According to the old rules/certs, and Elite can not upgrade on M booking class tickets, to Europe, but can upgrade on a Y ticket.

According to the new rules/certs, an Elite can upgrade on SWU or SSWU, on an M class ticket to Europe.

The suggestion is to:

1) call the Aeroplan centre to see when you should receive your Elite package (for 2004) - it still may be possible to receive it, before you embark on your trip

OR

2) if you do not get the Elite package in time, perhaps you can ask an Elite with a 2004 package in hand, to give you certs, and you can re-pay that person, when you get your package

OR

3) upgrade (ie pay the extra fare) to a Y class fare, and ask a current Elite to send you 1 or 2 2003 SWUs, expiring on Feb 29, 2005.