Same thing with me. I called in to AC, only had to hold for a minute or so, and actually spoke for a long time with a very friendly agent. Indeed, they can't change the booking code to W - that's being done automatically, or was to be done by now she thinks, but some definitely did not switch over.

She assured me that it was still showing as Tango Plus (yes, even they haven't updated their own internal system to Flex!) on their end, and that the front-facing online system is simply incapable of differentiating (i.e. T fare now is Tango, so that's what it shows). Fair enough, but that still leaves me concerned about not getting the full points when it goes through to Aeroplan. She then tried to call AP directly to verify but told me her hold time was 15 minutes (!), which we at least got to share a good laugh about, so that wasn't going to happen.

The agent was kind enough to re-send me a confirmation e-mail with a remark that Flex conditions would still be honoured, etc. even though the online system shows Tango to the customer. Certainly better than nothing, but still has me concerned. More to the point, yes, you have to call in and manually request the upgrade (they can override the eUpgrade system).

Some uncertainty about when the upgrade request can be made though. Normally it's T-5 based on flight time for me, but the holiday promo opens up at 12:01 a.m. on December 9 and I'll already be in the 2-week window for requesting the upgrade. So guess I'm going to have to give it a try then to see unless anyone else has further information?

And yes, even more of a pain, R space doesn't appear to be available right now, so if I'm waitlisted I'm wondering if that upgrade even has a chance of clearing due to the fare class confusion, as per the comment above.

Very, very frustrating.

If you'll already be in the window, you can request on 9 December at 12:01 AM in the time zone of the departure.

Makes sense. Nothing like a midnight phone call to make things more fun! Here's another great one: called AP on an unrelated matter and figured I'd check in with them on points for these "now Tangoed" fares. Agent's understanding was that their system is programmed to recognize T/S/etc. as Tango for flights post 12/3 even if booked as Flex. Their suggested solution is to call AC and have them move the booking to Flex. :)

seriously, how do you guys as AC elites put up with this crap?

I mean, seriously?

Correct, AP would change their system immediately. This would likely be handled by a back end routine at AC prior to file submission, same way R bookings are handled today. The routine check each PNR for specific booking classes and dates, and if they match, changes them to an appropriate value. Or in the case of R, back to what it was before the upgrade.

I have my doubts on that one.

The reason you request exactly 96/120/144/168 hours before departure is that internally, everything is stored in UTC. So it's very easy to calculate if you are 168*24*60*60 seconds before that.

However, for this, they're likely flipping a switch at some time that says "upgrades are now allowed X weeks out". I don't think they'll be flipping this switch 24 times.

Checked on Manage My Bookings today and my flights have been readjusted back to Flex (W) so they should be good for upgrades and points. Finally.

Fair enough.

For what it's worth, the source for my comment was AC Twitter.

It took 3 calls to be able to get the upgrade request sorted out (made the outbound request before they'd changed the fare classes, which apparently messed everything up once they changed the fare classes). The last call where they finally 'resolved' took 35 minutes, 25 minutes of which I was on hold for as they were doing something that was 'very technical'. Ended up spending over an hour on the phone in total over the 3 calls just in order to be able to put in an upgrade request on a flight that was booked as a Flex fare and should have been able to do online in 30 seconds.

Just one of the many reasons to switch to UA next year, the main one being the ever widening premium for Flex fares to get 100% miles.

Maybe the Twitter person was confused. That's how things used to work prior to eUpgrades.

Given that AC has done numerous rounds of moving fare classes from Flex to Tango, you'd figure that they would at least be getting good at this by now!

My first 3 flights in Feb have not been updated from Tango to Flex yet, but the last Feb flight and one in April have. So being AC, one must assume that they are working in reverse chronological order since that makes no sense at all.

Will wait until Jan to call in for the 3 Tango flights.

Our Feb. ticket has not yet been changed either. Not in a big rush to call.

But then, perhaps I should call the international toll free line while i am overseas? :D

I just noticed another feature of this fare class change. Tango fares are now being sold for more non-leisure Canada-US routes.

Until 3 December, I had never seen a Tango fare for YYT-IAH. The cheapest available advance purchase fares were Flex ranging from $800-$1100 RT over the past few years. Looking into mid-2014, the cheapest available flex fares are now $1000-$1300 RT. Ouch.

Make sure that the fare code is changed before you fly. I flew on the 3rd and missed the change. In fact I only figured it out when I went to request the upgrade on the return flight for the 6th and it wouldn't process on the website. The return flight was moved to W and I received the proper points. The outgoing stayed at T and I only received 50%. I called Aeroplan and they informed me that I was only entitled to 50% as AC reserves the right to change policy at any time. I told the agent that she was VERY wrong as I was able to upgrade the return. I called the SE desk and explained the problem and AP's response. She informed me that AP was wrong and was entitled to the points. However, she couldn't change the points but I would need to send an email/FAX to AC Customer Relations. It's only 250 points but more about the principal of the matter now. I sent the FAX, now I will wait and see. I can't say I'm overly optimistic.