I just want them to keep the Privilege 20% coupon for the Canadian. As far as the rest goes, I do not much care.VIA Préférence - Changes coming in 2023
www.viapreference.com
There are all sorts of issues in this - it looks like by going to a revenue-based system they garfed things up with taxes. There's the usual PR drivel about program improvements (the only real improvement is immediately transitioning folks to higher status once they reach the requirements...you know, something that didn't require an overhaul), but it looks like this is close to a carbon-copy of AGR 2.0 in practical terms.
Remember, if you do Vancouver to Toronto you don't pay the Provincial Tax, since Ontario charges it and BC doesnt!
Yeah, my plan for this year is to go Vancouver-Toronto on my own dime and redeem an award for Toronto-Vancouver before the new program kicks in on March 25th.
As I’ve already written elsewhere, Im not sure why some people seem to believe that the statement that „products purchased with VIA Preference points will require the payment of taxes“ would include actual rail travel…VIA Préférence - Changes coming in 2023
There are all sorts of issues in this - it looks like by going to a revenue-based system they garfed things up with taxes.
Hmmm, maybe I should wait to book Toronto-Vancouver under the new program, then
No...book now. They're pretty clear about being able to cancel out later.Hmmm, maybe I should wait to book Toronto-Vancouver under the new program, then
Well, I know the trip and the dates, so I can book anytime. Both ways on VIA this time because I really am concerned about the longevity of their Budd fleet, I have the points, and Amtrak sucks in comparison. Which version of the program is more advantageous us really the only variable. With that said, I'll probably book the award segment (Toronto-Vancouver) under the current program. Until the coupon situation clarifies I'll hold off on booking the paid portion (Vancouver-Toronto). I want that 20% off coupon.
You might call in and ask (regarding the 20% coupon)?
The program change is dependent on the implementation of the replacement of their ReserVIA reservations system. Given the relatively last minute announcement, it sounds they ran into issues in the final testing stages of that implementation and cancelled it.
Funny we only took one trip on The Canadian from Toronto To Jasper in May of 2023 . We redeemed our free points coupons last month and to our suprise we are Premier status now .
Since loyalty program benefits have a 99% chance of being more difficult to attain and/or less valuable to use after every "improvement" I'd say they can take as many years/decades as they please.
Of course, this is generally true, but there is one little improvement nugget that MIGHT prove extremely helpful in the short term FOR ME... Under the new rules you can attain an elite status the day after you qualify rather than waiting for the new program year for it to take effect.Since loyalty program benefits have a 99% chance of being more difficult to attain and/or less valuable to use after every "improvement" I'd say they can take as many years/decades as they please.
*That is not to say there is never a way to benefit from major program changes; just that using the new program the same way as the old program is almost always a net negative experience.
In an effort to "bury the lede" they also introduced their new fees for checked (and some carry-on) baggage. Existing bookings are exempt.
As I've snarkily noted over on FlyerTalk, every time I see one of these sets of disastrous "improvements" phrased as "providing a better customer experience" or "better serving our customers", I very much want to see whomever spearheaded it "from on high" be asked "If your plan was to better serve your customers, how does it feel to be a miserable failure?"
One improvement they noted was the selection of particular seats. It would be great if that included particular sleeping accommodation's...
Don't be surprised if that comes with a yet-to-be-announced fee, following the airline model they seem to be emulating.
