On April 3 I am flying YVR-YEG but connecting via YYC as no T+ was not available when ticket purchased. However I am quite willing to burn some credits.

AC 226 YVR-YYC is currently J4 R3 Y2, while AC248 YVR-YEG is J4 R4 Y0.

So I am thinking of upgrading 226, and see if I can get on 248 while at the gate despite there being no Y - they both leave at roughly the same time but by losing the YYC connection I get home 2 hours earlier and miss another flight on a Dash 8, far too many this year. Normally there would be a change fee and a Y seat, plus fare difference, but since I end up in the same place, there are currently empty sets, is it orth a shot?

Has any done something like this? Am I out to lunch or even trying? Will the gate agent laugh? Should I bring chocolate?