This November Air Canada is introducing an entirely new loyalty program, which includes a new approach towards award redemptions, new elite perks, and new credit card benefits.
In addition to all of the changes that have already been revealed, a new elite perk has just been announced for Air Canada’s top tier elite members.
Air Canada Super Elite members will receive complimentary in-flight refreshments, which wasn’t a benefit before. Here are the details of this new perk:
- This perk will kick in when the Air Canada Bistro service is reintroduced onboard (Air Canada currently has very limited service due to the pandemic)
- Eligible passengers can enjoy one free alcoholic drink and one free snack item when traveling on Air Canada, Air Canada Express, or Air Canada Rouge, in economy class
- Drinks up to a value of $6.95 are eligible, and when it comes to food, fresh snack options (such as sandwiches and salads) aren’t eligible
Super Elite members have a new perk when traveling in economy
Air Canada’s Super Elite status ordinarily requires earning at least 100,000 elite qualifying miles and 20,000 elite qualifying dollars in a year, so the requirements are substantial.
It’s nice to see Air Canada add this as an elite perk, though it’s worth acknowledging that:
- American and United both offer top tier elite members a free drink and food item in economy, with no limit on the value of either, and the food item can also be something from the “fresh” menu
- In fairness, American and United both offer top-tier elite members unlimited complimentary upgrades (subject to availability), so this is basically a consolation prize when you don’t get upgraded; in the case of Air Canada, you always have to redeem some sort of an upgrade instrument for an upgrade
Complimentary economy snack on American Airlines
Complimentary economy snack on American Airlines
Bottom line
It’s nice to see Air Canada add yet another perk for Super Elite members. That being said, it’s anyone’s guess when this will actually be useful, given that it’s reliant on the full service resuming in Air Canada economy, and that could be years from now at the rate things are going…
What do you make of this new Air Canada Super Elite perk?
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