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, we’ve 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 Canada’s 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
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, we’ve 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 Canada’s 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
Important updates to Air Canada Altitude in 2015
#3406
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
It's easy to give free complimentary upgrades to really big spenders, but when you give the same thing (or close to the same thing) to customers who spend only small fraction of what the real HVCs are spending, one can only understand the cuts/tightening of the program.
Perhaps therefore the comments from OPs who would prefer AC have a $spend attached to keeping or achieving higher status
#3407
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
So like someone that would fly all tango vs someone that would fly all J. They could both have the same $spend at the end of the year, but one gave the company 50% gross margin, whereas the other one only gave 10-20%.
#3408
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,958
I very much agree with this post.
As much as we can blame airlines for cutting on FFP programs, we shouldn't forget what making these programs a mainstream marketing tool has done.
Instead of having a FFP that rewards top high value customers, it is now a tool that FFs use to extract maximum value for their air travel per dollar spent.
As much as we can blame airlines for cutting on FFP programs, we shouldn't forget what making these programs a mainstream marketing tool has done.
Instead of having a FFP that rewards top high value customers, it is now a tool that FFs use to extract maximum value for their air travel per dollar spent.
#3409
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC: Ac*A, , Nexus: Expired
Posts: 1,489
Anyone know if we will get to select privledges in December again this year like we did last year? I have a EURO trip in Late Jan / Early Feb and would love my load of e-up credits....
#3410
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE,MM
Posts: 363
*cough cough*
I think you would be surprised what level of IT competency many of us have. This board has SE members from majour IT companies, there are people here from Google, Apple, EMC, I myself took care of Geek Squad Canada for 10 years (including directly taking care of all technical training, and in addition to having a BS in Comp Sci, I have over 3 dozen industry certifications and am also a certified instructor for the ISF).
The level of competency of IT on this board is surprisingly high actually. I posted some mock-up code as a quick joke once and had corrections and improvements from over 5 people in less than 10 minutes.
I would suggest to maybe not underestimate the audience of people on here.
I think you would be surprised what level of IT competency many of us have. This board has SE members from majour IT companies, there are people here from Google, Apple, EMC, I myself took care of Geek Squad Canada for 10 years (including directly taking care of all technical training, and in addition to having a BS in Comp Sci, I have over 3 dozen industry certifications and am also a certified instructor for the ISF).
The level of competency of IT on this board is surprisingly high actually. I posted some mock-up code as a quick joke once and had corrections and improvements from over 5 people in less than 10 minutes.
I would suggest to maybe not underestimate the audience of people on here.
But posters here are unrepresentative, and don't reflect AC's SE base as a whole, and in general tend to generalize (in volume anyway) the impact things have on them as being the same thing as the impact things have on everyone (a failing of the interweb in general, I should add)
#3411
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE,MM
Posts: 363
#3413
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
*cough cough*
I think you would be surprised what level of IT competency many of us have. This board has SE members from majour IT companies, there are people here from Google, Apple, EMC, I myself took care of Geek Squad Canada for 10 years (including directly taking care of all technical training, and in addition to having a BS in Comp Sci, I have over 3 dozen industry certifications and am also a certified instructor for the ISF).
The level of competency of IT on this board is surprisingly high actually. I posted some mock-up code as a quick joke once and had corrections and improvements from over 5 people in less than 10 minutes.
I would suggest to maybe not underestimate the audience of people on here.
I think you would be surprised what level of IT competency many of us have. This board has SE members from majour IT companies, there are people here from Google, Apple, EMC, I myself took care of Geek Squad Canada for 10 years (including directly taking care of all technical training, and in addition to having a BS in Comp Sci, I have over 3 dozen industry certifications and am also a certified instructor for the ISF).
The level of competency of IT on this board is surprisingly high actually. I posted some mock-up code as a quick joke once and had corrections and improvements from over 5 people in less than 10 minutes.
I would suggest to maybe not underestimate the audience of people on here.
#3414
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,305
I dunno. I've met plenty of SEs/1Ks, etc that havent really travelled anywhere.
Sure, they've flown a lot to client sites, work presentations, trade shows, etc - but havent really actually been anywhere outside of the hotel/office/meeting space. Particularly true around the 20s/30s range work flyers.
Sure, they've flown a lot to client sites, work presentations, trade shows, etc - but havent really actually been anywhere outside of the hotel/office/meeting space. Particularly true around the 20s/30s range work flyers.
#3415
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YYJ - Victoria
Programs: E50K
Posts: 453
I dunno. I've met plenty of SEs/1Ks, etc that havent really travelled anywhere.
Sure, they've flown a lot to client sites, work presentations, trade shows, etc - but havent really actually been anywhere outside of the hotel/office/meeting space. Particularly true around the 20s/30s range work flyers.
Sure, they've flown a lot to client sites, work presentations, trade shows, etc - but havent really actually been anywhere outside of the hotel/office/meeting space. Particularly true around the 20s/30s range work flyers.
A few years ago in YVR I boarded a plane to Prince George. I was the second person on. The first person was in the wrong seat and was holding his laptop bag in his lap. As I encouraged him out of my seat, I helped put his bag up top. That's when I noticed the SE tag. We chatted; it turned out he made SE each year on trips between his home in Prince George and YVR. (He had Canucks season tickets; I thought of telling him that the games were on TV.)
Yes, he was SE. No, he had never really travelled, and was not even dimly aware of how to do it.
#3416
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
I dunno. I've met plenty of SEs/1Ks, etc that havent really travelled anywhere.
Sure, they've flown a lot to client sites, work presentations, trade shows, etc - but havent really actually been anywhere outside of the hotel/office/meeting space. Particularly true around the 20s/30s range work flyers.
Sure, they've flown a lot to client sites, work presentations, trade shows, etc - but havent really actually been anywhere outside of the hotel/office/meeting space. Particularly true around the 20s/30s range work flyers.
#3417
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,655
They would have a big target on guys like you...
I don't like the changes, the 10 IKK cap is a huge issue for me (I have a big family) but the product is still way better for me in the Rapidair triangle (in terms of scheduling, frequency, lounges, IFE, and ability to get IKK to places I want to go) and I know it and they know it. Nobody in my relationship with AC is clueless.
If you are achieving SE on Rapidair pass, you are only earning 120,000 aeroplan miles from them (plus presumably a bit extra from your other travel you might buy on AC). That's not enough aeroplan miles to put a dent into 10 IKK's a year, which means you are almost certainly earning most of your miles off of a credit card.
So AC gets $25,000 from you for your passes and a pittance from Aeroplan for your redemptions and you merrily fly yourself and your family all over the place (likely in J).
Pretty sweet deal for you - in your case the changes are probably an improvement.
#3418
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,305
A traveller would beg to differ. Lots to see and do in Canada.
But thanks for proving the point. I know plenty of SEs who havent been to Asia or Europe, ever.
Or have 2 weeks vacation a year, and prefer not to fly during that time.
#3419
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
Calgary - well...great food, great asian food (which is a plus for me) and I have friends there.
Edmonton - ok, maybe the 100 restaurant and maybe the tilted kilt
Regina - uhh, the RCMP museum?
Saskatoon - let's not go there.
Winnipeg - just give up.
St. John's - Signal point
Fredericton - why, just why?
Montreal - let's leave this G rated
Quebec City - currently here. The lack of English everywhere is getting on my nerves. I have a dairy allergy - this takes out 99% of where I can eat.
What have I missed? I'm not a museum guy, and I don't like physical activity. So...
#3420
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,655
It's easy to give free complimentary upgrades to really big spenders, but when you give the same thing (or close to the same thing) to customers who spend only small fraction of what the real HVCs are spending, one can only understand the cuts/tightening of the program.
Almost no incentive to earn beyond the minimum required for SE.