In advance of the new changes to aeroplan benefits I would be interested in a discussion on past changes - what have we lost and what have we gained. As a new SE and flyer talk member this year I get the feeling that the program was better in the past than it is today - at least several prolific posters appear frequently nostalgic. What is your opinion? What have I missed?

CP AIR

The biggest loss (and it gradually eroded away) is that we used to be able to upgrade from virtually any fare (yes even L fares) and confirm the upgrade at time of booking. This gradually became V fare and higher then H fare and higher and finally H fare with 7 days advance confirmation or Y/M to confirm at time of booking.

Various solutions to this problem have included having a moving time window down to the lowest fares (ie upgrade L fares on day of departure or at the gate if space is available). Many don't like the lottery aspect. They don't mind paying the extra for H if they get the upgrade. With reductions in C class availability domestically this has become more of an issue since it adds to the lottery feel.

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BlondeBomber's Star Lounge Guide
BlondeBomber's Star Alliance Gold Comparison Chart 2004
BlondeBomber's Hilton HHonors Rewards Hotel Levels (1 MB!)
BlondeBomber's Starwood Hotel Levels

1999 was THE year but 2000 and 2001 were pretty good too!

See a comparison at:

http://members.shaw.ca/deercroft/secomparison98-02.doc

For detailed discussions year by year:

1998 benefits (any fare, 4 in package, confirmable at 72 hrs and only N. America!):
http://www.flyertalk.com/pasttalk/ft...ML/000040.html

1999 benefits (any fare, confirmable at reservation, 8 in package):
http://www.flyertalk.com/pasttalk/ft...ML/000089.html

2000 benefits (eliminated Q and L fare on upgrades, confirmable at reservation, still 8 in package):
http://www.flyertalk.com/pasttalk/ft...ML/000435.html

2001 benefits (upgrades just like 2000):
http://www.flyertalk.com/pasttalk/ft...ML/001755.html

As an Elite over the past several years, the following has changed:

1. No more upgrades from any fare class.

2. Changes to the ability to convert revenue seats to reward seats were made gradually. First it was just business class that was taken away, then it was also economy unless we pay double points.

3. We no longer can take guests (other than immediate family) into the MLL on domestic flights for free.

4. Other much more minor changes such as no more instant Starwood Preferred Guest automatic gold level membership and likely other things that I can't recall right now.

The way I look at it, there is not much more they can do to the Elite benefits that will affect me greatly, other than a further erosion in the ability to use the MLL. I am never in the correct class to use an upgrade coupon. Sometimes I pay J fare, particularly on flights to Asia, but I never enter the upgrade lottery. I also have not paid double points for a reward seat. So, the only real benefit to me any longer is the MLL access. If they take that away (which I really don't believe that they will), then there would be virtually no incentive for me to strive to be Elite in the future.

Despite the fact that I buy either the cheapest fare available (other than Tango) or full fare J, I still give AC thousands of dollars a year in revenue.

[This message has been edited by ac/elite (edited Dec 10, 2003).]

I have posted 2003 and 2004 in the comparison chart for Super Elite link

See a comparison at:

http://members.shaw.ca/deercroft/secomparison98-02.doc

I can't get to the 2003 / 04 comparison?

why fly ... I was able to so I sent you the .doc file to your profile email address... enjoy !



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PB

Thanks