Originally Posted by
drvannostren
So I'm assuming that the fare wouldn't appear online then, you'd have to call? You say the Y fare, but it's not a set number, so I assume they could just make it up over the phone and have you pay the latitude type price or something.
Maybe it happens to you guys who travel on intl flights, but I've still never seen a flight that was totally sold out that I thought, I just have to get on THIS flight.
Yes, I believe that is correct. I remember calling AC directly to get a ticket. They essentially make a Y0 flight Y1 to get you on, then charge you the Y fare.
I've only used it a couple of times, and most people that I know who have used it use it for emergencies, mainly because its really expensive! I've heard of colleagues using the perk because their kid had an accident at school and ended up in the ER, for example. The only other instance is around spring break...Certain routes can become next to impossible to get seats on. For example, if you're in YVR for a day and want to leave for YEG sometime after 4 but everything until 22.00 is sold out, you might just pick the most convenient flight and pay up.
I don't know anyone who uses the perk regularly though.