Use AMEX points to upgrade on AC
Jun 12, 2019, 12:35 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 11
Use AMEX points to upgrade on AC
I am trying to learn how the upgrade works with Amex MR on AC flights.
Are there pre-defined eligible booking classes required to perform an upgrade? How does it work if I book the lowest Y cabin - say S booking class, am I eligible for an upgrade? If so, into what booking booking class will I booked? Will it be R (same as eUpgrade) or I (redemption) class?
There is Star Alliance Upgrade Award (SAUA) program where Y, B, O booking classes on AC flights are eligible for upgrade and booked in I class. This option is not helpful since I am booked into S class.
In short just want to make sure that I get the best value while upgrading using Amex upgrade.
Are there pre-defined eligible booking classes required to perform an upgrade? How does it work if I book the lowest Y cabin - say S booking class, am I eligible for an upgrade? If so, into what booking booking class will I booked? Will it be R (same as eUpgrade) or I (redemption) class?
There is Star Alliance Upgrade Award (SAUA) program where Y, B, O booking classes on AC flights are eligible for upgrade and booked in I class. This option is not helpful since I am booked into S class.
In short just want to make sure that I get the best value while upgrading using Amex upgrade.
Jun 12, 2019, 12:57 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
You cannot directly* use Amex MR to purchase an upgrade on AC. You can convert to Aeroplan miles and then use those Aeroplan miles to do a SAUA if your booking is in an appropriate class.
*Alternatively, you can purchase a last-minute upgrade at check-in and put your MR against that charge, but it’s hardly an efficiency use of your points.
*Alternatively, you can purchase a last-minute upgrade at check-in and put your MR against that charge, but it’s hardly an efficiency use of your points.
Jun 12, 2019, 1:01 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
I am trying to learn how the upgrade works with Amex MR on AC flights.
Are there pre-defined eligible booking classes required to perform an upgrade? How does it work if I book the lowest Y cabin - say S booking class, am I eligible for an upgrade? If so, into what booking booking class will I booked? Will it be R (same as eUpgrade) or I (redemption) class?
There is Star Alliance Upgrade Award (SAUA) program where Y, B, O booking classes on AC flights are eligible for upgrade and booked in I class. This option is not helpful since I am booked into S class.
In short just want to make sure that I get the best value while upgrading using Amex upgrade.
Are there pre-defined eligible booking classes required to perform an upgrade? How does it work if I book the lowest Y cabin - say S booking class, am I eligible for an upgrade? If so, into what booking booking class will I booked? Will it be R (same as eUpgrade) or I (redemption) class?
There is Star Alliance Upgrade Award (SAUA) program where Y, B, O booking classes on AC flights are eligible for upgrade and booked in I class. This option is not helpful since I am booked into S class.
In short just want to make sure that I get the best value while upgrading using Amex upgrade.
1) transfer Amex MR points to Aeroplan and upgrade using the Star Alliance upgrade scheme. However, as you already realized, this rarely makes sense since you (a) need to book a full-fare Y/PE fare (booking classes B, Y, O) and (b) upgrades are subject to award availability (booking class I)
2) depending on where your Amex is issued and assuming you booked your ticket directly with Amex, Amex may offer an "upgrade" where you basically pay the fare difference using your Amex points at a fixed rate. The value proposition is likely to be rather poor, and you'd be better off just paying the fare difference out-of-pocket.
Alternatively, AC offers various other paid upgrade options including bid upgrades, LMUs during OLCI etc.
Jun 12, 2019, 1:05 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2017
Location: YEG, SFO, VCA, JR JY-13
Programs: hahaha
Posts: 921
Looks like AMEX just partnered with AC (and other airlines) for an upgrade bidding system. OP, is this what you're referring to?
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-upgrade-with-points/
EDIT: I linked the blogspam because the actual site https://upgrade.americanexpress.com/ keeps giving me an error, so not sure if there's another way to access it. Try the steps in the blog post?
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-upgrade-with-points/
EDIT: I linked the blogspam because the actual site https://upgrade.americanexpress.com/ keeps giving me an error, so not sure if there's another way to access it. Try the steps in the blog post?
Jun 12, 2019, 1:08 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
Looks like AMEX just partnered with AC (and other airlines) for an upgrade bidding system. OP, is this what you're referring to?
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-upgrade-with-points/
EDIT: I linked the blogspam because the actual site https://upgrade.americanexpress.com/ keeps giving me an error, so not sure if there's another way to access it. Try the steps in the blog post?
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-upgrade-with-points/
EDIT: I linked the blogspam because the actual site https://upgrade.americanexpress.com/ keeps giving me an error, so not sure if there's another way to access it. Try the steps in the blog post?