Question: Expert Flyer showing Upgrade Availability but Aeroplan is not, what's up?

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Jul 13, 2019, 10:29 am

bennyg2

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2019

Programs: Aeroplan, BA Executive, AMEX MR

Posts: 108

Expert Flyer showing Upgrade Availability but Aeroplan is not, what's up?

I just booked two tickets in Y Class (ZHR to YYZ) for July 30th, 2019. Expert Flyer is showing 5 seats available for upgrade via Aeroplan points from Y to P but when I go through the process on Aeroplan I get an "Upgrade not available" message.

What gives?

Jul 13, 2019, 11:26 am

Stranger

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jun 2003

Location: YYC

Posts: 23,795

Upgrade from Y to P? Star Alliance upgrades require regular Aeroplan awards to be available, not P...

Jul 13, 2019, 11:34 am

bennyg2

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2019

Programs: Aeroplan, BA Executive, AMEX MR

Posts: 108

Dangit so I guess the wording on Expert Flyer needs to be changed because they current verbiage indicates that this type of search will identify available points upgrades, separate from Aeroplan award availability.

Good thing the ticket class is 100% refundable. I can keep looking for alternatives.

Jul 13, 2019, 1:26 pm

Stranger

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Join Date: Jun 2003

Location: YYC

Posts: 23,795

Usually P is not much more than full Y. Often cheaper actually.

Jul 13, 2019, 1:42 pm

bennyg2

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2019

Programs: Aeroplan, BA Executive, AMEX MR

Posts: 108

Not in this case. AC's website shows that a Biz tickets STARTS at $10k.

Jul 13, 2019, 1:48 pm

24left

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Join Date: Sep 2014

Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..

Posts: 18,877

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stranger

Usually P is not much more than full Y. Often cheaper actually.

Agree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bennyg2

Not in this case. AC's website shows that a Biz tickets STARTS at $10k.

Today is July 13. The date you are showing on your EF page is July 30. That is 2 weeks away and the height of summer flying season. $10K is not completely insane.

Jul 13, 2019, 1:52 pm

Stranger

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Jun 2003

Location: YYC

Posts: 23,795

Quote:

Originally Posted by bennyg2

Not in this case. AC's website shows that a Biz tickets STARTS at $10k.

That's because the date is pretty close. TP and Lot are much cheaper. But of course that entails a connection.

Jul 13, 2019, 5:08 pm

bennyg2

Original Poster

Join Date: Jan 2019

Programs: Aeroplan, BA Executive, AMEX MR

Posts: 108

Quote:

Originally Posted by 24left

Agree.

Today is July 13. The date you are showing on your EF page is July 30. That is 2 weeks away and the height of summer flying season. $10K is not completely insane.

I agree it’s not insane. Just not what I want / can spend and I was hoping that Expert flyer was correct.

I’ve got alerts setup for Frankfurt, LHR and a few others to Yyz and YUL. Hopefully there are some last minute award seats released.

I also bid on upgrades just to hedge.

I appreciate everyone’s help clearing this up. Thanks.

Jul 13, 2019, 7:15 pm

SteadyAT

Join Date: Sep 2009

Location: YYZ

Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime PE, AC Altitude SE100K-1MM

Posts: 308

Keep trying daily; I managed to snag a Star Alliance Upgrade Award recently using Aeroplan points, albeit for a different airline. I had been trying for over a week, and suddenly instead of the "upgrade not available" red text, I saw "available for upgrade".

Jul 13, 2019, 7:40 pm

#10

YEG USER

Join Date: Dec 2006

Location: YEG

Posts: 3,925

Quote:

Originally Posted by bennyg2

From what you posted the wording doesn’t need to be changed, you’re just not interpreting it correctly. International upgrades from O/Y/B appears to be referencing upgrades utilizing eUpgrade credits, not points. For a SAUA (ie points upgrade) award inventory needs to be available. Set up an EF alert for award seats and try again.