Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > Air Canada | Aeroplan
Reload this Page >

Aeroplan upgrade awards?

Register
Community
Wiki Posts
Today's Posts
Search

Aeroplan upgrade awards?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 21, 2016, 5:44 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 23
Aeroplan upgrade awards?
I am booking a honeymoon trip to SE Asia for later this year and would like to fly business/first class. By the looks of the Star Alliance upgrade award chart (https://www3.aeroplan.com/saua/Chart.do), all I need is 100k Aeroplan miles to upgrade a couple economy fares to business?

Is there anything I'm missing here? Are the upgrades guaranteed as long as I'm booked in the right ticket class (Y/B/C/D)?
brisbane is offline  
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2016, 5:51 pm
  #2  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759
No, the upgrades are not guaranteed. They are subject to the same space constraints as redeeming a business or first class regular award. That is, if you don't see any business or first class seats available for redemption on your chosen flight, then you will not be able to use a Star Alliance Upgrade Award.
eigenvector is offline  
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2016, 6:25 pm
  #3  
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE-MM, BA Bronze, Marriott Titanium & lifetime Plat
Posts: 1,820
It may be cheaper to buy a restricted business class ticket (e.g., Z fare code) than a full fare economy (Y/B).
Definitely not guaranteed to get upgraded.
krayZpaving is offline  
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2016, 6:28 pm
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 23
Well, the two replies above make sense. I thought 50k/ticket was too good to be true.
brisbane is offline  
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2016, 6:32 pm
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: YXE
Posts: 3,050
delete
Last edited by pitz; Mar 21, 2016 at 6:33 pm Reason: redundant
pitz is offline  
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2016, 6:34 pm
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Only J via Peasant Points, 777HDPeasant or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance and Narcissism.
Posts: 5,954
EVA air has some greatly priced upgradeable fare, but I suggest you sign up for EF to check out the inventory.
Jumper Jack is offline  
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2016, 6:30 am
  #7  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Aeroplan, Delta, Starwood, Fairmount
Posts: 2,312
Originally Posted by brisbane
I am booking a honeymoon trip to SE Asia for later this year and would like to fly business/first class. By the looks of the Star Alliance upgrade award chart (https://www3.aeroplan.com/saua/Chart.do), all I need is 100k Aeroplan miles to upgrade a couple economy fares to business?

Is there anything I'm missing here? Are the upgrades guaranteed as long as I'm booked in the right ticket class (Y/B/C/D)?
You may want to take a peek at RTW and similar Asia fares...
Yukonprince is offline  
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2016, 8:41 am
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 23
Originally Posted by Jumper Jack
EVA air has some greatly priced upgradeable fare, but I suggest you sign up for EF to check out the inventory.
Thanks, what is EF?

I've flown YYZ --> TPE on EVA in biz class before and thought it was excellent.
brisbane is offline  
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2016, 10:21 am
  #9  
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ottawa
Programs: Altitude E50K / *G
Posts: 924
Originally Posted by brisbane
Thanks, what is EF?

I've flown YYZ --> TPE on EVA in biz class before and thought it was excellent.
I have also flown this route on EVA in J and the service was excellent. The only downside was the rather late departure time from YYZ, but in some ways it is a benefit too (since you can still work a whole day first).

EF is Expert Flyer.
dr_torch is offline  
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2016, 10:28 am
  #10  
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AC SEMM
Posts: 34
Angry *Alliance upgrade award
For years I have tried to use Aeroplan miles for Business/First upgrades and I have NEVER been able to get upgrade space. Currently I am trying to upgrade from Business to First on 4 Singapore Airline segments and I just get the same message...no upgrade available!
rcr416 is offline  
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2016, 10:44 am
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC-SE MM
Posts: 1,251
Originally Posted by rcr416
For years I have tried to use Aeroplan miles for Business/First upgrades and I have NEVER been able to get upgrade space. Currently I am trying to upgrade from Business to First on 4 Singapore Airline segments and I just get the same message...no upgrade available!
Agreed.
Silvercity is offline  
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2016, 12:03 pm
  #12  
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008
Originally Posted by rcr416
For years I have tried to use Aeroplan miles for Business/First upgrades and I have NEVER been able to get upgrade space. Currently I am trying to upgrade from Business to First on 4 Singapore Airline segments and I just get the same message...no upgrade available!
SQ First long haul award is virtually non-existent for non-KrisFlyer members.
beep88 is offline  
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016, 2:13 am
  #13  
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,083
Quick question for you guys, is there any way to determine whether upgrades are available for a certain flight prior to booking your tickets?

Seems like from this website: https://www3.aeroplan.com/saua/Upgrade.do, you need an actual ticket number...?

Or is it like someone mentioned, if you search award availability and see J open, chances are you'll get the upgrade?

Thanks!
pentiumvi is offline  
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016, 2:35 am
  #14  
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: YXE
Posts: 3,050
Originally Posted by pentiumvi
Or is it like someone mentioned, if you search award availability and see J open, chances are you'll get the upgrade?
That's exactly what you'll need to do to see I inventory.

As I said in my (deleted) post, the whole "program" is some sort of sick joke in most circumstances.
pitz is offline  
Reply
Old Mar 29, 2016, 5:17 pm
  #15  
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 188
I used it to upgrade from LH Business Class to First (the awesome 747 First with a seat/separate bed) a couple years ago. It is possible every once in a while...
jdj84 is offline  
Reply



Advanced Search
Reply Closed Thread Share
Forum Jump

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.