I thought we had discussed this numerous times but IMHO this is the u/g priority pattern:
Paid J
Paid LMU
SE 3MM
SE 2MM
SE MM
SE
E75KMM
E75K
E50K MM
E50K
E35K
E25K

this list does not include VIP's and AP J reward tickets on w/l for a J seat.

Hope this helps

If there is R space to upgrade into, then there is no upgrade list and no aerolotto.

So fare won't trump status, unless the status holder forgets to upgrade once their window opens and a lower status member upgrades into the R space when their (later) window opens.

At the gate, I agree with most that it is always status first, then perhaps connections (connecting E50 Flex will be ahead of originating E50 M), then fare.

Since no one really knows how the UG WL works (and it will probably stay that way for a while), I've always thought that the GA has freedom to UG whoever s/he pleases.

Of course, there probably is some sort of status/fare class hierarchy that should be followed, but we all know that AC is consistently inconsistent.

As to the pre-gate wait-list (more than 24 hours out), it's first come, first served.

You left off AC staff flying home on a YYZ-YOW flight, they are at the top of the list.

One way that I think that some GAs will manipulate the list is they will deny your request to be added to it at the gate. While they will get their hands slapped for almost anything else they can probably do this one without repercussions.

I think the debatable point is that fare may influence which upgrade requests are cleared while R=0 before check-in opens. There is some experience here that Y and B fares often do that.

I can confirm that:

1. pax who requested an upgrade on a Y/B fare before T-7 where R=0 at time of request are often cleared by RM before T-7 even if R never increases >0.
2. For the last ~12 months AC RM has made an effort to clear some pax on the upgrade waitlist (IMO mostly SEs) at T-2 if they there are plenty of J seats left instead of making everyone wait until the last minute. Again, those upgrades are cleared "silently" without R space becoming available.

I don't believe that's correct in at least two respects.

1. I do not believe LMUs come above SEs. I suspect LMUs are only offered after all SEs are dealt with. As an SE, I have *never* been offered an LMU.

2. There is no real evidence that SE/MMers get special preference over non-MMer SEs, although it is possible..

Also, within each status group, fare is the second criterion. An SE on a B fare gets upgraded before an SE on an M fare etc. This is actually important.

Rewards are at the very bottom.

Standby is below rewards :p

I wonder if part of the reason why AC can't/won't make the UG list transparent at the airport is because the ownership/management of the overhead monitors?

Specifically, the airport authorities would ask for more money to customize such IT requests.

I've always seen just the standard boiler plate template in Canadian airports (lounges aside) , and was told many a times that the airport authority controls the monitors, with the airlines allowed to just modify destination/times on the screens.

Just a thought.

If that were the reason for the lack of transparency, then theoretically any agent should be able to tell you where you are on the list if you asked at check-in (e.g. "there are 6 J seats available, 10 people currently on the upgrade list, and you're number 4 right now"). In practice, it generally ends up being "you are on the list, but I can't tell you where you are on the list, so you'll find out at the gate." Even without having the capability to post the list on monitors, it could be much more transparent with the agent interactions.

My reference was to the constant consternation that AC does not publish the upgrade list on the airport monitors (like UA) which would allay most (if not all) elites looking to upgrades as they would know where they are on the list.

I've had agents tell me where I am on the list. One agent told me that one of the reason why they're hesitant to provide your standing on the list, is that it's not prioritized till less than one hour before departure.

Agents refusing to disclose your standing on the list could also be a classic de-marketing tactic to discourage people from bugging them and defer responsibility to someone else.

I have been offered LMU when checking in at the kiosk although I was on the waitlist for u/g. So it happens albeit infrequently.

This is pedantic, but it's actually P25K, not E25K.

Also, I have been offered LMUs when on an e-upgrade wait-list as an SE. It's sporadic, but it does happen.

Depends on the agent and if contracted i guess....last sept 13, i asked at FCO how many j seats are left and how many SEs i was in competition with, and she exactly said 2 left and youre number 1 in priority..

Having said that.....it was my first time to specifically ask such questions....but thats fco where ac doesnt fly all year round.....and btw, my ticket was the cheapest flex ticket with a connecting flight to yvr which cleared at t-7