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[WORK IN PROGRESS, INPUT REQUESTED] New Forum Dashboard/FAQ thread
As many of you know, and as discussed in last year’s thread regarding improving forum organization, the existing AC forum FAQ thread is very long in the tooth and probably not very useful at this point.
Since last year’s organization discussion, a couple of different FTers have volunteered to work on a new one, but for various reasons, have not been able to deliver. As a result, I’ve been chipping away at it for a while, but it’s time-consuming to try to pull all of this stuff together, so I thought now that a decent chunk of it is done, I could throw it out there for feedback and for assistance in fleshing it out. I'm sure there are still a bunch of things that should make the list (e.g. I haven't got any credit card stuff in there yet) A few thoughts on where I was trying to go with this:
Input and assistance from ALL MEMBERS OF THE FT COMMUNITY is welcome here in trying to get this built, whether you have 10,000 posts or 10. So if you have a suggestion, please post. If you want to suggest more threads to be added, the best way to do so would be to grab the URL and write a short text description, as has been done below, so that I can just copy and paste it. |
Earning Status
Qualifying for Aeroplan Elite Status - overview/FAQ Calculator for SQM, Aeroplan points, & SQD – allows you to calculate the status credit and points that you will earn from any given flight(s) Missing / incorrect flight activity (SQM/LQM, SQS, SQD, and Aeroplan points) Annual mileage run thread Everyday Status Qualification (earn 25K status with no SQD) Elite Status Benefits (other than upgrades) Annual overview of benefits Lounge Passes Status Passes Threshold gifts (including threshold eUpgrades) Super Elite Free Beverage/Snack Upgrades Air Canada has several ways to upgrade from the Economy and Premium Economy cabins to Premium Economy and Business cabins. This post provides a quick overview of the different options, but each type of upgrade has its own dedicated thread. eUpgrades are available to those who have status in the Aeroplan program. Bid Upgrades allow anyone (regardless of status) to bid on upgrades using either cash or Aeroplan points. Bid Upgrades close 48 hours before departure and are awarded shortly thereafter. Bids may or may not be successful. Last-Minute Upgrades ("LMUs") allow anyone (regardless of status) to purchase an upgrade at check-in for a fixed price. Barring last-minute operational issues, bid upgrades are guaranteed. Star Alliance Upgrade Awards ("SAUAs") allow anyone to use points from a Star Alliance loyalty program to upgrade AC flights, SAUAs apply only to cash tickets. Other types of upgrade can be used with both revenue and points tickets. AC Website/Apps Website experiences/complaints/issues –includes items that affect both the app and website Mobile app Flight pass app Seats & Other In-Flight Amenities Airbus A330-300 (333) Mitsubishi (formerly Bombardier) CRJ-900 (CR9) Amenity kits On-Board WiFi Meals International
North America
Meal priority Special meals Lounges Lounge Locations & Access Rules Maple Leaf Lounges (MLLs) Signature Suites Café Lounge meet-ups General Venting About Air Canada I work at the airport/for the airline. You're wrong. – tales of woefully incorrect information provided by AC staff Long call centre wait times Fleet Information Master fleet changes thread Re-painting in the new (2017) livery Note: the aircraft threads here are meant to be for general discussion about the fleet – acquiring the aircraft (or getting rid of them), refurbishing cabins, interior fixtures, etc. For information on seating, e.g. which is the best seat, which seats are preferred by couples, etc, please see the seating threads above Boeing 787-8 & 787-9 (788 & 789) Airbus A330-300 (333) refurbishments Boeing 737-8 (7M8) Airbus A220-300 (223) Common Points Booking Questions, Issues & Information Complaints/rants about Aeroplan 2.0 dynamic pricing Complex Multi-City Bookings, Stopovers & Adding Segments After Booking |
If you're talking about the images in the first 9 posts of https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...dashboard.html, I'm not sure what the point is.
The images are, at best, only loosely related to their labels. They don't seem to add much value. They just take up A LOT of space. For example, this one (I've cut off the label): https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...49f37535db.png What AC thread would that apply to? https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-...os-videos.html https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-...ades-down.html Or could it be more of a pun, and apply to something like cancellation windows, eUpgrade clearance windows, etc.? Because on the BA forum, it's actually https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...2-edition.html Not at all intuitive. |
Originally Posted by canadiancow
(Post 34608557)
If you're talking about the images in the first 9 posts of https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...dashboard.html, I'm not sure what the point is.
The images are, at best, only loosely related to their labels. They don't seem to add much value. They just take up A LOT of space. But for now, the main focus would be on making sure we have the right content. |
No feedback whatsoever? For anyone who has complained about information being hard to find, this is a golden opportunity to provide input on how that can be changed.
Latest draft: Earning Status Qualifying for Aeroplan Elite Status - overview/FAQ Calculator for SQM, Aeroplan points, & SQD – allows you to calculate the status credit and points that you will earn from any given flight(s) Missing / incorrect flight activity (SQM/LQM, SQS, SQD, and Aeroplan points) Annual mileage run thread Everyday Status Qualification (earn 25K status with no SQD) Elite Status Benefits (other than upgrades) https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-canada-aeroplan/2098902-2023-aeroplan-elite-status-benefits.html]Annual overview of benefits[/url] Lounge Passes Status Passes Threshold gifts (including threshold eUpgrades) Super Elite Free Beverage/Snack Upgrades Air Canada has several ways to upgrade from the Economy and Premium Economy cabins to Premium Economy and Business cabins. This post provides a quick overview of the different options, but each type of upgrade has its own dedicated thread. eUpgrades are available to those who have status in the Aeroplan program. Bid Upgrades allow anyone (regardless of status) to bid on upgrades using either cash or Aeroplan points. Bid Upgrades close 48 hours before departure and are awarded shortly thereafter. Bids may or may not be successful. Last-Minute Upgrades ("LMUs") allow anyone (regardless of status) to purchase an upgrade at check-in for a fixed price. Barring last-minute operational issues, bid upgrades are guaranteed. Star Alliance Upgrade Awards ("SAUAs") allow anyone to use points from a Star Alliance loyalty program to upgrade AC flights, SAUAs apply only to cash tickets. Other types of upgrade can be used with both revenue and points tickets. AC Website/Apps Website experiences/complaints/issues –includes items that affect both the app and website Mobile app Flight pass app Seats & Other In-Flight Amenities Questions and information about aircraft interiors – general information on seats, which seats are best, IFE, overhead bins, etc Boeing 787-9 (789) Boeing 787-8 (788) Airbus A330-300 (333) Boeing 737-8 (7M8) Mitsubishi (formerly Bombardier) CRJ-900 (CR9) Other in-flight amenities Amenity kits On-Board WiFi Meals International
North America
Meal priority Special meals Lounges Lounge Locations & Access Rules – this is the ONLY thread for discussion of lounge access Maple Leaf Lounges (MLLs) Signature Suites Café Lounge meet-ups General Venting About Air Canada I work at the airport/for the airline. You're wrong. – tales of woefully incorrect information provided by AC staff Long call centre wait times Fleet Information Master fleet changes thread Re-painting in the new (2017) livery Note: the aircraft threads here are meant to be for general discussion about the fleet – acquiring the aircraft (or getting rid of them), refurbishing cabins, interior fixtures, etc. For information on seating, e.g. which is the best seat, which seats are preferred by couples, etc, please see the seating threads above Boeing 787-8 & 787-9 (788 & 789) Airbus A330-300 (333) refurbishments Boeing 737-8 (7M8) Airbus A220-300 (223) Common Points Booking Questions, Issues & Information Basic questions about redemptions in Aeroplan 2.0 (post-2020) Basic "help me with this trip" Aeroplan planning/availability questions Complaints/rants about Aeroplan 2.0 dynamic pricing Complex Multi-City Bookings, Stopovers & Adding Segments After Booking |
I'll add to this FAQ following my latest search.
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Looks pretty extensive to me. Almost everything I care about is here.
Only things I can think of are: (1) same day standby/change; (2) AC-specific connection and baggage through check on separate tickets. But both could be niche and of less interest to general public. |
I love the Wiki details on Eupgrades, for all of the above, similar summary of the known knowledge base would be useful. Digging through a 100's post threads to figure out an issue is painful.
Also, I would added Wiki sections on Buddy Pass and Companion pass since those are 2 common benefits which people ask questions about. |
I dont think this is covered anywhere- happened to me at least 3 times past year:
1)What to do if you have paid for preferred seating, there is an aircraft change and you lose your pref seat and you dont receive the refund automatically 2) What to do if you are upgraded using an e-upgrade , you have paid for preferred seating in Y and you dont receive the refund 3) What to do if you use e-ups and pay the add-on to get J and are downgraded to PY and dont receive the refund of the e-up credits and/or part of the add-on. Many folks wont know/or cant find the link or place on the website to contact AC for these screwups as its kind of buried. |
If you genericized the "venting" topic, you could include threads like "bad behaviour on the plane" and "annoying lounge patrons". Maybe a "social" category to cover meetups (Do's and lounge) and the lounge thread. Good/bad concierge reports could be under "Elite Status Benefits" or its own category (which could include the free drink/snack as "Super Elite Benefits" or something. MM roll-call under "Earning Status"?
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Originally Posted by The Macker
(Post 34882133)
I love the Wiki details on Eupgrades, for all of the above, similar summary of the known knowledge base would be useful. Digging through a 100's post threads to figure out an issue is painful.
Also, I would added Wiki sections on Buddy Pass and Companion pass since those are 2 common benefits which people ask questions about. I also like the idea of something akin to the BA image menu that was mentioned above. Whilst its value may not significant for the expert users, it does provide an interface that makes it much easier for those who are new to FT to explore new and different topics (though, of course, it won't do much to solve the issue of people coming in, not reading the wiki or the existing threads, and asking questions that have been repeatedly asked before (I am guilty)). |
You've mentioned the images versus text topic so clearly that's the only thing we should now spend all our energy bikeshedding over now....
Fwiw I think the section heading images in the BA thread are pretty pointless and excessively large. Sometimes small images can be helpful even if they're content free since it makes it easy to skim quickly to a point you keep referring back to -- you can remember it visually and skim to it. But the ones in the BA thread are over the top. The one place the images are actually quite useful is the pictorial guide to navigating the tunnels in Heathrow. And we don't have things like that in the AC forum. And not that they wouldn't be useful either. I've gotten lost connecting in YYZ in the past. A thread about OSS and the signage to watch for and the different types of connections and how long it takes to make different connections and which lounges are accessible on different connections etc wouldn't be out of place. I think this is what the real benefit in working on this overview would be. It should help us find gaps where more content would be helpful either because it doesn't exist or its buried in some old threads or spread through many threads. |
Updated... Feedback and assistance continue to be welcomed
Air Canada Forum Overview Earning Status Qualifying for Aeroplan Elite Status - overview/FAQ Calculator for SQM, Aeroplan points, & SQD – allows you to calculate the status credit and points that you will earn from any given flight(s) Missing / incorrect flight activity (SQM/LQM, SQS, SQD, and Aeroplan points) Annual mileage run thread Everyday Status Qualification (earn 25K status with no SQD) Million mile recognition Million mile roll call Elite Status Benefits (other than upgrades, which are detailed in a separate section below) Annual overview of benefits Lounge Passes Status Passes Threshold gifts (including threshold eUpgrades) Priority Rewards Super Elite Free Beverage/Snack Upgrades Air Canada has several ways to upgrade from the Economy and Premium Economy cabins to Premium Economy and Business cabins. This post provides a quick overview of the different options, but each type of upgrade has its own dedicated thread. eUpgrades are available to those who have status in the Aeroplan program. Bid Upgrades allow anyone (regardless of status) to bid on upgrades using either cash or Aeroplan points. Bid Upgrades close 48 hours before departure and are awarded shortly thereafter. Bids may or may not be successful. Last-Minute Upgrades ("LMUs") allow anyone (regardless of status) to purchase an upgrade at check-in for a fixed price. Barring last-minute operational issues, bid upgrades are guaranteed. Star Alliance Upgrade Awards ("SAUAs") allow anyone to use points from a Star Alliance loyalty program to upgrade AC flights, SAUAs apply only to cash tickets. Other types of upgrade can be used with both revenue and points tickets. Operational upgrades happen when the a cabin is oversold or AC needs to move passengers forward for weight and balance issues. Unlike the US carriers, AC DOES NOT upgrade elite passengers in to any and all empty seats up front. AC is willing to allow staff travelling on passes to sit in J/PY and/or let seats go empty. Op-ups can’t be requested and should never be expected; receiving them is mostly a matter of luck. Credit Cards AC has co-branded credit cards with several financial institutions. Each institution’s cards have their own thread for general questions about those cards, sign-up bonuses, etc. For information on benefits common to the various cards, please see the following section. CIBC credit cards American Express credit cards TD credit cards Chase credit cards (US residents only) AC also allows points transfers from certain credit card partners’ own rewards currencies. For information about those transfers, please see these threads: Chase Ultimate Rewards Amex Membership Rewards Credit Card Benefits Rollover benefits (rollover of SQM and eUpgrades) Companion passes Buddy passes Checked baggage AC Website/Apps Website experiences/complaints/issues –includes items that affect both the app and website Mobile app Flight pass app I Can't Check In Online / Online Check-In (OLCI) Issues Seats & Other Interior Information (overhead bins, IFE, etc) Boeing 777-300ER (77W) Boeing 777-200LR (77L) Boeing 787-9 (789) Boeing 787-8 (788) Airbus A330-300 (333) Boeing 737-8 (7M8) Airbus A321 (321) Airbus A220-300 (223) rouge Airbus A321 (321) rouge Airbus A319 (319) Embraer 175 (E75) Mitsubishi (formerly Bombardier) CRJ-900 (CR9) Other On-Board Amenities On-Board WiFi Amenity kits In-flight entertainment recommendations Meals North America – Canada, US (including Hawaii), Caribbean, Central America (up to and including Panama) International – everything other than North America Meal priority Special meals Meal pre-ordering Cocktails you can make on board Lounges Lounge Locations & Access Rules Maple Leaf Lounges (MLLs) Signature Suites Café Lounge meet-ups General Venting About Air Canada I work at the airport/for the airline. You're wrong. – tales of woefully incorrect information provided by AC staff Long call centre wait times I would have flown Air Canada but... Fleet Information Master fleet changes thread Re-painting in the new (2017) livery Note: the aircraft threads in this section are meant to be for general discussion about the fleet – acquiring the aircraft (or getting rid of them), refurbishing cabins, interior fixtures, etc. For information on seating, e.g. which is the best seat, which seats are preferred by couples, etc, please see the seating threads above Boeing 787-8 & 787-9 (788 & 789) Airbus A330-300 (333) refurbishments Airbus A321XLR Boeing 737-8 (7M8) Airbus A220-300 (223) Common Points Booking Questions, Issues & Information Complaints/rants about Aeroplan 2.0 dynamic pricing Complex Multi-City Bookings, Stopovers & Adding Segments After Booking Complaints about lack of partner availability Aeroplan expiry policies & tips on keeping points alive (2020 onwards) Family Sharing Baggage Carry-on baggage enforcement List of carry-on bags that fit AC sizers Checked baggage on long layovers Through-checking bags on separate tickets (short answer: usually not permitted) Star Gold / Silver (*G / *S) checked baggage policy Checked baggage fees Priority baggage Problems travelling with AC – schedule changes, IRROPs, baggage, etc Please review this list and post in the appropriate thread; please do not start new threads on these topics. If you have more than one question, please make posts in each thread that is relevant. For instance, if AC lost your bags on one flight, and you’d like to know about compensation for a very lengthy delay on a different flight, please post about your baggage in the baggage thread, and post about delay compensation in the appropriate compensation thread. Has AC changed your flight in advance of travel (more than 48 hours from scheduled departure)? AC changed/cancelled my flight. What are my options? Problems on or about day of travel (within 48 hours of scheduled departure)? (Delays/cancellations/diversions): Flight [AC xxxx] Cancellation / Delay / Diversion etc. on [date] 2022 Lost baggage? Tracing and locating missing baggage Looking for compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight? Denied boarding compensation Threads on Specific Aeroplan Partners Certain Aeroplan partners have dedicated threads about reward availability, earning Aeroplan/SQx, etc. The main place to ask questions about those airlines remains the forum for that particular airline, but some discussion of AC/Aeroplan-related aspects is permitted in the AC forum. (list in alphabetical order) Air Mauritius Etihad https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-...-1-2019-a.html EVA Gulf Air Virgin Australia |
Perhaps a category of “Tips, Tools and Hacks for Newbies” might make sense.
Things like cowtools, how to ensure that we get -014 stock tickets when using an OTA, tools to enhance the AC website for revenue multi stop trips, EF etc might make sense. The “Early Status Recognition” thread is where I have learned the most as a new user and it should be highlighted in the Status section in my view. |
Adam, should the long-running Flight Pass thread be added here?
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-...ispreloading=1 |
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