Flight Pass - Class Action Lawsuit!
Dec 9, 2007, 8:05 am
#271
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Platinum, hhonors Gold
Posts: 3,423
And yes, for anyone a little late in the know, this is one of the worst, scummiest and probably illegal things that AC has done in a long time. If IT an grandfather in the COS for passes purchased prior to a certain date, then why can't they do the same for upgrade availability?
Dec 9, 2007, 8:59 am
#272
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,103
I think you answered your own question... because they don't want to and feel that they have to put in the capacity control even if they pissing off some of their customers. They obviously feel a strong need to protect revenue from last minute business class travel, which could be considerable when you consider that these J seats may be required for a last minute overseas business travel with a connection. For example, who is going to fork out $10k to fly from Toronto to Sydney if they have to sit in the back to YVR.
There is one other reason... By announcing the COS bonus deadline they tricked many people to by the "old" pass. Now that they will manipulate the upgrade availability they still win no matter what. If you think about it, no upgrade = no COS.
Last edited by fly-yul; Dec 9, 2007 at 9:09 am
Dec 10, 2007, 3:17 pm
#273
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: AC, BA, AS
Posts: 39
Here is what AC said to me today.
Subject
---------------------------------------------------------------
Latitude Flight Passes
Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (Wanda Lepage) - 12/10/2007 12:00 PM
Dear Mr. *****:
Thank you for your email. We appreciate hearing from our valued Latitude Flight Pass customers.
Although Flight Passes are now offered in additional product options such as Tango Plus and in some cases Tango, Latitude Passes remain a preferred choice with our business customers for their full flexibility and other benefits, such as complimentary upgrades to Executive Class within 24 hours of departure. Additional upgrade demand from increasing Latitude Pass sales levels has created some significant pressure on our capability to offer complimentary upgrades up to last seat availability and still provide customers to purchase an Executive Class ticket at the last minute.
In an effort to maintain our ability to capture the full revenue potential of the Executive Class cabin, new online functionality has been introduced in order to set aside a pre-determined number of Executive Class seats (threshold) for last minute purchases. Online complimentary Latitude Pass upgrades will be based on J class availability and processed until the minimum preset threshold has been reached. If you are unable to capture a complimentary upgrade prior to arrival at the airport, you can use a Top Tier upgrade certificate.
While I appreciate and regret that this may disappoint you, this new policy is to be able to accommodate the customer who wishes to purchase an Executive Class ticket or to upgrade their existing revenue ticket to an Executive Class fare.
We appreciate your interest in our Flight Pass program and look forward to serving your travel needs on many future occasions.
Sincerely,
Wanda Lepage
Customer Relations
Flight Pass Representative
Air Canada
Customer (**** *****) - 12/07/2007 12:52 PM
I am considering purchasing a latitude east-west flight pass.
I understand that complimentary upgrades are available, but are limited by capacity.
Please tell me precisely which class (e.g., C, J or other) are avaiable for the upgrade.
This information is required for me to properly assess the value of air canada's offering.
Thank you. A response prior to Monday would be appreciated.
Cheers,
*****
---------------------------------------------------------------
Latitude Flight Passes
Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (Wanda Lepage) - 12/10/2007 12:00 PM
Dear Mr. *****:
Thank you for your email. We appreciate hearing from our valued Latitude Flight Pass customers.
Although Flight Passes are now offered in additional product options such as Tango Plus and in some cases Tango, Latitude Passes remain a preferred choice with our business customers for their full flexibility and other benefits, such as complimentary upgrades to Executive Class within 24 hours of departure. Additional upgrade demand from increasing Latitude Pass sales levels has created some significant pressure on our capability to offer complimentary upgrades up to last seat availability and still provide customers to purchase an Executive Class ticket at the last minute.
In an effort to maintain our ability to capture the full revenue potential of the Executive Class cabin, new online functionality has been introduced in order to set aside a pre-determined number of Executive Class seats (threshold) for last minute purchases. Online complimentary Latitude Pass upgrades will be based on J class availability and processed until the minimum preset threshold has been reached. If you are unable to capture a complimentary upgrade prior to arrival at the airport, you can use a Top Tier upgrade certificate.
While I appreciate and regret that this may disappoint you, this new policy is to be able to accommodate the customer who wishes to purchase an Executive Class ticket or to upgrade their existing revenue ticket to an Executive Class fare.
We appreciate your interest in our Flight Pass program and look forward to serving your travel needs on many future occasions.
Sincerely,
Wanda Lepage
Customer Relations
Flight Pass Representative
Air Canada
Customer (**** *****) - 12/07/2007 12:52 PM
I am considering purchasing a latitude east-west flight pass.
I understand that complimentary upgrades are available, but are limited by capacity.
Please tell me precisely which class (e.g., C, J or other) are avaiable for the upgrade.
This information is required for me to properly assess the value of air canada's offering.
Thank you. A response prior to Monday would be appreciated.
Cheers,
*****
Dec 11, 2007, 9:10 pm
#274
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
This thread started out as a threat to bring a lawsuit.
What happened to the lawsuit... or was it just hot air?
If I was a pass owner, I'd find this pretty unacceptable.
What happened to the lawsuit... or was it just hot air?
If I was a pass owner, I'd find this pretty unacceptable.
Dec 11, 2007, 10:46 pm
#275
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Platinum, former AC E35K
Posts: 6,335
Typical customer solutions, can't answer a simple question. And its not like its private info, as we do know that it is J=2 that they limit pass upgrades. If AC is looking to make further cuts, they can cut C.S, and we can all email MB, as it seems we have to do so to get anywhere as is.
Dec 12, 2007, 6:43 pm
#276
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC*E, Alaska MVP Gold, FPC Premier, SPG Gold
Posts: 659
So in other words: "The contract we signed with you is making it hard for us to make as much money as we'd like, so what we'll do is modify the contract illegally in our favor without any consideration to you, our customer."
Why the heck should I care if they don't have inventory for last minute J purchases? How is that our problem? We certainly didn't trick them into giving us upgrades from J...they offered. The comp upgrade is the only reason I bought the Lat pass.
I don't know about a legal battle here, but perhaps the media might be interested in this matter...
Why the heck should I care if they don't have inventory for last minute J purchases? How is that our problem? We certainly didn't trick them into giving us upgrades from J...they offered. The comp upgrade is the only reason I bought the Lat pass.
I don't know about a legal battle here, but perhaps the media might be interested in this matter...
Subject
---------------------------------------------------------------
Latitude Flight Passes
Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (Wanda Lepage) - 12/10/2007 12:00 PM
Dear Mr. *****:
Thank you for your email. We appreciate hearing from our valued Latitude Flight Pass customers.
Although Flight Passes are now offered in additional product options such as Tango Plus and in some cases Tango, Latitude Passes remain a preferred choice with our business customers for their full flexibility and other benefits, such as complimentary upgrades to Executive Class within 24 hours of departure. Additional upgrade demand from increasing Latitude Pass sales levels has created some significant pressure on our capability to offer complimentary upgrades up to last seat availability and still provide customers to purchase an Executive Class ticket at the last minute.
In an effort to maintain our ability to capture the full revenue potential of the Executive Class cabin, new online functionality has been introduced in order to set aside a pre-determined number of Executive Class seats (threshold) for last minute purchases. Online complimentary Latitude Pass upgrades will be based on J class availability and processed until the minimum preset threshold has been reached. If you are unable to capture a complimentary upgrade prior to arrival at the airport, you can use a Top Tier upgrade certificate.
While I appreciate and regret that this may disappoint you, this new policy is to be able to accommodate the customer who wishes to purchase an Executive Class ticket or to upgrade their existing revenue ticket to an Executive Class fare.
We appreciate your interest in our Flight Pass program and look forward to serving your travel needs on many future occasions.
Sincerely,
Wanda Lepage
Customer Relations
Flight Pass Representative
Air Canada
Customer (**** *****) - 12/07/2007 12:52 PM
I am considering purchasing a latitude east-west flight pass.
I understand that complimentary upgrades are available, but are limited by capacity.
Please tell me precisely which class (e.g., C, J or other) are avaiable for the upgrade.
This information is required for me to properly assess the value of air canada's offering.
Thank you. A response prior to Monday would be appreciated.
Cheers,
*****
---------------------------------------------------------------
Latitude Flight Passes
Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (Wanda Lepage) - 12/10/2007 12:00 PM
Dear Mr. *****:
Thank you for your email. We appreciate hearing from our valued Latitude Flight Pass customers.
Although Flight Passes are now offered in additional product options such as Tango Plus and in some cases Tango, Latitude Passes remain a preferred choice with our business customers for their full flexibility and other benefits, such as complimentary upgrades to Executive Class within 24 hours of departure. Additional upgrade demand from increasing Latitude Pass sales levels has created some significant pressure on our capability to offer complimentary upgrades up to last seat availability and still provide customers to purchase an Executive Class ticket at the last minute.
In an effort to maintain our ability to capture the full revenue potential of the Executive Class cabin, new online functionality has been introduced in order to set aside a pre-determined number of Executive Class seats (threshold) for last minute purchases. Online complimentary Latitude Pass upgrades will be based on J class availability and processed until the minimum preset threshold has been reached. If you are unable to capture a complimentary upgrade prior to arrival at the airport, you can use a Top Tier upgrade certificate.
While I appreciate and regret that this may disappoint you, this new policy is to be able to accommodate the customer who wishes to purchase an Executive Class ticket or to upgrade their existing revenue ticket to an Executive Class fare.
We appreciate your interest in our Flight Pass program and look forward to serving your travel needs on many future occasions.
Sincerely,
Wanda Lepage
Customer Relations
Flight Pass Representative
Air Canada
Customer (**** *****) - 12/07/2007 12:52 PM
I am considering purchasing a latitude east-west flight pass.
I understand that complimentary upgrades are available, but are limited by capacity.
Please tell me precisely which class (e.g., C, J or other) are avaiable for the upgrade.
This information is required for me to properly assess the value of air canada's offering.
Thank you. A response prior to Monday would be appreciated.
Cheers,
*****
Dec 12, 2007, 7:17 pm
#277
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YQB
Programs: AC*SE/2.1MM, Flying Blue Explorer, BA Executive Club Blue, AAdvantage Basic, ANA MC
Posts: 2,550
Soooooo, have you e-mailed MB lately ? What about ? Did you get anywhere ? Based on your comment, are we to assume that he answered you and fully satisfied your request ?
Dec 12, 2007, 7:59 pm
#278
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,103
However, as of right now I have no damages to act on from a legal point of view. As such I'm planning on waiting until after the change comes into force (jan 8th) to then consider my options. One option would be to force the issue by picking a J < 2 flight and then try to upgrade. Assuming it won't, I then fly and sit in Y. At that point, legally speaking I have an actionable case. Depending on how much I value my time I could then drop by the local small claims court with the required documents and sue. I'm not sure how much to ask for. I could ask for the difference in fare value between the pro-rated cost of one credit and a J class fare for the same flight.
Dec 12, 2007, 8:27 pm
#280
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Platinum, former AC E35K
Posts: 6,335
I emailed customer solutions with more of a suggestion than a complaint. Not going to bother MB, it shouldn't have to be taken to that kind of level.
Dec 12, 2007, 9:05 pm
#281
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YQB
Programs: AC*SE/2.1MM, Flying Blue Explorer, BA Executive Club Blue, AAdvantage Basic, ANA MC
Posts: 2,550
Typical s9 answer. So why did you say this then ?:
Dec 12, 2007, 10:04 pm
#282
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,103
In the above scenario I would be suing AC which is the entity that sold me the flight pass. This has nothing to do with AE. And since last time I checked AC was based at 5100, BOULEVARD DE MAISONNEUVE OUEST, and I reside in Montreal, I'd file in Montreal just fine...