A few tips:

1) A single business class/Executive class segment in your entire reward itinerary will entitle you to priority standby for J class seating/service on *ALL* segments in your reward itinerary. Given those stats you pasted above, it is very likely that J seating will be available on the flight, thus you will be upgraded upon request.

2) If YYZ-SFO doesn't work, then book YYZ-YVR-SFO or YYZ-YYC-SFO. Go to the airport, and ask to be placed onto the YYZ-SFO flight. Very likely that you will be placed on the nonstop if you ask politely.

3) If the time that you want a flight doesn't work out and there's a later (or earlier) flight available with confirmable reward seating, then you can book that seat, and standby for the earlier flight. Careful though, if your confirmed seat leaves, and there's no standby seats available on subsequent same-day flights, you are in for at least a $25 change fee, and in some instances, a forfeiture of the itinerary.

If seats are available on the YYZ-SFO flight (ie: the plane is not overbooked), then you will probably be able to get onto the earlier flight.



[This message has been edited by pitz (edited Jan 06, 2004).]