I will attend a medical (oncology) conference in Amsterdam in late Sept/early Oct. I will be flying business class either from Canada or business or first class from USA to AMS.


My wife will join me. How should I book to maximize the chances that she will fly in business class, but at least cost, and with the chance to earn Air Canada . 8,000 AQMs (which are necessary, based upon current travel plans, for her to earn E35K again for next year). She will fly on a slightly different itinerary than myself (so the AC Platinum 2 for 1 in business class can not be offered to her).

Ideally, I would like to book her on a AC transatlantic route, so that (through me as a nominee) she can request a successful upgrade one week in advance. But many of the transatlantic flights that go under the AC banner have R=0 right now, for that period of time.

So ideally, I want to buy her a flex fare ticket, and at least upgrade on the transatlantic component of the itinerary at the time of purchase - which automatically means that I have to buy a much more expensive latitude ticket.


I do not want to use Aeroplan miles - otherwise she does not earn enough AQMs, for become E35K for next year. Similary, I do not want to use the AMEX Platinum 2:1 full fare business class (at least on LX) tickets.

Of note - the web site for the conference does state that one can get a discount of 10-20% (depending upon the fare) if one flies on Star Alliance airlines. I do not know if this is a web based promotion only, or I can get the same promotion by calling the AC phone reservation agent, or by calling my travel agent.