AC award inventory C 4 months out
Jan 13, 2012, 4:30 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: HAM, GVA
Programs: LH MM
Posts: 315
AC award inventory C 4 months out
Hi guys, first post in AC so be gentle,
have a bunch of M&M miles, looking to book a C award return on AC GVA to YEG (via YUL) anytime in May. It would be my first flight on AC.
On expert flyer you find a few (very few) seats on the inbound. But the return is totally zero. How active is AC in managing the award inventory? Any chance of something opening up? Business class in general has good availability in J and C.
While I'm at it, and don't kill me because I'm sure this can be searched, if I buy an eco, what are the chances of upgrading that later? Actually am sure all questions could be searched but it is kind of specific: flight to Edmonton, Jan now flight in May... But at least get to know some AC folks!
Thanks!
have a bunch of M&M miles, looking to book a C award return on AC GVA to YEG (via YUL) anytime in May. It would be my first flight on AC.
On expert flyer you find a few (very few) seats on the inbound. But the return is totally zero. How active is AC in managing the award inventory? Any chance of something opening up? Business class in general has good availability in J and C.
While I'm at it, and don't kill me because I'm sure this can be searched, if I buy an eco, what are the chances of upgrading that later? Actually am sure all questions could be searched but it is kind of specific: flight to Edmonton, Jan now flight in May... But at least get to know some AC folks!
Thanks!
Jan 13, 2012, 5:16 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Across the pond
Programs: Aeroplan SE, Goldpassport Platinum, Avis Something, Hertz Gold
Posts: 750
Award Inventory seems to be managed pretty tightly but depends on routes. Keep checking to see if more seats get released i guess.
In terms of your other question. You can upgrade flights a few ways. If you hold status with Air Canada and have upgrade credits then they are your best bet. Your status and fare class determine when you can request the upgrade.
If you are hoping for a Star Alliance upgrade then you will have to buy a Latitude fare (class Y or B) and can use your miles for the upgrade. You can find more information about it here. http://www.aircanada.com/en/aeroplan...de_awards.html
In terms of your other question. You can upgrade flights a few ways. If you hold status with Air Canada and have upgrade credits then they are your best bet. Your status and fare class determine when you can request the upgrade.
If you are hoping for a Star Alliance upgrade then you will have to buy a Latitude fare (class Y or B) and can use your miles for the upgrade. You can find more information about it here. http://www.aircanada.com/en/aeroplan...de_awards.html
Jan 13, 2012, 9:54 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
Hi guys, first post in AC so be gentle,
have a bunch of M&M miles, looking to book a C award return on AC GVA to YEG (via YUL) anytime in May. It would be my first flight on AC.
On expert flyer you find a few (very few) seats on the inbound. But the return is totally zero. How active is AC in managing the award inventory? Any chance of something opening up? Business class in general has good availability in J and C.
While I'm at it, and don't kill me because I'm sure this can be searched, if I buy an eco, what are the chances of upgrading that later? Actually am sure all questions could be searched but it is kind of specific: flight to Edmonton, Jan now flight in May... But at least get to know some AC folks!
Thanks!
have a bunch of M&M miles, looking to book a C award return on AC GVA to YEG (via YUL) anytime in May. It would be my first flight on AC.
On expert flyer you find a few (very few) seats on the inbound. But the return is totally zero. How active is AC in managing the award inventory? Any chance of something opening up? Business class in general has good availability in J and C.
While I'm at it, and don't kill me because I'm sure this can be searched, if I buy an eco, what are the chances of upgrading that later? Actually am sure all questions could be searched but it is kind of specific: flight to Edmonton, Jan now flight in May... But at least get to know some AC folks!
Thanks!
Jan 13, 2012, 10:01 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Platinum, hhonors Gold
Posts: 3,421
As already said by others, AC is not good at releasing reward inventory and generally releases just a few seats per flight.
If you book in economy for a reward you might be offered a paid last minute upgrade at check in but can be rare on some routes. As M&M member there is no other way to upgrade unless space opens and you change your flight prior to departure.
You may want to consider Swiss flight from Zurich to Montreal. Swiss is much more likely to open up business or first prior to departure that AC and has good aircraft on that route.
If you book in economy for a reward you might be offered a paid last minute upgrade at check in but can be rare on some routes. As M&M member there is no other way to upgrade unless space opens and you change your flight prior to departure.
You may want to consider Swiss flight from Zurich to Montreal. Swiss is much more likely to open up business or first prior to departure that AC and has good aircraft on that route.
Jan 13, 2012, 10:01 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
Have you tried looking at award availability on LHR-YEG (operated 5x weekly IIRC). Availability in J is pretty decent on that route IMO even though AC only uses a 763. With an easy connection GVA-LHR this would be my first choice...
Otherwise there are plenty of 2 stop options like
GVA-ZRH-YYZ-YEG
GVA-MUC-YYZ-YEG
GVA-FRA-YYZ/YUL/YOW/YYC-YEG
GVA-LHR-YYZ/YUL/YOW/YYC/YVR-YEG
etc.
Otherwise there are plenty of 2 stop options like
GVA-ZRH-YYZ-YEG
GVA-MUC-YYZ-YEG
GVA-FRA-YYZ/YUL/YOW/YYC-YEG
GVA-LHR-YYZ/YUL/YOW/YYC/YVR-YEG
etc.