so it doesn't really affect me.
There are many ways UA is better than AC, but X/I availability for top level elites are not one of them.
I'm also curious what GS agents can do that an AC concierge can't (I'm not disputing anything, I just don't know).
But I know I'd never make GS on UA (I may spend a lot on flying, but I don't spend THAT much), so it doesn't really affect me.
Your employer has GS nominations, all SFO area big companies do.
#59
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
As someone who never flies for work, I'd feel odd about even asking for GS. I considered it at the beginning of this year, but I had some really bad UA flights last year that made it a really easy decision to stick with AC.
#60
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,161
The problem with popularity, or lack of it, in the case of AE, is that there are way too many points holders out there who are NOT FF'ers and they cannot be satisfied in terms of IKK or just getting flights for a decent amount of miles for the most part.
I just booked over 2 flights yesterday and had absolutely no issues with getting the flights I wanted and only had to call in to get a baby added to the PNR which took less than 5 minutes.
I just booked over 2 flights yesterday and had absolutely no issues with getting the flights I wanted and only had to call in to get a baby added to the PNR which took less than 5 minutes.