upgrade/date advice needed for YEG - LHR rt in October
Sep 27, 2010, 2:24 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 87
upgrade/date advice needed for YEG - LHR rt in October
I have some questions, and would like the input of some FT members. 1. What are the best day to 'try' to secure an upgrade on YEG-LHR (return) in October? 2. In the event that an upgrade doesn't look possible, are there any flights that the back cabin may be wide open to strategically book seats D+F in a row to hope that no one would book seat E?
The info is as follows:
My wife and I, both AC*E are wanting to travel from YEG to LHR in October, along with our infant. Our preferred dates are the 7th until the 18th. We like the direct flights, as they are direct and will then travel to other destinations from there. Having played the aerolotto before, I know that things can change for or against our favour very quickly... Our SSWU would be used and we have 2 each. We would like to upgrade from T+ in to J, if possible. I want to choose the best dates to give us this chance.
We can't go this week. The earliest we could go would be from the 5th onward. We considered other destinations, but LHR being direct from YEG is the easiest choice. I know other AC*E who have successfully upgraded on this routing. When I went to go check the preferred dates, I noticed that the 18th flight back to YEG has only 8 seats left, according to AC.com, not seatcounter since it is not working.
If it looks like we can't get the upgrade, what would be suggested in terms of potentially booking seat D and F, and hoping that no one books seat E? Are the loads ever that empty that one can hope for that? The bassinet isn't a viable option for us as our child is a tad over the restricted weight allowance.
Any help/insight would be appreciated.
The info is as follows:
My wife and I, both AC*E are wanting to travel from YEG to LHR in October, along with our infant. Our preferred dates are the 7th until the 18th. We like the direct flights, as they are direct and will then travel to other destinations from there. Having played the aerolotto before, I know that things can change for or against our favour very quickly... Our SSWU would be used and we have 2 each. We would like to upgrade from T+ in to J, if possible. I want to choose the best dates to give us this chance.
We can't go this week. The earliest we could go would be from the 5th onward. We considered other destinations, but LHR being direct from YEG is the easiest choice. I know other AC*E who have successfully upgraded on this routing. When I went to go check the preferred dates, I noticed that the 18th flight back to YEG has only 8 seats left, according to AC.com, not seatcounter since it is not working.
If it looks like we can't get the upgrade, what would be suggested in terms of potentially booking seat D and F, and hoping that no one books seat E? Are the loads ever that empty that one can hope for that? The bassinet isn't a viable option for us as our child is a tad over the restricted weight allowance.
Any help/insight would be appreciated.
Sep 27, 2010, 6:12 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: Via Preference Privilege, AC*A, Fairmont Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,334
Tuesday / Wednesday is almost always the easiest days to upgrade as its not likely to attract many business travelers. Likewise leisure travelers to maximize there vacation probably prefer Friday or Saturday departures so those two days of the week give you the best chance of an emptier plane.
I hope your infant is well behaved if you bring him/her in the J cabin
I hope your infant is well behaved if you bring him/her in the J cabin
Sep 28, 2010, 4:34 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 87
Tuesday / Wednesday is almost always the easiest days to upgrade as its not likely to attract many business travelers. Likewise leisure travelers to maximize there vacation probably prefer Friday or Saturday departures so those two days of the week give you the best chance of an emptier plane.
I hope your infant is well behaved if you bring him/her in the J cabin
I hope your infant is well behaved if you bring him/her in the J cabin
I hope my infant is well behaved too... J or Y cabin. He normally is.
Sep 28, 2010, 4:38 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 154
Waiting for my LHR flight right now from YUL on a Tuesday. When my upgrade passed 2 days out there were still 5 seats free in J.
So just a data point, and I would agree to fly Tuesday/Wednesday if you want to try to clear an upgrade on an M or a U.
So just a data point, and I would agree to fly Tuesday/Wednesday if you want to try to clear an upgrade on an M or a U.
Sep 28, 2010, 9:17 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: YFC
Programs: AC*SE100K; Marriott Titanium; NEXUS
Posts: 1,523
Looking at "R" space on Oct 7th, the direct flight seems wide open, but the connections have no currently available upgrade space at all.
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Sabre: Availability/GTC/US-LTR]
As for the return, seems a little tigher on the direct.
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Sabre: Availability/GTC/US-LTR]
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Sabre: Availability/GTC/US-LTR]
Code:
YEG Edmonton Int'l AB CA [CYEG] LHR London Heathrow UK [EGLL] THU 07 Oct 2010 Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ----------------------------------------------------------- AC 898 YEG 18:50 LHR 10:30 +1 763 0 J9 C9 D9 Z9 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S0 T0 L0 K0 R9 AC 158 YEG 00:15 YYZ 05:51 320 0 J6 C6 D6 Z6 Y1 B1 M0 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 868 YYZ 08:50 LHR 21:00 763 0 J9 C4 D4 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T1 L9 K0 R0 AC 114 YEG 06:00 YYZ 11:35 320 0 J6 C5 D5 Z5 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 856 YYZ 18:30 LHR 06:25 +1 77W 0 J9 C7 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 4516 YEG 07:31 SFO 09:43 CR7 0 J0 C0 D0 Z0 Y4 B4 M4 U4 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 5081 SFO 12:59 LHR 07:30 +1 777 0 J4 C4 D4 Z4 Y4 B4 M4 H4 Q4 V4 W4 S4 L4 AC 1156 YEG 08:00 YYZ 13:36 319 0 J7 C5 D5 Z5 Y3 B3 M3 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 856 YYZ 18:30 LHR 06:25 +1 77W 0 J9 C7 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 1156 YEG 08:00 YYZ 13:36 319 0 J7 C5 D5 Z5 Y3 B3 M3 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 848 YYZ 20:40 LHR 08:35 +1 77W 0 J4 C0 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 104 YEG 08:15 YOW 13:54 E90 0 J7 C7 D5 Z5 Y3 B3 M0 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 888 YOW 18:40 LHR 06:25 +1 763 0 J9 C4 D1 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 239 YEG 09:25 YVR 09:56 319 0 J7 C7 D6 Z6 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N9 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 854 YVR 17:05 LHR 10:15 +1 77W 0 J0 C0 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 1160 YEG 10:15 YYZ 15:50 E90 0 J3 C1 D1 Z1 Y6 B6 M6 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 856 YYZ 18:30 LHR 06:25 +1 77W 0 J9 C7 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 1160 YEG 10:15 YYZ 15:50 E90 0 J3 C1 D1 Z1 Y6 B6 M6 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 848 YYZ 20:40 LHR 08:35 +1 77W 0 J4 C0 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 176 YEG 11:30 YUL 17:16 319 0 J9 C9 D7 Z7 Y9 B9 M0 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 864 YUL 19:40 LHR 07:30 +1 333 0 J6 C0 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 126 YEG 11:35 YYZ 17:11 319 0 J9 C9 D8 Z8 Y9 B9 M4 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 856 YYZ 18:30 LHR 06:25 +1 77W 0 J9 C7 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 126 YEG 11:35 YYZ 17:11 319 0 J9 C9 D8 Z8 Y9 B9 M4 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 848 YYZ 20:40 LHR 08:35 +1 77W 0 J4 C0 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 241 YEG 11:40 YVR 12:11 E90 0 J5 C5 D4 Z4 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V6 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N6 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 854 YVR 17:05 LHR 10:15 +1 77W 0 J0 C0 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 192 YEG 12:05 YOW 17:44 E90 0 J4 C4 D3 Z3 Y4 B4 M4 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 888 YOW 18:40 LHR 06:25 +1 763 0 J9 C4 D1 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 4246 YEG 12:35 ORD 16:58 CR7 0 J4 C4 D4 Z4 Y4 B4 M4 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 5364 ORD 18:23 LHR 08:25 +1 767 0 J4 C4 D4 Z4 Y4 B4 M4 H4 Q4 V4 W4 S4 L4 AC 4246 YEG 12:35 ORD 16:58 CR7 0 J4 C4 D4 Z4 Y4 B4 M4 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 5368 ORD 21:10 LHR 11:15 +1 767 0 J4 C4 D4 Z0 Y4 B4 M4 H4 Q4 V4 W4 S4 L4 AC 243 YEG 12:40 YVR 13:11 E90 0 J5 C5 D4 Z4 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 854 YVR 17:05 LHR 10:15 +1 77W 0 J0 C0 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 172 YEG 13:00 YYZ 18:36 320 0 J4 C1 D1 Z1 Y7 B7 M0 U0 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 848 YYZ 20:40 LHR 08:35 +1 77W 0 J4 C0 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 245 YEG 15:15 YVR 15:46 E90 0 J5 C5 D3 Z3 Y9 B9 M9 U8 H0 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N0 G0 P0 E0 -> AC 854 YVR 17:05 LHR 10:15 +1 77W 0 J0 C0 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q0 V0 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0
[KVS Availability Tool 5.7.4/Diamond - Sabre: Availability/GTC/US-LTR]
Code:
LHR London Heathrow UK [EGLL] YEG Edmonton Int'l AB CA [CYEG] MON 18 Oct 2010 Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ----------------------------------------------------------- AC 899 LHR 15:15 YEG 17:10 763 0 J8 C6 D5 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S0 T0 L0 K0 R0 AC 5357 LHR 07:45 ORD 10:35 767 0 J4 C4 D4 Z4 Y4 B4 M4 H4 Q4 V4 W4 S4 L4 -> AC 4224 ORD 12:05 YEG 14:44 CR7 0 J4 C4 D4 Z4 Y4 B4 M4 U4 H4 Q4 V4 W4 S0 T0 L0 K4 G4 P0 E0 AC 5357 LHR 07:45 ORD 10:35 767 0 J4 C4 D4 Z4 Y4 B4 M4 H4 Q4 V4 W4 S4 L4 -> AC 4632 ORD 20:45 YEG 23:28 E70 0 J4 C4 D4 Z4 Y4 B4 M4 U4 H4 Q4 V4 W4 S0 T4 L0 K4 G4 P0 E0 AC 869 LHR 08:30 YYZ 11:05 77W 0 J9 C9 D9 Z9 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T1 L9 K0 R9 -> AC 175 YYZ 12:25 YEG 14:30 E90 0 J6 C6 D2 Z1 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V4 W4 S4 T0 L0 K0 N4 G4 P4 E0 AC 869 LHR 08:30 YYZ 11:05 77W 0 J9 C9 D9 Z9 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T1 L9 K0 R9 -> AC 127 YYZ 14:45 YEG 16:50 320 0 J7 C7 D1 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S0 T0 L0 K0 N9 G9 P0 E0 AC 869 LHR 08:30 YYZ 11:05 77W 0 J9 C9 D9 Z9 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T1 L9 K0 R9 -> AC 177 YYZ 15:55 YEG 18:00 320 0 J7 C7 D4 Z4 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T0 L0 K0 N9 G9 P9 E0 AC 869 LHR 08:30 YYZ 11:05 77W 0 J9 C9 D9 Z9 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T1 L9 K0 R9 -> AC 1161 YYZ 18:30 YEG 20:35 320 0 J5 C5 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W3 S0 T0 L0 K0 N9 G3 P0 E0 AC 855 LHR 10:50 YVR 12:20 77W 0 J9 C9 D9 Z9 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T0 L0 K0 R9 -> AC 242 YVR 14:20 YEG 16:44 E90 0 J3 C3 D3 Z3 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V7 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N7 G0 P0 E0 AC 855 LHR 10:50 YVR 12:20 77W 0 J9 C9 D9 Z9 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T0 L0 K0 R9 -> AC 244 YVR 16:30 YEG 18:54 319 0 J9 C9 D6 Z6 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W1 S0 T0 L0 K0 N9 G1 P0 E0 AC 855 LHR 10:50 YVR 12:20 77W 0 J9 C9 D9 Z9 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T0 L0 K0 R9 -> AC 246 YVR 17:30 YEG 19:54 320 0 J9 C9 D7 Z7 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S8 T0 L0 K0 N9 G9 P8 E0 AC 855 LHR 10:50 YVR 12:20 77W 0 J9 C9 D9 Z9 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T0 L0 K0 R9 -> AC 248 YVR 19:55 YEG 22:19 E90 0 J6 C6 D4 Z4 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 N9 G0 P0 E0 AC 857 LHR 12:05 YYZ 15:00 333 0 J9 C9 D8 Z5 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T0 L0 K0 R3 -> AC 1161 YYZ 18:30 YEG 20:35 320 0 J5 C5 D0 Z0 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W3 S0 T0 L0 K0 N9 G3 P0 E0 AC 857 LHR 12:05 YYZ 15:00 333 0 J9 C9 D8 Z5 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T0 L0 K0 R3 -> AC 159 YYZ 20:40 YEG 22:45 320 0 J9 C9 D7 Z6 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T0 L0 K0 N9 G9 P9 E0 AC 857 LHR 12:05 YYZ 15:00 333 0 J9 C9 D8 Z5 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T0 L0 K0 R3 -> AC 135 YYZ 22:45 YEG 00:50 +1 E90 0 J6 C4 D4 Z4 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K0 N9 G9 P9 E9 AC 5363 LHR 12:20 ORD 15:28 767 0 J4 C4 D4 Z4 Y4 B4 M4 H4 Q4 V4 W4 S4 L0 -> AC 4632 ORD 20:45 YEG 23:28 E70 0 J4 C4 D4 Z4 Y4 B4 M4 U4 H4 Q4 V4 W4 S0 T4 L0 K4 G4 P0 E0 AC 889 LHR 13:00 YOW 15:35 763 0 J9 C8 D8 Z8 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W0 S0 T0 L0 K0 R5 -> AC 143 YOW 19:55 YEG 22:12 E90 0 J8 C5 D5 Z4 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T4 L4 K0 N9 G9 P9 E4 AC 5899 LHR 13:05 DEN 16:23 777 0 J4 C4 D4 Z4 Y4 B4 M4 H4 Q4 V4 W4 S4 L4 -> AC 4697 DEN 18:30 YEG 21:16 E70 0 J0 C0 D0 Z0 Y4 B4 M4 U4 H4 Q4 V4 W0 S0 T0 L0 K4 G0 P0 E0 AC 851 LHR 13:15 YYC 15:30 333 0 J9 C9 D7 Z7 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T0 L0 K0 R4 -> AC 8152 YYC 16:30 YEG 17:22 DH3 0 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K0 N9 G9 P9 E9 A0 AC 851 LHR 13:15 YYC 15:30 333 0 J9 C9 D7 Z7 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T0 L0 K0 R4 -> AC 8154 YYC 17:00 YEG 17:52 DH3 0 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K0 N9 G9 P9 E9 A0 AC 851 LHR 13:15 YYC 15:30 333 0 J9 C9 D7 Z7 Y9 B9 M9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T0 L0 K0 R4 -> AC 8172 YYC 17:30 YEG 18:18 CRJ 0 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T1 L1 K0 N9 G9 P9 E1 A0
Sep 29, 2010, 4:13 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: YEG
Programs: Now AC Peon, *A nobody, SPG Gold, Hertz 5*, FPC Platinum
Posts: 1,427
I've taken this flight many, many times. I have never not gotten the upgrade and there are often empty seats left in J after departure. In fact, I am surprised that it is R0 at all. Only one time I had to route through YUL to get J across the pond because the direct flight was completely sold in Y (but not J) and thus I couldn't even make the booking to upgrade.
That being said, I don't think, J8C6D5 is not too bad a gamble even for two of you...just make sure you get on the waitlist when you book and then if it doesn't clear before then, get on the phone at precisely T-4.0001 days.
If it was J1 or J2 of even J3R0 like the 17th I'd be looking somewhere else for sure. The YVR flight is currently J9R9 and the YYC flight is J9R4. Either of those could be options but as you said, with an infant, the direct would be MUCH prefered.
And just to give you hope...
My hairiest upgrade experience was on a LHR-YYC leg watching my return sit at J1R0 for weeks and then two days before the flight, by some miracle, it went J1R1 (well I1 at the time). I was only the phone within seconds and snared the upgrade.
So no worries about J8!!!
Stay positive!!! Of course, don't blame me if you don't get the upgrade!
That being said, I don't think, J8C6D5 is not too bad a gamble even for two of you...just make sure you get on the waitlist when you book and then if it doesn't clear before then, get on the phone at precisely T-4.0001 days.
If it was J1 or J2 of even J3R0 like the 17th I'd be looking somewhere else for sure. The YVR flight is currently J9R9 and the YYC flight is J9R4. Either of those could be options but as you said, with an infant, the direct would be MUCH prefered.
And just to give you hope...
My hairiest upgrade experience was on a LHR-YYC leg watching my return sit at J1R0 for weeks and then two days before the flight, by some miracle, it went J1R1 (well I1 at the time). I was only the phone within seconds and snared the upgrade.
So no worries about J8!!!
Stay positive!!! Of course, don't blame me if you don't get the upgrade!