Air Canada ‘Super Elite’ Sues Airline After Status is Revoked for Using Airport Lounges Without Flying

A Vancouver businessman is suing Air Canada for revoking his elite status and allegedly writing negative comments about him in his profile with the airline.

The case was filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia on June 19, 2018.

Eric Wong’s status in the Altitude frequent flyer program was taken away after his plans changed after having visited the airline’s Maple Leaf Lounge at Vancouver International Airport on January 10, 2016 the suit alleges.  Because he was already in the international departures area of the airport, he had asked for an escort to get him through Canadian customs.

He also reported that he cancelled several trips in 2015, after he had already entered an Air Canada lounge, also on the basis of changed travel plans.

Wong, who is a member of FlyerTalk.com, an online travel community and uses the screen name “DrunkCargo,” reported his suspension from the frequent-flyer program in the forum on January 21, 2016.

“My ‘Altitude Super Elite status will be suspended for an indefinite period of time, until a complete review of this file has been done.’ I know the reason.”

Even though the fares he purchases are refundable according to Air Canada’s own marketing materials with “no questions asked,” the agent at the Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge “insisted, in a stern manner, that Mr. Wong provide a reason for his change of travel plans,” the suit alleges.

In his lawsuit, Wong, an IT consultant, explains that “his business is of such a nature that he can adjust his travel plans on short or no notice in the event of changed flight circumstances.” Wong flies enough, he says, that he earned top “Super Elite” status in the airline’s frequent flyer program.

Wong further claims that the airline’s corporate security department has engaged in “surveillance and monitoring” of his activities both online and off to retroactively justify their “high-handed actions.”

At press time, Air Canada had not yet responded to a request for comment on the case.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)