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
Jan 23, 2023, 12:08 pm
#1471
Join Date: Jan 2023
Posts: 4
Hello Everyone,
I stumbled upon the forum when I got an e-mail to upgrade from AC for my flights this weekend. As someone who doesn't fly all too much, I had no idea what this was all about. Very thankful for all the insight provided in this thread.
I was wondering what the next best course of action is if my bids are rejected. Would I approach the agent at the check in or the gate to inquire about upgrading on the day of travel?
I stumbled upon the forum when I got an e-mail to upgrade from AC for my flights this weekend. As someone who doesn't fly all too much, I had no idea what this was all about. Very thankful for all the insight provided in this thread.
I was wondering what the next best course of action is if my bids are rejected. Would I approach the agent at the check in or the gate to inquire about upgrading on the day of travel?
Jan 23, 2023, 12:18 pm
#1472
Join Date: Oct 2022
Programs: Aeroplan SE; Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 1,553
Hello Everyone,
I stumbled upon the forum when I got an e-mail to upgrade from AC for my flights this weekend. As someone who doesn't fly all too much, I had no idea what this was all about. Very thankful for all the insight provided in this thread.
I was wondering what the next best course of action is if my bids are rejected. Would I approach the agent at the check in or the gate to inquire about upgrading on the day of travel?
I stumbled upon the forum when I got an e-mail to upgrade from AC for my flights this weekend. As someone who doesn't fly all too much, I had no idea what this was all about. Very thankful for all the insight provided in this thread.
I was wondering what the next best course of action is if my bids are rejected. Would I approach the agent at the check in or the gate to inquire about upgrading on the day of travel?
Jan 26, 2023, 3:55 pm
#1474
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,728
Feb 2, 2023, 4:34 pm
#1475
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: IAH & HOU
Programs: UA GS & Marriott Titanium
Posts: 443
Hi - is it necessary to have a united codeshare flight number (016 stock) changed to an AC flight number in order to participate in the bid program for my AC operated flight? I tried entering my AC booking reference # into the bid website and it gave me the error message. The flight is LHR-BOM if that makes a difference. Thanks!
Last edited by ajhun9; Feb 3, 2023 at 11:01 am
Feb 3, 2023, 12:02 pm
#1476
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: air miles
Posts: 283
Travelling on AC816 YYZ-VCE Jun 21 in y. Tried to use the bid upgrade program to see what the starting bid would be. However when I enter my info I get an error that my booking is not eligible for bid upgrade. Tried skimming this thread to find what restrictions might preclude me from the bid upgrade program, but can't find anything. I paid partially with AC gift card and partially with CC.
The only tool I have at my disposal is cowtool which shows 9+ seats available in J and 6 seats in PY. What might I be missing?
The only tool I have at my disposal is cowtool which shows 9+ seats available in J and 6 seats in PY. What might I be missing?
Feb 28, 2023, 1:36 pm
#1479
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 34
Upgrade Bid Question - YYZ-LAX
My wife and I fly infrequently but have found the info on this forum to be valuable. We are booked YYZ-LAX May 11th in Y-comfort on an Airbus321. Wondering about possibly bidding for J and when to submit a bid. The range starts at $700-1100. We presently have good seats (16DE) but think it would be a nice surprise for my wife if we could go business. Also wondering if we do submit a bid, would we have any assurance of being seated together?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Cheers,
Rob
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Cheers,
Rob
Feb 28, 2023, 1:56 pm
#1480
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Canada's worst airport....YYJ
Programs: AC: E75K, Marriott :Titanium, National: EXEC ELITE
Posts: 596
I assume you are on AC787 at 9AM or 793 at 6:30PM. Any chance you could make AC 785 at 7:30AM work? That's a widebody flight, and for less than the price range you are quoting for an upgrade, you can confirm now in Premium Economy, which would be the same as Business Class on the A321. AC.com shows the PE fare at $826 one-way right now, and with a Comfort fare you can make a no cost change, just pay the fare difference.
If you are stuck with the 6:30, depending on what you paid already, a straight upfare to Business Class might be a better use of funds. That price is showing $1236 at the moment, so depending on what you paid for your Comfort tickets, it might be about the same as the min bid for the upgrade.
If you do decide to stay with the bid upgrade, no guarantee at all that you would be seated together. It's just what seats are left.
Hope this helps. If it was me, I would move to the widebody flight if I could. Business Class on an A321 isn't worth an extra $1500 to me.
If you are stuck with the 6:30, depending on what you paid already, a straight upfare to Business Class might be a better use of funds. That price is showing $1236 at the moment, so depending on what you paid for your Comfort tickets, it might be about the same as the min bid for the upgrade.
If you do decide to stay with the bid upgrade, no guarantee at all that you would be seated together. It's just what seats are left.
Hope this helps. If it was me, I would move to the widebody flight if I could. Business Class on an A321 isn't worth an extra $1500 to me.
Feb 28, 2023, 2:05 pm
#1481
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: YVR
Programs: AC 50K
Posts: 133
Feb 28, 2023, 2:10 pm
#1482
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 34
I assume you are on AC787 at 9AM or 793 at 6:30PM. Any chance you could make AC 785 at 7:30AM work? That's a widebody flight, and for less than the price range you are quoting for an upgrade, you can confirm now in Premium Economy, which would be the same as Business Class on the A321. AC.com shows the PE fare at $826 one-way right now, and with a Comfort fare you can make a no cost change, just pay the fare difference.
If you are stuck with the 6:30, depending on what you paid already, a straight upfare to Business Class might be a better use of funds. That price is showing $1236 at the moment, so depending on what you paid for your Comfort tickets, it might be about the same as the min bid for the upgrade.
If you do decide to stay with the bid upgrade, no guarantee at all that you would be seated together. It's just what seats are left.
Hope this helps. If it was me, I would move to the widebody flight if I could. Business Class on an A321 isn't worth an extra $1500 to me.
If you are stuck with the 6:30, depending on what you paid already, a straight upfare to Business Class might be a better use of funds. That price is showing $1236 at the moment, so depending on what you paid for your Comfort tickets, it might be about the same as the min bid for the upgrade.
If you do decide to stay with the bid upgrade, no guarantee at all that you would be seated together. It's just what seats are left.
Hope this helps. If it was me, I would move to the widebody flight if I could. Business Class on an A321 isn't worth an extra $1500 to me.
Rob
Mar 7, 2023, 2:14 pm
#1484
Join Date: Oct 2022
Programs: Aeroplan SE; Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 1,553