Post-strike promotion speculation thread
Aug 17, 2025 | 7:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC E75K *G
Posts: 7,242
Post-strike promotion speculation thread
So we had a strike and lots of people had a bad weekend.
I think that means there is going to be a big promotion coming up soon.
My guess is that it will be a miles multiplier for new bookings worldwide, over a short window. Fly by end of year.
Flex or higher 50% bonus miles. PY 100%. J 150%. Not SQM.
Worst case scenario for me would be if they have a bonus SQD promotion. I might actually fall for it and go for SE.
I think that means there is going to be a big promotion coming up soon.
My guess is that it will be a miles multiplier for new bookings worldwide, over a short window. Fly by end of year.
Flex or higher 50% bonus miles. PY 100%. J 150%. Not SQM.
Worst case scenario for me would be if they have a bonus SQD promotion. I might actually fall for it and go for SE.
Aug 17, 2025 | 8:12 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: YOW
Programs: AC P(easant)25K
Posts: 1,282
I'd love a repeat of last year's 2x SQX promo, this way I can do a hail mary to push for SE for the first and final time.
Realistically we will probably see the run of the mill 25% off base fare.
Realistically we will probably see the run of the mill 25% off base fare.
Aug 17, 2025 | 8:15 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2023
Programs: None. Like Zero. :(
Posts: 289
hopefully there will be a credit card bonus of some kind too....
Aug 17, 2025 | 8:37 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 180
Job hiring blitz. Work one hour in the air and get another on the ground for 50% off
Aug 17, 2025 | 9:44 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2023
Location: YYZ
Programs: Air Canada Aeroplan
Posts: 402
Aug 17, 2025 | 9:56 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: YYJ
Programs: AC SE : Bonvoy Ambassador Elite : 47 Park Street Fractional Owner
Posts: 419
One idea might be 1 Head Start SQC per SQD earned on bookings from 18 August to 31 December for all travel up to the end of 2026.
I know that I am deferring booking all remaining 2026 travel until 2026 as I will lose 80% of additional rollover SQM from further credit card spend in 2025.
I also know that I am a sample size of 2 (my wife and I always travel together) and am unlikely to be representative.
I know that I am deferring booking all remaining 2026 travel until 2026 as I will lose 80% of additional rollover SQM from further credit card spend in 2025.
I also know that I am a sample size of 2 (my wife and I always travel together) and am unlikely to be representative.
Aug 17, 2025 | 10:28 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: LH SEN/BA Silver (headed to Blue)/Marriott Gold/HH Diamond/IC Plat Amba
Posts: 6,566
I could see the various incentives on the Aeroplan side like in 1998, becoming more substantial as this strike drags on which it very much looks like it will now. I doubt we see any sales of any significance though. Prices will stay obscenely high compared to airfares in most other countries.
Aug 17, 2025 | 1:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: YYG
Programs: airlines and hotels and rental cars - oh my!
Posts: 3,516
Aug 17, 2025 | 1:19 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: YOW, LHR, SIN
Programs: AC-SE, EK-G, UA-1K, LH-HON
Posts: 678
Aug 17, 2025 | 1:42 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG
Posts: 4,718
Maybe a SQD promo that headstarts next year too.
Or push the entire new program by one year though that's just me dreaming
Or push the entire new program by one year though that's just me dreaming
Aug 17, 2025 | 1:59 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, SK Gold, Bonvoy Plat LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 47,355
The goal of any promo, from the status side, would be to make up for the travel we were unable to complete, due to the strike.
As such, I don't think "fly now and get bonus SQC next year" would be part of it.
If they do something, I think it would either be along the lines of an SQx multiplier for the rest of the year, or reducing the qualification thresholds.
I've already lost out on one trip due to the strike (I never actually booked it because it was going to be done with a FP, but it would have happened). And I'm now 8 days from my next planned AC flight. I'd love to get double SQx on that
As such, I don't think "fly now and get bonus SQC next year" would be part of it.
If they do something, I think it would either be along the lines of an SQx multiplier for the rest of the year, or reducing the qualification thresholds.
I've already lost out on one trip due to the strike (I never actually booked it because it was going to be done with a FP, but it would have happened). And I'm now 8 days from my next planned AC flight. I'd love to get double SQx on that
Aug 17, 2025 | 2:27 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: YYJ
Programs: AC SE : Bonvoy Ambassador Elite : 47 Park Street Fractional Owner
Posts: 419
The goal of any promo, from the status side, would be to make up for the travel we were unable to complete, due to the strike.
As such, I don't think "fly now and get bonus SQC next year" would be part of it.
If they do something, I think it would either be along the lines of an SQx multiplier for the rest of the year, or reducing the qualification thresholds.
I've already lost out on one trip due to the strike (I never actually booked it because it was going to be done with a FP, but it would have happened). And I'm now 8 days from my next planned AC flight. I'd love to get double SQx on that
As such, I don't think "fly now and get bonus SQC next year" would be part of it.
If they do something, I think it would either be along the lines of an SQx multiplier for the rest of the year, or reducing the qualification thresholds.
I've already lost out on one trip due to the strike (I never actually booked it because it was going to be done with a FP, but it would have happened). And I'm now 8 days from my next planned AC flight. I'd love to get double SQx on that
With the upcoming changes to the program , and where we are for the 2025 qualification year and threshold gifts, there are no SQx multipliers that will have any material benefit to us with the 1:5
exchange rate between rollover SQM and Head Start SQC.
As always, we are a sample size of 2 and completely irrelevant to the overall picture.
Aug 17, 2025 | 2:31 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, SK Gold, Bonvoy Plat LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 47,355
I mean I have no idea what they would consider for a promo, if anything. I just try to come up with logical speculation.
The issue is more that if you were going to finish the year at 101k SQM and 20,500 SQD, and you lost a trip worth 5k SQM + 2k SQD because of the strike.
It wouldn't be about giving you anything for next year, it would be to ensure that they don't piss off loyal customers (by dropping their status down) because of an internal contract dispute.
It wouldn't be about giving you anything for next year, it would be to ensure that they don't piss off loyal customers (by dropping their status down) because of an internal contract dispute.
Aug 17, 2025 | 2:55 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75K, WJ Gold, NEXUS, Marriott Gold
Posts: 408
any promo that won't count to SQx is not useful
Aug 17, 2025 | 6:47 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 93
I would actually guess a similar SQX promo, given the similar timing to last year. Although that was annoyingly restricted to North America (+sun, maybe?) I would love to see some worldwide promo.