Dear Mr. Rovinescu,
I’m quite an Air Canada advocate and usually spend time talking up Air Canada to my collegues and such. While I may not be 100k Super Elite, I do fly enough to hit 50k or 35k with status.
I was very shocked to see the following screen shot, yesterday, when checking in for my flight. In short, $8 to change my seat in the same area of the plane?
Some details
– I’m currently 35K well on my way to 50K this year.
– I fly Toronto to Vancouver (and then on to Portland) a significant number of times a year, and will be doing this at least once a month until August next year
– I’m already booked in a middle seat (which is fine, I’ll live with)
What is Air Canada thinking? Here is the exchange I had on Twitter with @ACAltitude. Firstly, I do have to commend the folks over at @ACAltitude – they rock, and are always courteous:
Iain: @ACAltitude @AirCanada sorry to be cranky but why would I pay $8 to change my seat when I have status? Flying AC101 tomorrow.
Iain: @ACAltitude @AirCanada and I have a preferred seat as well…
ACA: Hi Mathan, different preferred seats have are assigned at different amounts (ie aisle vs middle). /cc
Iain: @ACAltitude even changing between another middle seat would cost $8 – will get a screenshot for you. Not a good revenue model.
ACA: Hi Mathan, instead of a screenshot, can you DM your booking ref nbr? /cc
Iain: @ACAltitude I might stand corrected but still, feels like nickelling and dining loyal customers. pic.twitter.com/P0VoPaUfQn
Mr. Rovinescu, this is nickelling and diming your valued customers and is a digusting practice. Completely ridiculous.
I choose Air Canada because it’s not like the US airlines I deal with. United has an inconsistent product. American’s seats are way too small. US Airways service is horrible.
Air Canada is a 4-star Skytrax airline. It won’t be if you continue these practices which are more like RyanAir (Ireland) and Spirit (US).
Thank you,
Iain Bennett