Cdnflyer68

Hi there

My 50K status expires in 2 days as I didnt travel much last year and am only 25K so losing my zone 2 status. Is there a way I can buy a card to get zone 2 access while I build my Aeroplan status back up? I will be traveling more this year.

Thanks!

SteadyAT

The TD Aeroplan Visa gives Zone 2 boarding and I'm sure some of the Amex cards do as well.

WildcatYXU

A small correction, it has to be the VISA Infinite Privilege card from TD or CIBC. The other Aeroplan branded VISA cards will give you Zone 2 only with reward tickets.

jc94

canadiancow

P25K gets zone 3. Is that too far back such that you'd want to pay for 2 before you hit E35K?

FlyerTalker70

(For once) I agree with the cow here. In practice there isn't much of a difference between zone 2 and zone 3 boarding, particularly if you pack light. Perhaps it gives you a slightly better odds at securing overhead bin space, but you already get a free checked bag anyways so worse case scenario they'll just check it if they run out of space. Having travelled a decent amount over the last 2-3 years, I've come to realize that the key to travel isn't to maximize the time you spend inside the thin metal tube but rather at the lounges.

IMHO the key things you've lost being demoted from 50K down to 25K are:

1. Lounge access with AC and * partners
2. VIP status which gives you priority if your flights go IRROPs
3. Additional baggage allowance
4. Priority Security and Check In across the network
5. AC Specific Benefits (I'm sure there are some but will let cow and others chime in on this one)

The question you should be asking yourself is if you really care about those benefits. If you don't travel enough with * then no point hunting for status with them. However, if you travel enough across a variety of airlines (i.e. American, WestJet, United, Delta, etc.) then you may want to look at a good travel credit card that offers you such perks as lounge access, travel insurance, etc such as the AmEx Platinum.

In my case, I travel enough to justify hunting for Gold status with United (i.e. ~50,000 miles flying on * partners + 4 flights per year on UA metal since I'm Canadian). I can justify moving my business over to UA or AC worse case since they tend to offer the best fares for the places I want to go to ex-Europe. I also take advantage of several of the UA Gold benefits every time I travel (i.e. lounge access, priority security, check-in, etc.) At the end of the day I'm probably spending $2K-$3K annually on airfare and the benefits I get from the status are well worth me spending that chunk of change with *.

AmEx only offers priority security at select airports. They also offer priority check in for AC flights. However, those are only benefits of their top tier Aeroplan Reserve card (which also gives you a free companion North American award). None of the cards appear to offer priority boarding!

From my experience dealing with AmEx and TD the answer to the do they check household income appears to be a no. I'm presently an international student in the UK, yet I managed to get a UK AmEx Gold card and apply (and get approved) for several cards in Canada even though I don't have any income. I suspect they look at things other than merely income when making the determination! The only time I had my credit application rejected was with Chase back when they had the Marriott card in Canada. They gave no reason even though I had (and have) a great credit rating.

Safe Travels,

James

kenlor

It can also be the lower-income based "Visa Infinite" (no Privilege) card. I had one for about a year before moving up to the "Privilege" one, and it always gave me zone 2.
Mind you, this was a few years ago so it may have changed.

FlyerTalker70

It must have changed since the TD website states that

In addition, even if you get the more expensive card, you are forced to use your Aeroplan frequent flyer number during booking. This is inconvenient if your strategy for the year is to accrue status on another * partner that treats you better (i.e. UA, OZ, or A3).

-James

koohansen

If I have a group of 6, but 2 are on purchased Preferred Seats, do the rest get Zone 3 boarding?
No status, on revenue economy standard tickets.

YHM_Hater

I have an economy standard ticket for YYZ-YUL and then on onward flight with AC Rouge.

Would selecting tickets at the back of the plane on each flight get me Zone 3 boarding?

jc94

canopus27

@koohansen, my guess is "no", but that sounds like an interesting experiment. If you turn your question into an actual experiment, please post back here what the result is/was.

canadiancow

8146 YYC-YEG on a CR9.

I show up at T-15, and they're just calling zone 1.

J is booked 6/12, and there were a good 12 people in the zone 1 line already. However, I saw a bunch of SE tags.

The guy in front of me had big 2 on his BP, but was allowed to board.

I later noticed his E75K tag as he walked back to Y.

He knew what he was doing.

I might start calling these people out.
​​​​

marke190

I've noticed this phenomenon particularly at smaller stations or on regional aircraft where those with zone 3/4 will board with the amalgamated zone 1/2 announcement. Annoyingly they are met with no opposition by the gate agents. It's frustrating when the bins on these aircraft fill up so fast ie. the notorious small-binned DH4s...

canadiancow

This guy was E75K though. It's not a clueless FOTSG.

I have some sympathy for FOTSGs. I have no sympathy for an E75K doing this.