Diabeetus

Same here. When I try to book for my wife (E35k) on her solo flights, it's a bit of downer that she doesn't get free preferred seats on flex.

ffsim

Thanks gents. I (mistakingly) thought E35 also had the free preferred seats ^

YOWgary

35 gets 50% off Preferred on Flex, which is certainly better than a poke in the eye.

...one benefit they could certainly offer to Altitude members without breaking the bank is to start charging Preferred seat fees on the eUp model; that is, YVR-YYZ-YOW for the same cost as YVR-YOW.

Mauricio23

Lately this has not been the case on the YYZ-YVR run. On a round trip, Flex typically equals Tango + Preferred Seat Fees + $200 give or take. If you don't care about AQM, Tango is the way to go.

YOWgary

Unless you're the kind of person who lives on flight passes for last-minute bookings, in which case it's great.

vernonc

If its a flex flight pass, does that go higher in the eupg list than regular flex ?

YOWgary

I don't believe it affects eUp priority, but as mine books into high Flex, I've been upgrading tcons on 4 credits on an 8-day window...

canadiancow

eUpgrade priority is status, then fare class, so if it's booking into M, then it definitely helps. But an E75K in G will still be above you.

Diabeetus

Don't forget cabin. Those non-status nominees/travel companions in premium ecomony are above you too.

vernonc

Ok so sounds like flight pass books into M. So with E75 and flight pass (M being high flex) should be high on the upg list with only SE/latitude above if no PE cabin. Mostly asking for YYZ-SFO and YYZ-YVR

canadiancow

There are only two cabins on the route in question.

Sunny Day

In the case, it appears my business to AC isn't being recognized fully. I am frustrated. I am over $6800 AQD - well over the threshold for Elite 50K, but only 39 segments which puts me just over E35K. Until very recently, I never even got any recognition for all the AQD spent.

When I took AQD / AQM, it comes out at 40 cpm.

My travel pattern is domestic short haul flight in Flex which are very expensive in terms of CPM.

If AQD spent is what they care about, why make it a double qualification by adding in AQS or AQM?

ffsim

They don't care about AQD except as a further metric to qualify in addition to AQM or ADQ. Remember, AQD replaces the Air Canada metal requirement.

AC doesn't want customers to become SE by spending $20,000 on only 4 YYZ-YVR roundtrips in Z. Do you?

canadiancow

Because you're not a frequent flyer.

They still "want" the AQM/AQS, but they needed to set a "you simply do not give us enough money to warrant any benefits" threshold, which is where AQD comes into play.

To elaborate on what ffsim said, if you're the type of person who buys last minute full fare J YYZ-HKG because "oh crap I need to go right now and AC is the next option", then you might hit 20k AQD right there. But granting you status isn't going to encourage future business, and it certainly isn't recognizing loyalty.

Sunny Day

Looking for some input on what to choose from early recognition E35K bundles. My work travel is short haul domestic, Q400, under 2 hours, flex fare, no business class to upgrade to, family holiday once a year on international flight on lowest fare we can find, a visit to Hawaii once a year. What makes sense for me? Will I get to choose again if I cross over to E50K later on in September? I may even cross E75K by Dec 31 this year.

Selection Bundle 1 - choose 1

35% Altitude Bonus with Air Canada and select airline partners
5 eUpgrade Credits
50% Discount on Maple Leaf Club membership

Selection Bundle 2 - choose 2

5 eUpgrade Credits
3 Maple Leaf Lounge One-Time Guest Passes
aircanada.com Travel Options

From Selection Bundle 3 - choose 1

6 eUpgrade Credits for eligible Flight Pass activities
1,000 Altitude Qualifying Miles for eligible Flight Pass activities