Nothing "super" about SE status
May 20, 2018, 6:45 pm
#76
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Ottawa, Canada.
Programs: AC*SE 2MM, Marriott*Plutonium Lifetime, other stuff
Posts: 485
When did SE begin? I'm closing in on 2MM, (1.8 and change) but I only started hitting SE after the Canadian merger, and was never EP with Canadian before that.
May 20, 2018, 7:10 pm
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
It was grandfathered into AC at the time of the merger. Prior to that point, AC only had Elite as their highest tier. So this would be 1999/2000 timeframe, IIRC.
May 20, 2018, 9:47 pm
#78
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: Ice Cream Club, AC SE MM, Bonvoy Life Plat
Posts: 2,803
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concierge
Provide services, yes. Servants, no.
Calling them servants is rather inconsiderate.
Provide services, yes. Servants, no.
Calling them servants is rather inconsiderate.
May 20, 2018, 9:48 pm
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,803
I believe AC introduced the SE level a year or two before the merger. I missed the first couple years, silly me, with around 80 k status miles. This was in the 1999-2000 time frame, i.e. before the merger.
May 20, 2018, 9:48 pm
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,803
May 20, 2018, 9:57 pm
#81
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: Ice Cream Club, AC SE MM, Bonvoy Life Plat
Posts: 2,803
Well, in the sense they don't work for $0, correct... but I think that's confusing the word "slave" with "servant". They absolutely serve the public, and are paid by the public. Much like an AC concierge serves AC customers, and AC customers indirectly pay AC concierges.
A servant is merely a person who serves, albeit typically personal servant or assistant... like servants' quarters at home, or servants' entrance for caterers, etc... I would expect a (real) concierge to use that entrance if it was an option, not the main entrance. It's matter of efficiency and decorum, not social value or stature. But agreed, most would assume butler or maid when this word is used.
A servant is merely a person who serves, albeit typically personal servant or assistant... like servants' quarters at home, or servants' entrance for caterers, etc... I would expect a (real) concierge to use that entrance if it was an option, not the main entrance. It's matter of efficiency and decorum, not social value or stature. But agreed, most would assume butler or maid when this word is used.
May 20, 2018, 10:35 pm
#82
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,322
Higher standby priority (cabin comes first, so you can buy that, but status is the next tie breaker).
SE check-in line.
I'm not saying these are all super-awesome-must-haves, but there are plenty of things that a full J ticket doesn't include.
May 21, 2018, 12:00 am
#83
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: Ice Cream Club, AC SE MM, Bonvoy Life Plat
Posts: 2,803
Phone/email access to the concierge.
Higher standby priority (cabin comes first, so you can buy that, but status is the next tie breaker).
SE check-in line.
I'm not saying these are all super-awesome-must-haves, but there are plenty of things that a full J ticket doesn't include.
Higher standby priority (cabin comes first, so you can buy that, but status is the next tie breaker).
SE check-in line.
I'm not saying these are all super-awesome-must-haves, but there are plenty of things that a full J ticket doesn't include.
Force a seat reassignment for another pax because you want your lucky seat? can't buy... agreed
Get protected on next 4 flights so you can fly on the next one out? can't buy... oh wait, well, assuming IRROPs, probably can't buy.
Higher standby, true... J SE beats regular J.
I'm still thinking AC treats their full J rev pretty well during IRROPs, at least almost equal to what a concierge could do. I suspect, maybe even sometimes, the concierge helps these regular J non-elites?
I assume for Tango SE it's a world of difference compared to Tango *A, but again, money would have bought you into J anyhow... you're only in tango to save money: discount.
May 21, 2018, 5:19 am
#85
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: AC
Posts: 2,167
Concierge: Buy new ticket. Delay. Buy new ticket. Don't like seatmate, offload, buy new ticket.
Force a seat reassignment for another pax because you want your lucky seat? can't buy... agreed
Get protected on next 4 flights so you can fly on the next one out? can't buy... oh wait, well, assuming IRROPs, probably can't buy.
Higher standby, true... J SE beats regular J.
I'm still thinking AC treats their full J rev pretty well during IRROPs, at least almost equal to what a concierge could do. I suspect, maybe even sometimes, the concierge helps these regular J non-elites?
I assume for Tango SE it's a world of difference compared to Tango *A, but again, money would have bought you into J anyhow... you're only in tango to save money: discount.
Force a seat reassignment for another pax because you want your lucky seat? can't buy... agreed
Get protected on next 4 flights so you can fly on the next one out? can't buy... oh wait, well, assuming IRROPs, probably can't buy.
Higher standby, true... J SE beats regular J.
I'm still thinking AC treats their full J rev pretty well during IRROPs, at least almost equal to what a concierge could do. I suspect, maybe even sometimes, the concierge helps these regular J non-elites?
I assume for Tango SE it's a world of difference compared to Tango *A, but again, money would have bought you into J anyhow... you're only in tango to save money: discount.
May 21, 2018, 12:51 pm
#86
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: Ice Cream Club, AC SE MM, Bonvoy Life Plat
Posts: 2,803
Thanks you.. true and actually good to know..
BTW, I'm not saying SE has no value... it has immense value (no sarcasm). But it amounts to merely a discount program of significant monetary value.
May 22, 2018, 11:21 am
#90
Join Date: May 2004
Location: yyz
Programs: AC*SE 1MM. a bunch of hotel programs.
Posts: 1,592
from : https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...-services.html
"Our concierges are sensitive to cultural diversity and are specially trained in guest management, hospitality, and building customer relationships.They can help with all your day-of-travel and airport matters, including ticketing, connections, upgrades, baggage handling and special in-flight meal requirements.Concierge agents are also immediate resources for personal needs and last-minute arrangements such as hotel and restaurant bookings, theatre ticket reservations and limousine service, or other specific requests eligible guests may have."