MHD: Elite system wide upgrades
Apr 29, 2001 | 9:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan SE AND 1MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum , L'Accor Platinum
Posts: 9,782
MHD: Elite system wide upgrades
As an Elite, I have been wondering how to use my system wide upgrades.
With CP, these upgrades could be used in North America for the same fares as the North American stickers. This of course is not true for AC.
I do not plan to (because of expense, and other factors) book an overseas Y (or M - non European destinations), so that I could upgrade, using these certificates.
What is the Y class fare for a typical MHD (compared to a J class fare). Which route (from Ottawa to let us say Mexico City) would allow us to potentially upgrade as much as possible on AC, on this triangular route? How much will J class to Mexico City to LA add to the Y class fare on all other segments (on AC)? How easy is it to upgrade on AC on the following routes: Toronto to Mexico City, and LA to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, or Toronto - on weekdays, and on weekends, for Elites?
With CP, these upgrades could be used in North America for the same fares as the North American stickers. This of course is not true for AC.
I do not plan to (because of expense, and other factors) book an overseas Y (or M - non European destinations), so that I could upgrade, using these certificates.
What is the Y class fare for a typical MHD (compared to a J class fare). Which route (from Ottawa to let us say Mexico City) would allow us to potentially upgrade as much as possible on AC, on this triangular route? How much will J class to Mexico City to LA add to the Y class fare on all other segments (on AC)? How easy is it to upgrade on AC on the following routes: Toronto to Mexico City, and LA to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, or Toronto - on weekdays, and on weekends, for Elites?
Apr 29, 2001 | 10:10 pm
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, Bonvoy G; IC S; AA; DL
Posts: 14,496
Where to start . . .
What is the Y class fare for a typical MHD (compared to a J class fare).
If you are not stopping in Canada and are planning to stay in Mexico or US cities on the way for 3 days, then you can get a V equivalent (upgradeable) fare for around $800 plus fees. Full Y is only $1046 plus fees. Full J is only $1300 plus fees.
Which route (from Ottawa to let us say Mexico City) would allow us to potentially upgrade as much as possible on AC:
YOW-YYZ-YEG-YYC-YVR-LAX or SFO (or shortcuts in between) and return of course. Stopovers allowed in LAX or SFO but not Canada on cheapest fare. Stops allowed in Canada on full Y and J fares. Remember even though you cannot stop in Canada on cheapest fare, a stopover on this ticket is 24 hours or more so you can spend a whole day and night in a Canadian cit(ies) provided the total layover is less than 24 hours.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Star Golds have been getting a lot of free upgrades (any fare) on MX flights. We don't know how long it will last, but I have been successful on all my long hauls (MEX-ORD and LAX-MEX) and only once been denied an upgrade on a short-haul. It is an unwritten policy known by some of the staff so you can't point to any "rule".
How much will J class to Mexico City to LA add to the Y class fare on all other segments (on AC)?
If only one segment is in J, the whole ticket will price as J for that one-way portion, ie. if LAX-MEX is in J and YOW-YVR-LAX is in Y, the YOW-MEX fare will be priced as J so you may as well pay J, there is no savings.
How easy is it to upgrade on AC on the following routes: Toronto to Mexico City, and LA to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, or Toronto - on weekdays, and on weekends, for Elites?
-- I never have problems as a SE on these routes (SFO or LAX-YVR, YYC) but YYZ-MEX is often busy. I don't know how Elites fare.
What is the Y class fare for a typical MHD (compared to a J class fare).
If you are not stopping in Canada and are planning to stay in Mexico or US cities on the way for 3 days, then you can get a V equivalent (upgradeable) fare for around $800 plus fees. Full Y is only $1046 plus fees. Full J is only $1300 plus fees.
Which route (from Ottawa to let us say Mexico City) would allow us to potentially upgrade as much as possible on AC:
YOW-YYZ-YEG-YYC-YVR-LAX or SFO (or shortcuts in between) and return of course. Stopovers allowed in LAX or SFO but not Canada on cheapest fare. Stops allowed in Canada on full Y and J fares. Remember even though you cannot stop in Canada on cheapest fare, a stopover on this ticket is 24 hours or more so you can spend a whole day and night in a Canadian cit(ies) provided the total layover is less than 24 hours.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Star Golds have been getting a lot of free upgrades (any fare) on MX flights. We don't know how long it will last, but I have been successful on all my long hauls (MEX-ORD and LAX-MEX) and only once been denied an upgrade on a short-haul. It is an unwritten policy known by some of the staff so you can't point to any "rule".
How much will J class to Mexico City to LA add to the Y class fare on all other segments (on AC)?
If only one segment is in J, the whole ticket will price as J for that one-way portion, ie. if LAX-MEX is in J and YOW-YVR-LAX is in Y, the YOW-MEX fare will be priced as J so you may as well pay J, there is no savings.
How easy is it to upgrade on AC on the following routes: Toronto to Mexico City, and LA to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, or Toronto - on weekdays, and on weekends, for Elites?
-- I never have problems as a SE on these routes (SFO or LAX-YVR, YYC) but YYZ-MEX is often busy. I don't know how Elites fare.