Upgrade chances for YYZ-NRT or NRT-YYZ
Feb 29, 2012, 10:57 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 100
Upgrade chances for YYZ-NRT or NRT-YYZ
I'm looking to buy a ticket for travel YYZ-NRT-YYZ in April/May, and I'd like to choose the routing based on the best chance of clearing eupgrade as an E.
I think there are a couple options YYZ-NRT, YYZ-YYC-NRT, or YYZ-YVR-NRT. Which one usually has the best chance of scoring? I checked thru flightstats for the next week to get an idea of the typical upgrade space, and all have R=0 but J>4. Is this their R-space game? Do J seats typically get sold closer to the date? At least for tomorrow's flight, AC1 still has J=9 but R=0.
Would like to hear your suggestions or any experience you might have had.
I think there are a couple options YYZ-NRT, YYZ-YYC-NRT, or YYZ-YVR-NRT. Which one usually has the best chance of scoring? I checked thru flightstats for the next week to get an idea of the typical upgrade space, and all have R=0 but J>4. Is this their R-space game? Do J seats typically get sold closer to the date? At least for tomorrow's flight, AC1 still has J=9 but R=0.
Would like to hear your suggestions or any experience you might have had.
Feb 29, 2012, 2:29 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YYJ
Programs: 50K
Posts: 307
I'm looking to buy a ticket for travel YYZ-NRT-YYZ in April/May, and I'd like to choose the routing based on the best chance of clearing eupgrade as an E.
I think there are a couple options YYZ-NRT, YYZ-YYC-NRT, or YYZ-YVR-NRT. Which one usually has the best chance of scoring? I checked thru flightstats for the next week to get an idea of the typical upgrade space, and all have R=0 but J>4. Is this their R-space game? Do J seats typically get sold closer to the date? At least for tomorrow's flight, AC1 still has J=9 but R=0.
Would like to hear your suggestions or any experience you might have had.
I think there are a couple options YYZ-NRT, YYZ-YYC-NRT, or YYZ-YVR-NRT. Which one usually has the best chance of scoring? I checked thru flightstats for the next week to get an idea of the typical upgrade space, and all have R=0 but J>4. Is this their R-space game? Do J seats typically get sold closer to the date? At least for tomorrow's flight, AC1 still has J=9 but R=0.
Would like to hear your suggestions or any experience you might have had.
Feb 29, 2012, 6:57 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 100
Thanks for your inputs. It's just that most weekday flights in March have R=0 although J=9. I'm just wondering if it's just because most upgrades for this route are cleared at the gate as opposed to T-7 for SE or T-4 for E.
I've only had a few TPAC upgrade experience before and all of them cleared at T-4
I've only had a few TPAC upgrade experience before and all of them cleared at T-4
Feb 29, 2012, 7:31 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYJ
Programs: AC*E
Posts: 66
I was unsuccessful as an *E on this route on Feb 19th. The plane was a lot smaller and shabbier than previous trips. R= 0 at t-4 and the wait list didn't come through. Every other trip (2x a year) I've been successful. Maybe it's an equipment change that's working against us!
Feb 29, 2012, 7:42 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,409
NRT is a much easier upgrade after Feb 29th. Less elites to compete with!
If you want to try for an op-up, plan your trip to coincide with the end of Golden Week (Japanese stat holidays). Economy is usually oversold and SE/Es can get free upgrades.
If you want to try for an op-up, plan your trip to coincide with the end of Golden Week (Japanese stat holidays). Economy is usually oversold and SE/Es can get free upgrades.
Feb 29, 2012, 10:20 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
Posts: 9,708
Feb 29, 2012, 10:43 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ, SFO
Programs: AS 100K, UA*S, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond | Formerly: AC Super Elite
Posts: 2,476
My data point for you calligow
Tu Apr 20 - Tu Apr 27, YYZ-NRT on AC1/2. Plane was either 77W or 77L. Both cleared at T-4.
R0 J9 sounds not toooo bad. Remember that it means there are 9+ J seats available ... if those seats remain unsold, AC might start opening up R spots (that's what happened to me I think)
[edit: forgot the year LOL, 2010]
Tu Apr 20 - Tu Apr 27, YYZ-NRT on AC1/2. Plane was either 77W or 77L. Both cleared at T-4.
R0 J9 sounds not toooo bad. Remember that it means there are 9+ J seats available ... if those seats remain unsold, AC might start opening up R spots (that's what happened to me I think)
[edit: forgot the year LOL, 2010]
Mar 1, 2012, 6:14 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 112
At least I was able to use up some of my expiring ecredits.
I have plans for May or June, I'll probably be able to book something mid-week for that.
Mar 1, 2012, 6:56 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
Posts: 9,708
from my travel experiences last Nov..... Tues/Wed is starting to get a little harder too.... plane are sure fuller than b4
Mar 1, 2012, 7:14 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 112
Yeah, 4 or 5 years ago, there always seemed to be many empty seats, at least in the back of the planes. Not so much anymore. I guess smaller jets and maybe also reduced schedules, because of the economy. And now that the economy is improving (so they say in the news), more people are starting to travel again.