Introducing Air Canada Basic Economy
Feb 20, 2018, 9:43 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & MM/*Wood Gold/HHonors Diamond/Marriott Silver/AirMiles Gold
Posts: 4,567
I can’t see any fares on AC yet (or a press release) but am 99% sure than my $185 YYZ ORD Tango flight will become $185 (or more) for EB and significantly more for Tango and at the cost of Flex I may as well buy P.
Or I can spend $204 on taxes with AP. Or I can go AA and pay $35 on Avios. In J.
Haven’t been to T3 since 2015. I don’t see myself darkening T1s door more than once in 2018.
I don't care if they want to bring out a basic economy other than to see more CBC articles how AC didn't help Person X because they purchased the cheapest fare, blah blah
However, if this pushes prices up, that will be frustrating
reminds me of when they introduced Tango on TPACS. Made a SYD go from $2000-$2500 to $4,500 in flex
Feb 20, 2018, 9:43 am
#17
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75K, WJ Gold, NEXUS, Marriott Gold
Posts: 316
What about AQD? If the company only spends on lowest-fare, I wonder if these will count towards the annual spend? If not, quite a few people, including myself would be royally screwed.
Feb 20, 2018, 9:50 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
I did check YYZ YEG too but I guess that’s not a Swoop route. And while they don’t block carry on at the best it’ll be guaranteed Z5.
I wonder if you can pay for a preferred seat. At great cost.
Feb 20, 2018, 9:59 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SEMM / HH Diamond
Posts: 3,167
In the Skift interview with Mark Nasr (AC’s VP for loyalty and e-commerce) that was published less than a month ago, he stated:
Now, with the introduction of Economy Basic, AC has the following fare classes:
... and of course, that is the simple view. The branded fare fiasco adds additional complexity, making it even harder to ensure that you're getting the right fare brand.
Good job, AC. Way to follow Mark's guidance.
Skift: What do customers tell you they want from a loyalty program?
Nasr: One of them is the ease of doing business with a program, understanding a program. Many of these programs have become incredibly complex.
Nasr: One of them is the ease of doing business with a program, understanding a program. Many of these programs have become incredibly complex.
... and of course, that is the simple view. The branded fare fiasco adds additional complexity, making it even harder to ensure that you're getting the right fare brand.
Good job, AC. Way to follow Mark's guidance.
Feb 20, 2018, 10:15 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K MM, JL JMB SAPPHIRE, Marriott Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,267
Did a few search and seems AC has not start selling BE fares, curious which booking code they will use, UA uses N which is occupied by discount PE on AC.
Feb 20, 2018, 10:16 am
#22
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Mississauga Ontario
Posts: 4,105
No, I meant what I said.
We will have people without a brain who will buy these "low" fares. Then they will pay extra for a seat, for luggage, and one day, a fee to probably call a 1-800 number with a question.
Then, when they see the total, they might realize they paid more than they would have if they bought another fare class. And so they will whine and complain, etc.
We will have people without a brain who will buy these "low" fares. Then they will pay extra for a seat, for luggage, and one day, a fee to probably call a 1-800 number with a question.
Then, when they see the total, they might realize they paid more than they would have if they bought another fare class. And so they will whine and complain, etc.
Feb 20, 2018, 10:23 am
#23
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50K (*G), Westjet Gold
Posts: 788
Wow. AC really likes to overcomplicate things. I like how Tango was supposed to be the "restricted Y" fare, but now its a more flexible Y fare, but not "flex."
At this rate, navigating AC's fares will become a full time job. I already have to call my corporate TA whenever I book because I don't want to end up in a "low flex" fare and be stuck with a massive co pay on a domestic eup.
At this rate, navigating AC's fares will become a full time job. I already have to call my corporate TA whenever I book because I don't want to end up in a "low flex" fare and be stuck with a massive co pay on a domestic eup.
Feb 20, 2018, 10:28 am
#24
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Bonvoy LTE
Posts: 1,881
No need for Air Canada to use specific booking/fare codes. With the Branded Fares they've introduced, Economy Basic fares can span the entire alphabet if they wish.
Feb 20, 2018, 10:36 am
#25
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Programs: United MileagePlus Silver, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 8,798
I assume this is in response to Canada Jetlines, FlyToo and Swoop. Allows Air Canada to offer a similar product to those carriers - Particularly once they start flying Rouge narrowbodies between major Canadian city-pairs.
Feb 20, 2018, 10:38 am
#26
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
It looks like they’re trying a bit of a hybrid approach compared to what we’ve seen in the US. AC is allowing a carry-on and permitting advanced seat selection for a fee. I guess it’s “better” 
Last edited by ffsim; Feb 20, 2018 at 11:03 am Reason: Clarification of advanced seat selection
Feb 20, 2018, 10:39 am
#27
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K MM, JL JMB SAPPHIRE, Marriott Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,267
I believe this won't be the case, it will be a disaster for corp travel portal users as well as travel agents. Also BE won't earn any AQM make it impossible to share fare codes with other fare types.
Feb 20, 2018, 10:56 am
#28
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
I wonder if seat selection is free at T-24.
I also wonder if SE will get free selection like with Tango. I doubt it.
Feb 20, 2018, 11:00 am
#30
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Bonvoy LTE
Posts: 1,881
I don't see why this would make it impossible to share fare codes with other fare types. With the same fare code, AC is already able to determine how many AQMs and AQDs you receive. And only the fare basis (TANGO / FLEX) shows up in your Altitude dashboard. It'd be very easy for AC to say WxxxBasic earns 0 AQM, 0 AQD, 0 AQS.