Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > Air Canada | Aeroplan
Reload this Page >

Important updates to Air Canada Altitude in 2015

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Nov 1, 2014, 10:31 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: mendy7511
Important updates to Air Canada Altitude in 2015 23 October

This afternoon, we will be announcing changes to certain elements of Air Canada Altitude in 2015, as well as new features to the program.

Minimum Air Canada Flight Requirement
The Minimum Air Canada Flight Requirement to reach Altitude status for 2016 is increasing. To qualify for Altitude status in 2016, the following Minimum Air Canada Flight Requirement will need to be met:
Prestige 25K: 12,500 AQM /12 AQS
Elite 35K: 17,500 AQM /17 AQS
Elite 50K: 25,000 AQM /25 AQS
Elite 75K: 37,500 AQM / 37 AQS
Super Elite 100K: 50,000 AQM / 47 AQS
The new MFR will not impact qualification for Altitude 2015.

500 Mile Minimum
For travel as of March 1, 2015, mileage accrual will no longer be rounded up to a 500 Mile minimum. Miles earned will be based on the distance flown and the fare option purchased for flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada rouge and Star Alliance member airlines.

eUpgrades to Business Class
For eUpgrade requests made on or after March 1, 2015, the number of eUpgrade Credits required to upgrade is increasing. The number of eUpgrade Credits you can earn through the Threshold eUpgrades program is also changing. These changes were made following a thorough benchmarking of the upgrades practices of other major international airlines who often limit international upgrades solely to their highest membership tier, and often severely limit the number of upgrades a member may request over the course of a year.

We will also be expanding the high Flex eligibility category to include the U and H booking classes on the Domestic, Transborder and Sun markets, as well as the U booking class on International markets. The inclusion of these booking classes within the higher Flex eligibility category actually decreases the number of credits required to upgrade flights on certain markets when compared to 2014.

For eUpgrade credit requirements as of March 1, 2015, visit: http://www.aircanada.com/en/aeroplan...e/updates.html

eUpgrades to Premium Economy
In early 2015, you will be able to access the comfort of Premium Economy using eUpgrade Credits, when upgrading from an eligible fare. eUpgrade Add-ons will not apply for these upgrades.

eUpgrade Nominees
Beginning March 1, 2015, Altitude Super Elite 100K members will be entitled to share their eUpgrade privileges with one eUpgrade Nominee. Members will maintain their ability to share their eUpgrade privileges with Travel Companions.

Priority Boarding
In early 2015, a new streamlined boarding process will be introduced to ensure that you get even more out of the Priority Boarding privilege.

Complimentary access to International Maple Leaf Lounges and Star Alliance Business Lounges
As lounge occupancy grows, many of our lounges are at capacity levels. And while we continue to invest in many lounge expansion projects, the reality is that in many locations, additional space is simply not available. At the same time, benchmarking shows us that our eligibility polices are still over-indexed as compared to many of our competitors. In particular, access to lounges is not a privilege offered by most international airlines at the 35,000 qualifying miles level. We have therefore modified our policy whereby Elite 35K members will continue to have access to Maple Leaf Lounges located in the domestic and trans-border departure zones, as well as those in Los Angeles and New York (LaGuardia). However access to International Maple Leaf Lounges or Star Alliance Business lounges will no longer be available as a Select Privilege. Instead, an option to purchase a Maple Leaf Club membership will be introduced with a 50% discount.

Priority Rewards
In order to maintain the integrity of the Priority Reward privilege for eligible Altitude members, Priority Rewards will be limited to ten (10) reservations (with up to 9 passengers each) per member per benefit period, beginning March 1, 2015. While a thorough analysis has indicated that this change will not impact the vast majority of members (over 95%), it will allow us to maintain a benefit which we know is widely appreciated.

Flight Rewards for Premium Economy
In early 2015, you will be able to redeem Aeroplan miles for seats in the Premium Economy cabin on Air Canada. Details will be coming soon.

Fuel Surcharge on Flight Rewards & Flight Reward change fee waivers
For reservations made as of March 1, 2015, the fuel surcharges on ClassicFlight rewards for travel within Canada and between Canada and the U.S. will be waived for all Altitude members (ie. 25K and higher) . This is applicable on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada rouge.

At the same time, Aeroplan Flight Reward change fee waivers for Super Elite 100K members will no longer be available for changes made on or after March 1, 2015. However, the fuel surcharges on ClassicFlight Rewards for travel between Canada and international destinations will be waived for Super Elite 100K members on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada rouge.

For a complete list of details regarding these changes, visit http://www.aircanada.com/en/aeroplan...e/updates.html

New REVISED REVISIONS to the Altitude Program (Oct 31 email)

=============
Last week, changes to Air Canada Altitude for 2015 were announced. As always, weve been listening to your feedback and will be adjusting certain elements of the program accordingly.

Threshold eUpgrades
The amount of eUpgrade Credits offered through the Threshold eUpgrade program will increase. As of 100,000 Altitude Qualifying Miles or 100 Altitude Qualifying Segments, 20 eUpgrade Credits will be awarded for every 40,000 AQM or 40 AQS flown.

eUpgrade Validity Date
eUpgrade Credits earned on or after November 7, 2014 will be valid until February 29, 2016.
Additionally, eUpgrade Credits earned on or after November 1, 2015 will be valid until February 28, 2017.

Mile Minimum
For travel from March 1, 2015 onwards, all Altitude members will earn a minimum of 250 miles on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada rouge as well as Star Alliance member airlines.

Minimum Air Canada Flight Requirement
For non-Canadian residents, the Minimum Air Canada Flight Requirement needed to reach Altitude status in 2016 will be 50% lower than the recently published Minimum Air Canada Flight Requirement.
These changes are representative of Air Canadas focus on recognizing our most valued and important members. We remain committed to offering you one of the best frequent flyer programs in the industry.

Air Canada
Print Wikipost

Important updates to Air Canada Altitude in 2015

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 5, 2014, 4:04 pm
  #3166  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: YWG
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,483
Originally Posted by ridefar
Which means that they should be incentivizing Flex tickets and FP with the program. But seemingly this principle is lost on them...
This. FP are the golden geese that keep laying prepaid eggs; yet AC keeps messing with the model.
canolakid is offline  
Old Nov 5, 2014, 4:13 pm
  #3167  
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,022
As I observed earlier in this thread, it will be interesting to see how they price upgrade to PY international. The elephant in the room is the high price for Flex which leaves them very little flexibility. Maybe they will allow SE to upgrade to PY on any fare including Tango. Other tiers may upgrade without eUps on low Flex. Who wants to upgrade to PY with U/M when you can get the seat for the cheaper N/E. In the end, International PY could be available as preferred seat as it has become on Domestic.
Lllahim is offline  
Old Nov 5, 2014, 7:30 pm
  #3168  
Original Member
 
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 6,222
Another day, another ad:

KenHamer is offline  
Old Nov 5, 2014, 7:59 pm
  #3169  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,717
As I said up thread watch this all be for not; all the peeved SE's will be sitting in Y and the J seat will either go empty; or worst yet greed management will oversell Y and the SE will be in J not having used his upgrade instrument...

I think AC needs to get a panel of loyal frequent flyers on-board and discuss changes in an open forum before coming out with this garbage and insulting us... at least get some insight and constructive arguments going on because it seems to me that these short sighted geniuses don't seem to see the big picture...

my 0.02
hearna is offline  
Old Nov 5, 2014, 8:02 pm
  #3170  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: ACAltitude 50K, Delta Gold
Posts: 19
AC Ad

Wow - are all of those benefits available to everyone travelling with AC? I bet not.

The ad seems a little misleading without some serious footnotes.
TheButler is offline  
Old Nov 5, 2014, 8:04 pm
  #3171  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Ottawa
Programs: AC, SPG, HH +others
Posts: 389
Originally Posted by hearna
I think AC needs to get a panel of loyal frequent flyers on-board and discuss changes in an open forum before coming out with this garbage and insulting us... at least get some insight and constructive arguments going on because it seems to me that these short sighted geniuses don't seem to see the big picture...
^^
YOWie is offline  
Old Nov 5, 2014, 8:54 pm
  #3172  
alc
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,519
Originally Posted by TheButler
Wow - are all of those benefits available to everyone travelling with AC? I bet not.

The ad seems a little misleading without some serious footnotes.
Why this ad is misleading again. I think most are accurate. Do you think AC lawyers will let this go out if it is misleading?

Here is my quick look at it:

Lounges
- anyone access it. You might have to pay, but if you are not *G, you will need to have an AC boarding Pass. If you are flying WestJet, you can't pay to get it. This is not a debate if MLL is better than the AMEX lounge. It is just stating this is a true statement.

Fully Flat Seats in Int'l J
- that is true, isn't it?

Best Network
- well, AC is the largest in Canada, that is true too

8 Cdn Hubs
- we do have 8 Hubs (YVR, YYC, YEG, YYZ, YOW, YUL, YHZ, YYT) I think I got the list correct, right?

Power Outlets
- I guess this is the one that need some footnotes. i.e. rouge doesn't have power outlet I think. Q400 doesn't have it (and all the old Dash)

Priority Airport Services
- Is this the "On My Way" service?

AC Altitude
- no need to comment

IFE
- this is the same as Power Outlets, need some footnotes

Aeroplan
- no need to comment

Star Alliance
- this is true, if you meet the status, you are at least Star Silver

AC Concierge
- Maybe should mentioned that only for International Business Class (and SE)
I think we all need to be fair with AC, can't just complain every little thing they do.

Brand recognizing is part of Marketing, isn't it?
alc is offline  
Old Nov 5, 2014, 9:13 pm
  #3173  
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,704
Originally Posted by alc
Why this ad is misleading again. I think most are accurate. Do you think AC lawyers will let this go out if it is misleading?

Here is my quick look at it:



I think we all need to be fair with AC, can't just complain every little thing they do.

Brand recognizing is part of Marketing, isn't it?
Great analysis. If I'm honest, this latest ad is far more effective than the one they ran to counter WS. Looking at the polish on this one, it's clear that they rushed the first one.
ffsim is offline  
Old Nov 5, 2014, 9:17 pm
  #3174  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
Originally Posted by ffsim
Great analysis. If I'm honest, this latest ad is far more effective than the one they ran to counter WS. Looking at the polish on this one, it's clear that they rushed the first one.
Does anyone have the WS ad? Gosh darn it I should be asleep by now but I can't sleep. I'd like to see how polished the WS ad was considering I don't read physical newspapers anymore...
superangrypenguin is offline  
Old Nov 5, 2014, 9:23 pm
  #3175  
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,704
Originally Posted by superangrypenguin
Does anyone have the WS ad? Gosh darn it I should be asleep by now but I can't sleep. I'd like to see how polished the WS ad was considering I don't read physical newspapers anymore...
I haven't seen the WS ad -- only the 2 from AC that were posted in this thread. No clue if the WS one was polished or not, but it really didn't need to be considering it came first. It could've said "we be the best" and still be effective.
ffsim is offline  
Old Nov 5, 2014, 9:51 pm
  #3176  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: Air Canada Aeroplan
Posts: 1,748
Originally Posted by superangrypenguin
Does anyone have the WS ad? Gosh darn it I should be asleep by now but I can't sleep. I'd like to see how polished the WS ad was considering I don't read physical newspapers anymore...
This is posted as a pdf on the WestJet site, separately from the status match page. Not sure if it was the ad or not.
http://www.westjet.com/assets/travel...tsheet-ENG.pdf
Mauricio23 is offline  
Old Nov 5, 2014, 11:58 pm
  #3177  
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Calgary
Programs: Altitude E50K, WS Gold (status match)
Posts: 1,211
Originally Posted by Mauricio23
This is posted as a pdf on the WestJet site, separately from the status match page. Not sure if it was the ad or not.
http://www.westjet.com/assets/travel...tsheet-ENG.pdf
That wasn't quite the ad. The one in the G&M was more provocative, so to speak.
capebretonboy is offline  
Old Nov 6, 2014, 12:35 am
  #3178  
Original Member
 
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 6,222
Vancouver Sun, Oct 31, 2014, page A7:





Vancouver Sun, Oct 31, 2014, page A9:
KenHamer is offline  
Old Nov 6, 2014, 12:36 am
  #3179  
Original Member
 
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 6,222
Originally Posted by TheButler
Wow - are all of those benefits available to everyone travelling with AC? I bet not.

The ad seems a little misleading without some serious footnotes.
My thoughts exactly.
KenHamer is offline  
Old Nov 6, 2014, 12:48 am
  #3180  
Original Member
 
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 6,222
Originally Posted by alc
Why this ad is misleading again. I think most are accurate. Do you think AC lawyers will let this go out if it is misleading?

Here is my quick look at it:



I think we all need to be fair with AC, can't just complain every little thing they do.

Brand recognizing is part of Marketing, isn't it?

It's called puffery, which is essentially a "legal" form of exaggeration.

BTW, you know that on your second flight on WestJet you will receive a brand new Ferrari, right?


"You might have to pay." In fact, you will have to pay. But once you pony up the $288,000 you will indeed receive your brand new Ferrari 458 Spider.
KenHamer is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.