Altitude 2015 - upgrades
Apr 7, 2015, 5:54 pm
#1
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Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
Altitude 2015 - upgrades
I didn't want to put this in the master thread or derail the other one, so I started this new one, hope that's ok.
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Q: Now that we're well into the 2015 program, have you noticed any changes in your travels with respect to clearing upgrades when you request them and/or clearing them at the gate?
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A: For me, I have noticed drastic changes. I note a few empty seats now in the J cabin, and I am clearing upgrades much easier. As one extreme datapoint, I could upgrade YYZ YYC for tomorrow at T-24 and clear the upgrade. That absolutely SHOCKED me. I've been #1 on the upgrade list for flights such as YVR YYZ (you can ask where you are on the list from the GA or during check in). I used to be #4 onwards on certain routes.
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Q: Now that we're well into the 2015 program, have you noticed any changes in your travels with respect to clearing upgrades when you request them and/or clearing them at the gate?
------
A: For me, I have noticed drastic changes. I note a few empty seats now in the J cabin, and I am clearing upgrades much easier. As one extreme datapoint, I could upgrade YYZ YYC for tomorrow at T-24 and clear the upgrade. That absolutely SHOCKED me. I've been #1 on the upgrade list for flights such as YVR YYZ (you can ask where you are on the list from the GA or during check in). I used to be #4 onwards on certain routes.
Apr 7, 2015, 6:09 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & MM/*Wood Gold/HHonors Diamond/Marriott Silver/AirMiles Gold
Posts: 4,567
The SEs who do a lot of overseas trips are saving their eUps for those trips and skipping domestic/transborder.
I can only assume this as that is what I am doing. I have already crossed the pacific twice with a minimum of two more times this year. I need to keep those eUPs for that reason.
I am sure that is more common than uncommon
I can only assume this as that is what I am doing. I have already crossed the pacific twice with a minimum of two more times this year. I need to keep those eUPs for that reason.
I am sure that is more common than uncommon
Apr 7, 2015, 6:13 pm
#3
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Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
The SEs who do a lot of overseas trips are saving their eUps for those trips and skipping domestic/transborder.
I can only assume this as that is what I am doing. I have already crossed the pacific twice with a minimum of two more times this year. I need to keep those eUPs for that reason.
I am sure that is more common than uncommon
I can only assume this as that is what I am doing. I have already crossed the pacific twice with a minimum of two more times this year. I need to keep those eUPs for that reason.
I am sure that is more common than uncommon
Are there no SE's who only do domestic travel? Are they so few and far between?
Apr 7, 2015, 6:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,958
I have seen no changes yet.
The percentage of upgrades I get in advance or at the gate have been the same as previous years.
I have not seen a difference yet in the number of people in J. It always seems full.
The percentage of upgrades I get in advance or at the gate have been the same as previous years.
I have not seen a difference yet in the number of people in J. It always seems full.
Apr 7, 2015, 6:29 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,655
I suspect even those SE's who travel mostly domestically do at least some international travel (e.g. for vacation), so even they might also be inclined to save their eUpgrades for the "occasional" trip. If two of you go on vacation, you will burn most of the eUpgrades you earn for the year on one return longhaul trip.
Unless you are buying Latitude or at least M fares, your eUpgrades won't take you far domestically either - especially given how many flights you'd need to be on if you qualify purely on domestic flying.
Apr 7, 2015, 6:30 pm
#6
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Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
I'm in the same boat as lcohen999.
I suspect even those SE's who travel mostly domestically do at least some international travel (e.g. for vacation), so even they might also be inclined to save their eUpgrades for the "occasional" trip. If two of you go on vacation, you will burn most of the eUpgrades you earn for the year on one return longhaul trip.
Unless you are buying Latitude or at least M fares, your eUpgrades won't take you far domestically either - especially given how many flights you'd need to be on if you qualify purely on domestic flying.
I suspect even those SE's who travel mostly domestically do at least some international travel (e.g. for vacation), so even they might also be inclined to save their eUpgrades for the "occasional" trip. If two of you go on vacation, you will burn most of the eUpgrades you earn for the year on one return longhaul trip.
Unless you are buying Latitude or at least M fares, your eUpgrades won't take you far domestically either - especially given how many flights you'd need to be on if you qualify purely on domestic flying.
Apr 7, 2015, 6:31 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: AC SE 200K, SPG PLAT, HH DIAMOND
Posts: 232
Still trying to get my next ORD trip approved but they're frowning on the YYZ-DEN-ORD itinerary to get me over 4 hours...
Apr 7, 2015, 6:58 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YHZ | YYZ | YHM
Programs: AC 50K (*G), Hilton Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 636
I am definitely seeing a difference (compared to the 1 month I had status in 2014). I was able to upgrade on AC153 YYZ-YVR during March Break at T-2. Also able to upgrade from YYZ-NAS at T-2. I'm 2/3 on upgrades this year.
Apr 7, 2015, 8:37 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SEMM / HH Diamond
Posts: 3,163
The SEs who do a lot of overseas trips are saving their eUps for those trips and skipping domestic/transborder.
I can only assume this as that is what I am doing. I have already crossed the pacific twice with a minimum of two more times this year. I need to keep those eUPs for that reason.
I am sure that is more common than uncommon
I can only assume this as that is what I am doing. I have already crossed the pacific twice with a minimum of two more times this year. I need to keep those eUPs for that reason.
I am sure that is more common than uncommon
Apr 7, 2015, 9:01 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: YVR
Programs: AC S100K
Posts: 978
I think clearing upgrades is easier this year. I'm 4/4 domestic long-haul for my non-status nominees and 2/2 for same-day non-status travel companions.
I agree many are probably saving credits. I plan to use them until I run out.
Apr 7, 2015, 9:49 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 317
Don't ever fly much in winter, so no real data yet, but just bought 2 short notice flights YYC-YUL/YYZ in the last week. All 4 legs had R space at the time of booking. Buying low flex inside 5 day window was able to upgrade immediately. As an E50 pre co-pay, wouldn't have bothered to upgrade domestic, saving for long-haul and also conditioned to have low odds behind the SE's. Guess the reduced number of e-ups for SE has had the opposite effect, making domestic upgrades more available?
Apr 7, 2015, 10:13 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K
Posts: 287
Previously I would upgrade yyc-yvr flights but now I buy tango and save the credits for my monthly yvr-hkg trips.
1 month in and I'm already out of credits. I think for every 4 round trips I'll be able to upgrade 1.
1 month in and I'm already out of credits. I think for every 4 round trips I'll be able to upgrade 1.
Apr 7, 2015, 10:37 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE MM, Marriott Titanium, National Executive
Posts: 1,586
I have given up on domestic upgrades completely.
I got wait listed both YVR - HKG and NRT - YVR last month.
The later did not clear until check in (I did not get any email confirming upgrade but at check in, I was given a J BP). Both international J cabins were full.
The question is, are you going to by J when you run out like AC is predicting?
I got wait listed both YVR - HKG and NRT - YVR last month.
The later did not clear until check in (I did not get any email confirming upgrade but at check in, I was given a J BP). Both international J cabins were full.
The question is, are you going to by J when you run out like AC is predicting?