I have a business class ticket booked at Christmastime. Owing to the date of travel (close to Christmas), the routing (to YYT, a place that is difficult to secure Classic rewards), and the fact that it is in continuation of a first class reward ticket from overseas, I have only one of the three flights connecting me from YVR to YYT in business class.

If I am not automatically upgraded in advance of my journey (and if this happens, please let me know how and when it does happen), do I ask to be put on an upgrade waitlist at the airport? I'd like to know a little more about the protocol here.

The Aeroplan agent who found me the flight was very helpful and good at turning up this routing, but she seemed to be a little less clear and knowledgable about this process. She did suggest that I could call in to see if upgrade space has "opened up", but said that there is no automatic upgrade process. I guess I could continue to check seatcounter.com for such information. What's the real deal here?