EUpgrades for family of 5?
Mar 3, 2019, 9:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: Air Canada Aeroplan
Posts: 1
EUpgrades for family of 5?
Newbie here - is it possible to use eupgrades for my family of 5? I called AC and was told I could use a max of 3. Perhaps because I’ve flown less recently and am now only 35k? Have not had this issue in the past. Thanks!!
Mar 3, 2019, 9:48 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 669
Being only 35K, you will be lucky if you get 1 upgrade.
Mar 3, 2019, 9:51 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
How many in the party have Altitude status? If only 1 it can’t be done. If 2, it is possible but you’d be playing aero lotto with some.
As an Altitude member you can upgrade 1 person travelling on the same reservation/PNR as yourself. This person can have the upgrade requested at the time you post your own upgrade request. In addition, you can request an upgrade for 1 person on a different PNR provided they’re on the same flight(s) as you however this request must be done at the airport (and maybe olci). Without status their upgrade doesn’t have a high chance of clearing typically.
To get pax 4 and 5 upgraded one of those 2 pax will need to have their own upgrade credits and upgrade other pax in the same manner as described above.
Also, as E35 you’re way down on the pecking order for upgrade, and if travelling flex you likely won’t have enough credits for 5 people anyways (depending on destination, exact fare bucket, etc.).
As an Altitude member you can upgrade 1 person travelling on the same reservation/PNR as yourself. This person can have the upgrade requested at the time you post your own upgrade request. In addition, you can request an upgrade for 1 person on a different PNR provided they’re on the same flight(s) as you however this request must be done at the airport (and maybe olci). Without status their upgrade doesn’t have a high chance of clearing typically.
To get pax 4 and 5 upgraded one of those 2 pax will need to have their own upgrade credits and upgrade other pax in the same manner as described above.
Also, as E35 you’re way down on the pecking order for upgrade, and if travelling flex you likely won’t have enough credits for 5 people anyways (depending on destination, exact fare bucket, etc.).
Mar 4, 2019, 2:34 am
#4
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
I've been told the limit is 2 by one agent, but I've had them do 3 another time. I don't think there's actually a limit.
And in both "recent" cases, the non-status companions were always at the top of the list (as everyone with status had cleared ahead of time).
Mar 4, 2019, 6:16 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: YYG
Programs: airlines and hotels and rental cars - oh my!
Posts: 2,995
While actual limits may in fact be discretionary, I think most would agree that the odds of an E35 upgrading a party of five are pretty remote, at best.
OP ... what route are you trying to do this on?
OP ... what route are you trying to do this on?
Mar 4, 2019, 8:58 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
I have to disagree with both these sentences.
I've been told the limit is 2 by one agent, but I've had them do 3 another time. I don't think there's actually a limit.
And in both "recent" cases, the non-status companions were always at the top of the list (as everyone with status had cleared ahead of time).
I've been told the limit is 2 by one agent, but I've had them do 3 another time. I don't think there's actually a limit.
And in both "recent" cases, the non-status companions were always at the top of the list (as everyone with status had cleared ahead of time).
FWIW, what I posted above is based on what is written on the Altitude site (under eUpgrade Travel Companion - highlighting mine):
https://altitude.aircanada.com/statu...ram-privileges
Enjoy the privilege of upgrading one companion who is traveling on the same reservation as you, known as an eUpgrade Travel Companion. In addition, at the airport on the day of departure, you can also upgrade one additional companion not travelling on the same reservation as you, but on the same flight as you.
On another note, I'm not sure about OP's fare class or destination. OP would likely only have enough eUpgrade credits if traveling Latitude or high flex fare. If looking to purchase a high flex or Lat fare anyways, and if travelling to a sun destination, I recommend to the OP (or someone in a similar situation) that they evaluate whether it is worth it to buy a 20-credit Latitude flight pass and take advantage of the complimentary upgrades 2-days prior to departure. I assume OP has already purchased tix, but this might be an option if they haven't.
Last edited by YEG USER; Mar 4, 2019 at 9:06 am
Mar 4, 2019, 9:49 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: EDI
Programs: BA silver, AC *s p, A3, EI, KL, & UA nobody!
Posts: 355
managed 2 e-upgrades & 2 * Alliance upgrades for party of 4 , but not 5!
I am booked with 3 others with AC on EDI/YYZ/BDA and return, later this year. Premium rouge on the sectors from and to EDI, and outbound YYZ/BDA all paid to sit up front.
For the Inbound BDA/YYZ however, the original bookings were made in economy. (B) Premium rouge / premium economy (N) on trans-Atlantic appears automatically to make the associated North America economy sectors as (B) bookings - this is good IMO!
Prior to making any bookings I checked via Aeroplan to see if the (I) bucket was available to use for upgrades using the *Alliance miles system, i.e. the booking bucket for Business Awards. it was, and showing 2 seats on the selected day! - I also knew that 4 x e-upgrades via myself as a lowly Prestige member would be near impossible, therefore I decided to make two totally separate bookings.
* Alliance points were successfully applied to the booking as soon as it was made for the non-status and seldom flyers individuals. Myself and my nominated co-traveller on the other booking have successfully used e-upgrades from economy (B) to business (R) on BDA/YYZ.
All round very content after a lot of thought.
For the Inbound BDA/YYZ however, the original bookings were made in economy. (B) Premium rouge / premium economy (N) on trans-Atlantic appears automatically to make the associated North America economy sectors as (B) bookings - this is good IMO!
Prior to making any bookings I checked via Aeroplan to see if the (I) bucket was available to use for upgrades using the *Alliance miles system, i.e. the booking bucket for Business Awards. it was, and showing 2 seats on the selected day! - I also knew that 4 x e-upgrades via myself as a lowly Prestige member would be near impossible, therefore I decided to make two totally separate bookings.
* Alliance points were successfully applied to the booking as soon as it was made for the non-status and seldom flyers individuals. Myself and my nominated co-traveller on the other booking have successfully used e-upgrades from economy (B) to business (R) on BDA/YYZ.
All round very content after a lot of thought.
Mar 4, 2019, 11:08 am
#9
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
Very interesting, and thanks! This is why I love FT. Over the years I've learned of many interesting loopholes, and limitations of AC's IT capabilities; I had no idea about this one. The past few years I've gifted status to my wife, only to be able to upgrade my entire family when travelling on vacation. I've not yet made my selections for the year; this piece of information may result in me choosing something else.
FWIW, what I posted above is based on what is written on the Altitude site (under eUpgrade Travel Companion - highlighting mine):
https://altitude.aircanada.com/statu...ram-privileges
FWIW, what I posted above is based on what is written on the Altitude site (under eUpgrade Travel Companion - highlighting mine):
https://altitude.aircanada.com/statu...ram-privileges
Realistically, if we push the issue too much, they'll update the system to match their policy.
Mar 4, 2019, 11:30 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: YXU, ON Canada
Programs: AC LT E50K; AC*MM; SPG LT Gold
Posts: 4,665
How many e-upgrade credits do you have, and what fare class are you all flying in? Even if all those u/gs were permitted, that's a lot of credits you'd need.
Mar 4, 2019, 12:20 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
E35k gets up to 30 eUps. 4-6 credits per person is therefore feasible. As far as I was aware, though I've never tried it, you can upgrade anyone you want on the same flight at the airport.
As has been stated of course, depending upon the route the chance of (probably) four free seats in J is low. But then, I've taken flights where there was a large amount of J space as I'm sure many of us have. Shorter flights are more likely to have less people willing to spend their eUps, especially way before new ones expire.
Be interesting for the OP to report back on what happens; although YMMV and "I work at the airport, you're wrong" are both likely to render such a report dubious at best
As has been stated of course, depending upon the route the chance of (probably) four free seats in J is low. But then, I've taken flights where there was a large amount of J space as I'm sure many of us have. Shorter flights are more likely to have less people willing to spend their eUps, especially way before new ones expire.
Be interesting for the OP to report back on what happens; although YMMV and "I work at the airport, you're wrong" are both likely to render such a report dubious at best