CP/AC FF Programs to Remain Separate For Now
 

From AC's news release:

Air Canada and Canadian will not initially be merged. Both carriers will be operated separately, providing choice and distinct brands. Seat sales will continue and the frequent flyer points of both airlines will continue to be honoured according to their respective programs.

There will be reciprocal code sharing on the flights of both Air Canada and Canadian Airlines, permitting passengers to continue to support their choice of frequent flyer program.

Canadian Airline's network will eventually be part of Star Alliance.

Reciprocal code-sharing means we can fly on any plane and post points where we like. Wonder if the service levels on CP will remain the same? Will upgrade access on CP include AC Elite and Super Elite and on AC include CP Gold and Executive Platinum?

I think the press release is saying that in the initial stages of the merger, AC/CP is going to have an alliance similar to the CO/NW agreement. That is, major codesharing, and the ability to earn and redeem miles on either carrier through both Candaian Plus and Aeroplan. Like the CO/NW agreement, CP and AC will still maintain separate brand images and pricing controls.

I think the press release is saying that in the initial stages of the merger, AC/CP is going to have an alliance similar to the CO/NW agreement. That is, major codesharing, and the ability to earn and redeem miles on either carrier through both Candaian Plus and Aeroplan. Like the CO/NW agreement, CP and AC will still maintain separate brand images and pricing controls.

I doubt that the two freqent-flier programs will be merged as long as CP still retains agreements with AA. I highly suspect that UA would be furious if Aeroplan members could earn and redeem points on their sworn arch-competitor. I don't have a clue as to what, if any, role CP's forced "agreement" with DL will have on this...

I think the Delta FF proposal by AC was very quickly shelved and doesn't appear in any of the subsequent documents circulated, including those that went to us Cdn shareholders. It has been replaced by the eventual membership in Aeroplan. The Cdn web site offers an update on the merger, and refers to a two-year phase-out period, with the reciprocal arrange- ment between Cdn+ and Aeroplan.

But all is speculation until late February when our new elite level membership packages arrive.