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Air Canada Super Elite Welcome Package and Fairmont Fast-Track Status

ByThe Skeptical Traveler

The package looks more luxurious (left) than the previous one, black vs. red.The image shows two items on a wooden surface. On the left is a black folder or booklet with the words "SUPER ELITE" written in white and blue letters, along with a small red circular logo at the top. On the right is a red booklet or folder with a faint, large circular logo and the words "SUPER ELITE" subtly visible in the background.

New luggage tag (left) and the old one (right):The image shows two Air Canada Super Elite luggage tags from 2012. The tag on the left has a metal loop for attachment, while the tag on the right has a black strap. Both tags feature the Air Canada logo and the text "SUPER ELITE" prominently. The background is a wooden surface.

Also, included in the package there was a special offer from Fairmont. “You can fast-track to Fairmont President’s Club Platinum by completing just one stay at any Fairmont property in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia or India! You’ll then enjoy your status through December 31, 2013.”The image shows a promotional flyer for Fairmont President's Club and Air Canada. The flyer is titled "FAST-TRACK STATUS 2012" at the top. Below the title, it features the Fairmont President's Club logo. The main section of the flyer has a heading that reads "GREAT NEWS!" followed by text explaining how to fast-track to Fairmont President's Club Platinum status by completing a stay at any Fairmont property in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, or India. The flyer also mentions that existing Fairmont President's Club members can maintain their status by completing a stay at any Fairmont property worldwide. The bottom of the flyer features the Air Canada logo. The flyer is placed on a wooden surface.

Wow, Platinum status for almost 2 years ! Usually they give the Platinum status after 40 nights per calendar year*, if I am not mistaken. I like Fairmont a lot; this is how they welcome me every time I stay at their hotels.

The image shows a table with various items on it. There is a plate with a knife and a napkin, a black tray with assorted desserts including macarons and strawberries, a bottle of water, a glass of water, and some documents or brochures. There is also a lamp providing light to the scene. The setting appears to be a hotel room or a similar environment.

The image shows a pair of athletic shoes with orange laces placed inside a wicker basket. The basket is lined with a white cloth and is situated on a piece of furniture in a room with carpeted flooring. In the background, there is a dark wooden dresser, a chair, and a table with various items on it, including a remote control.However, I don’t like their free night certificates expire after 1 year. I understand the blackout dates (everyone would like to stay for free at their Hawaiian properties during Christmas), but why couldn’t they expire after a longer period? For example I would be content to expire at the end of the next calendar year on 31 December. Now, I feel ‘chased’ and I am stressed out when to use the free night certificates and to plan my vacation around them. One certificate has already expired; I would have given it away on this blog, but the membership certificates are only transferrable to immediate family and I could not convince them to consider the visitors of a blog as a big family :). From this point of view Marriott points are better, no expiry date (or after 7 years) and no blackout dates.

*A colleague of mine told me, that they would give you the Platinum status right away (I suppose, if you had the status the previous year), if you told them that otherwise you would go to another hotel chain (didn’t try it as anyway I would choose Marriott).

The image shows a card with the text "Club Carlson" written on it. The word "Club" is in a cursive font, while "Carlson" is in a standard font. There is a small red and yellow flower-like symbol next to the word "Carlson." The card has a large, sweeping, curved line design in the background. The card is placed on a wooden surface.However, it might work as I just received the Carlson Club Silver status for 1 year, without staying any night in 2012 !!!  So hotel chains resort to such a practice in order to entice travellers to change their allegiance.

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