Question: Will AC Altitude Benefits change if *A adds tiers?
Jun 6, 2018, 9:00 am
#46
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Programs: BA GGL, FPC Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Amb
Posts: 3,372
*A isn't going to introduce a tier only to have one of its major members not participate.
A few givens:
VIP, PPS, HON and GS are going to continue to exist in their own, respective worlds--they will be *A top tier, but they will be largely about their respective carriers' treatment of their own.
Signature Suite, SQ lounges at SIN, the LH/LX/OS F Class Terminal/Lounges and Polaris lounges are never going to be open to top tier passengers.
Given that LH has no tier between FQTV and SEN, and Krisflyer doesn't have a 100,000 mile tier, this won't get off the ground unless LH and SQ decide to more closely align UA's structure (SQ is less of an issue, they could simply use PPS/Solitaire).
In terms of new or additional benefit, they're going to have to get creative. They can't directly match OWE if only because there are many carriers offering F, and those that do are unlikely to open that real estate to a new tier of passengers. But they may be able to put more "alliance" in *A in terms of access to rewards and the like.
A few givens:
VIP, PPS, HON and GS are going to continue to exist in their own, respective worlds--they will be *A top tier, but they will be largely about their respective carriers' treatment of their own.
Signature Suite, SQ lounges at SIN, the LH/LX/OS F Class Terminal/Lounges and Polaris lounges are never going to be open to top tier passengers.
Given that LH has no tier between FQTV and SEN, and Krisflyer doesn't have a 100,000 mile tier, this won't get off the ground unless LH and SQ decide to more closely align UA's structure (SQ is less of an issue, they could simply use PPS/Solitaire).
In terms of new or additional benefit, they're going to have to get creative. They can't directly match OWE if only because there are many carriers offering F, and those that do are unlikely to open that real estate to a new tier of passengers. But they may be able to put more "alliance" in *A in terms of access to rewards and the like.
Jun 6, 2018, 9:29 am
#47
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: 44,346
*A isn't going to introduce a tier only to have one of its major members not participate.
A few givens:
VIP, PPS, HON and GS are going to continue to exist in their own, respective worlds--they will be *A top tier, but they will be largely about their respective carriers' treatment of their own.
Signature Suite, SQ lounges at SIN, the LH/LX/OS F Class Terminal/Lounges and Polaris lounges are never going to be open to top tier passengers.
A few givens:
VIP, PPS, HON and GS are going to continue to exist in their own, respective worlds--they will be *A top tier, but they will be largely about their respective carriers' treatment of their own.
Signature Suite, SQ lounges at SIN, the LH/LX/OS F Class Terminal/Lounges and Polaris lounges are never going to be open to top tier passengers.
Jun 6, 2018, 10:05 am
#48
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
*A isn't going to introduce a tier only to have one of its major members not participate.
A few givens:
VIP, PPS, HON and GS are going to continue to exist in their own, respective worlds--they will be *A top tier, but they will be largely about their respective carriers' treatment of their own.
Signature Suite, SQ lounges at SIN, the LH/LX/OS F Class Terminal/Lounges and Polaris lounges are never going to be open to top tier passengers.
Given that LH has no tier between FQTV and SEN, and Krisflyer doesn't have a 100,000 mile tier, this won't get off the ground unless LH and SQ decide to more closely align UA's structure (SQ is less of an issue, they could simply use PPS/Solitaire).
In terms of new or additional benefit, they're going to have to get creative. They can't directly match OWE if only because there are many carriers offering F, and those that do are unlikely to open that real estate to a new tier of passengers. But they may be able to put more "alliance" in *A in terms of access to rewards and the like.
A few givens:
VIP, PPS, HON and GS are going to continue to exist in their own, respective worlds--they will be *A top tier, but they will be largely about their respective carriers' treatment of their own.
Signature Suite, SQ lounges at SIN, the LH/LX/OS F Class Terminal/Lounges and Polaris lounges are never going to be open to top tier passengers.
Given that LH has no tier between FQTV and SEN, and Krisflyer doesn't have a 100,000 mile tier, this won't get off the ground unless LH and SQ decide to more closely align UA's structure (SQ is less of an issue, they could simply use PPS/Solitaire).
In terms of new or additional benefit, they're going to have to get creative. They can't directly match OWE if only because there are many carriers offering F, and those that do are unlikely to open that real estate to a new tier of passengers. But they may be able to put more "alliance" in *A in terms of access to rewards and the like.
Originally Posted by Australian Business Traveller
Star Alliance CEO Jeffrey Goh confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that the group's board meeting in Sydney yesterday discussed introducing "one or more levels" above the Gold tier.
Jun 6, 2018, 1:01 pm
#49
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Programs: BA GGL, FPC Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Amb
Posts: 3,372
My reading of the tea leaves is that SQ and LH will make the necessary changes to the M&M and KF structures.
But I don't think any crystal ball is going to give us insight into what benefits might come along with a third *A tier.
But I don't think any crystal ball is going to give us insight into what benefits might come along with a third *A tier.
Jun 6, 2018, 3:27 pm
#50
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
Forging onward with the fun AC speculation continue in this thread!
Jun 7, 2018, 2:43 am
#51
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Jun 7, 2018, 12:28 pm
#53
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
There's never any guarantee with AC's existing tiers. The only expectation is the lower tiers (especially E35) will continue to have bits chopped off; a good year for people at those levels is when only one part (like a lounge guest) is removed.
If they were to add a new tier, it'd just mean that those who no longer qualify lose benefits. But you can lose benefits regardless anyway. I'd be surprised if they started to mess around before June 2020 though but who knows! Even AC probably don't know yet
If they were to add a new tier, it'd just mean that those who no longer qualify lose benefits. But you can lose benefits regardless anyway. I'd be surprised if they started to mess around before June 2020 though but who knows! Even AC probably don't know yet
Jun 7, 2018, 2:06 pm
#54
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
Only the lower tiers? I'm SE again this year after having not been for several years and IMHO isn't as good as it was years ago despite needing to spend 20k AQD now. There have been several "enhancements" in recent years.
Jun 7, 2018, 2:52 pm
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,804
Not really much change to the SE "benefits." That concierges are now hard to get is not in itself a change in the program. Ditto for other stuff that has got worse. All of it mainly following from the economy improving and AC getting back into a more arrogant mode.
Jun 7, 2018, 6:53 pm
#56
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Yeah I meant especially the lower tiers have had things removed. I’m aware say things like IKK have become more restricted as well. Some would consider this an improvement due to misuse, just like you could say on E35 guesting leading to overcrowding.
Anyway, perhaps a new tier would add these back in, perhaps not. Perhaps AC will change *G benefits to E75 and block everyone below from all MLL access, include E50MM. End of the day they can and keep doing what they want.
Anyway, perhaps a new tier would add these back in, perhaps not. Perhaps AC will change *G benefits to E75 and block everyone below from all MLL access, include E50MM. End of the day they can and keep doing what they want.