I am trying to upgrade three segments of a 5 segment journey. All three segments are on LH metal (FRA-STR, STR-FRA, FRA-LHR) although the first segment appears on my reservation as an AC codeshare and the other two as LH flights with LH flight numbers.

In any event, I am trying to use to Aeroplan website for Star Alliance Upgrades.....what a horrible process.

First it asks for the ticket number and my name. That alone should provide the necessary information. But then it asks for the PNR as well. And then it asks for each flight number, date and the airport of origin and airport of arrival.

After entering all this information, the message "upgrade not available" comes back.....ugh. Frustrating.

BUT, it raises my question: how is a ticket number different from a PNR. Once a ticket has been issued, don't both identify a unique itinery?