Programs: AC*E35, NEXUS, Marriott Rewards Gold, National Car Executive
Posts: 110
Upgrade request for 2 pax when R=1
Am traveling LAS-YYC next week (AC547, Dec 30) and have put in an upgrade request for the flight. Flight was showing available for upgrade and was showing R1 before we made the request. We've got 2 pax on the same PNR and both are waitlisted and it's still showing R1. Looks like J is pretty full, but showing a couple empty seats, so I'm still hopeful it'll come through in Aerolotto.
How are upgrades typically handled when you have 2 pax and R=1? From this request, during the upgrade window, looks like it will waitlist both rather than clear one if R=1, which is fine. The flight is still showing as available for upgrade on aircanada.com though.
If someone went in now and requested an upgrade and was just 1 pax, would they jump ahead and get their request confirmed? Or given that we're already waitlisted, is our request effectively 'blocking' that 1 R space until either another R space is released or they clear upgrades at the gate?
Programs: AC SE MM, Hyatt Diamond, hhonors Diamond
Posts: 2,456
Upgrade request for 2 pax when R=1
You are blocked as long as you are on one PNR unless R goes to 2. Get then to split the PNR and upgrade the passenger with the lowest status. Of course they have to be on your nomination list. Otherwise any single passenger can jump in front of you on the list.
Don't know for sure but if R is showing a spot it's likely up for grabs for whomever applies for it. You may want to call in and see if you can fill one of the spots. Be aware though that if you're traveling with someone who has no status if it gets to the gate for assignment they will be at the bottom of the list, even if they are traveling with you, and even though they applied so far in advance.
I'd try to give it to your non-status companion (if that is the case) by calling in and seeing what they can do... then take the chance for youself at the gate.
Programs: AC SE 1MM, HH Dd, SPG Gld, PC Plt/RA; AA; Wyndham Rewards, AirMiles
Posts: 12,591
single upgrades will be done ahead of you as they arise. In cases like these I either choose not to upgrade (if it is an E90 aircraft with 2-2 config in Y) or split the PNR into two PNRs so you are travelling on two different itineraries. You can then upgrade the less status passenger and waitlist the higher status passenger. Might mean you don't fly up front but at least one of you will. Works ok if you have a good sense of humor and your SO doesn't mind different company for the flight.
You are blocked as long as you are on one PNR unless R goes to 2. Get then to split the PNR and upgrade the passenger with the lowest status. Of course they have to be on your nomination list. Otherwise any single passenger can jump in front of you on the list.
not sure if AC staff is willing to split PNRs.... they will usually give a reason along the lines that the computer wont let them do so.
Programs: AC SE 1MM, HH Dd, SPG Gld, PC Plt/RA; AA; Wyndham Rewards, AirMiles
Posts: 12,591
I do it regularly for my SO and I. Never had an issue (done through the SE line of course--don't know why it would be any different for other agents though).
Programs: AC*E35, NEXUS, Marriott Rewards Gold, National Car Executive
Posts: 110
Thanks for the input. We're both *E so we'd have the same upgrade priority if it gets down to Aerolotto at the end. The idea of splitting out the PNR to scoop up the one spot is a good one, but consensus on the domestic side is that it's going to be an all or nothing, so if they don't have 2 spots, we'll both be in Y. Think we'll have to wait this one out and hope there's still 2 J seats in the end.
Dec 30 should be fine in clearing upgrades. Relatively soft period.
Hope you're right. I'm waitlisted right now (I have no status) on a flight with J2 R0. Not sure what my chances are if it doesn't clear before the gate, but I imagine they're pretty slim.
Programs: AC SE MM, Hyatt Diamond, hhonors Diamond
Posts: 2,456
Quote:
Originally Posted by global_happy_traveller
Dec 30 should be fine in clearing upgrades. Relatively soft period.
May my AC voodoos be with you.......
Good luck and Happy Holidays
Still best to improve the odds by splitting the files. I do all the time and it definitely helps to get both up front. Otherwise you are much more likely to sit together in the back.
Programs: SPG Gold, AMEX Plat, AC 'nobody anymore'.
Posts: 27
I had my PNR spilt for my flight tomorrow and had my non-status wife upgraded with the last R space, my upgrade was waitlisted and then confirmed via email 30 mins later!
AC0547 shows that there are 2 seats open in J right now. Best of luck!
I had my PNR spilt for my flight tomorrow and had my non-status wife upgraded with the last R space, my upgrade was waitlisted and then confirmed via email 30 mins later!
AC0547 shows that there are 2 seats open in J right now. Best of luck!
it looks like you have a few competition on AC547. But I think you'll be fine and upgraded.
Programs: AC*E35, NEXUS, Marriott Rewards Gold, National Car Executive
Posts: 110
Thanks to all for the info and advice here! Given that the upgrade situation was looking iffy, spouse wanted it to be an 'all-or-nothing', so I didn't split out the PNR to grab the one R seat and left it to Aerolotto (plus given that we both have same status and same fare class, we'd be adjacent in the priority list).
Flight was showing J0 Y0 on the morning of the flight and check-in agent said J was fully booked, but thankfully we got our upgrades confirmed at the gate. Looks like there were 1-2 other upgrades confirmed as well, so guess they either must have had some no-shows in J, or had seriously overbooked Y and blocked off some J seats or something like that. In any case, worked out fine in the end!
