Help! AC Refugee!
Jan 24, 2002 | 2:24 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Here, There and Everywhere (but now on the Pacific)!
Programs: AC E75, MPC G and NEXUS/GE fan, Fairmont Plat, SPG Gold, National EE, Amex Plat
Posts: 724
Help! AC Refugee!
Hi! I'm new to FT, and LOVE it so far!
I've posted this on the AC board, and they've suggested I try here as well.
I'm an AC Elite/SA Gold, and i'm tired of flying the airline crossborder (EWR to YYZ) between Canada and the US. I fly 30-40 round trips per year, and have seen AC service deteriorate.
I'd like to start flying CO, or another airline, but seeing as how my flights are mainly short-hauls, it will be hard to maintain status. I can kiss my upgrades away for at least a year...
Anyone have any suggestions? Is it possible to ask CO (or other airline) to match my AC status? I've flown 5 r/t on CO in the past 2 months, and would like to switch.
I've posted this on the AC board, and they've suggested I try here as well.
I'm an AC Elite/SA Gold, and i'm tired of flying the airline crossborder (EWR to YYZ) between Canada and the US. I fly 30-40 round trips per year, and have seen AC service deteriorate.
I'd like to start flying CO, or another airline, but seeing as how my flights are mainly short-hauls, it will be hard to maintain status. I can kiss my upgrades away for at least a year...
Anyone have any suggestions? Is it possible to ask CO (or other airline) to match my AC status? I've flown 5 r/t on CO in the past 2 months, and would like to switch.
Jan 24, 2002 | 2:32 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
Yes, just fax credentials to the CO match folks! 
Probbaly plenty of room up front these days!
Probbaly plenty of room up front these days!
Jan 24, 2002 | 2:46 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: DTW
Programs: Choice Plat, Marriott Lifetime Gold, National Exec Elite, Spirit Gold
Posts: 3,135
first of all, welcome!
second, be careful what you wish for, you might just get it. if i were you, i'd look around at the boards of the airlines you are considering, and see the general tone of the customers (us). as you can see here at the CO board, there is a lot of angst right now...
------------------
Bad Gordon!
No Freddie for you!
second, be careful what you wish for, you might just get it. if i were you, i'd look around at the boards of the airlines you are considering, and see the general tone of the customers (us). as you can see here at the CO board, there is a lot of angst right now...
------------------
Bad Gordon!
No Freddie for you!
Jan 29, 2002 | 7:29 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Citizen of Canada, Member of the World!
Programs: AA, AB, AC, AD, AE, AF, AG... you get the picture
Posts: 2,091
Yeah but check out the action on the Air Canada board! You think you folks have it bad? AC doesn't just screw you, the basic flyer, they're out to screw their highest yield, top-tier, "most valued" customers.
Best of all, when they want to screw you, they don't mess around - they drop EVERYTHING on the "customer" in one thermo-nuclear bomb!
In one chop of the axe, AC has:
1. eliminated capacity control waiver for top-tiers (you'll get your reward seat like every other d@mned customer of ours!)
2. lopped off V fares from upgrades (it's almost a fare class every year!)
3. eliminated time-of-booking upgrade confirmation (screw you! You'll play our upgrade lottery just like everyone else!)
4. added PER USE guest fees ($20) for lounge access
5. Increased point redemption totals on NWT/Yukon routes from 15k to 25k, thus screwing those folks who are essentially captive to AC.
6. reduced qualifying mileage for domestic discount economy fares to 35% of flown miles. You now earn more miles renting a car than flying across the continent!
7. and not bothering to communicate these changes to us, thinking that we are all MUTE IDIOTS.
If you want to see the repercussions of what a VERY BAD AIRLINE can face, go visit the website www.errorplan.com
Best of all, when they want to screw you, they don't mess around - they drop EVERYTHING on the "customer" in one thermo-nuclear bomb!
In one chop of the axe, AC has:
1. eliminated capacity control waiver for top-tiers (you'll get your reward seat like every other d@mned customer of ours!)
2. lopped off V fares from upgrades (it's almost a fare class every year!)
3. eliminated time-of-booking upgrade confirmation (screw you! You'll play our upgrade lottery just like everyone else!)
4. added PER USE guest fees ($20) for lounge access
5. Increased point redemption totals on NWT/Yukon routes from 15k to 25k, thus screwing those folks who are essentially captive to AC.
6. reduced qualifying mileage for domestic discount economy fares to 35% of flown miles. You now earn more miles renting a car than flying across the continent!
7. and not bothering to communicate these changes to us, thinking that we are all MUTE IDIOTS.
If you want to see the repercussions of what a VERY BAD AIRLINE can face, go visit the website www.errorplan.com
Jan 29, 2002 | 8:49 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: In the SKY most of the time!
Posts: 324
Welcome Kpalle!
I think you'll be very satisfied with CO. There is some animosity here toward CO because they eliminated OFF PEAK rewards (20k miles for domestic r/t sept-may) and now will only have the STANDARD reward (25K).
As an elite member, you'll enjoy unlimited domestic upgrades, a mileage BONUS (50% for Silver, 100% for Gold, and 125% for platinum) discounts on annual Presidents Club membership, priority baggage handling (last on/first off), priority boarding, and more. CO has fresh new aircraft, knows how to keep them clean and functional, and has a great on-time record. I have had very good luck with CO counter, gate, and onepass service personnel. (Others here will heartily disagree with that, and I'm sure there have been some bad erxperiences, but I can only speak for the treatment I've received, and it's been terrific.)
I also enjoy the mileage benefits of CO's partners. Check out their web page - there's a wealth of info there.
I think you'll be very satisfied with CO. There is some animosity here toward CO because they eliminated OFF PEAK rewards (20k miles for domestic r/t sept-may) and now will only have the STANDARD reward (25K).
As an elite member, you'll enjoy unlimited domestic upgrades, a mileage BONUS (50% for Silver, 100% for Gold, and 125% for platinum) discounts on annual Presidents Club membership, priority baggage handling (last on/first off), priority boarding, and more. CO has fresh new aircraft, knows how to keep them clean and functional, and has a great on-time record. I have had very good luck with CO counter, gate, and onepass service personnel. (Others here will heartily disagree with that, and I'm sure there have been some bad erxperiences, but I can only speak for the treatment I've received, and it's been terrific.)
I also enjoy the mileage benefits of CO's partners. Check out their web page - there's a wealth of info there.
Jan 30, 2002 | 7:33 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Where the wavin' wheat can sure smell sweet
Posts: 1,683
30-40 annual R/T YYZ-EWR will get you gold status (mid-tier) on CO. If all you fly are short-hauls, don't worry about the miles and concentrate on segment qualification. 40 R/T puts you within a couple of mileage runs from platinum.
Jan 30, 2002 | 8:50 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,122
kpalle: If you can stand the old planes, look at NW as well. I know some FT's that fly out of Montreal and claim that NW treats them very well.
[This message has been edited by Vulcan (edited 01-30-2002).]
[This message has been edited by Vulcan (edited 01-30-2002).]