1. On a trip to Ottawa to Vancouver return, I flew in both cases via Toronto.

Both original sets of flights were upgraded 72 hours in advance of the first flight departure (I am an Elite Aeroplan member).

I went to the airport early, and requested to fly on a standby basis, on earlier sets of lights, with a confirmed upgrade on those (4) flights (all 4 earlier flights had several upgradeable C seats available when I showed up at the airport). The agent at check-in confirmed the ticketing (with the upgrade) on the earlier flights - in both instances. Therefore, I was not truly holding a standby ticket.

I say that, because in other situations in the past, the check-in agent would not book me on the earlier flight - she would state that the gate agent had to - on a standby basis do that - or else, I would have to pay the $145 change fee.

Was this earlier agent correct, and the current check-in agents were being nice (ie really confirming earlier flights on check-in)?

2. I in the above case bought a V class fare - it must be bought at least 7 days prior to departure. I tried to change the departing flight 2-3 days before departure - I was told that the only way I could do it is by getting a credit (minus $145) for the original ticket, and buying a higher fare ticket (ie B class for a ticket 72 hours in advance, or a Y/M class ticket less than 72 hours in advance). I thought that in the past - certainly with Canadian - but also with AC, at least shortly after the takeover of Canadian by AC, that even the departing flight could be changed, without consideration of the time frame, just for the change fee?

3. I have been told that if you have a V,H, or B class ticket for a certain day, you can only standby on a flight that day - you can not standby on a flight on an earlier day? Is that correct?