Posted by why fly:
"However you and I both know, the light at the end of the tunnel, is dark in term of more resonable upgrades"
May I respectfully remind you that the light at the end of the tunnel may be the lights of an oncoming train!!

Yikes! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif: I love this forum, I just spilled my coffee I was laughting so hard http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif:

KEN: 2 of us got COMP upgrades coming back from SIN in Aug... UA treats SE with COMPS better than AC! So well that I go back to SIN for Christmas!

YOWkid: nope! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif you need to suffer with AC a bit longer in the cheap seats http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

No one is saying AC is simply better because more cert. I am saying AC is better because the success rate is higher. Until you can show that you have failed to get an upgrade from an eligible fare, there's no point going round and round with you. As for paying so much more for upgrading portion of the segment only, remember, that's YOUR choice. You obviously felt it was worth it and no one forced you to do it. So to use that point as a support to your complains is invalid.

Really? I got so many comps on AC this year. In fact, I got 2 in the past 7 days.

If that's the case and you feel UA will comp you during Christmas, why don't you just send me the SWUs and sit there and wait for the comp to come. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I'm glad to hear that some SEs are given comp upgrades with AC so often. Unfortunately, it happens very rarely with this Elite member and you know what? Even those it's a bit nicer up front, in many ways I find the service to only be slightly better than Y, espcially since I rarely drink on a flight.

That being said, I was trying to decide who to fly to SFO for the US Thanksgiving and as usual the choices were AC, UA, AS and I guess DL if you wanna connect thru SLC on a CRJ.

I took a look at the fares and since they were pretty much the same, my deciding factors were customer service and the chance of an upgrade. Well, AC gives me full points but no bonus, UA gives me 100% bonus and AS also gives me 100% bonus. AC loses out there. Lounge access? AC has the MLL, UA allows me access to the MLL, and I am an AS Boardroom member. It's a tie there pretty much. Seats? AC may or may not give me a 'preferred seat' with a family of 6 all around me but emptier seats further back, UA gives me E+ and AS gives me any darn seat I'd like in advance (incl exit rows). AC loses out there. Chance of an upgrade? Well, the lowest upgradeable fare with AC is $550 CAD before taxes/fees (H, right? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif), I have 500-milers with UA in my MP acct so UA upgrades will be no problem and AS gives me immediate upgrades for being an MVP Gold member. So...the winner? AS. Hands down. I booked online and the last page allows me to pick my F seat online - no calling back, crossing your fingers, bickering with an agent about upgradeable fares, C inventory, or the like. Super easy. What some AC mgmt fail to understand from where I see it is that they don't see any connection between loyalty domestically and transborder. I have separated the two travel patterns almost completely for the past 2 years and can't see that changing anytime soon.

You only need a V fare to upgrade to the US

If you're not willing to share. Then don't brag. Unless if you're Ken HAAmer with 10k worth in BA MCOs...

****! I knew someone would come back with that in mere seconds! Thanks, cattle. I thought it was V but couldn't remember for sure...ok the fare is $365 before taxes/fees but my point still remains.

The above **** word did not begin with F. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

Next time, just write tabernac! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I wasn't arguing your point, just helping clarify http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Enjoy your F seat (not word http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif )

No worries at all. I appreciated you pointing it out. Since I haven't used a cert in almost 2 years, my memory escaped me.

But because they have tried to concentrate on high-yield customers, those of us who aren't willing to drop $2K on a trans-continental flight under any circumstance no longer see any value in Aeroplan. So we are flying on other carriers that offer a better product. Regardless of what we deserve for our cheap tickets, people will not stay with AC as long as someone else offers something better. Our cheap tickets still (or should) provide some profit, even after letting us into the lounge, giving us an occasional upgrade, etc.


[This message has been edited by StuMcIlwain (edited Nov 15, 2003).]

That won't happen to me on the fares I pay, well.... AC did comp my friend flying with me, on a Q ticket. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
UA will comp people on CHEAP fares and I love that!