Question on e-upgrades when checking-in
 

Hi there

Newbie here so have a question / clarification on e-upgrades when checking in.

Assume that one has requested the e-upgrade 5 days before the flight and has been waitlisted. Now it's time to check in 24 hours before the flight.

1) When you check in online on AC website, there is an option to "eupgrade" during the online check-in process. Is that step mandatory in order to be on the gate waitlist? Or can you just let it "slide through" and maintain your spot on the waitlist?

2) Is there any advantage to checking in online early for e-upgrade purposes when you are already on the 5 day waitlist?

3) What happens when you check in via a connecting flight? Specifically, if I am flying from Rome to Frankfurt on Lufthansa (AC codeshare, LH metal), and Frankfurt to Montreal on Air Canada (AC flight). Given my starting leg is on Lufthansa, I assume I have to check in on Lufthansa's website - and I assume Lufthansa's website won't have the e-upgrade option there. How does the eupgrade process work?

Cheers

The wait list is supposed to transfer automatically to the airport, but you should take any opportunity that's offered to stand by for an upgrade.

Time of check-in can be a factor in determining priority, so do that as early as possible. The only wrinkle is that if R space opens after T-24 your upgrade isn't processed automatically. If you see that, uncheck-in and request an upgrade online.

If you're ticketed on AC you should be able to check-in on AC's website.

I dont think thats true as it says on http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...kin/index.html

"Web Check-in at aircanada.com is offered for passengers flying:
Exclusively on Air Canada and Air Canada Express (operated by Jazz only). Flights operated by other airlines are not eligible);
For connecting flights: your first flight must be operated by Air Canada or Air Canada Express (operated by Jazz only).
With or without baggage"

Given my first flight is on Lufthansa, I wont be eligible for check in on AC website, I believe. (I will try tomorrow regardless)

I've never had an issue checking in for an AC flight that occurs after a first leg on a partner airline (LH and NH in my case). Just go to the AC website and check in for the FRA-YYZ portion, where you can eUpgrade then. This way, you can check in for that LH portion 23 hours before the flight (why LH does 23 hours vs. 24 doesn't make sense to me, but is what it is). I've done this several times with success.

Same experience here.

Academic's language was somewhat misleading. It's not for flights *ticketed* by AC but for flights *operated* by AC that one can check in online. Even if it's a connection with a previous non-AC flight.

[QUOTE=Academic;21012590] Time of check-in can be a factor in determining priority, so do that as early as possible. [QUOTE]

From what I understand from this forum, and from what some agents have told me, this is likely not true...? Perhaps the jury is still out on this one...

[QUOTE=INEC;21013547][QUOTE=Academic;21012590] Time of check-in can be a factor in determining priority, so do that as early as possible.
All else equal, tie breaker may well be check in time.

May well be....perhaps, but I don't think it is. I rarely check in online, but would do so at T-24hrs if this was in any way a factor. Considering that I've missed a few eupgrades as a SE, perhaps I should start doing that. Food for thought...

Let's say there are two SE's on M fares, both flying YYZ-YVR with no connections before or after.

There is one seat in J left.

Who gets it?

It's either going to be based on request time, check-in time, or random.

You can control two of those three possibilities :p

But you're assuming that all three factors are weighted equally, which nobody can confirm. In addition, there could be other confounding variables which nobody knows about.

Like mileage flown in the current year?...I've seen that listed beside the name/status on the u/g list when I've snuck a peak at the list on the gate agent's screen.

No, I'm saying it's possible that one or more of those might be factors at some level.

And based on that possibility, I'll do everything in my power to put me at the top on the two factors I can control, in case they are used.

That would suck. Why should someone who flies 20k/month for 6 months, and then 1k/month for 6 months, get priority over someone who flies 1k/month for 6 months followed by 20k/month for 6 months?

I think not. He is assuming one of these is weighted 100% and the other two, 0%. Question being, which is what.