Minimum AQS on AC metal to qualify for Altitude
Jun 9, 2018, 8:27 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC, YYZ
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Minimum AQS on AC metal to qualify for Altitude
Hi, I looked up AC.com and can't find info on minimum AQS on AC metal to qualify for Altitude (e.g. SE). Last time I recall it was 5 on AC metal (can't recall if codeshare counts). Can't find it on the wiki here either. Can someone please confirm?
Thanks,
GT
Thanks,
GT
Jun 9, 2018, 8:50 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC Lifetime SE100K, 3MM, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hertz PC, National Executive Elite
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For SE it is (100,000 AQM or 95 AQS) Plus 20,000 AQD. The full chart is at altitude.aircanada.com. I believe that codeshare does count. It needs to be on 014 stock to obtain the AQD.
Last edited by YEG_SE4Life; Jun 9, 2018 at 9:16 pm
Jun 9, 2018, 9:11 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2016
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Posts: 5,612
This was replaced by AQD only earned on AC metal or 014 tickets. If you got say $20k AQD in 5 segments your other 90 could be on any other *A metal for SE.
Last edited by jc94; Jun 9, 2018 at 10:11 pm
Jun 9, 2018, 9:21 pm
#4
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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This was replaced by AQD only earned on AC metal of 014 tickets. If you got say $20k AQD in 5 segments your other 90 could be on any other *A metal for SE.
Jun 9, 2018, 10:11 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2016
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There was actually a year or two where there was a 5-segment (or was it or 10?) AC metal minimum. Then it switched to the 50% requirement, although it didn't have to be half your flying, just half the AQM or AQS applicable to the tier for which you were qualifying. One could have flown 200K AQM and only 50K on AC, but still gotten AC.
To be clear, any *A segments booked on 014 stock now qualify for AQD, as do any AC metal flights, regardless of ticketing carrier. So there's actually no need to fly AC at all - although ticketing OAL flights on AC stock isn't always straightforward.
To be clear, any *A segments booked on 014 stock now qualify for AQD, as do any AC metal flights, regardless of ticketing carrier. So there's actually no need to fly AC at all - although ticketing OAL flights on AC stock isn't always straightforward.
Yeah my 40k *A flying got me P25k thanks to falling short of the 17.5k on AC metal. Ironically, AQD would have easily been 10k that year under current rules.
Jun 9, 2018, 10:37 pm
#6
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AQD has entirely replaced the metal requirement. The AC metal requirement existed to ensure they got some of your money if they were going to pay for your benefits. AQD is obviously a much better metric for them.
Jun 10, 2018, 3:56 pm
#7
Original Poster
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Location: NYC, YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K, SPG Gold, UA MP
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Wait a minute here, so I have to fly 50% AQM on AC metal/codeshare to re-qualify for the level I'm aiming for? AQD is not a problem for given I'm non-resident and I'm already over the $10K spent (instead of $20K) for SE. I don't see the 50% minimum on the Altitude website. My problem is I won't be flying 50% on AC metal/codeshare and I'll be over 100K this year that I'm depositing to Altitude.
Advice appreciated.
GT
Advice appreciated.
GT
Jun 10, 2018, 4:06 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,272
Wait a minute here, so I have to fly 50% AQM on AC metal/codeshare to re-qualify for the level I'm aiming for? AQD is not a problem for given I'm non-resident and I'm already over the $10K spent (instead of $20K) for SE. I don't see the 50% minimum on the Altitude website. My problem is I won't be flying 50% on AC metal/codeshare and I'll be over 100K this year that I'm depositing to Altitude.
Advice appreciated.
GT
Advice appreciated.
GT
You can fly 0% AC metal and 100% AC codeshare metal on 014 stock to get your AQD if that's what you want. Doesn't matter where your AQM comes from (can fly *A all you want).
Jun 10, 2018, 5:50 pm
#9
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Since the original poster lists NYC as a place of residence, it's important to note that the $20,000AQD is for Canadian residents only, and I believe it's half that for non Canadian residents.
Jun 10, 2018, 6:35 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2013
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Jun 10, 2018, 6:45 pm
#11
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GT
Jun 10, 2018, 7:14 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2016
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That's good to hear. Based in NYC it's hard to fly AC all the time. I've already passed by $10K AQD so that's set. Just need to get AQM. Most of my flights are UA and LH. I try to fly AC but they're so expensive now and I need the 150% bonus to get to 100K this year.
GT
GT
Jun 11, 2018, 4:48 am
#13
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Good question. Main reason is AQD is half other airlines like UA. I’m based near LGA so I often fly out of there and can connect via YYZ easily for international routes. Also so many 1K it’s hard to score intl upgrades. Also 15K RT for AE redemption with IKK is a steal as well as intl J reward has lower points redemption. Overall I get more out of AC I think.
GT
GT