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
Mar 27, 2022, 4:29 pm
#1201
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: 6,226
Flying on AC854 to LHR on march 30. Flight does not look very booked up yet. Currently booked in premium econ and have submitted a bid for business class at $870 which is just above minimum. There looks to be 14 business class seats available with 6 “blocked” while premium econ is mostly full. Is $870 reasonable or too much? Is there a chance i can upgrade for less at check-in? Thank you.
Many would say that around $100/hr extra is worth it. But it depends on you. Like you said, the J cabin is reasonably empty right now, so maybe you will see a LMU offer on check-in - but how much it will be is fairly unpredictable.
Last edited by Bohemian1; Mar 28, 2022 at 11:41 am
Mar 27, 2022, 5:55 pm
#1202
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 2
"Is $xxxx reasonable?" is a question that gets asked a lot. And the answer is usually the same - what is it worth to you to sit in J?
Many would say that around $100/hr is worth it. But it depends on you. Like you said, the J cabin is reasonably empty right now, so maybe you will see a LMU offer on check-in - but how much it will be is fairly unpredictable.
Many would say that around $100/hr is worth it. But it depends on you. Like you said, the J cabin is reasonably empty right now, so maybe you will see a LMU offer on check-in - but how much it will be is fairly unpredictable.
Mar 27, 2022, 11:18 pm
#1203
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 8,002
As for the amount, my opinion is to always bid the lowest.
$100/hr + initial fare is starting to get out of hand.
Mar 28, 2022, 11:38 am
#1204
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: 44,324
And in terms of people who fly J, I'm "cheap".
Mar 31, 2022, 2:29 pm
#1208
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 8
Hello,
I am traveling from Toronto to Dubai on AC 56 April 2nd. I was offered a bid to upgrade and I did so. I checked expertflyer and it shows no open seats in business. However, it does show 6 blocked if I am understanding it correctly.
I am wondering if anyone has insight as to whether I actually have a chance to get upgraded, because if not, I would switch my bid to premium. It is about 54 hours before departure now. Thanks
I am traveling from Toronto to Dubai on AC 56 April 2nd. I was offered a bid to upgrade and I did so. I checked expertflyer and it shows no open seats in business. However, it does show 6 blocked if I am understanding it correctly.
I am wondering if anyone has insight as to whether I actually have a chance to get upgraded, because if not, I would switch my bid to premium. It is about 54 hours before departure now. Thanks
Apr 6, 2022, 5:30 pm
#1209
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 7
Flying on AC854 to LHR on march 30. Flight does not look very booked up yet. Currently booked in premium econ and have submitted a bid for business class at $870 which is just above minimum. There looks to be 14 business class seats available with 6 “blocked” while premium econ is mostly full. Is $870 reasonable or too much? Is there a chance i can upgrade for less at check-in? Thank you.
Apr 11, 2022, 1:24 pm
#1210
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 7
Answering my own question 
: Yes, $870 is very reasonable for Premium Economy to Signature Class upgrade YYC-Europe. There were 12 J and 7 PY seats left according to AC seat map. Bid went in 10 days before, accepted at the T-82 hour. Flight is YYC-FRA, bid range at the time was $810-$1600, the "buy it now" price offered was $1100. Surprised it got accepted that early, sure sign of overpaying 
... but for <$100, I didn't want to chance not getting it.
: Yes, $870 is very reasonable for Premium Economy to Signature Class upgrade YYC-Europe. There were 12 J and 7 PY seats left according to AC seat map. Bid went in 10 days before, accepted at the T-82 hour. Flight is YYC-FRA, bid range at the time was $810-$1600, the "buy it now" price offered was $1100. Surprised it got accepted that early, sure sign of overpaying ... but for <$100, I didn't want to chance not getting it.
Last edited by ChadYYC75; Apr 11, 2022 at 1:48 pm
Apr 12, 2022, 1:51 am
#1213
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 10
edit: does your economy fare have a big difference on the upgrade price?
Apr 12, 2022, 6:00 am
#1214
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 7
AJL49 : I think so, and depending on how full the J class cabin is.
The $1150-$1600 Economy to Signature bid range was a YYC to Nepal via FRA and Doha (originally paid about $2200 round trip). J7 and seat map also showing 7 at time of offer.
The $810-1100 Premium to Signature bid range was a YYC-FRA (originally paid $1500 one way). J9 and seatmap showing 12 at time of offer.
What surprised me is the amount of upgrades processed well before the 48 hours deadline to submit bids. So if anyone waits until close to the deadline to bid, they may miss out. Both flights now showing 2-4 J seats remaining...
The $1150-$1600 Economy to Signature bid range was a YYC to Nepal via FRA and Doha (originally paid about $2200 round trip). J7 and seat map also showing 7 at time of offer.
The $810-1100 Premium to Signature bid range was a YYC-FRA (originally paid $1500 one way). J9 and seatmap showing 12 at time of offer.
What surprised me is the amount of upgrades processed well before the 48 hours deadline to submit bids. So if anyone waits until close to the deadline to bid, they may miss out. Both flights now showing 2-4 J seats remaining...