Altitude 2019-2020 Benefits
Dec 6, 2018, 11:45 am
#106
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,569
I don't know about you folks but it always surprises me that AC has the gall to charge it's Gold elites fees for advanced seat selection in Y. On UA, even Golds get E+ seat access at time of booking for themselves and one guest (and upto 8 guests for Platinum and above). That being said, now that I'm not a Canadian resident and the fact that UA is playing around with PQM accrual makes me wonder whether I should question my FF choice for 2019.
I'm pretty sure from 25k you get free seat selection.
For preferred seats: Going from 25k->SE one gets a discount up to free, in increasing markets and fare buckets.
Dec 6, 2018, 11:57 am
#107
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Air Canada 50K, Marriott Gold,
Posts: 206
You only get free preferred seats in flex fares as an E50K and higher. Even the discount below that is only on Flex fares - I think that's his point. UA will give you free E+ on any fare
Dec 6, 2018, 12:14 pm
#108
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
For my travel preferences (namely purchasing the cheapest available tickets, often on *A) it's crazy to think that seat assignments cost anything unless you buy a special fare bucket. On my $515 CAD flight from LHR to LAX (then EWR to LHR) on UA, I was able to select plush E+ seats for free during booking in spite of my fare being Economy, Light. Heck, I even get my checked bag and priority benefits!
I'd be happy to switch to Altitude when AC realizes that loyalty should be based on BIS not dollars spent! It makes no sense to me why someone who spends, say, $10,000 on a flight pass and flies a couple times every year on the pass gets elite recognition, whereas someone who spends say $2,500 a year and flies several ultra long haul flights during the year doesn't. The latter could clearly benefit from the elite benefits whereas the former wouldn't! The next thing we'll hear that fares should be based on distance, not route competition!
Safe Travels,
James
Dec 6, 2018, 12:19 pm
#110
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,958
It makes no sense to me why someone who spends, say, $10,000 on a flight pass and flies a couple times every year on the pass gets elite recognition, whereas someone who spends say $2,500 a year and flies several ultra long haul flights during the year doesn't. The latter could clearly benefit from the elite benefits whereas the former wouldn't! The next thing we'll hear that fares should be based on distance, not route competition!
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James
Flyer 1 spends $10,000 per year
Flyer 2 spends $2,500 per year
Dec 6, 2018, 12:27 pm
#111
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
Dec 6, 2018, 12:35 pm
#112
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,569
Sorry I meant E50K (clearly been a UA elite for too long).
For my travel preferences (namely purchasing the cheapest available tickets, often on *A) it's crazy to think that seat assignments cost anything unless you buy a special fare bucket. On my $515 CAD flight from LHR to LAX (then EWR to LHR) on UA, I was able to select plush E+ seats for free during booking in spite of my fare being Economy, Light. Heck, I even get my checked bag and priority benefits!
For my travel preferences (namely purchasing the cheapest available tickets, often on *A) it's crazy to think that seat assignments cost anything unless you buy a special fare bucket. On my $515 CAD flight from LHR to LAX (then EWR to LHR) on UA, I was able to select plush E+ seats for free during booking in spite of my fare being Economy, Light. Heck, I even get my checked bag and priority benefits!
I'd be happy to switch to Altitude when AC realizes that loyalty should be based on BIS not dollars spent! It makes no sense to me why someone who spends, say, $10,000 on a flight pass and flies a couple times every year on the pass gets elite recognition, whereas someone who spends say $2,500 a year and flies several ultra long haul flights during the year doesn't. The latter could clearly benefit from the elite benefits whereas the former wouldn't! The next thing we'll hear that fares should be based on distance, not route competition!
Dec 6, 2018, 12:48 pm
#113
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: YAM, CIU, CGN
Programs: AC FOTSG, DL WM
Posts: 190
I'm sure the VAX they have running all this is chugging along at full steam, doing its best to keep up.
Dec 6, 2018, 12:52 pm
#114
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: AC E50K, FPC Platinum
Posts: 56
I'm going from zero status this year, and just logged in and has welcomed me as P25k for next year, and invited me to select my privileges (currently at 28 flight segments)
I've still got a pile of flights and should make it to E35k by the end of the month. One of my select options could be lounge passes. If I chose that now will they be mailed out to me, and can select a different benefit when at the end of the year Air Canada realizes I have enough segments to make the higher status? Or will they wait until the new year to send anything out and so there's no point in doing it?
It is nice that the status kicked in for the last flights of the year so I can benefit from the...zone 3 boarding and two free checked bags (I'll try and contain my excitement)
I've still got a pile of flights and should make it to E35k by the end of the month. One of my select options could be lounge passes. If I chose that now will they be mailed out to me, and can select a different benefit when at the end of the year Air Canada realizes I have enough segments to make the higher status? Or will they wait until the new year to send anything out and so there's no point in doing it?
It is nice that the status kicked in for the last flights of the year so I can benefit from the...zone 3 boarding and two free checked bags (I'll try and contain my excitement)
Dec 6, 2018, 12:56 pm
#115
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: AC E50K, FPC Platinum
Posts: 56
I'm going from zero status this year, and just logged in and has welcomed me as P25k for next year, and invited me to select my privileges (currently at 28 flight segments)
I've still got a pile of flights and should make it to E35k by the end of the month. One of my select options could be lounge passes. If I chose that now will they be mailed out to me, and can select a different benefit when at the end of the year Air Canada realizes I have enough segments to make the higher status? Or will they wait until the new year to send anything out and so there's no point in doing it?
It is nice that the status kicked in for the last flights of the year so I can benefit from the...zone 3 boarding and two free checked bags (I'll try and contain my excitement)
I've still got a pile of flights and should make it to E35k by the end of the month. One of my select options could be lounge passes. If I chose that now will they be mailed out to me, and can select a different benefit when at the end of the year Air Canada realizes I have enough segments to make the higher status? Or will they wait until the new year to send anything out and so there's no point in doing it?
It is nice that the status kicked in for the last flights of the year so I can benefit from the...zone 3 boarding and two free checked bags (I'll try and contain my excitement)
Dec 6, 2018, 12:58 pm
#116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,804
In that situation, once my wife got both. Mind you, in the meantime they may have improved their system and they may now be able to catch this type of error...
Dec 6, 2018, 1:00 pm
#117
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ottawa
Programs: Altitude E50K / *G
Posts: 924
When I went from P25K to E35K a few years ago they gave me a small amount of eUpgrades (maybe 5?) and then the following year I got the full amounts. I assume this is what will happen to you.
Dec 6, 2018, 1:03 pm
#118
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYC / random hotel in YYZ
Programs: Back of the bus
Posts: 922
For the poster who was trying to compare UA to AC....
Canada ===== 2 airlines, not much competition. They pretty much match their fares on each others routes, and one has a premium cabin, the other has corny jokes and free peanuts.
USA ==== multiple carriers, 10x the travellers, and significant competition.
It should be pretty basic to understand why AC doesn't have to give away the farm like some american carriers...
Canada ===== 2 airlines, not much competition. They pretty much match their fares on each others routes, and one has a premium cabin, the other has corny jokes and free peanuts.
USA ==== multiple carriers, 10x the travellers, and significant competition.
It should be pretty basic to understand why AC doesn't have to give away the farm like some american carriers...
Dec 6, 2018, 1:06 pm
#119
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
I got the full amount of credits with each status I passed this year; E35K, E50K and E75K. Having said that, things may be handled quite differently here at year end. This is why it surprises me that they are rolling out the selection and eUps to anyone other than S100K. I imagine it's not a small number of people who have been given the rewards for one status now but will reach another by month end.
Dec 6, 2018, 1:27 pm
#120
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC Lifetime SE100K, 3MM, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hertz PC, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,901
You can't get enough AQM to gain status just by buying a flight pass. You would have to purchase an UL flight pass, and that will cost you much more than $10K. And, seriously, how many people have ever done this, just to gain status, with no intention to fly? I'm not sure the logic in using this as an argument is very sound.