I've done it on the cheapest fares available if memory serves (Standard or whatever AC calls it). I'm Altitude 25k this year and have done it multiple times from MTL that I can remember. I've also done it in years passed before I had status but I can't recall specifically what fare class I purchased (I always purchase cheapest available but they've changed in recent years and not all fare classes are always available so I can't be 100%).

Anyway, just frustrating to see a plane with empty seats fly away while we're sitting at the gate while our flight is completely full and I know at least one person that was flying standby on that flight and couldn't get on it because we weren't bumped up! Idiocy!

Not to mention Porter made me pick up my boarding pass from the gate agent instead of online because of this Basic Fare too! That is just costing them money (gate agent time) and frustrating consumers. Bad business in my view. The idea should be to charge for extras on things that cost the airline more, not cost the airline less! Online check-in should be cheapest followed by kiosk followed by gate agent.