Altaflyer is bang-on... these passes are based on R availability. Checking to see if an Tango class seat is for sale on AC.com will not necessarily have any bearing on whether or not seats are available.

For example, AC could choose to only list 'Y' (or L+) fares on YYZ-LGA, but list an 'R' fare on YQT-LGA. If 'R' inventory was available on both segments (YQT-YYZ and YYZ-LGA) the ticket could be sold.

In much the same way, AC isn't listing 'R' (Tango) fares on most of these transborder routes, but the inventory is still there (should they choose to offer them for sale, as they are now).

Did anyone check out the video on aircanada.com?

Pretty funny!

I still like the commericals at www.aircanada.com/youandi a little more, though (the narrator had a great advertising voice!)

In my experience with the Sunpass unless you're planning a mileage run, most reasonable connections are going to come up.

All direct flights with R class will definitely show and any AC combined flights with R class on all segments, a reasonable routing, and layover will show up. However, if you want to get from Ottawa to Toronto via Calgary, don't expect to see it.

It's a bit of a leap of faith, but baring specific technical issues (i.e. SAN) that have been mentioned I don't think you'll be disappointed.

OK, shouldn't have been so crabby last night. I should say that this is a great initiative. The passes so far have been priced way out of range to make them attractive for someone like me who is required to fly lowest available fares and actually has a travel budget he cannot blow on wildly overpriced tix. Here we have a pass that all of a sudden gets interesting.

(Though I have to say I would have liked to see PHL, DCA, IAD and BWI added to the Eastern commuter pass. Seems odd to offer YUL-ORD but not YUL-PHL; and then to lump YUL-PHL with YUL-DFW. Anyway...)

Point is, this is attractive but they need to make availability much more transparent if they want this thing to work. When I fly I have dates and then I look for the best priced flights on those dates. I don't buy my ticket for a good price and then close my eyes, cross my fingers, and hope I can get my dates. Agreed I can figure this out with KVS, but really -- who is going to use KVS to find their dates other than the crazies like us on this board?

As yyzgigi notes, this is very much of a leap of faith... too much in my view.

yyzgigi,

I have the sun pass since Dec and on the first time I tried to book it, I wanted the YOW-YUL-LAS connection since I prefer the YUL tranboarder transfer than YYZ. That is not available for the Sun pass so not all reaonsable routings are showing. The only explaination I can think of is maybe YOW-YUL is not being operated by AC Jazz but someone else since it should show otherwise since there were class availability.

I know some flight will show of which some would be sold out. Knowing this specific example, I am not sure if my preferred routing(s) would show and the the savings would not be worth it if it is both inconveninent and no EQM.

I'd love to see either the pass booking changed to offer a dummy booking/availability test - or even better for marketing - have the regular booking engine show which flights are pass-compatible. I.E. as I look at YYC-YYZ have an extra column with a little E-W logo thing to indicate this flight is eligible for use as an East-West Pass flight, NA for the North America Pass, and a maybe a little SS/EW for the Spring Sampler... @:-) @:-)

Have not heard as many complaints about online booking lately, so I'm guess most of the existing bugs have been fixed. Almost time to make it more complicated and create new challenges for AC IT ;)

The same people who came up with the Dodge Rebellion in the late 60's? :cool:

And Coffeebean I have two words for you, but its not yield erosion ;) Actually its 6 words: binding the customer to Air Canada. Unlike WS which is having to blow huge bucks luring each greyhound granny individually to their discounted flights, the passes lock the buyer into using AC several times. Pretty clever.

Not only that, but you can make a customized commerical using the clips they have on the site and use up to 3 photos and send them as an e-card to your friends!

Sanosuke!

can u credit the non-status miles to UA MP?
 

seeing how it is that u have to log in with ur aeroplan number, i'm just wondering if it's in any way possible to have the 50% BIS miles credited to UA MP?

thanks

I just had the opportunity to make a quick trip to CLT and back in the next few
weeks. Thought this might be a good time to test drive the sample pass, having
seen that AC's fares were upwards of $6-700 ( one way) to sit in a CRJ for 2 hours.

The east pass is around the same amount, BUT THERE IS NO R availability for when
I need to fly. Now, I was able to check it out on KVS. But the average traveller
will not, and will be very disappointed when they cannot use this pass to fly when
and where they need to.

So I will go on US, for the same money as AC, but with confirmed first class seats
in a real plane.

AC better be careful. If they sell thousands of people passes they can't use -- a massive bait and switch, in other words -- they will never ever be able to roll these things out broadly. Done poorly, this will strangle their pass product before it really gets off the ground.

People might be willing to tolerate limited availability when it comes to using miles. But will they tolerate it when they have shelled out for a set of tickets that expire?

I was going to recommend this pass as an option to a friend who wants to fly YOW-ORD-YOW in April. Just checked AC and no Tango fares listed. Don't know about R availability. At this point not going to risk my reputation and her money by suggesting she buy one and ends up not being able to use it. :td:

You should have her phone AC and check for R availability. Tango fares are not usually sold in the YOW-ORD market, but that doesn't mean that flights will not have R inventory.

I would caution, though, that maybe half the flights in the YOW-ORD market are operated by United Express and I'm pretty sure that these passes can't be used for those flights.

makingmiles caution is very valid. The passes are available only on AC and Jazz flights so if you check on ac.com, the flights need to have the red maple leaf rather than black for codeshare..

Sorry for the newb question, but.... I was wondering if a "single one-way flight" means your total trip in one direction, or do you have to cash in one pass per leg? For instance, to fly from Moncton to Sudbury, you'd probably have to fly from Moncton to Toronto, then Toronto to Sudbury, and vice versa on the way back... would that mean 4 flight credits or only 2?....

Shneebs.

One credit for the whole one-way trip including connections.

So, YQM-YYZ-YSB would be one credit if you're going all the way through. The return would be a second credit.

And welcome to FT!

Thanks for the reply and the welcome!

Shneebs.

With the regular passes, you certainly can. The OLCI & kiosks have an option to add/change frequent flyer number. I do this every time (and the agents will do it too, but they will probably ask why).