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I apologize in advance if there is a thread that covers this, but my searches were not successful.
I am considering moving some of my crediting over to aeroplan in order to take advantage of the *G benefits available at 35K EQM. However, I am a little confused with how the AC system works. I currently have no AC status. If I credit 35K EQM by the end of the year, I understand that I'll have Elite starting next year. Would I be able to get Elite as soon as I cross the 35K threshold, or do you have to wait for the next calendar year?
Also, what are the class of service and elite bonuses for aeroplan? Is there anything else I should know about Aeroplan before diving in?
Thanks in advance for understanding my current Aeroplan ignorance.
Has AP made any improvements or given anything back?
=aw
It has provided Classic Plus awards, opening up full inventory, albeit at a price range that can border on the absurd. That was AE not AC, though AC did agree to a purchase price for other levels of its inventory.
If anything, AP's expansion into non-flight/travel mileage earning has opened the program up, inflated non-flyer accounts, and increased competition for Classic seats to millions more than would otherwise have garnered anough AP miles to make this a concern to those of us who are AC customers and earn most of our mileage flying.
Although I agree the trend is definitely down, Latitude upgrade at time of purchase in NA was a recent and significant add in the last year (although admittedly not likely of benefit to the OP).
If you're looking for cheap and easy *G access, then Aeroplan is not that bad. For 35k you do get free lounge access, priority check-in, etc. and the AC lounge product beats all of the NA competition.
That's the way I look at it too. Depending on what you are looking for, it is relatively easy to achive * Gold with AP.
The benefits keep going down and restrictions are added which make upgrades more difficult, but as you say they did add instant Latitude upgrade which I have made full use of this year.
Welcome to FT.
I think you may want to look at other * G programs instead of Aeroplan. If you aren't tied up in it now, there really is very little reason to choose it. Check out BMI for example..
Unless upgrading on AC flights is important to you...and as a non-resident this is unlikely...I suggest you consider BD's program. It too gives STARGold at the 35K mark, but earning this may be even faster than in AE since you earn 200% for paid business class fares, and IIRC 300% for paid first class fares, which would apply to domestic F on US and UA. Also, the renewal period is based on when you initially earned this status, so any flights taken in the same calendar year after achieving SG status gets credited to the next year so is not wasted.
I think you'll find awards in the BD program superior to AE, including access to miles+cash which can provide very good deals on business and first class awards on which you can actually earn status credits!
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So check out BD before opting for AE, though I have heard it is difficult to join if you are based in NAmerica.
AC does have a low 35K * gold level. However, the program has been decimated by aeroplan. Standard Classic awards have virtually disappeared and you will find many 400,000 award mile tickets being offered. Aeroplan will nail you for a $30 fee to book all but the simplest trips. ect.. The program is not what it was.
If you're not from Canada you might not care about Classic awards... even me from Canada - I rarely redeem awards on AC metal but instead J/F rewards on other *A carriers. So if this is the case, you probably don't care about the 'classicplus' issue that everyone is understandably not happy about. However, I think given the complaints they will come up with something to appease E/SE members in the next months!
Latitude upgrade at time of purchase in NA was a recent and significant add in the last year (although admittedly not likely of benefit to the OP).
I agree that it isn't all bad news, but wanted to point out the improvements seem to be from AC not AP:
-- Latitude upgrade at time of purchase is AC not AP;
-- Nice lounges is AC not AP;
-- Lounge access option with T+ is AC not AP;
-- Upgrades on pass products (not as new) is AC not AP.
Has AP made any improvements or given anything back?
=aw
It has provided Classic Plus awards, opening up full inventory, albeit at a price range that can border on the absurd.
That's a good point, though I've never thought they were as absurd as they seem. On a c/pt basis, all but the most ridiculous are still comparable to or better than most merchandise rewards. We're just used to saving 8-10c/pt on long-haul international routes (at regular rates).
=aw
I agree that it isn't all bad news, but wanted to point out the improvements seem to be from AC not AP:
-- Latitude upgrade at time of purchase is AC not AP;
-- Nice lounges is AC not AP;
-- Lounge access option with T+ is AC not AP;
-- Upgrades on pass products (not as new) is AC not AP.
Has AP made any improvements or given anything back?
=aw
I was wondering if I was going to get called on that technicality. It seems a pretty blurry distinction on the upgrade question. You could turn it around and I'm pretty sure AC had something to do with benefits taken away as well (e.g. no E SSWU at 45k is no skin of AE's back, it's all AC).
I agree that it isn't all bad news, but wanted to point out the improvements seem to be from AC not AP:
-- Latitude upgrade at time of purchase is AC not AP;
-- Nice lounges is AC not AP;
-- Lounge access option with T+ is AC not AP;
-- Upgrades on pass products (not as new) is AC not AP.
Has AP made any improvements or given anything back?
=aw
To be fair, SE/E/P is an AC, not an AP, thing. Aside from introducing the ClassicPlus awards, and insisting on that ridiculous call centre fee, all "enhancements," whatever they may be, come from AC....don't they? I mean, it's not AP that's in *A (offering *G benefits), and not AP that's an airline...all are AC's responsibility. IKK was removed (most likely) because the route controllers/highups at AC didn't want to lose revenue, etc, from non-SE's using that perk. BATCAT removed for Elites...also AC.
So say what you want about AP, (and I'm not by any means an apologist) but I really don't think it's fair to group their shortcomings with those of AC, as they are two different companies for a reason.
I was wondering if I was going to get called on that technicality. It seems a pretty blurry distinction on the upgrade question. You could turn it around and I'm pretty sure AC had something to do with benefits taken away as well (e.g. no E SSWU at 45k is no skin of AE's back, it's all AC).
I hope I didn't call you too hard. ;)
I don't see any blurriness on the upgrade question (which was upgrade at time of booking with Latitude, I think): it has nothing whatsoever to do with Aeroplan, you don't even have to be an AE member, you could be posting to a partner's program or even (yikes!) none at all.
I'd agree the certs might be an AC thing not an AE thing, though it depends how it's administered. Of course I believe Shareholder when he says AE has nothing to do with it, but potentially you could have a situation where AE issued the certs as an incentive to gain status members, then AC charged Aeroplan for each one used. Of course it's nothing like that, but it could be.
But while I'll agree it could all be AC and nothing AE (except as a shopping program, in the same way that Air Miles actually has nothing to do with WestJet's operations -- cf. Dell Days of Deals posts ;)), I can see no way that any benefit resulting from spending more, or spending earlier (passes) is an Aeroplan feature.
And in the current context, I agree with mtacchi: none of it has anything to do with posting to Aeroplan vs. to another plan. The OP can get the Latitude upgrades, pay for MLL access on a T+ fare, get free upgrades on a pass, while flying AC and posting to any partner program he wants. And for a non-North-American member, even the MLC membership is probably not as good an investment as US's top-of-the-line club membership (if you trust them not to gut it) as the latter gives Star lounge access all over the world.
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=aw
and the AC lounge product beats all of the NA competition.
By far the best lounge offered by any NA carrier.
Welcome to FT.
I think you may want to look at other * G programs instead of Aeroplan. If you aren't tied up in it now, there really is very little reason to choose it. Check out BMI for example..
I'm curious as to why you'd go with BMI over Aeroplan. I know that the qualifying levels are similar (35K vs 38K), however the first year threshold for BMI is higher, like 53K. I also don't do much travel in premium cabins, which from what i understand is where BMI really shines. I am also considering Thai Royal Orchid Plus, due to the 2-year validity.
I am considering moving some of my crediting over to aeroplan in order to take advantage of the *G benefits available at 35K EQM. However, I am a little confused with how the AC system works. I currently have no AC status. If I credit 35K EQM by the end of the year, I understand that I'll have Elite starting next year. Would I be able to get Elite as soon as I cross the 35K threshold, or do you have to wait for the next calendar year?
This thread on early recognition (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=565938) should help answer your questions.
Thanks in advance for understanding my current Aeroplan ignorance.
Welcome to our corner of FT! :)
However, I think given the complaints they will come up with something to appease E/SE members in the next months!
Aeroplan never gives anything. Every year in recent memory they REMOVE.
Aeroplan never gives anything. Every year in recent memory they REMOVE.
Although I agree the trend is definitely down, Latitude upgrade at time of purchase in NA was a recent and significant add in the last year (although admittedly not likely of benefit to the OP).
If you're looking for cheap and easy *G access, then Aeroplan is not that bad. For 35k you do get free lounge access, priority check-in, etc. and the AC lounge product beats all of the NA competition.
How great the AC MLL's are is secondary.. poster will have access whether on BMI, Asiana, Thai or AC * gold. Same with priority baggage ect..
The issue is upgrades/ redemptions. You can get the 35K *gold from a few places. (even 25K is you look at Asiana and Thai being 2 years for 50K).
I think Air Canada is a very dangerous place to park points if you don't have to now.
I'm curious as to why you'd go with BMI over Aeroplan. I know that the qualifying levels are similar (35K vs 38K), however the first year threshold for BMI is higher, like 53K. I also don't do much travel in premium cabins, which from what i understand is where BMI really shines. I am also considering Thai Royal Orchid Plus, due to the 2-year validity.
Thai is good too, or Asiana for that matter.
It really matters what you're after. Simple * Gold Lounge access? Upgrading in Canada, or upgrading internationally? Redemptions?
AC does have a low 35K * gold level. However, the program has been decimated by aeroplan. Standard Classic awards have virtually disappeared and you will find many 400,000 award mile tickets being offered. Aeroplan will nail you for a $30 fee to book all but the simplest trips. ect.. The program is not what it was.
It appears from your profile that you don't live in Canada, therefore perhaps have access to other airline points earning cards, ect.. You're not locked in. Not sure why you would chose join to aeroplan given other choices.
I was wondering if I was going to get called on that technicality. It seems a pretty blurry distinction on the upgrade question. You could turn it around and I'm pretty sure AC had something to do with benefits taken away as well (e.g. no E SSWU at 45k is no skin of AE's back, it's all AC).
AE doesn't give a fig for anything related to AC services. Even upgrades are a function of AC's marketing decisions. The only thing AE does is administer the accounting and send out the paperwork. AC tells AE what benefits it wants to offer and AE prepared the paperwork and mails the packages.
If you're not from Canada you might not care about Classic awards... even me from Canada - I rarely redeem awards on AC metal but instead J/F rewards on other *A carriers. So if this is the case, you probably don't care about the 'classicplus' issue that everyone is understandably not happy about. However, I think given the complaints they will come up with something to appease E/SE members in the next months!
Yeah double miles for E and SE on Tropicana products? :)
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Starting from scratch with Aeroplan: how long to reach Elite?