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 4, 2019, 9:39 am
#961
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 5
Just out of curiosity, what does all the Letter codes mean?
Nov 4, 2019, 10:57 am
#962
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,422
J to P are all business class from highest to lowest price. R is upgrade availability. E and N are premium economy. Y and B are full fare economy and the rest are discount economy
Nov 5, 2019, 12:26 pm
#964
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 5
So I decided to go the instant upgrade route for my flight out Sunday for $700. Select instant upgrade, enter my cc details, never received a confirmation yesterday... check back in today on the status and now it says that status: upgrade unavailable $700.00 CAD per passenger. I thought the whole point of the instant upgrade was you agree to that amount and you get the seat? not sure what, if any, options I have now to upgrade
Nov 5, 2019, 6:04 pm
#965
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
So I decided to go the instant upgrade route for my flight out Sunday for $700. Select instant upgrade, enter my cc details, never received a confirmation yesterday... check back in today on the status and now it says that status: upgrade unavailable $700.00 CAD per passenger. I thought the whole point of the instant upgrade was you agree to that amount and you get the seat? not sure what, if any, options I have now to upgrade
Q: How will I know that my Instant Upgrade has been accepted?
A: If you requested an Instant Upgrade, we will notify you by email within a couple of hours of your request as to whether it has been accepted.
Nov 5, 2019, 8:17 pm
#966
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,342
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...questions.html
Q: How will I know that my Instant Upgrade has been accepted?
A: If you requested an Instant Upgrade, we will notify you by email within a couple of hours of your request as to whether it has been accepted.
Q: How will I know that my Instant Upgrade has been accepted?
A: If you requested an Instant Upgrade, we will notify you by email within a couple of hours of your request as to whether it has been accepted.
Nov 5, 2019, 8:49 pm
#967
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Nov 5, 2019, 8:50 pm
#968
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
Nov 5, 2019, 9:19 pm
#969
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Nov 5, 2019, 9:46 pm
#970
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
AC Tickets on 016 Stock
Last week I booked my parents an ward ticket from LHR to YYZ on AC in Y with the ticket being issued on 016 stock. The ticket itself lists AC flight numbers (and not UA codeshare flight numbers). As per the FAQ provided in this thread, I should be able to take part in the bid upgrade program to have them hopefully upgraded to J. However, when I enter their AC PNR and last name into the bid upgrade site I'm told the flight does not qualify. Could someone tell me if LHR > YYZ is a route that is eligible for bid upgrade and/or why I couldn't upgrade in the first place? The flight is scheduled to depart on the 25th of January, 2020.
I also booked an érrorPlan reward YZR > YSJ > YXY > YZR with AC and could bid upgrade on J eligible flights no problem. I know the FAQ says accrual would be per the original fare basis (i.e. X which earns 0 PQP on UA) but was curious if anyone ever got lucky with the ticket re-faring into a favourable fare for milage accrual.
Safe Travels,
James
I also booked an érrorPlan reward YZR > YSJ > YXY > YZR with AC and could bid upgrade on J eligible flights no problem. I know the FAQ says accrual would be per the original fare basis (i.e. X which earns 0 PQP on UA) but was curious if anyone ever got lucky with the ticket re-faring into a favourable fare for milage accrual.
Safe Travels,
James
Nov 11, 2019, 2:07 pm
#971
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan Super Elite, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Delta Gold
Posts: 27
Hi
Booked on PE fare yvr-tpe (N fare) on 17th Nov have a bid (scale indicates a "fair chance") and eupgrade request
Anyone have any experience on which will be given priority
Am I better of to cancel my eupgrade request (currently waitlisted) and let bid run its course (understand confirmation or no go is informed at +/-50 hours before flight) and then eupgrade request T-48 if bid upgrade is refused
I am SE and million miler
TIA
Booked on PE fare yvr-tpe (N fare) on 17th Nov have a bid (scale indicates a "fair chance") and eupgrade request
Anyone have any experience on which will be given priority
Am I better of to cancel my eupgrade request (currently waitlisted) and let bid run its course (understand confirmation or no go is informed at +/-50 hours before flight) and then eupgrade request T-48 if bid upgrade is refused
I am SE and million miler
TIA
Nov 11, 2019, 2:47 pm
#972
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,422
Hi
Booked on PE fare yvr-tpe (N fare) on 17th Nov have a bid (scale indicates a "fair chance") and eupgrade request
Anyone have any experience on which will be given priority
Am I better of to cancel my eupgrade request (currently waitlisted) and let bid run its course (understand confirmation or no go is informed at +/-50 hours before flight) and then eupgrade request T-48 if bid upgrade is refused
I am SE and million miler
TIA
Booked on PE fare yvr-tpe (N fare) on 17th Nov have a bid (scale indicates a "fair chance") and eupgrade request
Anyone have any experience on which will be given priority
Am I better of to cancel my eupgrade request (currently waitlisted) and let bid run its course (understand confirmation or no go is informed at +/-50 hours before flight) and then eupgrade request T-48 if bid upgrade is refused
I am SE and million miler
TIA
If you bid is reasonably low, then let it 'win'. If it defaults to eupg, your MM status should win and eupg will clear at the gate.
Nov 11, 2019, 3:26 pm
#973
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan Super Elite, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Delta Gold
Posts: 27
thanks
bid 640
any input on a return on the 20th tpe-yvr same situation
should I cancel eupgrade request just to be sure eupgrade not used (27....)
bid 640
any input on a return on the 20th tpe-yvr same situation
should I cancel eupgrade request just to be sure eupgrade not used (27....)
Nov 12, 2019, 5:51 am
#974
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Flight Availability Search
Departing TPE on 11/20/19 0:00 for YVR
Flying AC
Direct/Non-Stop Only
Exclude Codeshares
Frequency
Flight Stops Depart Arrive Aircraft Reliability Available Classes
0 Connections
AC 18 0 TPE YVR 789 Su,M,T,W,Sa J3 C0 D0 Z0 P0 R0 O2 E2 N0 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 G9 S9 T9 L0 A0 K0
11/20/19 18:00 11/20/19 12:25 87% / 20m
Nov 13, 2019, 2:26 pm
#975
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,958
I am looking to bid on AC 17 on Nov 22 (YVR-TPE).
I see P2 on EF, but AC claims that it is actually P0 ... I checked the direct flight AND I checked with my connection from YOW (ie married segment)
I see :
YVR-TPE = P2
YOW-YVR-TPE P0
But AC says both options above are P0.
Anyone else see this discrepancy with EF?
Thanks
I see P2 on EF, but AC claims that it is actually P0 ... I checked the direct flight AND I checked with my connection from YOW (ie married segment)
I see :
YVR-TPE = P2
YOW-YVR-TPE P0
But AC says both options above are P0.
Anyone else see this discrepancy with EF?
Thanks