Apr 2, 2017, 9:28 pm
Last edit by: Bohemian1
Moderator note: Any questions regarding availability/fare buckets on a specific flight or flights should be posted in the fare bucket check request thread. Any such posts in this thread will be deleted.
Q: When should I use eUpgrades, and when should I use AC Bid?
A: For starters, you can use both of them on a single booking. If one upgrade is accepted, the other is cancelled at no cost to you. One thing to consider is that eUpgrade priority is highly influenced by your Aeroplan Elite status and the fare class of the original ticket, but AC Bid is influenced by your bid as compared to other people. If you don't have a high Aeroplan Elite status, AC Bid may be the better choice for you.
Q: If I use a Bid Upgrade do I get additional SQM / SQD now for my flights?
A: No.
Q: If I use a Bid Upgrade on an International Flight leaving YYZ/YVR do I get access to the Signature Lounge?
A: No.
Q: When will I find out if my bid was successful?
A: You will be sent an email within 36 to 48 hours prior to your departure.
Q: If I am successfully upgraded, which baggage limit applies?
A: The baggage rules of the upgraded ticket apply. Note that this is different than eUpgrades, where the original tickets baggage rules still apply.
Q: When do I pay for a bid?
A: Your credit card is only charged when the bid is accepted, which will happen no earlier than 48 hours before departure. Note that if your card is declined, even temporarily for a fraud check, you will lose the bid and will not get another opportunity.
Q: Can I cancel an AC Bid?
A: Yes, but only until 48 hours before departure.
Q: If I cancel the booking after successfully bidding for an upgrade, or if I miss the flight, will I get a refund?
A: No.
Q: If Air Canada rebooks me on another flight, what happens to my AC Bid upgrade?
A: You keep it and Air Canada will put you in the upgraded cabin on the new flight. If the new flight does not have Premium Economy, or if there are not enough Business class seats, then your AC Bid will be refunded.
Q: I have a flight going from XXX to YYY on DD-MM-YY and the minimum bid is $ZZZ - what are my chances / what should I bid?
A: No one here really knows how Plusgrade as implemented by AC really 'decides' which bids to accept.
There are so many potential variables that it's best just to bid what you feel the upgrade is worth to you.
AC Bid Upgrade - FAQs
If your upgrade request is accepted, the fare conditions for the original ticket you purchased shall remain in effect and will be applicable with respect to cancellation policies, change fees, conditions for minimum and maximum stay, and rules relating to the accrual of frequent flyer miles. All other conditions will be per the upgraded fare class.
On the AC website:
"AC Bid Upgrade - Your opportunity to travel in a higher cabin class"
https://upgrade.plusgrade.com/offer/AirCanada
Q: When should I use eUpgrades, and when should I use AC Bid?
A: For starters, you can use both of them on a single booking. If one upgrade is accepted, the other is cancelled at no cost to you. One thing to consider is that eUpgrade priority is highly influenced by your Aeroplan Elite status and the fare class of the original ticket, but AC Bid is influenced by your bid as compared to other people. If you don't have a high Aeroplan Elite status, AC Bid may be the better choice for you.
Q: If I use a Bid Upgrade do I get additional SQM / SQD now for my flights?
A: No.
Q: If I use a Bid Upgrade on an International Flight leaving YYZ/YVR do I get access to the Signature Lounge?
A: No.
Q: When will I find out if my bid was successful?
A: You will be sent an email within 36 to 48 hours prior to your departure.
Q: If I am successfully upgraded, which baggage limit applies?
A: The baggage rules of the upgraded ticket apply. Note that this is different than eUpgrades, where the original tickets baggage rules still apply.
Q: When do I pay for a bid?
A: Your credit card is only charged when the bid is accepted, which will happen no earlier than 48 hours before departure. Note that if your card is declined, even temporarily for a fraud check, you will lose the bid and will not get another opportunity.
Q: Can I cancel an AC Bid?
A: Yes, but only until 48 hours before departure.
Q: If I cancel the booking after successfully bidding for an upgrade, or if I miss the flight, will I get a refund?
A: No.
Q: If Air Canada rebooks me on another flight, what happens to my AC Bid upgrade?
A: You keep it and Air Canada will put you in the upgraded cabin on the new flight. If the new flight does not have Premium Economy, or if there are not enough Business class seats, then your AC Bid will be refunded.
Q: I have a flight going from XXX to YYY on DD-MM-YY and the minimum bid is $ZZZ - what are my chances / what should I bid?
A: No one here really knows how Plusgrade as implemented by AC really 'decides' which bids to accept.
There are so many potential variables that it's best just to bid what you feel the upgrade is worth to you.
AC Bid Upgrade - FAQs
If your upgrade request is accepted, the fare conditions for the original ticket you purchased shall remain in effect and will be applicable with respect to cancellation policies, change fees, conditions for minimum and maximum stay, and rules relating to the accrual of frequent flyer miles. All other conditions will be per the upgraded fare class.
On the AC website:
"AC Bid Upgrade - Your opportunity to travel in a higher cabin class"
https://upgrade.plusgrade.com/offer/AirCanada
Air Canada Bid Upgrade Program
Jan 3, 2017, 6:00 pm
#196
Join Date: May 2013
Location: YYT/YYC/TPE
Programs: AC SE, UA, National Exec Elite, Nexus, GE
Posts: 1,810
So I hit IRROPS early in the new year (not a good start), and the situation I encountered got me thinking about this business of bidding for J. The flight I want to get onto was full in J, but 5 open seats in Y. Having a PAID J ticket does not do me any good for wanting to standby for this flight (unless I am willing to be stuck in Y of course); however, having a Y ticket basically guarantees my clearing the standby list for Y. I have no problems with AC trying to monetize this opportunity of open J seats, but if they don't hold off processing the bids until gate control, it becomes a huge disincentive for me buying J tickets in cases like this.
I think CanadianCow also mentioned something about UA zeroing out the F inventory within 24 hours of departure, making it impossible for him to standby for the flight he wants. Hopefully AC doesn't go down the same path.
I think CanadianCow also mentioned something about UA zeroing out the F inventory within 24 hours of departure, making it impossible for him to standby for the flight he wants. Hopefully AC doesn't go down the same path.
Jan 10, 2017, 6:45 am
#197
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC Aeroplan
Posts: 80
A couple of data points for anyone that might be interested:
For my Dec 29 YVR-YOW on 767 I looked at the bidding for and upgrade from tango/economy at the 4 day point.
Minimum bid was something like $580.
Not good value for a 4.5 hour flight and also would have resulted in about the same cost as simply buying a business class ticket when I had originally booked the flight.
A LMU of $364 (plus tax) was offered when I checked in the evening before the flight which was actually a pretty good deal.
I wonder why they would restrict the bidding to such a high minimum value if LMUs are later offered at considerably less?
For my Dec 29 YVR-YOW on 767 I looked at the bidding for and upgrade from tango/economy at the 4 day point.
Minimum bid was something like $580.
Not good value for a 4.5 hour flight and also would have resulted in about the same cost as simply buying a business class ticket when I had originally booked the flight.
A LMU of $364 (plus tax) was offered when I checked in the evening before the flight which was actually a pretty good deal.
I wonder why they would restrict the bidding to such a high minimum value if LMUs are later offered at considerably less?
So I hit IRROPS early in the new year (not a good start), and the situation I encountered got me thinking about this business of bidding for J. The flight I want to get onto was full in J, but 5 open seats in Y. Having a PAID J ticket does not do me any good for wanting to standby for this flight (unless I am willing to be stuck in Y of course); however, having a Y ticket basically guarantees my clearing the standby list for Y. I have no problems with AC trying to monetize this opportunity of open J seats, but if they don't hold off processing the bids until gate control, it becomes a huge disincentive for me buying J tickets in cases like this.
I think CanadianCow also mentioned something about UA zeroing out the F inventory within 24 hours of departure, making it impossible for him to standby for the flight he wants. Hopefully AC doesn't go down the same path.
I think CanadianCow also mentioned something about UA zeroing out the F inventory within 24 hours of departure, making it impossible for him to standby for the flight he wants. Hopefully AC doesn't go down the same path.
Jan 10, 2017, 7:15 am
#198
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: YQM
Programs: AC 25k
Posts: 319
This is so I can monitor and manage seat assignments, schedule changes, etc.
Jan 11, 2017, 11:54 am
#199
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: YQT
Programs: AC, US, AA, UA, BA, QF, DL...
Posts: 463
Couple of questions:
1. Are tickets purchased through a travel agent eligible for upgrade bidding?
2. If I pay for a preferred seat and later successfully bid on an upgrade, will I get the preferred seat fee refunded?
1. Are tickets purchased through a travel agent eligible for upgrade bidding?
2. If I pay for a preferred seat and later successfully bid on an upgrade, will I get the preferred seat fee refunded?
Jan 13, 2017, 1:51 pm
#200
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: YQT
Programs: AC, US, AA, UA, BA, QF, DL...
Posts: 463
Here's the bad news. My Y ticket cost $300. A paid J ticket is $690. The upgrade bid range shown is $400-$1100. That means even if I bid the minimum allowed, the total for Y ticket + upgrade would be more than buying a J ticket outright!
I'll be curious to see if the prices drop as we get closer to departure. We're 6 weeks out and there are still at least 9 J seats for sale, so maybe I'll get lucky.
Jan 20, 2017, 9:06 am
#201
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: yyz
Programs: AC E50K,Delta Gold,Fairmont Plat,HHonor Diamond, PriorityClub Platinum,SPG Gold
Posts: 110
I've managed to answer one of my own questions. I decided to book my airfare through the cruise line since they protect their passengers if the flights run late and the price was about the same as booking direct. I took the record locator given, plugged it into the AC upgrade site, and sure enough it gives me the opportunity to upgrade.
Here's the bad news. My Y ticket cost $300. A paid J ticket is $690. The upgrade bid range shown is $400-$1100. That means even if I bid the minimum allowed, the total for Y ticket + upgrade would be more than buying a J ticket outright!
I'll be curious to see if the prices drop as we get closer to departure. We're 6 weeks out and there are still at least 9 J seats for sale, so maybe I'll get lucky.
Here's the bad news. My Y ticket cost $300. A paid J ticket is $690. The upgrade bid range shown is $400-$1100. That means even if I bid the minimum allowed, the total for Y ticket + upgrade would be more than buying a J ticket outright!
I'll be curious to see if the prices drop as we get closer to departure. We're 6 weeks out and there are still at least 9 J seats for sale, so maybe I'll get lucky.
Anyone know whether you can pay less to get to the Business class from Prem Econ vs Econ? I'm booked into Econ class (Aeroplan Business ticket), so technically, I will be "stand by" for business class, I don't know whether it's worth "paying" to bid
Any post on the success story/history from bidding?
Jan 21, 2017, 7:54 am
#202
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC Lifetime SE100K, 3MM, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hertz PC, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,901
Anyone know whether you can pay less to get to the Business class from Prem Econ vs Econ? I'm booked into Econ class (Aeroplan Business ticket), so technically, I will be "stand by" for business class, I don't know whether it's worth "paying" to bid
Any post on the success story/history from bidding?
Any post on the success story/history from bidding?
Jan 21, 2017, 12:39 pm
#203
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,333
Jan 23, 2017, 1:39 pm
#204
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 9
Booked my parents on fixed mileage aeroplane rewards YYC-YVR round trip. I got the email offering bidding for upgrade - for 2 passengers, they were offering a range of $175-450 per passenger, with $285pp suggested as a "good" bid. Considering that the fare difference between Flex (lowest fare currently available for sale) and J on their flights is only ~$120pp, and aeroplan rewards in J are still available, that seems... ambitious on AC's part.
Jan 23, 2017, 6:23 pm
#205
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 57
Right now I wish AC offered some sort of bidding for an "across-grade". I am booked on flights YVR-LHR on the 777HD that are (on good authority) 38% sold in Y with just a few days to go. The probability that a few passengers will be able to enjoy a row of 3 or 4 seats to themselves is very high. I would be willing to pay AC a little bit more to block off the rest of a row of Y seats, so there is some potential additional revenue...revenue that they are more likely to get compared to the $900 minimum bid they suggest for an upgrade to J.
Jan 25, 2017, 9:03 am
#206
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: yyz
Programs: AC E50K,Delta Gold,Fairmont Plat,HHonor Diamond, PriorityClub Platinum,SPG Gold
Posts: 110
i'm confirmed in premium econ, paid Aeroplan-business fare, so I should be #1 on the list for upgrade. How do I request the upgrade with online check in? Or I need to call in to customer service 24 hours before the flight?
Jan 25, 2017, 11:37 am
#207
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,333
Unless you're SE, there's no one you can call to do this.
Ask at the airport.
"I am on a business class Aeroplan ticket with this segment confirmed in Premium Economy. Please add me to the onload list for business class."
The more you deviate from those words, the more trouble you'll have
And no, any E50K MM, E75K, or S100K confirmed in PY and eUpgrading to J will be ahead of you on the list. You might be #1, but it's by no means guaranteed.
Jan 25, 2017, 11:46 am
#208
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: yyz
Programs: AC E50K,Delta Gold,Fairmont Plat,HHonor Diamond, PriorityClub Platinum,SPG Gold
Posts: 110
Do you know whether business class aeroplan's "class" show up on the ticket? or only in the system? i ask the aeroplan agent, and she said it is in the system.
it said class I on the return, confirmed business seat but only class N on the premium on the outbound one
it said class I on the return, confirmed business seat but only class N on the premium on the outbound one
Jan 25, 2017, 12:23 pm
#209
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,333
What do you mean by "on the ticket" and "in the system"?
Jan 25, 2017, 12:44 pm
#210
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SEMM, NEXUS
Posts: 858
A colleague of mine just received an offer to bid. Here are the ranges suggested by the website, ranging from "mildly expensive", to "completely nuts" 
. This is from a Tango fare:
AC874 YUL-FRA
J7 C7 D6 Z0 P0 R0 O0 E0 N0 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9
To PE : 800 to 2000 CAD
To J : 950 to 4000 CAD
AC825 AMS-YYZ
J7 C7 D7 Z6 P0 R4 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9
To J : 750 to 2200 CAD
AC420 YYZ-YUL
J7 C7 D7 Z6 P0 R9 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 G9 S9 T9 L9 A0 K9
To J : 150 to 700 CAD
Interesting to note that they are still offering bids to PE on YUL-FRA even when PE is apparently sold out...
. This is from a Tango fare:AC874 YUL-FRA
J7 C7 D6 Z0 P0 R0 O0 E0 N0 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9
To PE : 800 to 2000 CAD
To J : 950 to 4000 CAD
AC825 AMS-YYZ
J7 C7 D7 Z6 P0 R4 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9
To J : 750 to 2200 CAD
AC420 YYZ-YUL
J7 C7 D7 Z6 P0 R9 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 G9 S9 T9 L9 A0 K9
To J : 150 to 700 CAD
Interesting to note that they are still offering bids to PE on YUL-FRA even when PE is apparently sold out...