Fees
Apr 13, 2003, 7:34 pm
#91
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 385
Seems as if we're going to need an awful lot of $20 contributions...
Don't mention that its chearper to fly WJ instead of redeeming points. Thats just what AC wants to hear, that way you don't spend the miles which just cost them money.
I could just picture the AC managment meeting about this. Hmmm, we need money quick....Hey! AP members have to redeem their miles anyway, lets charge them when they do! So what if our partners like CIBC, DC etc are getting serious less "mileage" for their money, we'll make more right away.
Granted, Onex will definely not look at this as creating more value for their proposed purchase and will likely reconsider the deal, as long as AC gets a quick cash injection right now.
Obvioulsy, none of us like this development, but from a business standpoint can someone explain the logic behind this? To me it seems to have serious lack of foresight. As everyone has said, its just not worth the fallout in the most loyal customers.
Wasn't the fuel surcharge already included in the AP fee?
Not too long ago AP tickets were actually pretty close to free, then they started on the $25 to change ticket dates and, the base fees went up with the security fees and now this??
My AP points were until now a serious asset in my business, earning upwards of a $1million a year through CIBC, now its just another way to purchase a ticket. CIBC must be fuming.
Can someone post addressess of AP, AC, CIBC, DC, Future Shop, Onex and the rest so we can all send our letters.
Don't mention that its chearper to fly WJ instead of redeeming points. Thats just what AC wants to hear, that way you don't spend the miles which just cost them money.
I could just picture the AC managment meeting about this. Hmmm, we need money quick....Hey! AP members have to redeem their miles anyway, lets charge them when they do! So what if our partners like CIBC, DC etc are getting serious less "mileage" for their money, we'll make more right away.
Granted, Onex will definely not look at this as creating more value for their proposed purchase and will likely reconsider the deal, as long as AC gets a quick cash injection right now.
Obvioulsy, none of us like this development, but from a business standpoint can someone explain the logic behind this? To me it seems to have serious lack of foresight. As everyone has said, its just not worth the fallout in the most loyal customers.
Wasn't the fuel surcharge already included in the AP fee?
Not too long ago AP tickets were actually pretty close to free, then they started on the $25 to change ticket dates and, the base fees went up with the security fees and now this??
My AP points were until now a serious asset in my business, earning upwards of a $1million a year through CIBC, now its just another way to purchase a ticket. CIBC must be fuming.
Can someone post addressess of AP, AC, CIBC, DC, Future Shop, Onex and the rest so we can all send our letters.
Apr 13, 2003, 7:42 pm
#92
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: YQL
Programs: AC S100K / AC-2MM
Posts: 402
I'm in for the $20 or more if necessary. I've e-mailed AC, AP and DC so far. Be interesting to see if there is a response from any of them. I cannot believe AC would do this at a time when they need their frequent flyers more than ever. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot...
Apr 13, 2003, 10:45 pm
#96
Company Representative - Air Canada
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 24,215
"This fee will enable Aeroplan to increase redemption opportunities, introduce an even more efficient redemption process, make it easier to book reward travel, and much more."
Speechless . . .
[This message has been edited by Empress (edited 04-13-2003).]
Speechless . . .
[This message has been edited by Empress (edited 04-13-2003).]
Apr 13, 2003, 11:13 pm
#98
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: SYD
Posts: 2,437
Will the National or G & M take an ad that slates another much Bigger advertiser...
AC must spend Millions on ADs, remember this paper have a business to run to, they might be reluctant to accept this add.
Just another perspective...
Errorplan had some what success in rolling back the changes in the 2002 plan....
This was done at very lttle cost i expect, and achieved a great deal...many of us are indeed indebted.
Paying people to hand out leaflets at the airports, or FF members doing this will be way more effective as it gets to the heart of the matter....
Mind you...AP really does not give a flying F*** right now...they can do what they want.....
We have many millions of miles at stake.!
AC must spend Millions on ADs, remember this paper have a business to run to, they might be reluctant to accept this add.
Just another perspective...
Errorplan had some what success in rolling back the changes in the 2002 plan....
This was done at very lttle cost i expect, and achieved a great deal...many of us are indeed indebted.
Paying people to hand out leaflets at the airports, or FF members doing this will be way more effective as it gets to the heart of the matter....
Mind you...AP really does not give a flying F*** right now...they can do what they want.....
We have many millions of miles at stake.!
Apr 13, 2003, 11:19 pm
#99
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: YVR
Posts: 9,999
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Will the National or G & M take an ad that slates another much Bigger advertiser...</font>
Which would really get the ball rolling, I imagine.
Apr 13, 2003, 11:45 pm
#100
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: YYZ/YHM/BUF
Programs: AA Plat, HH Gold, MR Plat
Posts: 4,212
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Altaflyer:
So far as I know US on-line redemption is always free as well (until they change it of course - not sure it's advertised well but it does work).</font>
So far as I know US on-line redemption is always free as well (until they change it of course - not sure it's advertised well but it does work).</font>
Also add HP, WN, and FL to the list of airlines that have no fees for redeeming awards.
Apr 14, 2003, 12:08 am
#101
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: MEX/YVR/YYF
Programs: AS MVP/AC75K/AM Gold/UA*S/SPG-Marriott Lifetime Titanium/Accor-FPC Gold/HHDiamond/Hyatt Exp
Posts: 5,035
Just got home from a ZIP flight...I had heard about the fees being added April 30 and I was just at peace with that when I read about the new 'redemption fee(s)'. What crap! Rupert's minions are definitely at it again. They are so petty. If I want to redeem 25K for a flight in Y in NA, that would take me 100 one way flights demonstrating my loyalty and then they try to squeeze a further fee out of me for booking on their website? Get real. Count me in for the $20 contribution.
Apr 14, 2003, 1:11 am
#102
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: YVR
Programs: UA-1K (3MM); AA-Gold (1MM); Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,145
I got back from MEX Sunday night. Just catching up on emails.
I just cannot believe what Aeroplan is doing. Talk about pushing customers of all levels away.
I suspect, it's the frequent **flier** that will look elsewhere to accumulate miles. The frequent buyer will likely not notice much and would be willing to pay the $25. But these are the ones that never/rarely fly. How does that help AC?
Just does not make sense to me.
I just cannot believe what Aeroplan is doing. Talk about pushing customers of all levels away.
I suspect, it's the frequent **flier** that will look elsewhere to accumulate miles. The frequent buyer will likely not notice much and would be willing to pay the $25. But these are the ones that never/rarely fly. How does that help AC?
Just does not make sense to me.
Apr 14, 2003, 4:48 am
#103
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Hi guys...
First of all, count me in with $20 or more to raise public awareness of the AC shaft.
I do, however, think that there are more effective and cheaper ways to get the message across. Whilst I don't think that the Globe or the Star would refuse a full page ad of this nature (they need all the money they can get and AC is not about to shun the newspaper with the largets circulation in the country), it is a pretty expenseive undertaking. I'm sure the money that is raised could be used more effectively. Once the ad is run, that's it...if you didn't see it that day, too bad.
There is clearly enough reporter interest to do AC/AP stories, and I'm sure that the Globe would be happy to interview someone from this board.
Also, remember the impact the errorplan newsletter had when it appeared in the MLL, seatback pockets etc? That's how I heard of errorplan and, subsequently, this board.
The great power of the internet is that it is much easier, quicker, and cheaper to assimilate ideas and get mass messages across, either to the affected or to the initiators.
I propose something like this:
1. Get someone interviewed by the Globe
2a. Collectively write a simple summary of how AP members are getting the shaft
2b. Circulate that through this board
2c. Have board members copy it and distribute in planes, MLL, airports, etc (we all travel enough to do this)
3. Perhaps remind the public about errorplan, where they can see an up-to-date schedule of AP changes
4. Mass email campaign to Rupert or others at AP.
Thoughts?
[This message has been edited by LondonElite (edited 04-14-2003).]
First of all, count me in with $20 or more to raise public awareness of the AC shaft.
I do, however, think that there are more effective and cheaper ways to get the message across. Whilst I don't think that the Globe or the Star would refuse a full page ad of this nature (they need all the money they can get and AC is not about to shun the newspaper with the largets circulation in the country), it is a pretty expenseive undertaking. I'm sure the money that is raised could be used more effectively. Once the ad is run, that's it...if you didn't see it that day, too bad.
There is clearly enough reporter interest to do AC/AP stories, and I'm sure that the Globe would be happy to interview someone from this board.
Also, remember the impact the errorplan newsletter had when it appeared in the MLL, seatback pockets etc? That's how I heard of errorplan and, subsequently, this board.
The great power of the internet is that it is much easier, quicker, and cheaper to assimilate ideas and get mass messages across, either to the affected or to the initiators.
I propose something like this:
1. Get someone interviewed by the Globe
2a. Collectively write a simple summary of how AP members are getting the shaft
2b. Circulate that through this board
2c. Have board members copy it and distribute in planes, MLL, airports, etc (we all travel enough to do this)
3. Perhaps remind the public about errorplan, where they can see an up-to-date schedule of AP changes
4. Mass email campaign to Rupert or others at AP.
Thoughts?
[This message has been edited by LondonElite (edited 04-14-2003).]
Apr 14, 2003, 5:42 am
#104
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: YYC
Programs: AC MM
Posts: 1,410
That plan does sound a bit more rational, whether through and ad or a story this has to get into the media. I think on this summary it should show email addresses/phone numbers for not only the airline, but for the involved CC's as well to make it easier for people to voice their displeasure. I am willing to start handing these out and stuffing seat pockets.