Feb 2, 2022, 11:40 pm
Last edit by: canadiancow
The gist of this thread is that if you board while waiting for an upgrade, and someone no-shows for J, there is a decent chance the agent will not come on to upgrade you. There are no guarantees either way though.
YBYL (You Board You Lose) on AC?
Dec 17, 2024 | 3:09 pm
#301
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Programs: AC SE100K MM, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Accor Platinum, National Emerald Club Exec Elite
Posts: 1,140
#1 on upgrade list YVR-YYZ, but app shows that business class has checked in full. Asked the gate agent what happens if I board and there’s a no-show for business. She told me that if the gate agent does it correctly, then the priority isn’t lost once you board. I boarded and, after 20 minutes in my PE seat waiting for take-off, I got notified in the app and by email and text that I’ve been upgraded and a new boarding card has been issued for business class. Sitting in my business class seat now.
Dec 17, 2024 | 8:17 pm
#302
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,926
#1 on upgrade list YVR-YYZ, but app shows that business class has checked in full. Asked the gate agent what happens if I board and there’s a no-show for business. She told me that if the gate agent does it correctly, then the priority isn’t lost once you board. I boarded and, after 20 minutes in my PE seat waiting for take-off, I got notified in the app and by email and text that I’ve been upgraded and a new boarding card has been issued for business class. Sitting in my business class seat now.
Dec 17, 2024 | 9:51 pm
#304
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: 35,619
#1 on upgrade list YVR-YYZ, but app shows that business class has checked in full. Asked the gate agent what happens if I board and there’s a no-show for business. She told me that if the gate agent does it correctly, then the priority isn’t lost once you board. I boarded and, after 20 minutes in my PE seat waiting for take-off, I got notified in the app and by email and text that I’ve been upgraded and a new boarding card has been issued for business class. Sitting in my business class seat now.
#1 on list, J checked in full
Now at the mercy of a will-or-won’t-they-do-it-correctly GA.
Dec 18, 2024 | 11:43 pm
#305
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy, Air Canada
Posts: 6,637
AC96 tomorrow is 29/30 with 21 checked in. I am #4 on the list, gonna give ybyl a try because #2 & #3 share the same last name so maybe I could be #1 when they boarded, I got nothing to lose at this point anyways
21:50 - Just as I planned, I am now #1 on the list
22:10 - GA tried to convince me to board “J boarded full”
22:20 - GA tried again “it’s not happening, there are no seats left”
I relented and boarded, J was in fact full. I didn’t lose but didn’t win either. The fight returns on Jan 6 for my return flight.
21:50 - Just as I planned, I am now #1 on the list
22:10 - GA tried to convince me to board “J boarded full”
22:20 - GA tried again “it’s not happening, there are no seats left”
I relented and boarded, J was in fact full. I didn’t lose but didn’t win either. The fight returns on Jan 6 for my return flight.
Last edited by Jumper Jack; Dec 19, 2024 at 8:44 pm
Dec 20, 2024 | 10:57 am
#306
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: 35,619
Dec 20, 2024 | 7:05 pm
#308
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YYZ/LHR/SFO/SIN
Programs: AC SE100K
Posts: 336
I’ve had the DUB concierge come onboard on two occasions and inform me that business had boarded full. The first time I was stuck in Y, the second time I had a PY upgrade at least. I thought that it’s a nice touch knowing that they’re looking out for me.
Dec 21, 2024 | 7:41 pm
#309
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: 35,619
Mar 2, 2025 | 6:27 pm
#310
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: YEG
Programs: AC SE MM, WestJet Silver, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Accor Silver
Posts: 137
Lucked out on YEG-YYZ. Was 14/14 with all checked in for J - I was #1 on the upgrade list. Decided to board towards the end of zone 1 with my Y BP.
When BP was scanned the GA stopped me and said she had a message from the concierge that they were expecting a J pax might not make the flight. I was welcome to wait or go ahead and board, but to watch my phone as I may get upgraded.
Decided to board since I wanted to ensure I’d have overhead space for my carryon. After about 15 mins in my seat I saw the GA walking down the aisle with my new J BP in hand. It was a nice way to start the day.
When BP was scanned the GA stopped me and said she had a message from the concierge that they were expecting a J pax might not make the flight. I was welcome to wait or go ahead and board, but to watch my phone as I may get upgraded.
Decided to board since I wanted to ensure I’d have overhead space for my carryon. After about 15 mins in my seat I saw the GA walking down the aisle with my new J BP in hand. It was a nice way to start the day.
Mar 2, 2025 | 7:01 pm
#311
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: SE 100K
Posts: 1,116
Lucked out on YEG-YYZ. Was 14/14 with all checked in for J - I was #1 on the upgrade list. Decided to board towards the end of zone 1 with my Y BP.
When BP was scanned the GA stopped me and said she had a message from the concierge that they were expecting a J pax might not make the flight. I was welcome to wait or go ahead and board, but to watch my phone as I may get upgraded.
Decided to board since I wanted to ensure I’d have overhead space for my carryon. After about 15 mins in my seat I saw the GA walking down the aisle with my new J BP in hand. It was a nice way to start the day.
When BP was scanned the GA stopped me and said she had a message from the concierge that they were expecting a J pax might not make the flight. I was welcome to wait or go ahead and board, but to watch my phone as I may get upgraded.
Decided to board since I wanted to ensure I’d have overhead space for my carryon. After about 15 mins in my seat I saw the GA walking down the aisle with my new J BP in hand. It was a nice way to start the day.
I haven't heard of them monitoring connections and such before and pro-actively contacting the gate re: upgrades.
Mar 2, 2025 | 7:19 pm
#312
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: YKF
Programs: AC*E50K
Posts: 129
It might be YMMV but I did get an eUp upgrade this last January on YVR-YYZ from Y to J after having boarded. I got the upgrade text, showed the FA, took my new seat, and the GA handed me a boarding pass with "4F" scribbled onto it. I had been #2 on the upgrade list with 3 seats open, then there were 0 seats open, and then I got the upgrade.
Oct 18, 2025 | 2:22 pm
#313
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: YQR
Posts: 2,898
We were #1 and 2 on the wait list. J was checked in full. We boarded as we wanted to be sure to get our carry on into the bins as it’s a CRA. Boarding is complete with two empty J seats. YBYL 
This was on YVR-YQR today. It’s not a long flight but annoying nonetheless. We are on other airlines for the rest of the year so both have credits to burn.
This was on YVR-YQR today. It’s not a long flight but annoying nonetheless. We are on other airlines for the rest of the year so both have credits to burn.
Oct 18, 2025 | 4:04 pm
#314
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: YCD
Programs: AC 75K, Marriott Platinum Elite, HIlton Honors Gold
Posts: 579
Flew home yesterday from PUJ - YUL - YVR - YCD.
On the first leg I was 1/2/3 on the upgrade list with three seats open. They started early boarding at T-60 without running the upgrade list...waited until about T-53 before it was run and got the upgrades. Family wanted to board but were more than happy to wait in order to get that upgrade. It was only Premium Rouge but free is free!
Off to Mexico in 3 weeks in paid J, thankfully don't have to watch the eUp list.
On the first leg I was 1/2/3 on the upgrade list with three seats open. They started early boarding at T-60 without running the upgrade list...waited until about T-53 before it was run and got the upgrades. Family wanted to board but were more than happy to wait in order to get that upgrade. It was only Premium Rouge but free is free!
Off to Mexico in 3 weeks in paid J, thankfully don't have to watch the eUp list.
Oct 18, 2025 | 6:53 pm
#315
Join Date: Apr 2025
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 28
FRA-YYZ a week ago, the very helpful AC MLL front desk reminded me not to board until the list processed, hinting it wouldn't be till after boarding started. I was in Y, with 7 ahead of me in the J list from PY for a 36/40 J, looking like a PY eUp only for me. But noticed a few hadn't checked in still on both the YYZ and YUL flights at T-1h, so I thought.. mmh, maybe some mis-connects here (it was thick fog earlier in FRA). Anyways, boarding started, I jumped up 1 place then another which was just enough to make it to J... 10 min after boarding started.
i guess big hub airports like FRA have the potential for a last minute shift of fortunes for some at the misfortune of others!
i guess big hub airports like FRA have the potential for a last minute shift of fortunes for some at the misfortune of others!