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
Dec 13, 2014, 12:56 am
#3616
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,153
You are the poster child of why this is correct - you either have a poor understanding of the English language or more likely undetrstand perfectly well that you are twisting their words to suit your chosen drama.
The original wording was very clear as Ensco describe above. No need for clarification or retraction.
Sorry if you can't handle the truth and it causes you great offence. You might not like them pointing it out, but how is that "berating"?
The original wording was very clear as Ensco describe above. No need for clarification or retraction.
Sorry if you can't handle the truth and it causes you great offence. You might not like them pointing it out, but how is that "berating"?
Dec 13, 2014, 5:14 am
#3617
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,656
TG sells upgrades from any Y fare to J and F on every flight to and from Japan that I have taken (and it is more than a handful).....at the check-in counter, online check-in etc. They have been doing it for decades. Last time in June from HND-BKK was 28,000 JPY !
Dec 13, 2014, 7:20 am
#3618
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,153
The point is that AC isn't going to necessarily increase revenue by not allowing us vulgar top tiers to cheapen their product.
Dec 13, 2014, 7:36 am
#3619
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: YXU, ON Canada
Programs: AC LT E50K; AC*MM; SPG LT Gold
Posts: 4,665
Redemptions / Upgrades are relatively easy but accumulations are tough. Point expiry is 3 years and accumulations are tough to pin down as they offer "Flex" bookings at a higher price with little benefit other than a few more points. It's tough to accumulate many points on "Saver" fares. I believe that's how they effectively make their program a revenue model. To be honest, I lost interest in the EK FFP quickly and just fly them for their routes and level of service.
Dec 13, 2014, 7:43 am
#3620
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,656
Not at the GATE !!! At Check-In !!
Dec 13, 2014, 8:12 am
#3622
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,625
Two of your definitions fit rather well...
This one is pretty self-evident. If eUpgrades (even with a co-pay) allow you to access J for the price of Y (plus possible co-pay), you've made ther price cheaper.
This is the subtler but far more important one. AC is trying to build an upscale brand around their J product (whether it is today and whether they will succeed or not is a matter of other threads).
If you make the product available inexpensively through upgrades (or redemptions), you decrease the likelihood that people will actually pay the price you ask - that is lowering the brand in the customer's esteem.
One of the secrets of upscale brands is creating an aura of exclusivity around them. You want them to be aspirational products. That is why you rarely see "sales" on Hermes or Gucci. That is why Fiat has never run a "buy five Fiat 500's get a free Ferrari" promotion.
Fair enough.
This is the subtler but far more important one. AC is trying to build an upscale brand around their J product (whether it is today and whether they will succeed or not is a matter of other threads).
If you make the product available inexpensively through upgrades (or redemptions), you decrease the likelihood that people will actually pay the price you ask - that is lowering the brand in the customer's esteem.
One of the secrets of upscale brands is creating an aura of exclusivity around them. You want them to be aspirational products. That is why you rarely see "sales" on Hermes or Gucci. That is why Fiat has never run a "buy five Fiat 500's get a free Ferrari" promotion.
Fair enough.
Dec 13, 2014, 12:25 pm
#3624
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: YXT
Programs: AC*E50, SPG Plat,
Posts: 575
The other perspective is that eupgrades enhance AC's Y product with all the flyers who willfully pay a premium to play aerolotto. AC's decisions just indicate that they don't think the upgrade lotto enhances Y as much as frequent flyers think.
Dec 13, 2014, 2:31 pm
#3625
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,625
Dec 13, 2014, 2:37 pm
#3626
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,022
I side with those who interpret cheapen as “to lower in esteem” because I believe that was what AC wanted to say and said it. It is consistent with “we are not a charity”. There is no need for AC to retract/apologize for being very clear on their aspiration. They want to reserve their premium cabin for top corporate executives such as bank presidents and vice presidents, top government officials like Ministers, deputy ministers and person of equivalent standing. Their ideal client is more the moneyed TLV pax. SQ, one of airlines AC wants to emulate, caters for the rich because Singapore has the most billionaires/Millionaires per capita in the world. When AC looks at the profile of its FF, they are probably not as impressed with their wealth and social standing. Sales people, consultants, repair men, IT vendors……are not exactly society elites in their book. They probably see them as ordinary people who just happen to travel a lot. I think it was Conrad Black who said something about making AC’s J cabins more exclusive. That is what they are doing. Good luck to them.
Dec 13, 2014, 2:38 pm
#3627
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,625
They would have plenty of data to show people picking Flex fares who do not try to upgrade. My guess is that people try to upgrade Flex bookings less than 50% of the time.
The point they may be missing is that many people will book a Flex ticket to earn the AQM to upgrade a future flight. With fewer added eUpgrades on offer and the cost in eUpgrades much higher, they may be miscalculating whether people will continue to chase miles after achieving their target Altitude status.
Dec 13, 2014, 2:40 pm
#3628
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 side with those who interpret cheapen as “to lower in esteem” because I believe that was what AC wanted to say and said it. It is consistent with “we are not a charity”. There is no need for AC to retract/apologize for being very clear on their aspiration. They want to reserve their premium cabin for top corporate executives such as bank presidents and vice presidents, top government officials like Ministers, deputy ministers and person of equivalent standing. Their ideal client is more the moneyed TLV pax. SQ, one of airlines AC wants to emulate, caters for the rich because Singapore has the most billionaires/Millionaires per capita in the world. When AC looks at the profile of its FF, they are probably not as impressed with their wealth and social standing. Sales people, consultants, repair men, IT vendors……are not exactly society elites in their book. They probably see them as ordinary people who just happen to travel a lot. I think it was Conrad Black who said something about making AC’s J cabins more exclusive. That is what they are doing. Good luck to them.
