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Z fare with one segment in Y
Hi FT,
For the Christmas holidays I'll be taking AC for my first time.
We are flying:
AC879 zrh-yyz
Ac1204 yyz-mia
We purchased an executive first Z class fare but in AC1204 there is no Z seats available (there is higher prices business seats available) and so we are seated in Y. On our reservation for this segment it says "Executive First Lowest" "Y".
We were told if Z opens up we could move there. In Zurich swisspost is the AC agent and they will not able to do anything when we check into the first flight. I was advised as soon as we land to inform the gate agent of our situation and if there is empty space upfront they would accommodate us above unpaid upgrades.
We land 90 min before our next flight leaves. I think the chance of free business seats being available 90 min before the flight leaves during the holiday season is highly unlikely.
So I ask you folks much wiser than me in AC is there anything I can do to help my chances of getting into business?
I've never found myself in this exact situation, nor do I think its often discussed, so I can't be sure - but at casual glance I'd say you've been had.
If you bought a Z fare, this is like a Tango fare for Business class. No flexibility, no changes w/o fee + fare difference, etc. And you can take 12 flights in full J but if the 13th on the same ticket is a W fare the W fare rules apply to the whole trip. I used to get caught by it a lot until I learned.
My experience tells me if you're on a Z fare with a segment in Y, despite Y being full flex the Z fare rules will prevail on any changes. Give it a shot and see how it works out, but I have serious doubts.
As a fellow Swiss resident, I can tell you that AC (and any other airline with only 1-2 flights in to / out of the country) staff in-situe don't know anything. I've had to explain that same-day changes require space in CABIN not FARE BUCKET more times than I can count. It turns into heated shouting matches at the airport, but I always make them call AC and end up getting what I want.
In the future, to confirm things like this I would call an agent in Canada and explain what you've been offered and have them validate it. Then hang up and call / go to the CH ticket office or CH website and book. Don't trust what they promise / tell you - they simply just don't know. They prolly turn around and book 5 SQ tickets after your call.
I believe since you're travelling in international business that you can access an AC Concierge in YYZ and have them look into it for you on flight date or the day prior perhaps.
I believe since you're travelling in international business that you can access an AC Concierge in YYZ and have them look into it for you on flight date or the day prior perhaps.
And if you dont have the phone number PMing one of us could probably produce it :P
Programs: CX*G, AC/DL/AA Basic, Fairmont Prem., *Wood G, Hilton G, Pri Pass, Nat'l EC, Hertz G
Posts: 3,001
This is another cheap, sly move on the part of AC.
They do this to keep the price of Lowest Exec "low". Instead of stacking a Z on ZRHYYZ with a J on YYZMIA (and having a much higher price), they pull this and hope the PAX doesnt catch on till it's too late.
It's a joke. The warning that comes up is absurd.
Almost booked YOW-LHR-BKK in "Lowest Exec". Noticed a warning on the left of the screen "LHR-BKK" not available in Executive cabin. Umm, are you kidding!?!? A 12 hour flight with a warning like that?
When selecting "Lowest Executive class" guess it's too simple to actually assume you will be seated in Exec on every flihgt in which that cabin is offered.
This is another cheap, sly move on the part of AC.
They do this to keep the price of Lowest Exec "low". Instead of stacking a Z on ZRHYYZ with a J on YYZMIA (and having a much higher price), they pull this and hope the PAX doesnt catch on till it's too late.
It's a joke. The warning that comes up is absurd.
Almost booked YOW-LHR-BKK in "Lowest Exec". Noticed a warning on the left of the screen "LHR-BKK" not available in Executive cabin. Umm, are you kidding!?!? A 12 hour flight with a warning like that?
When selecting "Lowest Executive class" guess it's too simple to actually assume you will be seated in Exec on every flihgt in which that cabin is offered.
Sad
You can do TK via IST for 5.5k (Combination of Z,D,J)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stranger
I would keep checking for a Z fare on that leg. Might open at some point.
Ding, ding. We have a winner.
I would suscribe to expertflyer.com or similar product to monitor Z class availability and pounce when it happens. Obviously YYZ-MIA is popular and flights are packed in both cabins around the holidays but people change their plans constantly so hang in there.
For the Christmas holidays I'll be taking AC for my first time.
We are flying:
AC879 zrh-yyz
Ac1204 yyz-mia
We purchased an executive first Z class fare but in AC1204 there is no Z seats available (there is higher prices business seats available) and so we are seated in Y. On our reservation for this segment it says "Executive First Lowest" "Y".
We were told if Z opens up we could move there. In Zurich swisspost is the AC agent and they will not able to do anything when we check into the first flight. I was advised as soon as we land to inform the gate agent of our situation and if there is empty space upfront they would accommodate us above unpaid upgrades.
We land 90 min before our next flight leaves. I think the chance of free business seats being available 90 min before the flight leaves during the holiday season is highly unlikely.
So I ask you folks much wiser than me in AC is there anything I can do to help my chances of getting into business?
Thanks,
bege
Just out of interest what bucket of Y did they book you in. Hopefully it's not a tango fare that allows no changes, seat selection or gets you any points. Worse the lowest fare class is the one that covers the entire trip.
I was advised as soon as we land to inform the gate agent of our situation and if there is empty space upfront they would accommodate us above unpaid upgrades.
We land 90 min before our next flight leaves. I think the chance of free business seats being available 90 min before the flight leaves during the holiday season is highly unlikely.
AC usually does most of their upgrading after the flight closes - i.e. within one hour of departure, so there is a very good chance that you can get yourself moved to business class.
There is now a Concierge based in Zurich. I'd suggest you track them down when you check in - they should be able to interface with their colleagues in Toronto to get you where you belong if seats are available.
This is another cheap, sly move on the part of AC...Almost booked YOW-LHR-BKK in "Lowest Exec". Noticed a warning on the left of the screen "LHR-BKK" not available in Executive cabin. Umm, are you kidding!?!? A 12 hour flight with a warning like that?
Your situation is different from OP whose flgihts are all AC metal since in your case the Y segment involves a codeshare. For osme reason I find that codeshare Z fare connections almost always seem to book in Y - even though you can often get business class for the entire journey for the same fare if you book on something like Expedia.
Programs: CX*G, AC/DL/AA Basic, Fairmont Prem., *Wood G, Hilton G, Pri Pass, Nat'l EC, Hertz G
Posts: 3,001
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Lev
Your situation is different from OP whose flgihts are all AC metal since in your case the Y segment involves a codeshare. For osme reason I find that codeshare Z fare connections almost always seem to book in Y - even though you can often get business class for the entire journey for the same fare if you book on something like Expedia.
Fair point but the issue remains. Why are fares listed in Exec First lowest that include significant portions not seated in Business class?
Many avg PAX might expect booking AC flight #6124 in "Lowest Executive First" would include exactly what AC proudly displays when you mouse over the Lowest exec heading.
AC usually does most of their upgrading after the flight closes - i.e. within one hour of departure, so there is a very good chance that you can get yourself moved to business class.
There is now a Concierge based in Zurich. I'd suggest you track them down when you check in - they should be able to interface with their colleagues in Toronto to get you where you belong if seats are available.
I gave the OP the YYZ and ZRH concierge numbers;
Also, Upgrades are processed when the flight closes; IE 30min before departure, not 1 hour.
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Posts: 1,064
Quote:
Originally Posted by begemot
We purchased an executive first Z class fare but in AC1204 there is no Z seats available (there is higher prices business seats available) and so we are seated in Y. On our reservation for this segment it says "Executive First Lowest" "Y".
I'd make sure you're waitlisted for Z availability if possible. AC may say they can't do this since higher fares in the cabin are available, but I see this as more of a way they run business than a strictly 'what they can do'.
Anyhow, call regularly and ask the agents if they can ask revenue management to release some seats into Z for you. Despite the unflexibilty of a Z fare I'd also plead for movement to another flight on the prior/same/next day if Z opens up there and if it would suit you. FlightStats or ExpertFlyer will help you find them.
Finally, if there is a *A or AC ticketing desk landside at ZRH ask there, and then at the transfer desk airside at ZRH and YYZ.
Just don't be offended by refusals. They may often decline to do anything, but if someone decides to do it just once then you're all set.
