Aeroplan has big buying plans
Feb 6, 2007, 11:39 am
#16
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Major acquistion expected for Aeroplan, Versant has units at $17
http://communities.canada.com/nation...its-at-17.aspx
Investors in Aeroplan Income Fund (AERu/TSX) are driving up the unit price of the former Air Canada frequent flyer program in anticipation of a major acquisition — possibly in South America, according to Neil Linsdell, an analyst at Versant Partners.
“In our opinion, the potential of a sizable acquisition this year is the most likely reason that the units are trading as high as they currently are and could justify further appreciation in the near term,” Mr. Linsdell wrote in a research note.
However, he said he was nevertheless maintaining his “hold” rating and $17 target unless more information about a possible acquisition is provided during a conference call to discuss Aeroplan’s fourth quarter results later this week.
Aeroplan’s units closed at $19.16 on Monday.
Aeroplan’s CEO, Rupert Duchesne, has previously said that Aeroplan will look at acquisitions of other loyalty programs in 2007 and that he prefers bigger acquisitions over smaller ones.
Investors in Aeroplan Income Fund (AERu/TSX) are driving up the unit price of the former Air Canada frequent flyer program in anticipation of a major acquisition — possibly in South America, according to Neil Linsdell, an analyst at Versant Partners.
“In our opinion, the potential of a sizable acquisition this year is the most likely reason that the units are trading as high as they currently are and could justify further appreciation in the near term,” Mr. Linsdell wrote in a research note.
However, he said he was nevertheless maintaining his “hold” rating and $17 target unless more information about a possible acquisition is provided during a conference call to discuss Aeroplan’s fourth quarter results later this week.
Aeroplan’s units closed at $19.16 on Monday.
Aeroplan’s CEO, Rupert Duchesne, has previously said that Aeroplan will look at acquisitions of other loyalty programs in 2007 and that he prefers bigger acquisitions over smaller ones.
Feb 8, 2007, 2:32 pm
#19
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Well, its true.
Aeroplan was first to turned a cost centre (frequent flyer programmes of airlines) into a profit centre (loyalty management programme).
All depends on what side of the coin you're on, I suppose.
Aeroplan was first to turned a cost centre (frequent flyer programmes of airlines) into a profit centre (loyalty management programme).
All depends on what side of the coin you're on, I suppose.
Feb 8, 2007, 6:17 pm
#20
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Exactly. Credit cards were newfangled things in the 50's and 60's and they, and many other consumer products and/or services, have changed and moved with the times. Can you even imagine if the cc companies didn't grow and introduce features like minimum monthly payments? We all know how unpopular change can be but realistically, what's the alternative? 
Aug 31, 2007, 7:45 am
#22
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The update today:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...c&refer=canada
Aug. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Aeroplan Income Fund, the operator of Air Canada's frequent-flier program, is in discussions to buy a stake in a customer-loyalty program from an airline or another company, Chief Executive Officer Rupert Duchesne said.
A program like those of Qantas Airways Ltd. in Australia or Brazil's Varig would be ``in the ambition set of what we'd like to do,'' Duchesne said in an interview yesterday. He wouldn't give details, including whether he expects the talks to succeed.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...c&refer=canada
Aug. 31 (Bloomberg) -- Aeroplan Income Fund, the operator of Air Canada's frequent-flier program, is in discussions to buy a stake in a customer-loyalty program from an airline or another company, Chief Executive Officer Rupert Duchesne said.
A program like those of Qantas Airways Ltd. in Australia or Brazil's Varig would be ``in the ambition set of what we'd like to do,'' Duchesne said in an interview yesterday. He wouldn't give details, including whether he expects the talks to succeed.
Aug 31, 2007, 7:53 am
#23
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Aug 31, 2007, 8:54 am
#24
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Oh I have and still am very much of the opinion that to expect an AP of 1995 in 2007 is unrealistic. Like it or not, times and businesses change. Those wanting a real FFP and not a loyalty plan can always fly BA and earn, at the right fare level, BAEC miles. But go ahead, join the masses of nostalgic flyers who loudly demand AP be something they haven't been for a while.
Last edited by seanthepilot; Sep 1, 2007 at 6:26 am Reason: deleted off topic quote
Aug 31, 2007, 9:11 am
#25
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And they do reward the loyalty of AC flyers. Separate check-in, lounge access worldwide, guaranteed upgrades from Y to J under certain conditions, highly predictable upgrades in other situations, free travel. The question is what is fair and reasonable. There will always be some who want more. There will always be some who want maximum benefits even though they belong to multiple programs - they might say they split their loyalty because they don't get more, while AC might say that because you split your loyalty, we can't give you more. Some want as much as they got a decade ago even though their travel spending, in inflation-adjusted terms, is down because the underlying air fares are cheaper.
Aug 31, 2007, 10:29 pm
#26
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And they do reward the loyalty of AC flyers. Separate check-in, lounge access worldwide, guaranteed upgrades from Y to J under certain conditions, highly predictable upgrades in other situations, free travel. The question is what is fair and reasonable. There will always be some who want more. There will always be some who want maximum benefits even though they belong to multiple programs - they might say they split their loyalty because they don't get more, while AC might say that because you split your loyalty, we can't give you more. Some want as much as they got a decade ago even though their travel spending, in inflation-adjusted terms, is down because the underlying air fares are cheaper.
some cant take advantage of it... because they fly domestic flights.
Nov 9, 2007, 5:52 am
#28
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Aeroplan search for frequent flyer program stalled
Aeroplan search for frequent flyer program stalled
Scott Deveau, Financial Post
Published: Friday, November 09, 2007
Aeroplan Income Fund's struggles to find a frequent flyer program to buy or invest in may have as much to do with market conditions as it does with its own structure, observers say.
Rupert Duchesne, Aeroplan chief executive, reiterated yesterday the company's interest in a strategic acquisition or investment, but that so far, Air Canada's loyalty program has come up empty. He would not comment on what impediments it was running into.
Link to article: http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/f...d-b3318981f40b
Scott Deveau, Financial Post
Published: Friday, November 09, 2007
Aeroplan Income Fund's struggles to find a frequent flyer program to buy or invest in may have as much to do with market conditions as it does with its own structure, observers say.
Rupert Duchesne, Aeroplan chief executive, reiterated yesterday the company's interest in a strategic acquisition or investment, but that so far, Air Canada's loyalty program has come up empty. He would not comment on what impediments it was running into.
Link to article: http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/f...d-b3318981f40b
Nov 9, 2007, 7:26 am
#29
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Aeroplan search for frequent flyer program stalled
He would not comment on what impediments it was running into.
Link to article: http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/f...d-b3318981f40b
He would not comment on what impediments it was running into.
Link to article: http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/f...d-b3318981f40b
-- people are going to quickly see through the farce that "We Have Every Seat" is (800,000 miles to Miami!)
-- people are going to realize that all their mile accumulation will get them a simple toaster oven.
The actions and business model of Aeroplan smack of desperation, and I suspect a significant market correction to come when the PR bloom comes off the rose, and reality sets in for most Aeroplan members.
Nov 9, 2007, 10:45 am
#30
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and how they compare to UA 737's