Originally Posted by
andrewjsl
I am going to be flying YYZ-LHR this summer and would like to upgrade one way. I was wondering if someone could explain to me the difference between SWU and SSWU. What fare do I have to be booked in in order to upgrade, and are there any other restrictions? Also, how can I get my hands on a SWU/SSWU? I checked ebay but no one's selling right now
Thanks for the help!!!
Ok, first off...you need to carry status with Aeroplan to get your hands on a SWU or SSWU. SSWUs, I think, are only usable by an Elite or Super Elite member.
Certificates are personalized these days, so even if you did get them on ebay and did have status, chances are it wouldn't work out for you as expected. Also, the purchase of these certificates is frowned upon by the members of this board in general. When they were not personalized, folks here would often give away certificates if you asked nicely.
SWU, or "System Wide Upgrade" is usable on the more expensive & flexible fares like Y, M, and U. The coveted SSWU, or "Special System Wide Upgrade" can be used with a lowly Tango+ fare. No upgrades work on Tango fares.
Read the sticky posts in this forum for details about fare classes and such, this is a good one:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22809
I gather that since you don't have any certificates, you are probably not eligible to use them. In that case, I hope you are traveling with someone who does have status and likes you enough to use one of his/her certs on you!