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
Jul 1, 2018, 10:00 pm
#646
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Thanks, 24left. Finally spoke to an agent who was able to figure it out: this particular flight isn't eligible for bids. Strange, given the loads, but now I know (I guess they don't want my cash). I can use eUpgrade credits but only for J on day of flight (or maybe 24 hours before) and it requires a $600 copay each so not worth it for a day flight (AC: why not to O, for presumably somewhat fewer credits and a lower copay?). Or LMU, which I'll be watching for. Or op up, but I expect that is based not on my status but on theirs, which is none.
AC has long had issues accepting money. Like turning down a guy with a credit card offering $1500 for a TPAC upgrade. Agent wanted to do it, computer said no. Seriously. There is a clear ROI here AC. That flight went out with J space.
Jul 3, 2018, 11:20 am
#647
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: 6,231
It showed "J" as expected, but there was no "ML*1" under Remarks/Observations on the BP. The bid cleared sometime around T-48.
Jul 5, 2018, 6:30 am
#648
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: YYT
Posts: 19
Hi all,
Considering bidding $90 for an upgrade on my flight between YHZ and YYT in August ($90 is the lowest I can bid, which is apparently 20% lower than it usually is)
Is the upgrade worth $90? It could be useful to have MLL access as I'm going to be at YHZ 4 hours before departure, but I understand there are cheaper ways to achieve this. I've never flown J, and I would like to get the whole experience but not sure if this is worth it.
Thanks!
Considering bidding $90 for an upgrade on my flight between YHZ and YYT in August ($90 is the lowest I can bid, which is apparently 20% lower than it usually is)
Is the upgrade worth $90? It could be useful to have MLL access as I'm going to be at YHZ 4 hours before departure, but I understand there are cheaper ways to achieve this. I've never flown J, and I would like to get the whole experience but not sure if this is worth it.
Thanks!
Jul 5, 2018, 6:52 am
#649
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: YHZ
Posts: 25
Hi all,
Considering bidding $90 for an upgrade on my flight between YHZ and YYT in August ($90 is the lowest I can bid, which is apparently 20% lower than it usually is)
Is the upgrade worth $90? It could be useful to have MLL access as I'm going to be at YHZ 4 hours before departure, but I understand there are cheaper ways to achieve this. I've never flown J, and I would like to get the whole experience but not sure if this is worth it.
Thanks!
Considering bidding $90 for an upgrade on my flight between YHZ and YYT in August ($90 is the lowest I can bid, which is apparently 20% lower than it usually is)
Is the upgrade worth $90? It could be useful to have MLL access as I'm going to be at YHZ 4 hours before departure, but I understand there are cheaper ways to achieve this. I've never flown J, and I would like to get the whole experience but not sure if this is worth it.
Thanks!
Last edited by mbritter; Jul 5, 2018 at 7:24 am
Jul 5, 2018, 6:54 am
#650
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: YYT
Posts: 19
Roughly $400 for the round trip; the first leg is on an E190, return leg is a Q400 so no upgrade available.
Jul 5, 2018, 6:59 am
#651
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: AC
Posts: 2,167
Most people value an upgrade at around $100/hour so I would pull the proverbial trigger if I were you because it's a reasonable rate and also because you've never flown in business class so it would be a nice and reasonably priced treat.
Jul 5, 2018, 11:45 am
#652
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Programs: UA Lifetime Plat; 2 MM; Amex Rewards; Hyatt Plat; Marriott Plat.
Posts: 259
I am new to AC so please forgive me if this question has been answered elsewhere. I just learned that my UA flight from SFO to YYZ will be on an AC 777. The ticket is on UA paper and I am *G, lifetime platinum with UA. I called AC and paid $61 for seat 18H but would like to try and find a way to upgrade into premium economy or even J. I would appreciate any suggestions people might have as to whether I have any chance to pay for or bid on a better seat. AC telephone agent said she could do nothing as the ticket was issued by United. As always, thanks for the help.
Jul 5, 2018, 12:06 pm
#653
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Toronto, ON
Programs: AC 75K
Posts: 6,363
I am new to AC so please forgive me if this question has been answered elsewhere. I just learned that my UA flight from SFO to YYZ will be on an AC 777. The ticket is on UA paper and I am *G, lifetime platinum with UA. I called AC and paid $61 for seat 18H but would like to try and find a way to upgrade into premium economy or even J. I would appreciate any suggestions people might have as to whether I have any chance to pay for or bid on a better seat. AC telephone agent said she could do nothing as the ticket was issued by United. As always, thanks for the help.
Check here for details: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/.../upgrades.html (eUpgrades don't apply to you)
- Bid for an upgrade. Read the details in this thread, get your AC booking locator and see if your flight is eligible using the link above
- Last minute upgrade, where you purchase an upgrade during the check in process
- Contact United and pay for a business class ticket.
Jul 5, 2018, 3:18 pm
#654
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Programs: UA Lifetime Plat; 2 MM; Amex Rewards; Hyatt Plat; Marriott Plat.
Posts: 259
Thanks for the great response. I followed your directions and found that my locator number coupled with my last name produced a "not eligible" response when I attempted to bid. I guess I am left with a possible last minute upgrade but even that looks unlikely as the flight is a code share. Again, I appreciate your help.
Jul 5, 2018, 7:41 pm
#655
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan 75K, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,374
Bid after fare change?
I have a HKG-YVR flight that was originally booked in Flex, and changed to Premium Economy. The plusgrade options are showing options that reflect the original fare. e.g., I can still bid for Premium Economy. Is there a way to “refresh” the options? I want to put in a bid for Business.
The ranges, presumably based on the original Flex fare, are:
Business: $1000-$1700
Premium Economy: $400-$930
The ranges, presumably based on the original Flex fare, are:
Business: $1000-$1700
Premium Economy: $400-$930
Jul 6, 2018, 4:00 am
#656
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM; SPG Plat
Posts: 424
I continued to try to give AC a reasonable amount of money to upgrade (talked to concierge and to gate) but to no avail. Flight went with at least 5 empty J seats, 1 empty O seat. LMU not available on the Y seats. AC did offer a LMU option on the J booking, however. Perhaps not surprisingly, when I clicked on it (out of curiosity) it gave an error message.
Jul 7, 2018, 11:42 am
#659
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 54
Successfully bid upgraded an L fare to Business on YOW-YQR for the minimum possible ($155 each, taxes in) for my wife and 1 year old travelling on lap. No change in the minimum bid from a week before and 3 days before.
The minimum bid for the return YQR-YOW (via YXE) from a G fare was also $155 each but I waited to see if the LMU price might be cheaper - alas, they wanted $205 each, plus tax. Might be because of the current discount promo for bid upgrade. Lesson learned, bid promos are a savings, not just for the promo but also because taxes are included whereas in LMUs they're extra.
Edit: at baggage drop-off, LMU was $450 each, plus tax.
The minimum bid for the return YQR-YOW (via YXE) from a G fare was also $155 each but I waited to see if the LMU price might be cheaper - alas, they wanted $205 each, plus tax. Might be because of the current discount promo for bid upgrade. Lesson learned, bid promos are a savings, not just for the promo but also because taxes are included whereas in LMUs they're extra.
Edit: at baggage drop-off, LMU was $450 each, plus tax.
Last edited by governorgeneral; Jul 9, 2018 at 7:55 pm Reason: Added info
Jul 17, 2018, 1:31 pm
#660
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,425
I bid for YLW-YYZ. Min bid was $250 and it is a Rouge flight. I bid $255. Bid rejected. Today checked, LMU offered for $254. So either there is some silliness going on or they are using the bid data to price LMU for unsold J seats.
YyZ-YVR morning flight had a min bid upg of $450 on a 321 aircraft. LMU was the same. Aircraft went out with around 7 empty J seats.
YyZ-YVR morning flight had a min bid upg of $450 on a 321 aircraft. LMU was the same. Aircraft went out with around 7 empty J seats.