Comments on: Air Canada puts procedure ahead of profits http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/02/16/air-canada-puts-procedure-ahead-of-profits/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:55:54 -0700 hourly 1 By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/02/16/air-canada-puts-procedure-ahead-of-profits/#comment-26886 Mark Ashley Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:26:15 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2349#comment-26886 Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. Will do some exploring at YYZ. Darcie, thanks for the heads-up re: using miles to get into the lounge. I wasn't aware that they had that option for day passes. It's interesting, at least. I haven't collected any Aeroplan miles, but even if I did, I'm not sure I'd spend <a href="http://www.aeroplan.com/mrch/air-canada-products/cnacproducts-p1.html" rel="nofollow">7000 miles</a> for a day pass. That's pretty steep, on a cents-per-mile basis, considering $35 Canadian gets you into a different lounge a few feet down the concourse. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. Will do some exploring at YYZ.

Darcie, thanks for the heads-up re: using miles to get into the lounge. I wasn’t aware that they had that option for day passes. It’s interesting, at least. I haven’t collected any Aeroplan miles, but even if I did, I’m not sure I’d spend 7000 miles for a day pass. That’s pretty steep, on a cents-per-mile basis, considering $35 Canadian gets you into a different lounge a few feet down the concourse.

]]> By: Darcie http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/02/16/air-canada-puts-procedure-ahead-of-profits/#comment-26844 Darcie Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:15:55 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2349#comment-26844 Do you have any Aeroplan miles? You can redeem them for a one-day lounge pass: http://www.aircanada.com/en/news/090217.html?src=hp_wn Do you have any Aeroplan miles? You can redeem them for a one-day lounge pass: http://www.aircanada.com/en/news/090217.html?src=hp_wn

]]> By: James http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/02/16/air-canada-puts-procedure-ahead-of-profits/#comment-26841 James Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:36:10 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2349#comment-26841 There's a hooters almost within walking distance of YYZ and if you have status with Marriot there is a Rennaisance and full-service Marriot also close by to YYZ. There’s a hooters almost within walking distance of YYZ and if you have status with Marriot there is a Rennaisance and full-service Marriot also close by to YYZ.

]]> By: Weary Traveller http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/02/16/air-canada-puts-procedure-ahead-of-profits/#comment-26840 Weary Traveller Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:09:57 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2349#comment-26840 Yeah, A/C doesn't seem to keen on revenue. I am a musician, and have a keyboard, which, in it's flight case weighs 72 lbs. I arrived at YYZ for check-in for a flight to LHR. Was told keyboard was over. I said, "I'm willing to pay the overage costs". They said no, it must go cargo. (Outside the airport property) No time to do that. I said I was willing to pay an extra seat's fare...even spoke with a manager. Still no. But hey, charge me for a pillow and blanket. So sadly I paid the baggage storage people...rented a similar keyboard in London, and everyone was glad to accept THAT money. All but A/C. I was an Gold member with Aeroplan, but now avoid A/C at all costs...no pun intended! Yeah, A/C doesn’t seem to keen on revenue. I am a musician, and have a keyboard, which, in it’s flight case weighs 72 lbs. I arrived at YYZ for check-in for a flight to LHR. Was told keyboard was over. I said, “I’m willing to pay the overage costs”. They said no, it must go cargo. (Outside the airport property) No time to do that. I said I was willing to pay an extra seat’s fare…even spoke with a manager. Still no. But hey, charge me for a pillow and blanket. So sadly I paid the baggage storage people…rented a similar keyboard in London, and everyone was glad to accept THAT money. All but A/C. I was an Gold member with Aeroplan, but now avoid A/C at all costs…no pun intended!

]]> By: Spendstoomuchtimetherealready... http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/02/16/air-canada-puts-procedure-ahead-of-profits/#comment-26839 Spendstoomuchtimetherealready... Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:52:54 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2349#comment-26839 I am Aeroplan 'Gold', and live on Canada's East Coast. Therefore, thanks to AC's less-than-efficient hub system, have wasted countless hours in the AC lounges in TO Pearson. My best advice? Take the quick and convenient tram to Terminal 2, the 'Westjet'/US FLights/International terminal, and then take the escalator to the Sheraton Hotel. Their restaurant features real menus, plates, edible food etc., and is miles away from the stress of the waiting area. A pleasant meal with a glass of wine should be had for $40 Canadian, and will be more relaxing than any lounge. I am Aeroplan ‘Gold’, and live on Canada’s East Coast. Therefore, thanks to AC’s less-than-efficient hub system, have wasted countless hours in the AC lounges in TO Pearson.

My best advice? Take the quick and convenient tram to Terminal 2, the ‘Westjet’/US FLights/International terminal, and then take the escalator to the Sheraton Hotel. Their restaurant features real menus, plates, edible food etc., and is miles away from the stress of the waiting area. A pleasant meal with a glass of wine should be had for $40 Canadian, and will be more relaxing than any lounge.

]]> By: Gregor Samsa http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/02/16/air-canada-puts-procedure-ahead-of-profits/#comment-26837 Gregor Samsa Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:57:11 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2349#comment-26837 Just sit down with your headphones with Rush's YYZ blasting on your headphones. On repeat. For the whole 5 hours. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHYt0BqSwno Just sit down with your headphones with Rush’s YYZ blasting on your headphones. On repeat. For the whole 5 hours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHYt0BqSwno

]]> By: Tino http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/02/16/air-canada-puts-procedure-ahead-of-profits/#comment-26835 Tino Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:51:03 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2349#comment-26835 How to kill time at YYZ? Two words. Tim Hortons. How to kill time at YYZ? Two words. Tim Hortons.

]]> By: Jimie http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/02/16/air-canada-puts-procedure-ahead-of-profits/#comment-26833 Jimie Tue, 17 Feb 2009 06:13:49 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2349#comment-26833 @#$% AC and their elitist ways (loyalist roots). The MLL is good i.e. four types of FREE draught beer (incl. Guiness) plus mini-buffet. If you cannot make it try the following club: http://www.thelandingstrip-club.com @#$% AC and their elitist ways (loyalist roots). The MLL is good i.e. four types of FREE draught beer (incl. Guiness) plus mini-buffet.

If you cannot make it try the following club:
http://www.thelandingstrip-club.com

]]> By: Eric http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2009/02/16/air-canada-puts-procedure-ahead-of-profits/#comment-26831 Eric Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:01:27 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/?p=2349#comment-26831 AC has one perk that I haven't seen at any other lounge: a discounted rate for extra guests. It is $15CAD in the morning, $25 in the afternoon, for each additional guest beyond those you are allowed. For example, as a *G, I was able to bring in one guest for free and a second guest for $15CAD. Not a bad deal at all. United would have wanted $50USD for a crummy Red Carpet Club. AC has one perk that I haven’t seen at any other lounge: a discounted rate for extra guests.

It is $15CAD in the morning, $25 in the afternoon, for each additional guest beyond those you are allowed. For example, as a *G, I was able to bring in one guest for free and a second guest for $15CAD. Not a bad deal at all. United would have wanted $50USD for a crummy Red Carpet Club.

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