Rookie Eup Question
Oct 1, 2018, 6:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
Rookie Eup Question
I have my first “waitlisted” experience.
One segment was successful and another is waitlisted. This leads me to not have an assigned seat. So...
1. Is the seat I initially selected still mine?
2. Is there a way (before T-24) to know one’s likelihood of having the upgrade clear?
AC 840 to FRA on Monday the 8th if that is of any relevance.
Thanks in advance. This community has literally improved my life the last several months as I try to learn to be an efficient FF.
One segment was successful and another is waitlisted. This leads me to not have an assigned seat. So...
1. Is the seat I initially selected still mine?
2. Is there a way (before T-24) to know one’s likelihood of having the upgrade clear?
AC 840 to FRA on Monday the 8th if that is of any relevance.
Thanks in advance. This community has literally improved my life the last several months as I try to learn to be an efficient FF.
Oct 1, 2018, 7:44 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
Still learning what what it all means but I will hold hope that several of those go unsold and that there aren’t a half dozen SEs in Y.
Oct 1, 2018, 8:03 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
That route can be quite busy. If I’m Y might want to see if a cheap E fare is available (no N) as it’s less miserable in PY and then no preferred seat cost. Though can’t see your status so that may be partially comped.
Oct 1, 2018, 8:07 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Oh and to actually answer your questions...
1. Is the seat I initially selected still mine?
Yes. It goes wrong if you don’t clear J and get cleared into PY (if I’m Y) then reject it because you don’t want 11 credits for a PY upgrade. At this point your seat is likely gone.
2. Is there a way (before T-24) to know one’s likelihood of having the upgrade clear?
No.
Getting an EF subscription allows you to get notified if it goes R1 and waitlisted eUps are not often automatically cleared. The list is private before t-24. Again EF will show reduction in J seats if monitored.
I think there’s a free trial for .. 5-7 days? Not sure if it’s fully functional.
1. Is the seat I initially selected still mine?
Yes. It goes wrong if you don’t clear J and get cleared into PY (if I’m Y) then reject it because you don’t want 11 credits for a PY upgrade. At this point your seat is likely gone.
2. Is there a way (before T-24) to know one’s likelihood of having the upgrade clear?
No.
Getting an EF subscription allows you to get notified if it goes R1 and waitlisted eUps are not often automatically cleared. The list is private before t-24. Again EF will show reduction in J seats if monitored.
I think there’s a free trial for .. 5-7 days? Not sure if it’s fully functional.
Oct 1, 2018, 8:09 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
PY takes priority over Y. Cabin, status, fare class and check in time I believe. The @canadiancow can confirm if I finally memorized it right.
That route can be quite busy. If I’m Y might want to see if a cheap E fare is available (no N) as it’s less miserable in PY and then no preferred seat cost. Though can’t see your status so that may be partially comped.
Am E75 in answer to your last comment.
Oct 1, 2018, 8:16 pm
#7
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Canada
Programs: AC SE 2MM, HH Dd, SPG; IC Pl/A; AA; DL
Posts: 14,321
I book PY for all overseas flights now if I am using Eupgrades. Never had one fail. I also will take slightly alternate routes than I might have in the past. For example, I was going to Tallinn and coming back from Helsinki last month. Instead of flying through my previously logical choice (Frankfurt), This time I went via Munich and came back via Copenhagen. Loads on those flights seemed light (CPH-YYZ went out with many empty seats in J even though FRA-YYZ flights seemed to be full). ExpertFlyer is certainly helpful in determining which routes might be a more logical choice from the standpoint of eupgrading (and, in this case, also gave me the best timings/connections/airports that I actually liked). Compared to fares I paid in econo to HKG back in the early 2000s, I find PY fares great value. If I ever lose at the eupgrading game, at least I will get to try a better economy (I think--as I have never actually flown in a PY seat).
As long as it’s 1xC 
Oct 1, 2018, 8:39 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
Anyway thanks all for the quick and detailed responses. Will hope for the best and get over it with 4 quick bottles of red if the upgrade fails.
Oct 1, 2018, 9:14 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Actually prefer G. I find (D/E??) are usually together so middle occupant will opt to climb over their seat mate. Failing that I make sure to be chatty and polite up front and let it drop that I’m hoping to sleep the whole trip. Have literally never had someone try to climb over me in seat G.
Anyway thanks all for the quick and detailed responses. Will hope for the best and get over it with 4 quick bottles of red if the upgrade fails.
840 is a 787(-8) so yes AC DEG HK.
Of course 5A is about the best seat in the house imho. Plane dependant.
Oct 1, 2018, 11:08 pm
#11
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: 44,331
I book PY for all overseas flights now if I am using Eupgrades. Never had one fail. I also will take slightly alternate routes than I might have in the past. For example, I was going to Tallinn and coming back from Helsinki last month. Instead of flying through my previously logical choice (Frankfurt), This time I went via Munich and came back via Copenhagen. Loads on those flights seemed light (CPH-YYZ went out with many empty seats in J even though FRA-YYZ flights seemed to be full). ExpertFlyer is certainly helpful in determining which routes might be a more logical choice from the standpoint of eupgrading (and, in this case, also gave me the best timings/connections/airports that I actually liked). Compared to fares I paid in econo to HKG back in the early 2000s, I find PY fares great value. If I ever lose at the eupgrading game, at least I will get to try a better economy (I think--as I have never actually flown in a PY seat).
). They cleared one gate upgrade, and I was second on the list.The loads looked good when I booked, so there wasn't much else I could have done. But for the return, I decided to fly out of LYS, which let me confirm the upgrade at the window.
Oct 2, 2018, 4:52 am
#12
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K MM, BA-S HH-D, MB-G LT Sil, IHG-Plt, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 3,803
Oct 2, 2018, 7:10 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC SE 1MM, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 917
https://flightavailability.bcdtravel...MnAvlMain.aspx
Oct 2, 2018, 11:56 am
#15
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
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-...st-thread.html
It also tells you how (in the wiki) to use the BCD tool that AskTravis mentioned. Keep in mind that a non-filtered fare class does not show in the results if the inventory is zeroed out, so you will only see positive inventory.
I use this free tool, it seems pretty reliable, but no bells and whistles like EF. (the captcha fails the first time for me, but always works after that). It only shows available fare classes, not ALL fare classes.
https://flightavailability.bcdtravel...MnAvlMain.aspx
https://flightavailability.bcdtravel...MnAvlMain.aspx