Apr 2, 2017, 9:28 pm
Last edit by: Wigg
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.
Q: I was successful in a Bid Upgrade to the PY cabin. Can I now use my e upgrades to attempt to upgrade to J?
A: No. Only 1 upgrade is allowed. The same applies to a last minute upgrade to PY.
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.
Q: I was successful in a Bid Upgrade to the PY cabin. Can I now use my e upgrades to attempt to upgrade to J?
A: No. Only 1 upgrade is allowed. The same applies to a last minute upgrade to PY.
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 10, 2017, 3:28 pm
#466
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Still even as a low one it surprises me, not meat because if $500 is minimum I'd venture $700 moves you closer to the chance of it passing. Without 20 odd eUps.
Nov 13, 2017, 10:24 am
#467
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: YYZ
Posts: 68
AC182
YVR-YYZ
Nov 7, 2017
Bid: $455 for myself and wife
Accepted
Original booking class: Premium Economy N
Bid significantly more than the minimum which I believe was around $150, as have no status with AC and we got our PY fare for $700. Took total cost for 4+ hours in business on the 77W to $1150 which I was happy with.
Flew outbound in paid J on a 787-9 and experienced Business class for the first time, now I'm unsure how I'll ever be able to face flying economy ever again
YVR-YYZ
Nov 7, 2017
Bid: $455 for myself and wife
Accepted
Original booking class: Premium Economy N
Bid significantly more than the minimum which I believe was around $150, as have no status with AC and we got our PY fare for $700. Took total cost for 4+ hours in business on the 77W to $1150 which I was happy with.
Flew outbound in paid J on a 787-9 and experienced Business class for the first time, now I'm unsure how I'll ever be able to face flying economy ever again
Nov 13, 2017, 1:13 pm
#469
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Only J via Peasant Points, 777HDPeasant or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance and Narcissism.
Posts: 5,957
Nov 16, 2017, 2:14 pm
#470
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,233
I tripped across this today on AC website:
Does anyone know if this is a recent addition or if it has been there for a while. Just curious really.
Code:
AC Bid Upgrade For a limited time, we’ve lowered the minimum bid on select flights and for specific travel dates. Canada December 16, 2017 – January 7, 2018 Europe and the Middle East December 16, 2017 – January 8, 2018 U.S.A. December 22, 2017 – January 7, 2018 Asia and Australia December 22, 2017 - December 31, 2017 Latin America and Caribbean December 25, 2017 – December 31, 2017
Nov 16, 2017, 3:04 pm
#471
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,429
I tripped across this today on AC website:
Does anyone know if this is a recent addition or if it has been there for a while. Just curious really.
Code:
AC Bid Upgrade For a limited time, we’ve lowered the minimum bid on select flights and for specific travel dates. Canada December 16, 2017 – January 7, 2018 Europe and the Middle East December 16, 2017 – January 8, 2018 U.S.A. December 22, 2017 – January 7, 2018 Asia and Australia December 22, 2017 - December 31, 2017 Latin America and Caribbean December 25, 2017 – December 31, 2017
Nov 16, 2017, 4:56 pm
#472
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: SFO, BRU, ADB
Programs: UA Gold, BA Silver, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 707
I tripped across this today on AC website:
Does anyone know if this is a recent addition or if it has been there for a while. Just curious really.
Code:
AC Bid Upgrade For a limited time, we’ve lowered the minimum bid on select flights and for specific travel dates. Canada December 16, 2017 – January 7, 2018 Europe and the Middle East December 16, 2017 – January 8, 2018 U.S.A. December 22, 2017 – January 7, 2018 Asia and Australia December 22, 2017 - December 31, 2017 Latin America and Caribbean December 25, 2017 – December 31, 2017
Although with current loads more than 1 month out on my flight, I doubt I will get anything for a bid close to minimum price: J3 C3 D3 Z0 P0 R0 O5 E5 N1 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 G9 S9 T9 L5 A0 K0
Nov 16, 2017, 5:39 pm
#473
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,233
Maybe that's what they mean by selected dates and flights.
Last edited by Bohemian1; Nov 16, 2017 at 5:40 pm Reason: Fixed tags
Nov 16, 2017, 5:49 pm
#474
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
P9N9 flights will be those selected. And yes I am aware AC probably never sells N9. So E5N4 or whatever.
Nov 17, 2017, 10:16 am
#475
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,233
Nov 21, 2017, 7:03 am
#476
Join Date: Nov 2002
Programs: AC; Fairmont Plat; Accor Plat; SPG Plat, BA Gold; A3*G; AB Gold;
Posts: 232
Quick question - does anyone have any experience with successfully being bid-upgraded, and then processing either an SDC or earlier Stand-by? Looking at YVR-YYZ.
Nov 21, 2017, 8:08 am
#477
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 2,494
Nov 21, 2017, 9:40 am
#478
Join Date: Nov 2002
Programs: AC; Fairmont Plat; Accor Plat; SPG Plat, BA Gold; A3*G; AB Gold;
Posts: 232
Nov 21, 2017, 10:58 am
#480
Join Date: Nov 2002
Programs: AC; Fairmont Plat; Accor Plat; SPG Plat, BA Gold; A3*G; AB Gold;
Posts: 232