Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Playing chicken with eUps

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 21, 2017, 7:29 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,569
Playing chicken with eUps

Im booked on AC 7557 tomorrow, ATL to YYZ. (Actually, UA 8111 on 016, because reasons). Standby and upgrade list is showing economy is full, Business is available: 9 seats, 6 booked, 2 checked in.

J3 C3 D3 Z3 P3 R1 Y0 B0 M0 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 G0 S0 T0 L0 A0 K0 from expertflyer.com, but maybe out if date if within 24 hours? Not wrong, though, it maps to SBUL.

The online tool had me blocked out previously, the app and OlCI each are asking for 6 credits. Im SE, and R1, I guess I'd be pretty much guaranteed it? I have 88 in the bank. Or do I hope for someone else to be transferred over so I move up? Does being on the codeshare matter?

What is the strategy here? Generally and specifically.
RangerNS is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2017, 7:37 pm
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,195
Using eup credits guarantees it.

Are you hoping for an opp-up by not confirming the upgrade immediately?

Having a Y ticket when Y=0 doesn't mean they are oversold. Even if oversold, not everyone always checks in or makes their flight.

To me, eups are scarce enough that using 6 credits to upgrade a narrowbody flight 3 or 4 hours is a bad value.
expert7700 is online now  
Old Jun 21, 2017, 9:05 pm
  #3  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BKK/SIN/YYZ/YUL
Programs: DL, AC, Bonvoy, Accor, Hilton
Posts: 2,920
If you have left over Eup credits at the end of the year, why worry. Just use them.
Transpacificflyer is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2017, 10:50 pm
  #4  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
You are not going to get an opup.

If you want J, use the eUps.
canadiancow is offline  
Old Jun 21, 2017, 11:04 pm
  #5  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC Lifetime SE100K, 3MM, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hertz PC, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,901
Originally Posted by RangerNS
What is the strategy here? Generally and specifically.
My general strategy is simple. I book a flight. If the plane has multiple cabins , I upgrade it. Then I book a flight. If the plane has multiple cabins, I upgrade it...
YEG_SE4Life is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2017, 11:13 am
  #6  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Originally Posted by RangerNS
Im booked on AC 7557 tomorrow, ATL to YYZ. (Actually, UA 8111 on 016, because reasons). Standby and upgrade list is showing economy is full, Business is available: 9 seats, 6 booked, 2 checked in.

J3 C3 D3 Z3 P3 R1 Y0 B0 M0 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 G0 S0 T0 L0 A0 K0 from expertflyer.com, but maybe out if date if within 24 hours? Not wrong, though, it maps to SBUL.

The online tool had me blocked out previously, the app and OlCI each are asking for 6 credits. Im SE, and R1, I guess I'd be pretty much guaranteed it? I have 88 in the bank. Or do I hope for someone else to be transferred over so I move up? Does being on the codeshare matter?

What is the strategy here? Generally and specifically.
Sorry, I don't understand.

You are booked on a flight for tomorrow. It is R1. That means you can take that R1 to get into J cabin. Otherwise you sit in Y.

Not sure what it is exactly you need and what you mean by playing chicken.
yyznomad is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2017, 1:09 pm
  #7  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 57
I understand your dilemma, but in my case I usually have far few eup credits and so my decision is not based on playing chicken, but picking the flights that I would prefer to upgrade and simply hoping to be op uped on the remainder. Two or three years ago, I would get two to three op ups a year on transcons or TATLs so my hopes were not necessarily fruitless.


I am now finding that even getting euped as a lowly E50 is difficult and I think the push to bids and LMUs is pushing me to use eups whenever I can. As much as the expertflyer stats suggest that someone will get opuped, I would just eup--it avoids you sitting in y if an oversell is remedied by simply moving the last of the GTE into J.
2078 Miler is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2017, 1:53 pm
  #8  
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: YSC (and all its regularly scheduled flights)
Posts: 2,521
Originally Posted by YEG_SE4Life
My general strategy is simple. I book a flight. If the plane has multiple cabins , I upgrade it. Then I book a flight. If the plane has multiple cabins, I upgrade it...
Yes, but from what I understand, most turboprops don't have multiple cabins .

I've been lucky to have a few paid TPAC J in the last few years (almost officially over now) to get me status and not have to use e-ups. That means I use e-ups on just about every domestic flight (since I won't pay for upgrades PLUS e-ups). I was surprised to just get upgraded YVR-YYZ-DCA for 10 credits, last minute, no cash on a Tango fare, good bar service, and Kitkats provided - once the person next to me insisted. All is good .

Off to my gate!

Dr. PITUK
painintheuk is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2017, 10:13 pm
  #9  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
Originally Posted by YEG_SE4Life
My general strategy is simple. I book a flight. If the plane has multiple cabins , I upgrade it. Then I book a flight. If the plane has multiple cabins, I upgrade it...
Yes, but you use Latitude FPs, which means eUps are worth virtually nothing to you.

I also upgrade every flight I'm on that has a J cabin, because I can never use all mine by the end of the year.
canadiancow is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2017, 10:22 pm
  #10  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Isn't this just a case of planning ahead and rationing your eUps as necessary?
yyznomad is offline  
Old Jun 22, 2017, 11:15 pm
  #11  
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,774
Originally Posted by yyznomad
Isn't this just a case of planning ahead and rationing your eUps as necessary?
If one doesn't control one's travel itinerary, not necessarily. Those forced by corporate policy to book Flex or Tango, eUps can disappear fast.
Adam Smith is offline  
Old Jun 23, 2017, 2:51 am
  #12  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Originally Posted by Adam Smith
If one doesn't control one's travel itinerary, not necessarily. Those forced by corporate policy to book Flex or Tango, eUps can disappear fast.
Sure, so then what "strategy" can the OP use? I don't think much of a strategy. If OP has personal/vacation trips, then save it for those I'd say.
yyznomad is offline  
Old Jun 23, 2017, 5:30 am
  #13  
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Bonvoy LTE
Posts: 1,881
Originally Posted by yyznomad
Sure, so then what "strategy" can the OP use? I don't think much of a strategy. If OP has personal/vacation trips, then save it for those I'd say.
I use the same strategy for eUps as I do for my Aeroplan miles. Earn and burn. i never know what flight I'm taking in the future, and who knows what other "enhancements" AC will make. Might as well enjoy the eUp now, on a flight that I'm for sure taking, instead of saving them up for a potential future flight.
Jebby_ca is offline  
Old Jun 23, 2017, 6:53 am
  #14  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC Lifetime SE100K, 3MM, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hertz PC, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,901
Originally Posted by painintheuk
Yes, but from what I understand, most turboprops don't have multiple cabins .
Very true, but I do get to sit in a multi-cabin plane at times.
YEG_SE4Life is offline  
Old Jun 23, 2017, 6:54 am
  #15  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC Lifetime SE100K, 3MM, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hertz PC, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,901
Originally Posted by canadiancow
Yes, but you use Latitude FPs, which means eUps are worth virtually nothing to you.
Sure, and that is part of my general strategy.
YEG_SE4Life is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.