Alternative *A FF program for Tango?
 

I just found out that my travel next year may have to be on tango fares only, meaning a big drop in my mileage accumulation on my short domestic flights. I usually do 40-60 segments a year within Canada, mostly YEG-YYC/YQR/YVR, with some YYZ and YUL in there too. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on alternative *A programs that may give me more miles/better perks from tango fares than AC moving forward?

Please let me know if you have any suggestions!

Afaik there's no better FFP for domestic Tango fares. You actually earn zero miles for domestic AC Tango fares when crediting to most *A FFPs.

For int'l AC Tango fares, UA is a good alternative, at least for the time being, but that's about it afaik.

I am at the same situation last year when I discover my company will start (and it did this year) booking us Tango everywhere. I travel mainly domestic, only a few trans-border to the US. Int'l are all personal and reward booking.

I status match (not challenge) to UA*G via my company arrangement thinking jump ship to MP. But then later discover that while you do get some discounted status miles, but it doesn't count as status segments.. while AC does count both AQM/AQS. That is why I stick with AC, as I do not have much choose, unfortunately.

TBH your perks shouldn't change if you just fly those routes anyway. You'll obviously notice a 4x drop in the number of accumulated aeroplan miles, but it looks like your qualification is based upon segments anyway and that won't change.

The only thing you're going to really lose out on are the upgrades. But somewhere among those 40-60 flights tango probably won't be available, so you should still be able to use them.

Since it is AC that determines how many miles it will buy in other programs, it is AC that has decreed that Tango flights now get partial mileage in those programs too. No refuge from the new consistency. However, as noted, since you're earning status through segments, you're pretty much protected and would only notice the lower RDMs, elite qualifying miles don't matter for you.

I have two suggestions - others with more knowledge of AC and AE rules can confirm if they will work. Could you buy a flight pass? If you are travelling those routes consistently that may make sense and you may save money - and they book into Flex so 100% mileage. Secondly, if you wait long enough to book, all the Tango fares disappear and you will have to book Flex, but the cost per ticket will be higher.

I was on FP a couple years ago. But for last and this year, the price is a lot higher in compare to Tango, which make sense as FP book in Flex as you mentioned. I think for those of us that company book you in Tango, the pricing on FP doesn't work most of the time.

In regarding to wait and book, my company do ask us to book 14 days in adv when it is possible. But even if I could wait, that only prompt Westjet be cheaper most of the time.

My company TA always books the cheapest fare.
So far this year, I flew 45 segments in Flex and 1 in Tango.
I usually book 2-3 weeks in advance (sometime less).
Mainly travel between YUL and YYZ and YYZ and YQT.

You may be lucky...

Flying WestJet should be seen as a viable third option tbh. If for no other reason than to say to AC.. I fly 50 segments a year with you, and I don't have enough aeroplan points for 1 reward flight. I'll take my business elsewhere.

Not saying you should do that, but it's something to consider. Possibly even going with AAvantage program if you can fly 4 segments a year with them. 100% miles on all WS flights and access to the Oneworld alliance for rewards.

I'm spending a lot of time on tango fares this year (not a strict work rule but cheaper is usually preferred if possible) and even though they only earn 25% on A3 I find I don't mind it nearly as much if I'm not worried about requalifying for next year.

Am I the online who is confused by OP's question?

If the majority of flights are YEG-YYC/YQR/YVR, none of these are over 500 miles. Even with some YYZ/YUL thrown in, I doubt the average flight is anywhere near 1000 miles. Wouldn't OP qualify using segments regardless of Flex or Tango with this type of flying?

OP would still qualify for status, but would lose out on miles, upgrade potential, and advance seat selection.

But that still would not change if OP went to another FF programme neither, right?

What is your primary concern? Mileage for redemption, or status benefits? Do you normally qualify via segments or miles?

40-60 segments/year means you'll likely qualify for E50 (and E35 at a minimum). My advice is not to worry about the Tango thing. For YEG-YYC/YQR you'll be on CRJ/DH3/DH4; it's not like you'll have a chance to upgrade anyways. For all other trips with ML service seat selection is not nearly as big a deal any more since most "priority" seats got switched to "preferred" and non-SE's can no longer access them for free (unless that changes soon).

My experience with lowest logical fare is that about 50% of the time Flex is the lowest fare anyways. If you can get 2 of your YYZ/YUL RT's in Flex you'll likely use up your annual allotment of eUpgrades anyways (or save them for personal trips).

There are 2 main downsides to the Tango fares; lack of advance seat selection and 25% miles.

• Lack of advance seat selection is overcome at T-24 via OLCI so IMHO isn't a big deal.
• Regarding points, there are so many ways to get AE points that these can be made up other ways (FWIW I stopped collecting AE miles through all non-flight related earning mechanisms as I'm sitting on a huge number of miles I'm trying to burn through, I only collect miles for Altitude accumulation, so my view of AE miles may be somewhat skewed). Assuming 50 segments at the 500 mile minimum you'd earn 25,000 miles on Flex vs. 6,250 on Tango (and a fair number of your flights will likely be in Flex anyways). Assuming you hit E50 and selected the tier bonus you'd also earn an additional 12,500 miles on Flex (or 3,125 on Tango). Total Flex miles would be 37,500 vs 9,375 miles - there are often CC sign-up bonuses that can more than offset this difference. If you know you'll primarily be on Tango fares, my advice would be to choose a different select benefit than the tier bonus.

There are also other options available to you. If you want to get an AMEX Plat card you can give up on AC and fly WS. The CC will get you lounge access in all airports (except YQR, which isn't much of a lounge), and you can collect in WS' program (although my preference would be AE's continually enhanced program over WS').