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
Nov 9, 2016, 9:47 am
#17
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,765
If there's going to be bidding for upgrades, it's going to be bidding cash, not eUps.
Nov 9, 2016, 9:58 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
Nov 9, 2016, 10:00 am
#19
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,765
We don't know yet. It's possible that upgrade bidding would be paired with reductions to the eUp system.
I just said that if they don't change the eUp system, this doesn't affect us.
If they make a bunch of cutbacks to eUps, then yes, this is a big negative.
I just said that if they don't change the eUp system, this doesn't affect us.
If they make a bunch of cutbacks to eUps, then yes, this is a big negative.
Nov 9, 2016, 10:28 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 57
I expect that AC will adopt a bidding system within the next couple years. I do not know whether the premium that passengers pay for upgradeable fares, plus the add-on fee that some passengers pay when using eupgrades, plus the sale LMUs exceeds the premium that can be extracted from a simple open auction, but I have the suspicion that it might be.
With that reasoning, I also expect eupgrades to be eliminated. If frequent flyers are to be rewarded with anything similar, it is likely to be something along the lines of credits valued in dollars that can only be used towards bids in auctions. Again, just suspicion, but given the frequent changes to the eupgrade program and the number of Opups that I alone have received in the last two years, the eupgrade/LMU system is not presently optimized.
With that reasoning, I also expect eupgrades to be eliminated. If frequent flyers are to be rewarded with anything similar, it is likely to be something along the lines of credits valued in dollars that can only be used towards bids in auctions. Again, just suspicion, but given the frequent changes to the eupgrade program and the number of Opups that I alone have received in the last two years, the eupgrade/LMU system is not presently optimized.
Nov 9, 2016, 11:08 am
#22
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,899
Nothing novel or new. Simply another revenue opportunity if it's true. Jumping on an LX flight later today (revenue booking) and received at least 4 advance e-mails reminding me of the ability to bid for an upgrade. Bid range was CHF900 to CHF3600.
Nov 9, 2016, 1:48 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Why? Why? Zed! / Why? You? Elle! / Gee! Are You!
Programs: Irrelevant
Posts: 3,543
So, I had a chance to look at the e-mail and check out the website and it seems legit.
Once thing I did find out is that this upgrade bidding is in some sort of beta phase at the moment. That being said, I will not post the URL I have, since the URL and system may change once the bidding system changes from beta to production.
One of the things I noticed was that term "eligible flight" is mentioned. I am not sure what constitutes an eligible Air Canada flight, I guess that is still being determined. Maybe code-share on AC metal are not eligible, AC 014 code-share on other carriers are not (or maybe are) eligible for upgrade bidding(?).
You're pretty much on the money there Jasper2009, the upgrade site is indeed operated by Plusgrade.
I have no idea at this point.
Yes, it is a cash based bidding for the upgrade, credit card information is required when placing a bid.
Once thing I did find out is that this upgrade bidding is in some sort of beta phase at the moment. That being said, I will not post the URL I have, since the URL and system may change once the bidding system changes from beta to production.
One of the things I noticed was that term "eligible flight" is mentioned. I am not sure what constitutes an eligible Air Canada flight, I guess that is still being determined. Maybe code-share on AC metal are not eligible, AC 014 code-share on other carriers are not (or maybe are) eligible for upgrade bidding(?).
It wouldn't surprise me if this were true.
The number of airlines which have implemented a "bidding for upgrade" system has exploded over the last two years. Pretty much much all the airlines use the IT platform developed by Plusgrade:
www.plusgrade.com
I had the opportunity to meet the founders during a conference last week and it's probably one of the most significant innovations in generating ancillary revenue in recent years.
Of course this would be bad news for frequent flyers, but let's see whether the news is true....
The number of airlines which have implemented a "bidding for upgrade" system has exploded over the last two years. Pretty much much all the airlines use the IT platform developed by Plusgrade:
www.plusgrade.com
I had the opportunity to meet the founders during a conference last week and it's probably one of the most significant innovations in generating ancillary revenue in recent years.
Of course this would be bad news for frequent flyers, but let's see whether the news is true....
Yes, it is a cash based bidding for the upgrade, credit card information is required when placing a bid.
Nov 9, 2016, 3:02 pm
#24
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: AC Lifetime SE100K, 3MM, SPG Lifetime Plat, Hertz PC, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,901
I would imagine that the first qualifier for "eligible" would be a J cabin. How far in advance of the flight, did your friend receive this offer?
Nov 10, 2016, 1:45 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 259
I'm on a LH flight YYZ-FRA in 2 weeks in Premium Economy. I can bid on a business class upgrade for a minimum bid of $520 USD each way. The options are min $520 - max $710 bid. Per flight.
I'm not a frequent flyer by comparison, but I've seen this several times - less here in NA though - just my observation.
I'm not a frequent flyer by comparison, but I've seen this several times - less here in NA though - just my observation.
Nov 10, 2016, 2:02 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
That's a pretty tight band.
They should make it $0-$inf with an internal reserve price.
Then we could watch all the sad bottom feeders board the plane sad and angry cause they bid too low.
They should make it $0-$inf with an internal reserve price.
Then we could watch all the sad bottom feeders board the plane sad and angry cause they bid too low.
Nov 10, 2016, 2:15 pm
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
I'm on a LH flight YYZ-FRA in 2 weeks in Premium Economy. I can bid on a business class upgrade for a minimum bid of $520 USD each way. The options are min $520 - max $710 bid. Per flight.
I'm not a frequent flyer by comparison, but I've seen this several times - less here in NA though - just my observation.
I'm not a frequent flyer by comparison, but I've seen this several times - less here in NA though - just my observation.
I wonder if AC can do something similar to the set-up LH has.
LH FT had this thread which started November 18, 2014
Interesting posts re LH bidding process - and there's even an option to change the currency
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/lufth...-longhaul.html
Also worth a peek is LH's own site and their Upgrade options
On the main Upgrade options page, you can choose which class, length of flight, and what type of upgrade - Fixed Price, Offer, or Miles
http://www.lufthansa.com/us/en/Upgrade-options
Then, if you want to "Upgrade to Business Class on long-haul flights"
It actually has a chart with the cost range per destination
http://www.lufthansa.com/us/en/Upgra...lass-long-haul
Very interesting.
Nov 10, 2016, 2:20 pm
#29
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008
Nov 10, 2016, 3:17 pm
#30
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 57
You have me intrigued. If the minimum bid is always accepted, it is essentially an LMU and I assume some seats get no bid. The LH model is a single sealed bid auction. For maximum economic efficiency, I would want a no-minimum, no maximum, all empty J seats are sold arrangement.
Actually, as I type, I realize that the auction might only be 'sealed' vis-ŕ-vis the other bidders. The airline could very well know how hot the bidding is in the 72 hour window and adjust the retail price of the J seats accordingly. Admittedly, I have not read the fine print to find out if a third party 'seals' these bids.