Last edit by: 24left
For reference, the main upgrade thread
FAQ: How to Upgrade on Air Canada
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-canada-aeroplan/794073-how-upgrade-air-canada-102.html
FAQ: How to Upgrade on Air Canada
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-canada-aeroplan/794073-how-upgrade-air-canada-102.html
E-Upgrades for a Newbie
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 85
E-Upgrades for a Newbie
Hey all,
I hit 25k for the first time so I haven't used E-upgrades before. I took a recent flight to Miami and checked how an e-upgrade would work when I checked in using the app. It said I needed 7 or so credits PLUS $175 to upgrade. Does it always cost money to upgrade in addition to credits? I doubt I would pay out of pocket unless it was a 5+ hour flight.
Are there any good guides on getting the best value from e-upgrades? The Air Canada website is useless in explaining how it even works to me.
So far I'm realizing that there is very little value in reaching 25k. Free bags is pretty much the only good thing but I usually try to carry-on because I don't want to wait an hour for my bags to come out at Pearson. Zone 3 boarding seems pointless because of all the gate lice that clog up boarding.
I hit 25k for the first time so I haven't used E-upgrades before. I took a recent flight to Miami and checked how an e-upgrade would work when I checked in using the app. It said I needed 7 or so credits PLUS $175 to upgrade. Does it always cost money to upgrade in addition to credits? I doubt I would pay out of pocket unless it was a 5+ hour flight.
Are there any good guides on getting the best value from e-upgrades? The Air Canada website is useless in explaining how it even works to me.
So far I'm realizing that there is very little value in reaching 25k. Free bags is pretty much the only good thing but I usually try to carry-on because I don't want to wait an hour for my bags to come out at Pearson. Zone 3 boarding seems pointless because of all the gate lice that clog up boarding.
#2
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
Hey all,
I hit 25k for the first time so I haven't used E-upgrades before. I took a recent flight to Miami and checked how an e-upgrade would work when I checked in using the app. It said I needed 7 or so credits PLUS $175 to upgrade. Does it always cost money to upgrade in addition to credits? I doubt I would pay out of pocket unless it was a 5+ hour flight.
Are there any good guides on getting the best value from e-upgrades? The Air Canada website is useless in explaining how it even works to me.
So far I'm realizing that there is very little value in reaching 25k. Free bags is pretty much the only good thing but I usually try to carry-on because I don't want to wait an hour for my bags to come out at Pearson. Zone 3 boarding seems pointless because of all the gate lice that clog up boarding.
I hit 25k for the first time so I haven't used E-upgrades before. I took a recent flight to Miami and checked how an e-upgrade would work when I checked in using the app. It said I needed 7 or so credits PLUS $175 to upgrade. Does it always cost money to upgrade in addition to credits? I doubt I would pay out of pocket unless it was a 5+ hour flight.
Are there any good guides on getting the best value from e-upgrades? The Air Canada website is useless in explaining how it even works to me.
So far I'm realizing that there is very little value in reaching 25k. Free bags is pretty much the only good thing but I usually try to carry-on because I don't want to wait an hour for my bags to come out at Pearson. Zone 3 boarding seems pointless because of all the gate lice that clog up boarding.
Based on the information you've provided, it means that you were on a non-upgradeable Standard fare (STLAK classes) that is currently upgradeable due to the long-running eUpgrade promotion.
Without this promotion, you wouldn't have even been able (not even offered the opportunity) to use your eUpgrades at all to upgrade. But with the promotion, it requires the copay.
At higher fares, no copay is required to eUpgrade.
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...ade-offer.html
#4
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
But if there is a specific Standard Fare class that you want to purchase and you can't get the website to give it to you automatically, then you'd have to call into AC to request the specific fare. Not all fares are available to agents, as some are web-only fares.
Of course, I'm assuming you're using the air canada website to book... if you use other tools such as concur or other corporate stuff, or a TA/OTA/etc., then I can't comment on their user interfaces and workflow.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,562
Note, https://services.aircanada.com/eupgw...vice/eupgrade/ has a preview feature, which will tell your the timelines, eUps & cash required, for a particular route. Same info as the chart, but actually customized to the route you are interested in.
Also, to temper any enthusiasm you may have, at 25k you an only request 4 days out (mostly, rewards flights are 1 day, crazy expensive buckets are any time). Even 35k has 8 days, SE as much as 14.
Most of the time you'll be wait listed, for anything close to popular routes. OTOH, plenty often I've seen J with empty seats, and I've even been opUp'd where they would happily have taken someones credits over me. YMMV. Good luck!
Also, to temper any enthusiasm you may have, at 25k you an only request 4 days out (mostly, rewards flights are 1 day, crazy expensive buckets are any time). Even 35k has 8 days, SE as much as 14.
Most of the time you'll be wait listed, for anything close to popular routes. OTOH, plenty often I've seen J with empty seats, and I've even been opUp'd where they would happily have taken someones credits over me. YMMV. Good luck!
#8
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 15
Note, has a preview feature, which will tell your the timelines, eUps & cash required, for a particular route. Same info as the chart, but actually customized to the route you are interested in.
Also, to temper any enthusiasm you may have, at 25k you an only request 4 days out (mostly, rewards flights are 1 day, crazy expensive buckets are any time). Even 35k has 8 days, SE as much as 14.
Most of the time you'll be wait listed, for anything close to popular routes. OTOH, plenty often I've seen J with empty seats, and I've even been opUp'd where they would happily have taken someones credits over me. YMMV. Good luck!
Also, to temper any enthusiasm you may have, at 25k you an only request 4 days out (mostly, rewards flights are 1 day, crazy expensive buckets are any time). Even 35k has 8 days, SE as much as 14.
Most of the time you'll be wait listed, for anything close to popular routes. OTOH, plenty often I've seen J with empty seats, and I've even been opUp'd where they would happily have taken someones credits over me. YMMV. Good luck!
#9
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.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...ng-window.html
As part of the current eUpgrade promotion, domestic/transborder/Sun destinations allows for 8 days.
International remains at 4 days.
The regular rules (when there is no eUpgrade promotion) is 4 days for all routes.
(and yes I'm referring to E35K)
#10
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Halifax
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum Elite. NEXUS
Posts: 4,562
Playing with the preview tool indicated 8 days. I did not read any rules, just experimented with the implementation.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: YVR
Posts: 304
As a P25k I learned quickly to managed my expectations. I struck-out repeatedly attempting to e-upgrade between YVR and YYZ. It was comical how far down the list I was. I did however successfully e-upgrade between YVR and YYC 4 out of 4 times.
Another piece of advice, if you didn't already know, is never buy an Economy Basic fare. They are not eligible for e-upgrades, nor are they eligible to upfare if you realize afterwards.
Another piece of advice, if you didn't already know, is never buy an Economy Basic fare. They are not eligible for e-upgrades, nor are they eligible to upfare if you realize afterwards.
#12
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
As a P25k I learned quickly to managed my expectations. I struck-out repeatedly attempting to e-upgrade between YVR and YYZ. It was comical how far down the list I was. I did however successfully e-upgrade between YVR and YYC 4 out of 4 times.
Another piece of advice, if you didn't already know, is never buy an Economy Basic fare. They are not eligible for e-upgrades, nor are they eligible to upfare if you realize afterwards.
Another piece of advice, if you didn't already know, is never buy an Economy Basic fare. They are not eligible for e-upgrades, nor are they eligible to upfare if you realize afterwards.
As for Economy Basic - yuppers... you can't change anything with that fare. It is bare bones and you get what you pay for.
#13
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
YVRYYZ is a flagship and premium route for AC (perhaps those aren't the proper terms to use, but you get the gist)... I even missed out on an upgrade as SEMM.
As for Economy Basic - yuppers... you can't change anything with that fare. It is bare bones and you get what you pay for.
As for Economy Basic - yuppers... you can't change anything with that fare. It is bare bones and you get what you pay for.
#14
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
Maybe the TA just rebooked it (though the booking reference is unchanged) but a colleague was able to change from a Basic fare as Stabdard a week or so ago for about $65.
Basic is the nastiest thing AC has done to business travelers since branded fares IMHO.
Basic is the nastiest thing AC has done to business travelers since branded fares IMHO.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 85