Flight booked with Avion points not eligible for Altitude
Aug 2, 23, 11:48 pm
#196
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,412
I am curious on the outcome here.
I will note that you can simply call into the Avion call centre and say that you want to book a flight that isn't available through the website ("such and such class", where class = a particular AC fare class beyond "economy", "latitude", etc. It will be a specific letter). At that point the agent will give you an "authorization number". You buy the flight using the Avion card, then apply for reimbursement ("statement credit") after the fact. You have to fill in a template with a bunch of information (airline, avion rewards #, total cost, authorization number, and a bunch of other stuff). It is a bit tedious but relatively straight-forward. You then get all of the benefits of a revenue AC ticket (including the various points/segments accruals) and get to use your Avion points as well. Again - a few more steps in the process, but pretty straightforward. I did this in Jan 2023, with a refund ("statement credit") issue in Feb 2023.
I will note that you can simply call into the Avion call centre and say that you want to book a flight that isn't available through the website ("such and such class", where class = a particular AC fare class beyond "economy", "latitude", etc. It will be a specific letter). At that point the agent will give you an "authorization number". You buy the flight using the Avion card, then apply for reimbursement ("statement credit") after the fact. You have to fill in a template with a bunch of information (airline, avion rewards #, total cost, authorization number, and a bunch of other stuff). It is a bit tedious but relatively straight-forward. You then get all of the benefits of a revenue AC ticket (including the various points/segments accruals) and get to use your Avion points as well. Again - a few more steps in the process, but pretty straightforward. I did this in Jan 2023, with a refund ("statement credit") issue in Feb 2023.
We did book Flex, and got the same eUp error message as listed a few posts earlier, but an AC phone agent was able to file the eUp requests no problem.
Anyway, yeah, we're burning off the last of our Avion points and exiting the program.
Aug 3, 23, 12:01 am
#197
Join Date: May 2001
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SEMM
Posts: 2,054
if this is the the case then the card(s) USD and Avion CAD will also be cancelled after transferring to another program.
Sep 15, 23, 6:12 am
#198
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100k, MT Ambassador, HH Diamond, Accor Diamond, Avis President's Club, National Emerald Club
Posts: 228
Whats the latest status on ensuring you get status miles on AC etc when booking using RBC points?
1. Booking on avion travel at the 2% redemption?
have you recently done this on AC metal and received AC miles?
2. Booking through RBC concierge at the 1.5% redemption?
have you recently done this on AC metal and received AC miles?
3. Getting an authorization number?
I know this way is guaranteed but what have you said to the agent that ensures they will give you one?
4. Can AC flight passes be booked with RBC points at the 1.5% redemption?
thanks in advance.
1. Booking on avion travel at the 2% redemption?
have you recently done this on AC metal and received AC miles?
2. Booking through RBC concierge at the 1.5% redemption?
have you recently done this on AC metal and received AC miles?
3. Getting an authorization number?
I know this way is guaranteed but what have you said to the agent that ensures they will give you one?
4. Can AC flight passes be booked with RBC points at the 1.5% redemption?
thanks in advance.
Last edited by Adam Smith; Sep 15, 23 at 12:51 pm Reason: Remove off topic content
Sep 15, 23, 10:26 am
#199
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, AA PPro, UA Gold, Bonvoy Tit LT Sil, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Accor Silver
Posts: 43,531
I posted this not long ago, but my dad booked some UA codeshares of AC operated flights, obviously on a 016 ticket, and he earned the expected points/SQx.
Sep 15, 23, 10:54 pm
#200
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100k, MT Ambassador, HH Diamond, Accor Diamond, Avis President's Club, National Emerald Club
Posts: 228
Oct 14, 23, 5:39 pm
#202
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 301
It looks like I can now book a comfort fare on the Avion site. All the same options appear as on the AC booking site. My previous strategy of "I want a comfort fare, but the site doesn't have it, can I have an authorization number" will no longer work.
I think the only remaining option for a statement credit is to book some Y fare one way, and a J fare the other, by asking for a multi-city booking. I tried that, and the Avion site just spat out the return flight's booking class (not the two different ones I selected). So I could conceivably call in and say that I can't get what I want on the site.
Does anyone have any success getting an authorization number with this newer more sophisticated Avion booking tool?
Despite best efforts to move away from Avion, have accumulated enough points that this is of interest for a flight sometime next year.
I think the only remaining option for a statement credit is to book some Y fare one way, and a J fare the other, by asking for a multi-city booking. I tried that, and the Avion site just spat out the return flight's booking class (not the two different ones I selected). So I could conceivably call in and say that I can't get what I want on the site.
Does anyone have any success getting an authorization number with this newer more sophisticated Avion booking tool?
Despite best efforts to move away from Avion, have accumulated enough points that this is of interest for a flight sometime next year.
Oct 16, 23, 9:37 am
#203
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Titanium & LTP, NEXUS
Posts: 607
It was also quite a hassle to upgrade the ticket as it had to be requested at the airport only.
Oct 16, 23, 11:43 am
#204
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, AA PPro, UA Gold, Bonvoy Tit LT Sil, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Accor Silver
Posts: 43,531
Yes, that's how codeshares work. Can't get the easy upgrades and SQx with self-serve Avion bookings.
Oct 18, 23, 9:09 am
#205
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Titanium & LTP, NEXUS
Posts: 607
Nov 14, 23, 11:28 pm
#206
Company Representative, Cowtool
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 94
I'd like to see if I can get the cowtool PNR viewer to detect the bookings that are not eligible.
If anyone has an Avion booking on AC (codeshare or not, both are useful) and wants to PM me the booking reference and last name, I'd appreciate it.
If anyone has an Avion booking on AC (codeshare or not, both are useful) and wants to PM me the booking reference and last name, I'd appreciate it.
Nov 27, 23, 3:32 pm
#207
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: YXT
Programs: AC*E50, SPG Plat,
Posts: 571
Any data points on whether business class tickets booked with business avion points can accrue sqx (ac ticketed)?
I don't recall if j class issued under avions fixed points program accrues or not. It'd be nice if ac ticketed redemptions under avions business class pricing (2cpp) was distinct from the economy/fixed points program that most avioners would be using.
I don't recall if j class issued under avions fixed points program accrues or not. It'd be nice if ac ticketed redemptions under avions business class pricing (2cpp) was distinct from the economy/fixed points program that most avioners would be using.
Nov 27, 23, 5:30 pm
#208
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 39
Any data points on whether business class tickets booked with business avion points can accrue sqx (ac ticketed)?
I don't recall if j class issued under avions fixed points program accrues or not. It'd be nice if ac ticketed redemptions under avions business class pricing (2cpp) was distinct from the economy/fixed points program that most avioners would be using.
I don't recall if j class issued under avions fixed points program accrues or not. It'd be nice if ac ticketed redemptions under avions business class pricing (2cpp) was distinct from the economy/fixed points program that most avioners would be using.
Nov 28, 23, 12:09 am
#209
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: YXT
Programs: AC*E50, SPG Plat,
Posts: 571
Thanks for the info. UA was going to be our fallback for certain destinations so it'll have to do. That said, no ac with sqx just means the usual requalification grind to e50 for me.
