Sep 11, 2021, 4:58 am
Last edit by: yyznomad
Dear Super Elites,
In typical Air Canada fashion, FAs still have ZERO idea about this perk. As such, you will need to be proactive about this perk if you want to benefit from it. There is a very high likelihood that you will not be offered anything if you do not inquire.
Be prepared to be met with a big fat ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
yyzn.
In typical Air Canada fashion, FAs still have ZERO idea about this perk. As such, you will need to be proactive about this perk if you want to benefit from it. There is a very high likelihood that you will not be offered anything if you do not inquire.
Be prepared to be met with a big fat ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
yyzn.
Air Canada Super Elite members will receive complimentary in-flight refreshments
Oct 31, 2020, 1:02 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2020
Programs: AC 75k
Posts: 704
Bang on. Little tolerance anymore for AC's rubbery omelets or hockey puck hard steaks on board.
At YVR, head over to the Fairmont Hotel, Globe Restaurant - food excellent with great views, although expect premium prices. Routinely have early dinner here with spouse when outbound to LHR on evening flight, or even breakfast when going east mid-morning.
Get NEXUS card though as this will get your through security pretty quick..
safe travels.
At YVR, head over to the Fairmont Hotel, Globe Restaurant - food excellent with great views, although expect premium prices. Routinely have early dinner here with spouse when outbound to LHR on evening flight, or even breakfast when going east mid-morning.
Get NEXUS card though as this will get your through security pretty quick..
safe travels.
Oct 31, 2020, 6:36 am
#32
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,574
Last edited by RangerNS; Oct 31, 2020 at 11:38 am
Nov 29, 2020, 7:45 pm
#34
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Mileage Plus, WestJet Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,026
"The flight attended will walk up to the SE, personally thank them for flying Air Canada to-day and say, as a token of our appreciation can I get you a complementary drink."
By the time it is implemented in loses all sense of being a good host and has as much elegance as a grocery store discount coupon except the cashier does not know how to ring it up so its either full price or free.
Nov 29, 2020, 9:16 pm
#35
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Montreal & Nashville
Programs: Aeroplan SE100K, Accor Platinum, Bonvoy Titanium Elite, BW Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 391
I'm in the not wanting to be nickeled and dimed camp.
And while yes, I could expense things, there is some upper limit. Its all nods and winks and billed through so no one cares except that one guy... Id just as soon stock up on "free" things, airline and hotel lounges, and play the price is right expense game with actually quality product (nothing in any airport anywhere qualifying)
And while yes, I could expense things, there is some upper limit. Its all nods and winks and billed through so no one cares except that one guy... Id just as soon stock up on "free" things, airline and hotel lounges, and play the price is right expense game with actually quality product (nothing in any airport anywhere qualifying)
I often pay more for AC/Flex in order to have status and then I don't expense meals and drinks that I would normally at airport (because I use the lounges). Same.for sleeping in J going to LHR, getting a shower and breakfast on arrival and head straight to work. The savings the company gets by me not expensing many meals with alcohol plus time saved offsets the extra they sometimes pay for me to get Flex and/or fly AC.
Nov 30, 2020, 12:26 am
#36
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 297
Adam Smith is correct below: the above generally isn't a taxable benefit.
Last edited by tecate55; Nov 30, 2020 at 9:55 pm
Nov 30, 2020, 3:07 am
#37
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,815
My eating the free food from airline lounges or sitting up front on upgrades has definitely saved my employers thousands of dollars over the years, so I can see this perk adding to that value proposition for those making the case to their bosses about the value of status. It's not worth a ton, but every bit counts.
Dec 5, 2020, 6:44 am
#38
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
I never really saw this as an "SD unwillingly forced to kiss SE butt and then provide snack"... this could simply be "SE gets snack dumped on their lap from disgruntled Y FA who is reading off PIL".
I think it's as basic as that.
And if so, I'll take it.
But if it is really SD making small talk or platitudes or whatever... then bonus?
There are SDs who genuinely care and will approach the SE/SM/XE/XM in Y and chat with them and thank them for their loyalty etc. etc. etc. That definitely does happen (albeit rarely), but it's still always a nice touch.
Heck, I've been approached by an SD while previously E75K and thanked for my Million Miles. So yeah, it can happen out of genuine care.
I think it's as basic as that.
And if so, I'll take it.
But if it is really SD making small talk or platitudes or whatever... then bonus?
There are SDs who genuinely care and will approach the SE/SM/XE/XM in Y and chat with them and thank them for their loyalty etc. etc. etc. That definitely does happen (albeit rarely), but it's still always a nice touch.
Heck, I've been approached by an SD while previously E75K and thanked for my Million Miles. So yeah, it can happen out of genuine care.
Jan 4, 2021, 7:06 am
#39
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Montreal & Nashville
Programs: Aeroplan SE100K, Accor Platinum, Bonvoy Titanium Elite, BW Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 391
SE Perk: Free Drink and Snack
I thought I read about it here but even with search function I could not find anything. So Google sent me here: https://onemileatatime.com/air-canad...snack-economy/
Bistro Service is back on-board from what I saw in the app, but I learned that it was only for pre-purchased packages (not available for sale during flight).
I asked the FA about the SE perk, I did not remember exactly all the details (i.e. $ limit, one snack, etc.) I just asked if there was some kind of free drink for SE. She had no clue what I was talking about, her first answer was that there was no alcohol on board and no bistro (only pre-purchase).
After a while though she came back and offered a drink (beer/wine), saying she checked with colleagues and did not have a clear answer on the new perks.
Anyone had similar experience? Did I just get lucky and the perk is actually not "active"? I was looking at the old bistro coupons on the altitude website, but I guess they don't exist anymore.
Air Canada Super Elite members will receive complimentary in-flight refreshments, which wasn’t a benefit before. Here are the details of this new perk:
This perk will kick in when the Air Canada Bistro service is reintroduced onboard (Air Canada currently has very limited service due to the pandemic)
Eligible passengers can enjoy one free alcoholic drink and one free snack item when traveling on Air Canada, Air Canada Express, or Air Canada Rouge, in economy class
Drinks up to a value of $6.95 are eligible, and when it comes to food, fresh snack options (such as sandwiches and salads) aren’t eligible
This perk will kick in when the Air Canada Bistro service is reintroduced onboard (Air Canada currently has very limited service due to the pandemic)
Eligible passengers can enjoy one free alcoholic drink and one free snack item when traveling on Air Canada, Air Canada Express, or Air Canada Rouge, in economy class
Drinks up to a value of $6.95 are eligible, and when it comes to food, fresh snack options (such as sandwiches and salads) aren’t eligible
I asked the FA about the SE perk, I did not remember exactly all the details (i.e. $ limit, one snack, etc.) I just asked if there was some kind of free drink for SE. She had no clue what I was talking about, her first answer was that there was no alcohol on board and no bistro (only pre-purchase).
After a while though she came back and offered a drink (beer/wine), saying she checked with colleagues and did not have a clear answer on the new perks.
Anyone had similar experience? Did I just get lucky and the perk is actually not "active"? I was looking at the old bistro coupons on the altitude website, but I guess they don't exist anymore.
Jan 4, 2021, 8:43 am
#40
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
Jan 4, 2021, 3:20 pm
#42
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
GDIT we need a functioning-designated-official AC lurker back here again (not the ones that peruse FT without posting).
Jan 4, 2021, 3:23 pm
#43
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: 44,406
The current offerings are not "bistro service".
Jan 4, 2021, 3:25 pm
#44
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
Just going off what theBeachBoy said - perhaps you could've told him that initially? wonk wonk! 
Jan 5, 2021, 8:22 pm
#45
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Montreal & Nashville
Programs: Aeroplan SE100K, Accor Platinum, Bonvoy Titanium Elite, BW Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 391
On the app it is clearly labeled bistro and from the app you had a link to this PDF: https://www.aircanada.com/content/dam/aircanada/portal/documents/PDF/2017_ac_cafe_menu.pdf
But it was still called bistro
It was MCO-YUL AC925
I can't see it back in the app since flight is past
But it was still called bistro
It was MCO-YUL AC925
I can't see it back in the app since flight is past