Ideas for Affordable Upgradeable fares to HKG?
May 29, 2001 | 9:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: YYZ AC*E
Programs: AEROPLAN
Posts: 15
Ideas for Affordable Upgradeable fares to HKG?
Help, I need some ideas. I have to make my 4th trip in 12 months, to HKG on June 12 (returning june 20) and I promised myself this time i would splurge and fly J.
At least this is what i told myself - what i planned to do was purchase a less expensive Y, M or H2 fare all of which are upgradeable using the many System Wide Elite passes I have acquired over the past year, but can never use because I am usually on some kind of discounted ticket.
I first tried contacting some of the consolidators listed in previous flyer talk threads. No luck. No one seems to have any contracts for Y or J seats with AC. Next I tried booking a seat on the AC web site in the H2 class which it allows you do do and which, according to the Elite desk, is upgradeable.
However, when I checked with an agent they pulled up the locator and said it was another type of H class and not upgradeable. They agreed to cancel the ticket and reverse the charge even though it was not a refundable class of ticket.
It turns out that AC is only offering Y seats in June as upgradeable and they cost $4500 Cdn vs $2400 for the H2 - which doesn't exist. I can get a $1500 Q seat through a consolidator. (My wife suggested I just get 2 seats!)
Does anyone have any ideas / suggestions. I would really like to use one of my many upgrade certificates one of these days!
At least this is what i told myself - what i planned to do was purchase a less expensive Y, M or H2 fare all of which are upgradeable using the many System Wide Elite passes I have acquired over the past year, but can never use because I am usually on some kind of discounted ticket.
I first tried contacting some of the consolidators listed in previous flyer talk threads. No luck. No one seems to have any contracts for Y or J seats with AC. Next I tried booking a seat on the AC web site in the H2 class which it allows you do do and which, according to the Elite desk, is upgradeable.
However, when I checked with an agent they pulled up the locator and said it was another type of H class and not upgradeable. They agreed to cancel the ticket and reverse the charge even though it was not a refundable class of ticket.
It turns out that AC is only offering Y seats in June as upgradeable and they cost $4500 Cdn vs $2400 for the H2 - which doesn't exist. I can get a $1500 Q seat through a consolidator. (My wife suggested I just get 2 seats!)
Does anyone have any ideas / suggestions. I would really like to use one of my many upgrade certificates one of these days!
May 29, 2001 | 9:56 pm
#2
Company Representative - Air Canada
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 24,224
From the info that you posted, it seems like you are an Elite.
I don't know why the Elite desk would tell you that H fare is upgradable, that's not true. The only fare that's upgradable for Elites on international flights are Y & M (Y on Europe flights). Only SE can upgrade from H fare on international flights.
My suggestions is for you to call some travel agents in Chinatown. They usually have some sort of discounts for all fares. Have you try them? If you need the contact info, send me an email or I can call them and check the fares for you and post them here tomorrow.
One point though, be prepared that you are playing the "lottery upgrade game" here. Since you can only upgrade by buying full Y, you are like buying a lottery ticket and will have to wait til 72 hours prior to departure to find out whether you will clear the upgrades. Those HKG flights have good loadings in J year round, however, since AC is starting up 2 flights again in June, it shouldn't be a problem.
Either way, let me know whether you need the contact info so i could dig it out for you or whether you want me to check the fares for you.
I don't know why the Elite desk would tell you that H fare is upgradable, that's not true. The only fare that's upgradable for Elites on international flights are Y & M (Y on Europe flights). Only SE can upgrade from H fare on international flights.
My suggestions is for you to call some travel agents in Chinatown. They usually have some sort of discounts for all fares. Have you try them? If you need the contact info, send me an email or I can call them and check the fares for you and post them here tomorrow.
One point though, be prepared that you are playing the "lottery upgrade game" here. Since you can only upgrade by buying full Y, you are like buying a lottery ticket and will have to wait til 72 hours prior to departure to find out whether you will clear the upgrades. Those HKG flights have good loadings in J year round, however, since AC is starting up 2 flights again in June, it shouldn't be a problem.
Either way, let me know whether you need the contact info so i could dig it out for you or whether you want me to check the fares for you.
May 29, 2001 | 9:59 pm
#3
Company Representative - Air Canada
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 24,224
Or better yet as Ken, Dorian and I suggested in another thread, buy one of us (we are SuperElites) a ticket to go with you and we can upgrade you. 2 H tickets is still cheaper than 1 Y ticket! {H ticket is going for $1520 at Chinese Travel agents for departure prior to June 12} 
May 30, 2001 | 7:51 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: YYZ AC*E
Programs: AEROPLAN
Posts: 15
Yes I am an Elite.
Apparently Elite can upgrade with an H2 ticket but not any of the other H class. This is what the agent told me after she checked with a lead agent. Apparently it all has to do with the CIC number on the coupon -in my case CIC*47/133. Unfortunately as I stated, there aren't any H2 seats allocated for these flights.
There also aren't any C class available for the same period as well. This despite the fact that they are running the 2 flights daily again (747 and 340). In addition CX has their one way upgrade to F from J promotion running. You would think AC might be a little more motivated to fill those seats.
I am sort of resigned to the fact that I am going to have to buy a Y class ticket if I want to have a chance at J. I looked at the loads and they aren't bad because they have the two flights running again during those dates.
Does any one know of a consolidator who has inventory of Y seats? All the ones I spoke to only offered me Q or V!
I will carefully consider the offer of those SE who offered to come along with me and help with the upgrade!
[This message has been edited by forever (edited 05-30-2001).]
Apparently Elite can upgrade with an H2 ticket but not any of the other H class. This is what the agent told me after she checked with a lead agent. Apparently it all has to do with the CIC number on the coupon -in my case CIC*47/133. Unfortunately as I stated, there aren't any H2 seats allocated for these flights.
There also aren't any C class available for the same period as well. This despite the fact that they are running the 2 flights daily again (747 and 340). In addition CX has their one way upgrade to F from J promotion running. You would think AC might be a little more motivated to fill those seats.
I am sort of resigned to the fact that I am going to have to buy a Y class ticket if I want to have a chance at J. I looked at the loads and they aren't bad because they have the two flights running again during those dates.
Does any one know of a consolidator who has inventory of Y seats? All the ones I spoke to only offered me Q or V!
I will carefully consider the offer of those SE who offered to come along with me and help with the upgrade!
[This message has been edited by forever (edited 05-30-2001).]