Glitches in e-upgrade window?
Nov 17, 2011, 9:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYT
Programs: Altitude SEMM
Posts: 416
Glitches in e-upgrade window?
I flew AC33 YYT-YYZ-SYD on Nov. 16 and am returning on 34 on Nov. 21. The return flight leaves SYD at 12:15pm local time. I calculated T-96 hours (I am E) to be 8:15pm (YYZ time) on Nov. 16. AC 33 departed YYT at 8:20pm. I was on my smartphone at 8:15 and tried multiple times to request an upgrade, but repeatedly got the message that the flight was not yet eligible for upgrade. I was able to request the upgrade when we deplaned in YVR, but am waitlisted (and probably further back on the waitlist than I otherwise would have been). This was very annoying.
As an aside, what are the chances of the upgrade clearing?
On the plus side, this trip will qualify me for SE next year!
As an aside, what are the chances of the upgrade clearing?
On the plus side, this trip will qualify me for SE next year!
Nov 17, 2011, 10:01 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: A3*G AC*nobody TK*nobody
Posts: 1,967
R0 J7
[KVS Availability Tool 6.7.0/Diamond - Amadeus Seat Map: 21 Nov 2011/AC 34/SYD-YYZ/77L/C-Business]
[KVS Availability Tool 6.7.0/Diamond - Amadeus Seat Map: 21 Nov 2011/AC 34/SYD-YYZ/77L/C-Business]
Code:
A | D G | K 1 - - + - 2 - - - - 3 - - - - 4 - - - - 5 - - + - 6 - - + - 7 + + 8 - - + - 9 - + - - [W] 10 - - + - [W] 11 - - - - [W] [+] Available [W] Wing [L] Lavatory [-] Unavailable [E] Exit Row [U] Upper Deck
Nov 19, 2011, 6:51 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYT
Programs: Altitude SEMM
Posts: 416
A further question.
Suppose J is full on SYD-YVR and the u/g does not clear. Is it possible in principle to request an u/g from YVR-YYZ (if your BP is SYD-YYZ)? If so, how would one do that.
Suppose J is full on SYD-YVR and the u/g does not clear. Is it possible in principle to request an u/g from YVR-YYZ (if your BP is SYD-YYZ)? If so, how would one do that.
Nov 19, 2011, 8:13 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & 2MM/Bonvoy Gold/HHonors Diamond
Posts: 4,586
SYD is a weird station where the daylight savings doesn't carry over. So yes, you had/have to wait one more hour.
...and yes, the upgrade list will transfer from SYD to YVR for upgrades. It is automatic and you don't have to do a thing
...and yes, the upgrade list will transfer from SYD to YVR for upgrades. It is automatic and you don't have to do a thing
Nov 19, 2011, 8:28 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
A few months ago I was on a direct flight YYC-YHZ-YYT. My upgrade request for YYC-YYT did not clear because J was sold out YYC-YHZ. There was no way to request an upgrade in the system because I was on a single flight coupon, the system could not track that I wanted to fly J from YHZ-YYT.
I deplaned at YHZ. The GA was dealing with a long lineup of people with questions. I asked the MLL agent, and customer service, but there was nothing either of them could do. I went back to the gate and the lineup was gone. I asked the GA; he said to wait a few minutes and that he'd see what he could do. I checked back a few minutes later and he handed me a J boarding pass.
I really wish that AC could allow you to upgrade a portion of a direct flight if a portion is not available, but I suspect that it is not very straightforward to do.
Nov 19, 2011, 10:23 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,022
I flew AC33 YYT-YYZ-SYD on Nov. 16 and am returning on 34 on Nov. 21. The return flight leaves SYD at 12:15pm local time. I calculated T-96 hours (I am E) to be 8:15pm (YYZ time) on Nov. 16. AC 33 departed YYT at 8:20pm. I was on my smartphone at 8:15 and tried multiple times to request an upgrade, but repeatedly got the message that the flight was not yet eligible for upgrade. I was able to request the upgrade when we deplaned in YVR, but am waitlisted (and probably further back on the waitlist than I otherwise would have been). This was very annoying.
As an aside, what are the chances of the upgrade clearing?
On the plus side, this trip will qualify me for SE next year!
As an aside, what are the chances of the upgrade clearing?
On the plus side, this trip will qualify me for SE next year!
The whole mess can be avoided by automation. Request an upgrade at the time of booking and the computer will do the rest when the window opens. One day somebody will get hurt trying to contact AC at the second upgrade window opens. Hope the 2012 program moves to automation.
Nov 20, 2011, 7:51 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & 2MM/Bonvoy Gold/HHonors Diamond
Posts: 4,586
Technically it isn't possible, but can be done.
A few months ago I was on a direct flight YYC-YHZ-YYT. My upgrade request for YYC-YYT did not clear because J was sold out YYC-YHZ. There was no way to request an upgrade in the system because I was on a single flight coupon, the system could not track that I wanted to fly J from YHZ-YYT.
I deplaned at YHZ. The GA was dealing with a long lineup of people with questions. I asked the MLL agent, and customer service, but there was nothing either of them could do. I went back to the gate and the lineup was gone. I asked the GA; he said to wait a few minutes and that he'd see what he could do. I checked back a few minutes later and he handed me a J boarding pass.
I really wish that AC could allow you to upgrade a portion of a direct flight if a portion is not available, but I suspect that it is not very straightforward to do.
A few months ago I was on a direct flight YYC-YHZ-YYT. My upgrade request for YYC-YYT did not clear because J was sold out YYC-YHZ. There was no way to request an upgrade in the system because I was on a single flight coupon, the system could not track that I wanted to fly J from YHZ-YYT.
I deplaned at YHZ. The GA was dealing with a long lineup of people with questions. I asked the MLL agent, and customer service, but there was nothing either of them could do. I went back to the gate and the lineup was gone. I asked the GA; he said to wait a few minutes and that he'd see what he could do. I checked back a few minutes later and he handed me a J boarding pass.
I really wish that AC could allow you to upgrade a portion of a direct flight if a portion is not available, but I suspect that it is not very straightforward to do.
Nov 20, 2011, 8:29 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 138
Technically it isn't possible, but can be done.
A few months ago I was on a direct flight YYC-YHZ-YYT. My upgrade request for YYC-YYT did not clear because J was sold out YYC-YHZ. There was no way to request an upgrade in the system because I was on a single flight coupon, the system could not track that I wanted to fly J from YHZ-YYT.
A few months ago I was on a direct flight YYC-YHZ-YYT. My upgrade request for YYC-YYT did not clear because J was sold out YYC-YHZ. There was no way to request an upgrade in the system because I was on a single flight coupon, the system could not track that I wanted to fly J from YHZ-YYT.
Nov 20, 2011, 1:32 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
A few months ago I was on a direct flight YYC-YHZ-YYT
Nov 20, 2011, 1:43 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
I'm having the same exact problem with AC7 YYZ-HKG with a stop in YVR, YYZ-HKG was R0 and YVR-HKG was R5 at the time upgrade window opened, but I cannot request an upgrade just for the YVR-HKG segement. A lesson for me is to book YYZ-YVR and YVR-HKG as 2 separate segments so I can make a separate upgrade request. The same goes for AC33 YYZ-SYD vis YVR. Much better chance to get an upgrade for the YVR-SYD segment if one does not take AC33 from YYZ to YVR. I observed quite often that AC33 YYZ-SYD is R0, but YVR-SYD is R+.
The only drawback would be that if you do end up seated in Y, you miss out on free BOB, booze, etc. if booked T+ or lower.
When I had my issue, I tried calling reservations at the 4 day window to see if they could break the flight into 2 separate coupons and was told no (the lady could not understand why I was even asking the question). I did not have time to call back and try again. I'd try calling reservations and see if they can do anything for you.
Nov 20, 2011, 9:43 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 138
When I had my issue, I tried calling reservations at the 4 day window to see if they could break the flight into 2 separate coupons and was told no (the lady could not understand why I was even asking the question). I did not have time to call back and try again. I'd try calling reservations and see if they can do anything for you.
Nov 20, 2011, 9:58 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
I did try calling reservation, they told me there is nothing else they can do short of make a change to breakup the flight segments which will subject me to all the fare difference, which I declined. Not sure if the same restrictions on segments upgrade with the same flight number applied in 2010 or earlier using paper certs?
Unfortunately, you at least had better luck than I did. Your agent at least acknowledged that the flight could be broken into 2 separate coupons (mine said that was not possible).