ACflyerDE

Hi, I know this is not the most important question in this changing times of AC, but I'll ask you anyway...

A friend of mine joint Aeroplan in January this year and already has collected 25k miles. He's going to fly UA transatlantic in a couple of weeks. He's looking for a seat in E+ but IIRC there is no instant recognition for Prestige status, only for Elite. Is there any way for him to get a seat in E+ at the time of reservation or only by asking at the check-in to sit "more up front"? Would AC confirm his Prestige status at this time?

Altaflyer

Okay I can't resist....

I'm sorry but the words "instant", "prestige" and "recognition" really have no place in AC's world

Seriously, NO. Prestige status is only given in Feb/Mar of the year after it is earned and so far as I know there is no way of getting E+ at time of booking without status, unless you have a fairly expensive fare at which point it may be eligible - call UA to find out.

why fly

Also you need to be Elite or Gold to get the seats I think. If you have a friend flying with you who is GOLD you both will be seated in E+

Altaflyer

Nope Prestige/Star Silver is eligible for E+, unless there has been a recent change. IMHO this is the biggest benefit of Prestige - sad but true.

Edited to add from UA website:

"Economy Plus seating
Economy Plus is available on most North America and many international flights. Advance seating assignment in Economy Plus is available on a first-come, first-served basis to the following customers:
Mileage Plus members who have Mileage Plus Premier status or above.
Star Alliance Gold and Silver members.
Customers traveling on fares booked in Y, B or M class."




[This message has been edited by Altaflyer (edited 06-02-2003).]

Prestige

I�m Prestige (obvious with a name like this ) and got E-Plus seats on a few flights this summer without any problems. I called United directly to make seat selections.

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Prestige

cattle

You're lucky you don't get the lav seating like Z-boy

Western Flyer

Why is it that the website states that both Prestige and Elite will be given "Instant Recognition"? I have recently completed 33 segments this year and my status still says "Basic".

ACflyerDE

Where is that website? I only found on www.aeroplan.com/en/collect/collect_status_miles.jsp

ACflyerDE

Ok, I found what you mean: www.aeroplan.com/en/rewards/status_benefits.jsp

The chart obviously shows that Prestige and Elite status will be instantly recognized, however, when clicking on "Instant recognition" it says:
These are very obviously the requirements for Super Elite and Elite, not Prestige, I guess somebody from AP screwed that up.

Western Flyer

I sent Aeroplan an email regarding this two weeks ago and I guess they have other priorities right now because they have not responded. Maybe they figure ignoring me will make me go away.

Prestige

ffs852

I thought "Instant Prestige recognition" was only reserved for Elites and Super Elites who identifies themselves and present their membership cards at check-in?

Shareholder

In fairness to AC for not granting Instant Prestige, let's consider that since most other STAR programs [and other FF programs] have a 25K mileage threshold for their initial elite tier, and 50K for their mid-tier. This means one must do a fair bit of flying before hitting the initial elite tier. On the other hand, AC has set the theshold rather low -- yes, I know for domestic fliers, it is quite high in comparison since one only earns 50% mileage on discounted fares -- so anyone flying between eastern Canada to Asia can almost achieve Prestige in a single trip. Someone flying to Australia will earn it on their first return trip. This would mean AC would have to prepare Prestige kits mid-year for thousands of travellers who might never make use of them or the benefits. It would be quite a costly procedure.

On the other hand, given that Elite can be earned at 35K, any of these fliers who are going to become true FFers, can earn mid-year Elite status after two trips across the Pacifc to Australia, or two to Asia with a couple of domestic or transborder transcons.

Since STARSilver benefits, and those of Prestige itself, are minimal, I see no problem with AC's approach. Serious FFers are going to make Elite easily enough, while not giving "instant Prestige" lets AC keep the numbers within cost-manageable range.

If your intent is to get STARSilver to take advantage of UA's Y+ seating, then I suggest enrolling in Mileage Plus and flying 25K status miles to earn the benefit that way. [I would think AC's STAR partners also want it to keep the number of Prestiges under control so they don't have to offer those benefits to too many of AC's customers who might want to take advantage of them.]

ACflyerDE

SH, I do agree with you, but I don't get your point when you wrote

does UA have instant recognition for their Premier status? Otherwise it does not make too much sense to me since ROP's or AP's limits are significantly lower.

Prestige

This is what gets me cranked. Fly to Australia round-trip and get P status. A friend of mine is doing just that in a few weeks for about $3500. In a few weeks I�ll be at 11 segments and well over $3500 spent and will only have 6000 Q miles! So I will spend more than 3x as much to get to P. Segments should be reduced because when you travel domestically it�s difficult (expensive) to achieve status. Nothing new I guess but I just felt like sharing my frustration.

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Prestige