You asked, we listened. Below is how we
currently prioritise upgrades requested a) up to T-24 hours, and b) once the waitlist is transferred to the airport. As always, we reserve the right to change this priority at any time. It will shortly be posted to the eUpgrade section on aircanada.com
Waitlists and Confirmed Upgrades
When you request an upgrade within the booking window and there’s space available, your upgrade will be confirmed at the time of your request.
How Upgrade Availability is Determined
For eligible customers travelling on international flights with a Latitude fare (Y,B) or Premium Economy Flexible fare (O), upgrades are based on the availability of P class; for North American and Caribbean flights, upgrades are based on the availability of Z class.
For eligible customers travelling on North American, Caribbean and International flights with a ticket booked in any other eligible fare (e.g. Flex, Premium Economy Lowest), upgrades are based on the availability of R class.
Once an upgrade is confirmed, it will be booked in R class regardless of where the availability came from.
Your reservation must be complete and ticketed and you must be within the appropriate upgrade window (as pertains to your respective status) to request an upgrade. If no seats are available, you will be automatically put on a waiting list for an upgrade. If a business class seat becomes available up to 24 hours prior to your flight, upgrades will be assigned as follows:
Upgrades cleared prior to T-24
1. Altitude members holding a reservation with a Y, B and/or O, Class Fares
2. Altitude status level
o According to status levels (for upgrades requested in eligible booking classes)
3. Fare class
o For same status, priority is given to the highest eligible booking classes
4. Time of request
o For same status and eligible booking classes, priority is given in order of reception of requests
If you do not receive an upgrade email confirming your upgrade before you check in, your request will be automatically transferred to the airport standby list. Upgrades on the airport standby list will be processed as follows:
Upgrades cleared at the airport
1. Cabin - that is to say, the below criteria prioritise PY over Y
2. Altitude status level
3. Fare class
4. Time of check-in
Upgrades are subject to the terms and conditions of Air Canada eUpgrades (full list
here), with the "Additional Rules" section to be shortly amended to the following:
Air Canada reserves the right to, without notice, (a) modify the terms and conditions related to eUpgrade Credit usage and eUpgrade Add-ons, (b) add, modify, or delete eligible booking classes, (c) cancel any upgrade request made in violation of the terms and conditions listed here, and (d) change upgrade priority rules. Awarding of upgrades is subject to operational considerations which are at Air Canada’s sole discretion.