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
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
Important updates to Air Canada Altitude in 2015
#1006
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC*SE100K 1MM, Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
Posts: 735
I do feel bad for the front line AC employees who will have to handle the brunt of this (Bens/Andrew) included.
I do remember, the introduction of eUpgrades brought a similar uproar when the long haul credit requirements were too much for E50 and below to do a round trip.
AC listened, eupgrades dropped to 17. I do really, really hope that someone at AC is taking the frustration to heart and decides to make adjustments.
I do remember, the introduction of eUpgrades brought a similar uproar when the long haul credit requirements were too much for E50 and below to do a round trip.
AC listened, eupgrades dropped to 17. I do really, really hope that someone at AC is taking the frustration to heart and decides to make adjustments.
#1007
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC*SE100K 1MM, Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
Posts: 735
Andrew,
Your team misunderstands. Your FF base buys flex, not for the miles, but for the AQM so as to earn status and the accompanying benefits (whichever benefit floated their boat).
My boat floats on upgrade opportunities from flex fares, which will vanish on March 1. Hence, no need for more status, no need for flex and, for much of my travel, no need for AC....
Your team misunderstands. Your FF base buys flex, not for the miles, but for the AQM so as to earn status and the accompanying benefits (whichever benefit floated their boat).
My boat floats on upgrade opportunities from flex fares, which will vanish on March 1. Hence, no need for more status, no need for flex and, for much of my travel, no need for AC....
Miles are irrelevant to me. I have well over a million, and frankly, I make enough money buy any fares I need to.
#1008
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC*SE100K 1MM, Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
Posts: 735
Don't forget, WestJet is launching their new FFP as of next Wednesday.
http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/rewa...tiers-20140915
http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/rewa...tiers-20140915
Last edited by LockheedElectra; Oct 24, 2014 at 11:46 pm
#1009
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC*SE100K 1MM, Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
Posts: 735
Not only would that be an incredibly stupid business move (not to track your best customers), but it was not borne out by how AC treated me. In any case, I don't understand why they would go to such great lengths to show their appreciation towards me literally 6(?) months ago, and from there to today where they literally completely lost me as a customer. They must feel their business model is incredibly elastic. They should really consider what it would look like in a downturn, as I would still fly just as much as our company is pretty immune to a lot of recessionary events. Just saying....it will take a lot of Tango fares to replace me.
Last edited by LockheedElectra; Oct 24, 2014 at 11:52 pm
#1010
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: YYC - not the centre of the universe
Programs: AC*S100K 1MM, LH FTL, Hyatt Globalist, Accor Plat
Posts: 4,769
Afford is a relative term, could I pay for latitude passes and survive? I hope so! Do I think it's a smart decision? Not If I can buy someone else's J/F product for flex money.
I'm seriously thinking super elite might be over for me. It makes me think of those front line employees who would approach me for being a young SE... "Wow, You'll be an MM before you're..." Well I would have been, but my loyalty to AC is certainly in jeopardy now.
I'm seriously thinking super elite might be over for me. It makes me think of those front line employees who would approach me for being a young SE... "Wow, You'll be an MM before you're..." Well I would have been, but my loyalty to AC is certainly in jeopardy now.
But unfortunately I'm stuck on my YYC YYZ runs if I want to fly comfortably!
#1011
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Toronto, and everywhere else..
Programs: AC E50
Posts: 274
#1012
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE100K MM
Posts: 903
Uggghhh I'm having trouble making sense of all this crap so can someone help me with a few things....
1. Am I correct that we all should be able to get eupgrades for hitting thresholds at 20K etc. as long as we hit 20K BEFORE March 1, 2015? Can't believe we only earn eupgrades once hitting the 60K threshold with the new changes....
2. If I eupgrade on Feb. 28, 2015 on a flex fare for travel a week later (say SYD-Canada) it will only cost me 17 eupgrades?
3. I can continue to make a free change to AE tickets until Feb. 28, 2015?
4. Did we AC status fliers really get screwed again by AC? What the hell? The non-status AC flier will be completely unaware and likely unaffected by all of these changes - and now I feel so untrusting of the AC employers posting on this forum. They are only here to pacify us and never wanted any input from us on how to improve the program. Sock puppets everywhere
1. Am I correct that we all should be able to get eupgrades for hitting thresholds at 20K etc. as long as we hit 20K BEFORE March 1, 2015? Can't believe we only earn eupgrades once hitting the 60K threshold with the new changes....
2. If I eupgrade on Feb. 28, 2015 on a flex fare for travel a week later (say SYD-Canada) it will only cost me 17 eupgrades?
3. I can continue to make a free change to AE tickets until Feb. 28, 2015?
4. Did we AC status fliers really get screwed again by AC? What the hell? The non-status AC flier will be completely unaware and likely unaffected by all of these changes - and now I feel so untrusting of the AC employers posting on this forum. They are only here to pacify us and never wanted any input from us on how to improve the program. Sock puppets everywhere
Last edited by mountaingrl; Oct 25, 2014 at 12:04 am
#1013
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Toronto, and everywhere else..
Programs: AC E50
Posts: 274
#1014
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,153
The remainder will stop playing eUP lotto and just buy tango. At that point some more will buy lmu's. However, those are already prioritized over eUPs now. I would have thought the long wait lists for upgrades are a sign that the flex lottery is working well for Ac. Everyone who bought flex and didn't get an upgrade spent more money than they had to. Now they won't want to.
About tracking spending, I assume AC can sort their best customers based on the fares purchased (they show up on altitude) and correlate those to spending levels.
About AC having a stranglehold on the markets, it is not easy to connect to the other international carriers outside of Toronto, Vancouver and possibly Montreal. Going to Asia via Europe is prohibitively expensive which pretty much leaves Vancouver and Toronto. The rest of canada is captured by AC and they are showing thee colours by saying "take it or stay home". That's what I call bullying.
#1015
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E50K
Posts: 994
I think AC is hoping the flare up will go away and everything is forgotten soon.
#1016
Join Date: May 2012
Location: YOW
Programs: UA*1K, Marriott Titanium (LTP), Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,665
Uggghhh I'm having trouble making sense of all this crap so can someone help me with a few things....
1. Am I correct that we all should be able to get eupgrades for hitting thresholds at 20 000K etc. as long as we hit 20K BEFORE March 1, 2015?
2. If I eupgrade on Feb. 28, 2015 on a flex fare for travel a week later (say SYD-Canada) it will only cost me 17 eupgrades?
3. I can continue to make a free change to AE tickets until Feb. 28, 2015?
4. Did we AC status fliers really get screwed again by AC? What the hell? The non-status AC flier will be completely unaware and likely unaffected by all of these changes - and now I feel so untrusting of the AC employers posting on this forum. They are only here to pacify us and never wanted any input from us on how to improve the program. Sock puppets everywhere
1. Am I correct that we all should be able to get eupgrades for hitting thresholds at 20 000K etc. as long as we hit 20K BEFORE March 1, 2015?
2. If I eupgrade on Feb. 28, 2015 on a flex fare for travel a week later (say SYD-Canada) it will only cost me 17 eupgrades?
3. I can continue to make a free change to AE tickets until Feb. 28, 2015?
4. Did we AC status fliers really get screwed again by AC? What the hell? The non-status AC flier will be completely unaware and likely unaffected by all of these changes - and now I feel so untrusting of the AC employers posting on this forum. They are only here to pacify us and never wanted any input from us on how to improve the program. Sock puppets everywhere
1) 2014 eUpgrade thresholds are not affected; so if you hit 20K, 40K, 60K, 80K, etc. AFTER December 1st (assumed - last year's rollover date), and before March 1st 2015, they should have a Feburary 29th 2016 expiry.
However, since AC isn't a calendar year program and resets on March 1st, from that date on you won't see anything until 60K in the 2015 program year.
2) Yes, from what I've read. For non-Latitude fares, there will be up to a 7-day window for SEs to try to grab cheaper upgrades, if they have 2016 expiry credits. So for non-Latitude flights, as of March 7th that upgrade window for SEs from February 28th will be over, and all requests will all have the new requirements applied.
For all requests made on February 28th:
SE100K flights to March 7th
E75K flights to March 6th
E50K flights to March 5th
... and so on.
3) Yes. Conversely, we will still be paying YQ on all bookings until March 1st, regardless of travel date.
4) Yes.
Last edited by Absolute; Oct 25, 2014 at 12:09 am
#1017
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,609
Agreed. Pet peeve of mine when pax compare CX or AC's PY product with UA or DL's Y+. PY is a cabin with enhanced ground services. Y+ is a standard economy seat with ~5" of extra legroom.
#1018
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM
Posts: 617
However, I do advise international flying choices for many others who are not as captured. In the future AC will be recommended against. Ardently. Will not change my mind.
Side question: I wonder how long before the community ask for Ben and Ben and Andrew and their conversation diverters to leave. Mods: Should airline staff not be held to even stronger rules than the flyer community? Anyone keeping an eye on this?
Their recent participation here appears pre-planned for this event. We've been softened up, then Benned over, before this 2015 program is delivered. AC forgot to give us the lube (saving it to help us get into the future seats?)
#1019
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Body in Downtown YYZ, heart and mind elsewhere
Programs: UA 50K, refugee from AC E50K, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 5,133
As you put it, you either spend way more (and get less) or you spend way less (on AC).
As Mr. Hammer once posted:
Price
Convenience
Comfort
Pick 2 out of 3.
#1020
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AC E50K, MM, BA, Delta, PriorityClub Platinum, Marriott Gold.
Posts: 469
Case is point, I'm trying to plan a trip to Singapore next January. Due to 777HD inferior product in Both Y and J, I'm really looking into alternatives and most likely will do ANA if I was gonna stay with AC FF, Or would just F*%# it and go with superior CX and switch FFer program.
AC is really not an option for international travelers anymore.