Nov 1, 2014, 10:31 am
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
Oct 23, 2014, 7:17 pm
#331
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: YUL
Posts: 2,115
Oct 23, 2014, 7:24 pm
#332
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Canada
Programs: *G
Posts: 2,304
The only positive I see in all this is that they have finally ceased to try to portray the annual downgrades as enhancements - it's a pretty matter of fact list of how things are being taken away, and the pace of doing that seems to be increasing.
Oct 23, 2014, 7:25 pm
#333
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 6,222
Good riddance, you were probably one of those devaluing the product anyway. It is good to see them culling the herd, so to speak. There are too many people out there spending there money with other airlines and posting miles to AE. The sooner AC identifies the true loyal customers, maybe the program will get better again. I honestly beleive the customer base has done more harm to the product than AC.
Oct 23, 2014, 7:27 pm
#335
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ideally YOW, but probably not
Programs: AC SE*MM
Posts: 1,843
I got upset when they devalued the program last year; this year I just stopped caring.
For 5 years I flew about 70-90k miles a year on AC as much as I could; but now I've flown less and given AC less money over the last two years and now that will just continue. And I'll continue to fly other airlines when it makes sense, because really unless you are an SE then the AC FF program is next to useless.
If I lose more status next year I can get a few minor benefits with a credit card if I really feel the need, and I can pay a little bit of money for a bulkhead seat or PE if I feel the need. I'm much happier doing that and I just funnel my travel spend wherever seems the most convenient since AC clearly don't care about my business and haven't for some time.
Oct 23, 2014, 7:28 pm
#336
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,187
There is a handful of SEs cheering what they are calling a cull. Why do they want a cull? Are there privileges they are missing because of the present herd? Most of them say that they have 100% upgrade success record. They are front of the pack in all allowed benefits. What drives them to support what is the most drastic reduction in FF benefits? Just bugles the mind.
Oct 23, 2014, 7:29 pm
#337
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 257
Enjoyed my P25 this year.
Peanuts to most of you but it was fun to get the little perks.
I pay for all my own travel (and book for husband and 4 kids) - and have hit 35 k this year and that looked to be a bit more fun.
However, it would appear that many of the things that amused me have been withdrawn
Will not be worth favoring AC next year. Will go back to my old pattern of choosing based on price, route and service
AC will lose about 80000 miles.
Peanuts to most of you but it was fun to get the little perks.
I pay for all my own travel (and book for husband and 4 kids) - and have hit 35 k this year and that looked to be a bit more fun.
However, it would appear that many of the things that amused me have been withdrawn
Will not be worth favoring AC next year. Will go back to my old pattern of choosing based on price, route and service
AC will lose about 80000 miles.
Oct 23, 2014, 7:37 pm
#338
Flying Blue Director
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,864
Is this waiver valid for only AC flights, or all Star Alliance Flights?
So let me give an example.
Let us say that I as a SE take a business class award from YYZ to FRA return.
In the new system I will not be paying for YQ on IKK on AC fligths?
Questions:
Will I be paying or not paying YQ if I take LH flights between YYZ and FRA?
Will I be paying or not paying YQ if I take AC non IKK flights? In your response above, you specifically state YQ is waived for SEs taking IKK awards?
So let me give an example.
Let us say that I as a SE take a business class award from YYZ to FRA return.
In the new system I will not be paying for YQ on IKK on AC fligths?
Questions:
Will I be paying or not paying YQ if I take LH flights between YYZ and FRA?
Will I be paying or not paying YQ if I take AC non IKK flights? In your response above, you specifically state YQ is waived for SEs taking IKK awards?
Oct 23, 2014, 7:39 pm
#339
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: AC SE, SPG Lifetime Plat, ACMM
Posts: 3,535
I am disappointed at some selfish attitudes expressed by some people posting here. Whether I requalify for S100K next year(very likely) has nothing to do with the fact that AC has been relentless in its move to decimate the FFer program. ( In case some are wondering, my travel is on my dime) and that is what we should protest. Flying 192 miles for 350 dollars because there is no competition does NOT reward the people who pay more to AC. AC is basically saying pay us more than you pay our competition and we will give you less benefits and make you really happy. Just some of my 2c thoughts.
Oct 23, 2014, 7:43 pm
#340
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
Now I am scared!! I do not see AC wanting to do anything positive for FFers so this must be really positive for AC and worse for the customers!!
I am disappointed at some selfish attitudes expressed by some people posting here. Whether I requalify for S100K next year(very likely) has nothing to do with the fact that AC has been relentless in its move to decimate the FFer program. ( In case some are wondering, my travel is on my dime) and that is what we should protest. Flying 192 miles for 350 dollars because there is no competition does NOT reward the people who pay more to AC. AC is basically saying pay us more than you pay our competition and we will give you less benefits and make you really happy. Just some of my 2c thoughts.
I am disappointed at some selfish attitudes expressed by some people posting here. Whether I requalify for S100K next year(very likely) has nothing to do with the fact that AC has been relentless in its move to decimate the FFer program. ( In case some are wondering, my travel is on my dime) and that is what we should protest. Flying 192 miles for 350 dollars because there is no competition does NOT reward the people who pay more to AC. AC is basically saying pay us more than you pay our competition and we will give you less benefits and make you really happy. Just some of my 2c thoughts.
It's a bit interesting. Our team had dinner tonight and we commiserated. I sort of had an existential moment where I was a bit...taken back by how much a FF program impacts our heavy travel team!
Now having said that, i've never seen Ben post any bulls*it so I hope it all pans out that there are things coming that are good.
Oct 23, 2014, 7:44 pm
#341
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,022
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lllahim
Please supply verifiable quantitative proof for this.
That sample of 1 is your quantifiable evidence for your sweeping assertion. BTW, how do the changes announced stop the segment run you cited?
Originally Posted by Lllahim
Please supply verifiable quantitative proof for this.
That sample of 1 is your quantifiable evidence for your sweeping assertion. BTW, how do the changes announced stop the segment run you cited?
Oct 23, 2014, 7:47 pm
#342
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
Many SE's do it. we call them bottom feeder SE's. Wouldn't stop the segment run, but it would stop the mileage run as 500 AQM's is now no longer the min
Oct 23, 2014, 7:47 pm
#343
Formerly known as jsfrSuperElite
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Hong Kong, Montreal
Programs: Air Canada SE100K-1MM, Hilton Honors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 590
Now I am scared!! I do not see AC wanting to do anything positive for FFers so this must be really positive for AC and worse for the customers!!
I am disappointed at some selfish attitudes expressed by some people posting here. Whether I requalify for S100K next year(very likely) has nothing to do with the fact that AC has been relentless in its move to decimate the FFer program. ( In case some are wondering, my travel is on my dime) and that is what we should protest. Flying 192 miles for 350 dollars because there is no competition does NOT reward the people who pay more to AC. AC is basically saying pay us more than you pay our competition and we will give you less benefits and make you really happy. Just some of my 2c thoughts.
I am disappointed at some selfish attitudes expressed by some people posting here. Whether I requalify for S100K next year(very likely) has nothing to do with the fact that AC has been relentless in its move to decimate the FFer program. ( In case some are wondering, my travel is on my dime) and that is what we should protest. Flying 192 miles for 350 dollars because there is no competition does NOT reward the people who pay more to AC. AC is basically saying pay us more than you pay our competition and we will give you less benefits and make you really happy. Just some of my 2c thoughts.
In light of all of this, one really has to wonder what little will be left with the Altitude program for 2016...
Oct 23, 2014, 7:50 pm
#344
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Toronto, and everywhere else..
Programs: AC E50
Posts: 274
I'm not here to debate, nor am I here to disparage CX, but I will just mention they were one of the programs we benchmarked and from what I can tell they aren't exactly forthcoming with upgrades either. This years program puts us fare more in line with the likes of CX than, say, UA.
Oct 23, 2014, 7:58 pm
#345
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: YTS
Programs: *A SE100K
Posts: 32
I could be wrong, but after flying an average of 90 domestic segments per year with another 10 to 16 international segments, Air Canada is basically telling me that my loyalty isn't worth more than a few token upgrades, if I'm lucky enough to win aero-lotto, and also not get 'Rouged'.
Luckily for me, competition exists on all of my routes. I can't speak with any authority about Air Canada's business model, but I can't help but think that they do not see things from a demand stimulation standpoint. They'd rather give away my business to their competition. They seem focused on dipping into the deepest end of the expense account trough. Am I really that invaluable as a customer? Sheesh.
Luckily for me, competition exists on all of my routes. I can't speak with any authority about Air Canada's business model, but I can't help but think that they do not see things from a demand stimulation standpoint. They'd rather give away my business to their competition. They seem focused on dipping into the deepest end of the expense account trough. Am I really that invaluable as a customer? Sheesh.