Bohemian1

Call me skeptical, but I don't believe the seven words you highlighted foreshadow any new consistency or enforcement by MLL staff. But I could be wrong.

theranj

Yes and Yes

Adam Smith

The rules were clear that eUps didn't entitle someone to lounge access, but enforcement actually seemed to be pretty consistent - the scanners didn't know the difference, so people got in without issue.

The eUp T&Cs were changed a while back though to give access based on eUps, perhaps because AC hadn't figured out how to reliably implement the restriction.

Indeed. Especially as there was a time when 25K got more passes due to 35K, since 25K wasn't lounge-eligible and might be using them for themselves, so AC has thought about the differential between the two levels in the past.

You don't need to spend anything on the card to get the lounge access, just pay the annual fee.

jugaadkabaap

AC / AP is a business and Frequent spenders make more money to AC/AP than frequent flyers.

still many here day dream of the assumption that loyal flyers are bringing profits to the airline - that boat had sailed long back. It’s high time everyone comes to reality.

OMAAT had written about this in AA’s context and it holds true for most airlines - https://onemileatatime.com/insights/...e_money_flying

Changeup2000

Not any more for a lot of other airlines. And maybe AC is transitioning to that direction ...
Maybe it is time to get an Aeroplan co-branding credit card even if you are a frequent flyer.

18wheeler_vanrekt

^ Not according to AA and their new "Loyalty Points"... if it's any consolation, ppl earning more via credit cards will be competing less for various upgrades and elite benefits!

dr_torch

Thanks. That made me laugh. I needed that

Changeup2000

I believe 25K still gets zone 2 boarding? If so, I do not see it taken away for 35K anytime soon.

atsak

Oh, I was going to try for 35K status since I was just a couple hundred dollars short. Won't bother now. I have Plaza Premium anyway and I was just thinking it was nice to have choice; get group 2 with 25K and credit card anyway.

Glad they at least warned of this enhancement.

VoodooYYC

I don't believe that is the case. I think 25K gets Zone 3, at best.

All very valid points. I would love to see some stats on how many people are premium credit card holders, who don't also hold 50K+ status with AC. I would think the Venn diagram of those 2 groups has a lot of overlap, given the carryover benefits for SQM and E-Ups.

But, I think there are more 35K's out there than you realize. I think that you would see noticable differences in check-in and boarding lines, and the MLL if they didn't have those things. Just look at the Premium check-in zone at YYZ versus YVR or YYC. I have never stood in line at YYZ for more than 2 minutes, while often in YYC, I just use the kiosk and ask the agent for an orange tag, as opposed to standing in line.
Although those could be the less premium CC holders as well...

In any case, as with all of us, I'm for less of everything for anyone below me on the food chain.

trek604

E35K gets priority bags now though. Not that bad a of tradeoff losing the MLL.

Solar56

I would add the double priority rewards to your summary as this is a pretty impactful decision

Overall, feels like this is a good change for many 35k members - especially those who typically travel J/F

Adam Smith

AA has gone to an extreme on valuing CC spend, which DL and UA have not yet followed, so it's unclear whether they're entirely correct on this shift.

AC introduced ESQ and Status Boost before AA went down that path, so they've been showing status love to CC holders for even longer.

But AC's other actions suggest that spending money on flying is still more important to them than CC spend. The SQD discount for non-Canadian residents was recently eliminated, and while we can debate the merits of AC vs other airlines in general, Aeroplan status conveys certain benefits like lounge access, eUp preference, and discounts on reward tickets, based heavily on the amount spent on flying (lounge access is given away with status, unlike US airlines; eUps aren't CPUs based on status, the chances of upgrading, and number of flights that can be upgraded, are better not just with status but also with more expensive fares; PRs are awarded purely on SQD).

It's also important to note a key structural difference between the US market and the Canadian market - the credit card business is much more lucrative in the US. Interchange fees are much higher, and a lot more people carry a balance on their cards (proportionately, not just a higher absolute number because the US is a much larger country). This means there is a lot more revenue to be divvied up between the card issuer and the co-brand partner (the airline) in the US than in Canada. This is all before the ability for merchants to charge fees on CC transactions and other changes potentially make the Canadian CC space even less rewarding.

It was just meant as a piece of factual information, but I'm glad it made you laugh

yvr76

Not sure why people are worked up about CC access via lounges. These cards have a $600 annual fee and steep minimum income requirements. The comparable MLL Club membership is $375.

My main issue with the program is Zone 2 boarding access for P25K and E35K.

Adam Smith

That was announced in September, there's nothing new there.