Upgrade priority ?
Sep 12, 2013 | 5:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AC-SE
Posts: 91
Upgrade priority ?
Hi,
So my wife is an 50k elite. With an M or latitude fare will she trump a 75k on a basic flex fare. Trying to figure out how this whole thing works. If I understand correctly, we check in right at 23:59 to flight departure, have a highest possible fare class will she be considered for the upgrade over another higher status passenger. Or will status always trump class of fare.
All the people Ive asked have had different viewpoints.
Hopefully there is a hard and fast rule!
So my wife is an 50k elite. With an M or latitude fare will she trump a 75k on a basic flex fare. Trying to figure out how this whole thing works. If I understand correctly, we check in right at 23:59 to flight departure, have a highest possible fare class will she be considered for the upgrade over another higher status passenger. Or will status always trump class of fare.
All the people Ive asked have had different viewpoints.
Hopefully there is a hard and fast rule!
Sep 12, 2013 | 5:56 pm
#2
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,873
Theres definitely no hard and fast rule.
I think most people agree that upgrade priority is based on:
1. status
2. fare class
So all members with a higher status would trump her.
Whats even less clear is how connecting flights, check-in time, # of pax on PNR etc. influence the priority list.
I think most people agree that upgrade priority is based on:
1. status
2. fare class
So all members with a higher status would trump her.
Whats even less clear is how connecting flights, check-in time, # of pax on PNR etc. influence the priority list.
Sep 12, 2013 | 6:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,987
There may be a hard and fast rule but AC certainly goes to great efforts to make sure we don't know what it is. Being open and honest with customers is not a corporate philosophy for this organization.
The general consensus is that status trumps fare except (maybe) if you have a connection - in which case the IT monkeys at AC run a special algorithm involving the position of the moon and the number of bowel movements amongst AC senior management.
And to think those US airlines actually post boards at gates so that pax can see where they stand in the upgrade order. What sort of fun is that?
The general consensus is that status trumps fare except (maybe) if you have a connection - in which case the IT monkeys at AC run a special algorithm involving the position of the moon and the number of bowel movements amongst AC senior management.
And to think those US airlines actually post boards at gates so that pax can see where they stand in the upgrade order. What sort of fun is that?
Sep 12, 2013 | 6:25 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: YVR
Programs: Erstwhile Accidental AC E35K
Posts: 3,195
2. You forgot to mention where we are in the sunspot cycle.
Sep 12, 2013 | 6:45 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,654
General understanding is that in most cases status first, then fare class. If you're E50K on a Latitude fare, then your best bet is to find a flight where R space is open and upgrade it before the SE window opens at T-7 days. Otherwise you're competing with everyone else.
P25K can upgrade Latitude e.g. 3 months out, but at the gate, they'll be behind E35K, E50K, E75K, S100K on any upgradable fare (including Flex).
P25K can upgrade Latitude e.g. 3 months out, but at the gate, they'll be behind E35K, E50K, E75K, S100K on any upgradable fare (including Flex).
Last edited by yvr76; Sep 12, 2013 at 7:06 pm
Sep 12, 2013 | 6:56 pm
#6
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,873
Sep 12, 2013 | 7:06 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,654
There isn't. I was just using that as an example. The only restriction is that you can't upgrade flights past your e-credit expiry date. So you can't do much with a Latitude fare right now > March 1, 2014.
Sep 12, 2013 | 8:57 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC: Ac*A, , Nexus: Expired
Posts: 1,494
Sep 13, 2013 | 5:59 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 252
Being open and honest with customers is not a corporate philosophy for this organization.
The general consensus is that status trumps fare except (maybe) if you have a connection - in which case the IT monkeys at AC run a special algorithm involving the position of the moon and the number of bowel movements amongst AC senior management.
The general consensus is that status trumps fare except (maybe) if you have a connection - in which case the IT monkeys at AC run a special algorithm involving the position of the moon and the number of bowel movements amongst AC senior management.
Sep 13, 2013 | 6:39 am
#11
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,170
Compare shop. Very often, one will find nominal difference in price between AC's Latitude fare and other airlines' "First". One will know for sure to be flying in the "premium cabin" plus the benefit of extra COS. It's better than booking AC Latitude to upgrade to avoid the above type of situation unless one is using a FP.
Sep 13, 2013 | 7:25 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE / 2MM / HH Diamond
Posts: 3,457
The crazy thing is, providing additional visibility into the upgrade list priority seems like it should be a trivial, low cost thing. AC are not hesitant to impose sweeping changes that most everyone hates ... but here's something that should not cost them anything on an ongoing basis (yes, obviously there's a one time IT cost), that would please essentially every FF - but they won't throw us a bone.
Sep 13, 2013 | 9:03 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: YVR
Programs: AC S100K
Posts: 978
There'd be dozens of new complaints.
"AC sorts this way, but they should sort my way if they care about customers."
"It was J3 when I checked in and I didn't get upgraded even though I was 2nd on the list. GA must have upgraded his buddy."
Etc.
Sep 13, 2013 | 9:06 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YTZ/LHR
Programs: VIPorter First, BA GGL, DL Plat, Golden Circle Elite
Posts: 830
If she's latitude, she should request now. I am only E50, but every single waitlisted flight I've had this year (c. 5-6) has cleared just before the T-7 date. I'd take that to mean that, aerolotto not withstanding, fare trumps status.
Sep 13, 2013 | 9:41 am
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, SK Gold, Bonvoy Plat LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 47,358
J3, second on the list, and then two paid J passengers miss their flight and end up on yours. But all you see is that you weren't upgraded.