Such vague generalities are of no help to anyone. Upgrading varies by route, time of day, day of week and a myriad of other considerations. You have not told us the route(s) you're talking about, the days you are traveling, or even the fare. Nobody can give you an educated informed answer until you tell us more specific details. Yes, the economy has improved and more Latitude (and M T+) fares are being sold, thus increasing the "at ticketing" upgrades.

Also, Elite is the worst status to currently have because there's no distinction between those getting it at 35K or those getting it at 95K, thus the numbers and priorities are complicated. Next year's system will help significantly, at least for those earning 75K+ but not 100K for SE. These folks will likely benefit far more in upgrade priority than lower tier Es. But the overall situation will improve for some, further decline for others.

I have to say I've never had better success with upgrades, on both domestic and TATL flights. To the point I only have two upgrade credits left as of this morning. A trip to the States next week should bring another 10 credits. I'll be living on these threshold bonuses for the rest of the year.

This time last year, I think I only rode up front two or three times. Same routes, same rough dates. I can't explain.

Have had a 100% upgrade success rate this year, all on T+ flightpass bookings. Generally YYZ-ORD and YYZ-YUL in both directions (Monday mornings and Thursday evenings, so primetime for upgrades) as well as one YYZ-YVR-YUL last weekend.

Upgrades generally clear in advance, although a few have gone down to the gate (YYZ-YVR on Friday afternoon was a particular example).

upgrades are getting better now that they introduced T fares on TPAC and TATL routings. Lots of people are booking non upgradeable fares. eliminating sponsored upgrades for non-frequent (and cost concscious) fliers, as well as some bottom feeders who probably won't be making E anymore after this year.

Not I. I've got a 7/8 success rate on upgrades flying TATL out of YVR. If anything, this year has gotten better upgrade wise when flying trans atlantic. I only buy T+ fares, and generally route to my final destination in europe via FRA, BRU, or LHR.

I'm only a lonely P, but every single flight I've flown on AC or QK that has had executive class seating has been available for me at T-48 hours for an eUpgrade (and sometimes a lot closer to departure than that). This includes:

YWG-YYZ (twice)
YYZ-YQR (I upgraded this)
YYZ-DCA (I saved my points and upgraded with an LMU)
YQR-YOW (I upgraded this)
YOW-YYC (I was two points short so I upgraded with an LMU)

I guess technically all my upgrades have cleared too....as if it hasn't at T-2 I cancel the trip or move it to another carrier that has reasonably priced J.

NA Lat passes are a different beast - success rates approach 100%. This is one product that AC should never, ever try to "enhance".

OP is referring to non-NA Lat pass travel. International Lat passes don't have 48hr comp-ups, and most people can't/don't use passes for various reasons. Be glad you aren't caught in the same situation...

NO idea what you guys are talking about.

I am 100%.

That's right..1...for 1...
LOL

Burned through my first T+ flight pass in the last month (exclusively YYC-YYZ and return) without a single waitlisted upgrade clearing. I travel at close to peak times for business travellers, but I'm impressed with AC's load management - flights are always jam packed.

Had on one occasion the experience (noted by others) of having R space open up on a flight, that I am waitlisted for, within 24 hours of check in (expertflyer alert). Promptly cancelled check in, cancelled upgrade request, requested it again and, voila, confirmed.

I'm getting used to the poor man's upgrade - exit row, a roast beef sandwich, and two teeny tiny bottles of red wine.

I am at 100% success this year - something like 23 for 23 ..

~73% of the time I am upgraded at booking and the rest at the gate...

I am nearly 100% to date - on 65 legs. Mostly YHZ to YYZ, but 1 YVR to YHZ flight. I use Maritime Flight Pass. I only missed one that I can recall since January, and only 1 last year after I hit SE (Sept '11) and found out how cheap the Eupgrades are on the Flight Pass.

Love the bigger seats and leg room.

its getting tougher
 

My experience

yyz - lhr forget about it, seems to never clear with moderate success in the past....am migrating to other carriers as the year continues

asia i use other carriers, same with middle east so no comment

But on myriad domestic/north american routes i use to to bat a thousand, especially to the southwest......this year i am finding that i have to be far more flexible in dates and even airports.

So I would have to agree with OP. In fact to/from YVR is 0%!

I will be attempting some Delta flights in the near future as I have been given 'gold' status there and i have heard on here that upgrades are fairly successful if not almost 100%......we will see.

PS, i have also noticed that in the past J class had many open seats and now it is always 90/95% full (great while it lasted but completely understandable )