Aug 26, 22, 5:21 pm
Last edit by: Adam Smith
AC link:
UPDATED HERE January 2, 2022
Boarding Process
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...g-by-zone.html
Pre-boarding: Customers who have requested wheelchair assistance
Zone 1: J and SE customers
Zone 2: 75K, 50K, 35K, 25K, Star Alliance Gold, Premium Economy, Latitude and Primary or Secondary Cardholder on Aeroplan black credit cards
Zone 2.5:
- Passengers travelling with children under the age of 6 or who require additional time to board the aircraft
- Passengers travelling with a musical instrument as part of their carry-on baggage
Zone 3: Comfort fares, passengers who purchased preferred seats in advance
Zones 3, 4 and 5: General boarding (back to front). AC Express flights will not have Zone 5.
Zone 6: Economy Basic
Companions travelling on the same PNR as an Aeroplan Elite/*Gold member will receive the same priority boarding zone.
UPDATED HERE January 2, 2022
Boarding Process
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...g-by-zone.html
Pre-boarding: Customers who have requested wheelchair assistance
Zone 1: J and SE customers
Zone 2: 75K, 50K, 35K, 25K, Star Alliance Gold, Premium Economy, Latitude and Primary or Secondary Cardholder on Aeroplan black credit cards
Zone 2.5:
- Passengers travelling with children under the age of 6 or who require additional time to board the aircraft
- Passengers travelling with a musical instrument as part of their carry-on baggage
Zone 3: Comfort fares, passengers who purchased preferred seats in advance
Zones 3, 4 and 5: General boarding (back to front). AC Express flights will not have Zone 5.
Zone 6: Economy Basic
Companions travelling on the same PNR as an Aeroplan Elite/*Gold member will receive the same priority boarding zone.
Original thread covering 2014-2019 can be found here
Zoned Boarding (2020 onwards)
Apr 29, 20, 12:04 pm
#46
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,610
Originally Posted by canadiancow
I suspect it's just a small part of Aeroplan 2.0 that they can implement with no real effort or announcement.
My second guess is that it's an unintended consequence of airport systems moving to Amadeus, and it was easier to change the policy than the implementation, especially since there's going to be an Aeroplan 2.0 right around the corner. Basically the same reason that Aeroplan's systems all suck right now.
Anyone with non-AC *S want to book a refundable flight for tomorrow, check in, and see what zone you get?
My second guess is that it's an unintended consequence of airport systems moving to Amadeus, and it was easier to change the policy than the implementation, especially since there's going to be an Aeroplan 2.0 right around the corner. Basically the same reason that Aeroplan's systems all suck right now.
Anyone with non-AC *S want to book a refundable flight for tomorrow, check in, and see what zone you get?
Apr 29, 20, 6:18 pm
#48
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YQB
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,128
Originally Posted by trek604
Wow P25K getting zone 2 really sucks. The lineups are already super long most of the time.
Hopefully though this is a crowd that realistically is not travelling much so things may not be so bad. It still feels like a devaluation of the benefit.
Apr 29, 20, 6:31 pm
#49
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: AC Super Elite, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 4,499
Originally Posted by trek604
Wow P25K getting zone 2 really sucks. The lineups are already super long most of the time.
May 1, 20, 6:44 am
#51
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: ORD
Programs: AC 50K, Bonvoy Tit, UA Silver
Posts: 230
They may have make this change to support credit cards Zone 2:
The infinite privilege grants Zone 2 boarding. Now the card gives P25K and P25K is suddenly Zone 2.
Originally Posted by theOtherHolmes
Data point: I held no status with AC this year (exclusively flew on point redemption last year to burn my aeroplan points), and last week signed up for a new credit card (CIBC Aerogold infinite privilege) which would give 50K bonus witch 3K spending.
Was hoping that the 50K bonus would push me to P25K privileges lasting thru 2021 into Feb 2022...
I have not received the card yet lol thanks Canada Post.
Imagine my surprise when today I got an email saying that my newly approved visa infinite privilege has been linked to my aeroplan number, when I did not given them my aeroplan information during credit card application.
NOW imagine my SHOCK when I’m already P25K and asked to select privileges... the sucker? The status ends Feb 2021!!!!!
So an unpublished benefit appears to be the P25K status. However that means I’m no longer eligible for the aeroplan promotion which would have given me the P25K all the way to Feb 2022.
My mind is blown. Kinda funny.
Was hoping that the 50K bonus would push me to P25K privileges lasting thru 2021 into Feb 2022...
I have not received the card yet lol thanks Canada Post.
Imagine my surprise when today I got an email saying that my newly approved visa infinite privilege has been linked to my aeroplan number, when I did not given them my aeroplan information during credit card application.
NOW imagine my SHOCK when I’m already P25K and asked to select privileges... the sucker? The status ends Feb 2021!!!!!
So an unpublished benefit appears to be the P25K status. However that means I’m no longer eligible for the aeroplan promotion which would have given me the P25K all the way to Feb 2022.
My mind is blown. Kinda funny.
May 4, 20, 9:21 am
#53
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Mileage Plus, WestJet Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,026
Originally Posted by OccasionallyFlying
Had some fun with a Latitude fare and a e-coupon and booked myself on AC8414. I am currently *S with OZ and got Zone 2 when I checked in.
...
Previous AC flights got me Zone 4 so this must be a recent change.
...
Previous AC flights got me Zone 4 so this must be a recent change.
May 4, 20, 9:22 am
#54
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: YVR/ICN
Programs: OZ Diamond *G/AC 35K *S/Marriott Bonvoy Platinum/Hilton Gold
Posts: 90
Originally Posted by Fiordland
There was some new coverage yesterday that Delta and American are moving away from zone boarding to back to front boarding to reduce personal contact and support social distancing. Could we see the same from AC in the not to distant future?
May 4, 20, 9:42 am
#55
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Toronto, ON
Programs: AC 75K
Posts: 6,090
Originally Posted by OccasionallyFlying
Had some fun with a Latitude fare and a e-coupon and booked myself on AC8414. I am currently *S with OZ and got Zone 2 when I checked in.
Previous AC flights got me Zone 4 so this must be a recent change.
Previous AC flights got me Zone 4 so this must be a recent change.
May 4, 20, 10:41 am
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson
Posts: 34,883
Originally Posted by ChrisA330
Doesn't a Latitude fare give you Zone 2 anyway?
May 4, 20, 3:01 pm
#58
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: YVR/ICN
Programs: OZ Diamond *G/AC 35K *S/Marriott Bonvoy Platinum/Hilton Gold
Posts: 90
Originally Posted by canadiancow
Yeah I think to really test this, it will need to be Flex or lower.
May 4, 20, 3:50 pm
#59
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, DL PM, WS Silver, BA Bronze, Marriott Titanium, Hilton/Radisson Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,115
Originally Posted by OccasionallyFlying
Rookie mistake. I tried again with a Standard fare. Got Zone 4.
May 4, 20, 4:35 pm
#60
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, UA Gold, Bonvoy Tit LT Sil, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Accor Silver
Posts: 41,473
Okay so foreign *S does not get you any special boarding group. It's a bit of a shame - a very cheap and easy way to reward alliance loyalty. Even just guaranteeing zone 4 would be useful, though I think 3 would be reasonable.
I always got a better group on UA when I was E35K, and I appreciated that.
I always got a better group on UA when I was E35K, and I appreciated that.
