I guess if one, as a SE wants to call from abroad (ie overseas) for reservations, bookings, upgrades, one can call the Montreal SE desk, on a collect basis, from anywhere in the world - as well as the airport concierge agent, if that city had such a person?

For Elites (I can not answer for Prestige or basic Aeroplan members) - one can call Aeroplan using a toll-free number from that country, to Canada - for selected European, Asiatic, and Oceanic countries.

However, one can not easily call AC reservations, in such a scenario.

Last week, was in Geneva, and in Vienna, trying to call AC reservations, for an upgrade request, for a few days later, for a domestic flight. I was not successful, because I could not find a suitable number to call. (I eventually came back to Canada 12 hrs before my planned departure from Ottawa to Vancouver - there were still lots of upgradeable seats in the 2 flights - Ottawa to Toronto, and Toronto to Vancouver).

I called the Aeroplan number (toll-free), realizing one option was to press a phone button, for AC reservations. However, when you press a button, one gets a message to call the local AC office (I wonder why AC can not set the phone system so that the button can directly transfer you to AC reservations).

In both city phone books, I could not find a listing for Air Canada - ie no phone number. It is possible that I could have called an operator, or spoken to the hotel concierge, to get that number, if it exists?

Another option would be to learn the local (for Ottawa) direct non-toll free AC reservations number - but only a toll-free number exists, at least in the yellow pages, of the Ottawa telephone directory. If such a local number did exist, one could call directly, via Canada Direct (or even direct dial).


In the above scenario - where one is in an overseas city, what are the best options of calling AC reservations, esp for an upgrade or a flight booking/change in reservations on AC, involving a North American itinerary?