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Important updates to Air Canada Altitude in 2015

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Old Nov 1, 2014, 10:31 am
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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
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Important updates to Air Canada Altitude in 2015

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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:29 pm
  #691  
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PS. I don't think i've hit refresh on a browser this many times ever in my life until the last two days. I suspect the same for many of you!
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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:29 pm
  #692  
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Originally Posted by ridefar
Again, appreciate the honesty.

So if you can answer, here is another question (3 of them, actually). First, my assumption is you are not going to sell any more J or Latitude in Canada than you are now with this change. Unless there is a major pricing change, it is just a bridge too far for any corporation that isnt paying for it now. So--why gut eUps? The seats aren't going to be sold anyway. Why not let your most loyal customers have them? Why was this necessary?

Note that if you offered my a Flex FP for $1000 more than kept the old eUp system I would buy it. Or a Lat FP for $2000 less. But to buy a Lat FP at double the price of Flex (when I already stretch travel policy to buy Flex) is just not doable. And I suspect my travel spend and policy resembles the large majority of domestic SE flyers.
To answer your first question, I'm not so sure about that. Pure speculation on my part, but consider corporate travellers; like some have posted, you may be looking for a new job. If the company has a 'lowest fare policy' that no longer works for a majority of it's travellers, who's to say the company may instead choose to amend it's policy rather than lose top talent? Again, this is just a hypothetical, but I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this. If someone who previously paid Y and got J now sees it's harder to do so, and they have the means, maybe now they'll spring for J. If not, we don't have our heads in the sand, and if we see a negative revenue implication we can always make changes.

As for Flight Passes, we have some flexibility and do tend to come out with products that we think may suit the market. If this becomes an option, we may consider it. Unfortunately I don't think I can say more than that at the moment.
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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:30 pm
  #693  
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Everyone!

Eureka!

I get it!

We are like Toronto Maple Leafs fans paying to watch futile games at ACC... over and over and over and over again... year over year... and come back for more futility!

All clear to me now!
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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:30 pm
  #694  
 
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Originally Posted by superangrypenguin
+1. Heck don't even let us upgrade until the gate. Sell every possible seat. Then try to upgrade us in order. AC wins. We win more than what we have now...
Yep.

Sigh.

I have several ideas on how to mitigate this pain at no cost to AC, and have expressed a few here. This is another. Monetizing eUps. Making the "old" eUp program a select privledge you could choose instead of matching miles. Offering a way to pay for the cost difference of a Lat FP so individuals could upgrade a company purchased Flex FP. Letting us pay for eUps with miles. And so forth. All of which could be combined with your suggestion to ensure that those loyalty rewards truly cost AC nothing.

I just don't get the logic.
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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:31 pm
  #695  
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Originally Posted by jsfrSuperElite
Ben,

How would you know this? Are you a Marco Polo Gold member, do you regularly fly with Cathay Pacific, like I do??

I find your comment to be disingenuous to say the least.
I'm sorry you feel that way, I didn't mean to come across as such. I was just looking here: http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_C...-benefits.html

And comparing them to our program. Maybe it's my own personal opinion, but I don't see them as overly generous (admittedly I haven't flown with them as a Gold member, for example, so I can't pretend to speak from personal experience). Guaranteed seat (check), priority airport services (check), more baggage (check), lounge access (check) - what am I missing?
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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:34 pm
  #696  
 
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Originally Posted by Ben Lipsey
If you cancel an IKK reservation, the counter should be adjusted accordingly.
Great, thanks. It would be nice to be able to track this counter on the Altitude web site. I guess I will track it internally as well and see how things shape up next year.
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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:35 pm
  #697  
 
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Ben...

What incentive is there to fly AC past 100k?
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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:35 pm
  #698  
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Originally Posted by yvr76
Great, thanks. It would be nice to be able to track this counter on the Altitude web site. I guess I will track it internally as well and see how things shape up next year.
I agree, but for now I think the easiest way will to just call and ask. In the future we might find a way to be able to do that.
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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:35 pm
  #699  
 
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Utterly stunned by the gutting of the programme. No more TATL LAt FPs for me I guess, given the lack of ability to upgrade more than a handful of times. I guess that will half the cost of the tickets - gg AC, halved my spend for 2015. A successful strategy, I guess...

Sadly I probably can't avoid AC being stuck flying from YEG. But perhaps I will just fly less and take every deal I can.

Sadly with lowering oil prices and a strong economy AC management will probably be able to continue to point to the success of 'their changes'.
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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:36 pm
  #700  
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Edited

Last edited by superangrypenguin; Feb 22, 2015 at 5:02 pm
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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:36 pm
  #701  
 
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Originally Posted by Ben Lipsey
I'm not going to disagree with you, but see what I've bolded. The view we've decided to take is now more in line with our major European and Asian competitors.

Many are looking at BA or CX or even EK or LH or TK or SQ. Mileage upgrades aside, using instruments 'given' to you as a reward for your flying (vouchers, credits, what have you), how many free upgrades do you get on those guys? The majority of the people travelling in J (or F) on those carriers have paid for their seat with cash.
Is AC really in the same league as any of these world class airlines?

I went from being SE for 5 years to E35K this year (change in travel patterns). I was going to aim for E50k next year but I guess I will just divert my upcoming flights to A3 to get *Gold for next year (The only thing I cared about was lounge access and that seems to have been gone. I would rather pay $699 to Amex for Platinum than paying $120 for Amex Gold and $330 to AC for Maple Leaf Club)

It also means that instead of paying a large premium for 100% mileage earning fares on *A I will probably look for price/convenience and serviceon any airline. Also means that any domestic flights (and there were a few YYZ-YVR flights this year that were $700 in tango) will go to the lowest provider from Westjet, Porter or AC.

These cuts are really enhancements, enhancements for travel budgets and for your health/sanity. So I am a bit disappointed that AC didn't label these changes as such!
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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:36 pm
  #702  
 
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Originally Posted by superangrypenguin
I do agree. Most know I only fly domestic. There's nothing new that I get (domestic enhancements). I've only lost a lot (upgrades). It's not personal, just professional and as Ben alluded to AC is not a charity. It was a good run, it really was.

For me, what have I lost? A slightly larger seat, a $3 meal and about $30/drinks per flight.

What have I gained?
A healthier liver.
That is doubly funny because last night I flew home. Upgraded. Had a couple double scotches. And the irony is the seat next to me in J was empty.
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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:37 pm
  #703  
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Originally Posted by Ben Lipsey
Many are looking at BA or CX or even EK or LH or TK or SQ. Mileage upgrades aside, using instruments 'given' to you as a reward for your flying (vouchers, credits, what have you), how many free upgrades do you get on those guys?
The two salient points here are:
  1. You can't wish away mileage upgrades that those do guys offer (on reasonably priced fares) from the overall comparison
  2. Comparing your hard or soft product to CX, EK or SQ - seriously? Glad to see you being aspirational, but maybe you should wait until you get there before planning to have a FF program like theirs.
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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:38 pm
  #704  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YVR
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Originally Posted by Dorian
Now that I've given it further thought AC will have to reverse much of the e-upgrade changes or truly enhance them somehow.

No heavy flier will put miles in to AC past 100k now, as there was just enough incentive previously.

I'd have to sit down and calculate it but I figure AC will lose out on $50k+ of my J tickets to Europe and Africa with their new strategy.
Losing out on 50K of revenue J, hmmm. I don't believe this was AC's desired intent.

The increase in e-upgrade credit requirements were enough as is. If they did this with the other changes and left threshold e-upgrades alone this would have still been a serious devaluation.

Whether or not they backtrack is moot to me now. They've made their intentions known, and have repeatedly shown that they're completely willing to gut the program with almost no notice. How many of us have direct thousands of dollars of spend towards AC where there were cheaper options elsewhere for the implied promise of a similar program?
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Old Oct 24, 2014, 2:38 pm
  #705  
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Originally Posted by superangrypenguin
Thanks! Glad I could add some humor. In all seriousness, after I get bored from EnRoute, i'm too lazy to pull out my laptop. Drink and listen to music. Surely that isn't sustainable. I have no idea how you do that many miles.
I always had something to look forward to at the end of my journeys on AC... and I view AC J as my living room as cheesy as that sounds. I did work, caught up on all emails, did my invoicing, etc.
If all of this was purely for work, I would be in an insane asylum.
I know my signature does not reflect it but I have eclipsed 300K AQM this year already.
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