Operational upgrades (op-ups); and why doesn't AC give away all J seats as comp-ups?
Aug 22, 23, 8:45 am
#166
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ideally YOW, but probably not
Programs: AC SE*100K
Posts: 1,706
I've done this twice in the last year or so where I've been waffling about whether to use an eUp and then past T-24 I can see an oversold Y and full PY cabin, lots of room in J (i.e. lots of available seats and only a handful of pending upgrades) ... and I'm an SE sitting in PY. At this point I'm pretty likely to get bumped up, and indeed it did happen (I get a text saying I have a new seat assignment - so this is PDM I am pretty sure) without me burning any eUps.
But this situation just doesn't happen very much.
But this situation just doesn't happen very much.
Aug 22, 23, 9:26 am
#167
Join Date: Feb 2023
Posts: 10
I've done this twice in the last year or so where I've been waffling about whether to use an eUp and then past T-24 I can see an oversold Y and full PY cabin, lots of room in J (i.e. lots of available seats and only a handful of pending upgrades) ... and I'm an SE sitting in PY. At this point I'm pretty likely to get bumped up, and indeed it did happen (I get a text saying I have a new seat assignment - so this is PDM I am pretty sure) without me burning any eUps.
But this situation just doesn't happen very much.
But this situation just doesn't happen very much.
This is exactly what I am thinking. I do believe eupgrade can be done anytime during online checkin
Aug 22, 23, 9:50 am
#168
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YYZ/LHR/SFO/SIN
Programs: AC SE100K
Posts: 262
I've done this twice in the last year or so where I've been waffling about whether to use an eUp and then past T-24 I can see an oversold Y and full PY cabin, lots of room in J (i.e. lots of available seats and only a handful of pending upgrades) ... and I'm an SE sitting in PY. At this point I'm pretty likely to get bumped up, and indeed it did happen (I get a text saying I have a new seat assignment - so this is PDM I am pretty sure) without me burning any eUps.
But this situation just doesn't happen very much.
But this situation just doesn't happen very much.
Although that was pre-Amadeus, and pre-Covid when there were fewer people booking business. Glad to hear a similar data point from recent times.
Aug 22, 23, 7:51 pm
#169
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K
Posts: 130
I am not sure I understand the logic behind. Does this mean eupgrade > op-up (weight/oversold reason, for higher status, higher fare class) > standby staff, ie, who appear on both standby list and upgrade list? Because they attempt to minimize # of revenue pax who doesnt get a seat?
No. Barring a situation where PY is oversold than more than the PY->J regrade-eligible pax (I've never seen this happen on AC), it means:
1. The list is processed
2. If a lower cabin is still overbooked, that cabin is upgraded based on:
a. Staff (actually as I write this I'm not 100% sure, especially in relation to "cabin" - it's possible "staff" just becomes the "highest status" for op ups, so rev in PY would get J before staff in Y - but I'm not sure)
b. Cabin
c. Status
d. Fare
1. The list is processed
2. If a lower cabin is still overbooked, that cabin is upgraded based on:
a. Staff (actually as I write this I'm not 100% sure, especially in relation to "cabin" - it's possible "staff" just becomes the "highest status" for op ups, so rev in PY would get J before staff in Y - but I'm not sure)
b. Cabin
c. Status
d. Fare
Aug 24, 23, 12:07 am
#170
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,721
I think so, but probably very few people would qualify - likely something like a pilot deadheading to a flight waiting for them. I know there are a a number of different bands of employee staff travel privileges, and a seniority/priority level within those bands which will determine eligibility for both flights and possible upgrades. If there are a number of employees on standby for a flight someone with A level privileges will be given a seat before someone with B level etc. Within that, a B1 will get a seat before a B2 etc.
Aug 24, 23, 12:29 am
#171
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, AA PPro, UA Gold, Bonvoy Tit LT Sil, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Accor Silver
Posts: 43,482
I think so, but probably very few people would qualify - likely something like a pilot deadheading to a flight waiting for them. I know there are a a number of different bands of employee staff travel privileges, and a seniority/priority level within those bands which will determine eligibility for both flights and possible upgrades. If there are a number of employees on standby for a flight someone with A level privileges will be given a seat before someone with B level etc. Within that, a B1 will get a seat before a B2 etc.
Deadheading pilots are always confirmed in J.
Aug 24, 23, 10:06 am
#172
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K
Posts: 130
This isn't 100% true. For DH booked within 36 hours of travel both captains and FO's will be waitlisted if there is no space (with space available upgrade to J after revenue pax but before standby travellers). Relief pilots are also not confirmed in J.
Aug 24, 23, 10:59 am
#173
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, AA PPro, UA Gold, Bonvoy Tit LT Sil, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Accor Silver
Posts: 43,482
Edit: I think your 36 hour rule might be true for FOs, but CAs always gets J.
We're definitely getting into a subject I have no first hand experience with though.
Last edited by canadiancow; Aug 24, 23 at 11:14 am
Aug 24, 23, 11:55 am
#174
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K
Posts: 130
I trust you, but I know people who were told they were being downgraded to accommodate a last minute deadhead.
Edit: I think your 36 hour rule might be true for FOs, but CAs always gets J.
We're definitely getting into a subject I have no first hand experience with though.
Edit: I think your 36 hour rule might be true for FOs, but CAs always gets J.
We're definitely getting into a subject I have no first hand experience with though.
I think the crux of this thread is don't rely on op-ups on AC. If you want J, pay for it with cash, eups, bidding as there are many people who won't appear on the upgrade lists who may end up in J ahead of you otherwise.
Sep 10, 23, 10:04 pm
#175
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 75K *G
Posts: 67
Had a nice last minute surprise free double upgrade to business for hubby and I flying AC700 YYZ to LGA Friday Sept 8. Im guessing there were cancellations the night prior as there was an aircraft change from Airbus 220 to 320 to accommodate.
Flight was oversold. We are both 75K and were seated in economy bulkhead row. Both got the texts saying we got upgraded as we were about to board and both of us were confused as neither one of us requested an eup
Flight was oversold. We are both 75K and were seated in economy bulkhead row. Both got the texts saying we got upgraded as we were about to board and both of us were confused as neither one of us requested an eup
Sep 10, 23, 10:17 pm
#176
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: Aeroplan Elite 35K
Posts: 97
Had a nice last minute surprise free double upgrade to business for hubby and I flying AC700 YYZ to LGA Friday Sept 8. Im guessing there were cancellations the night prior as there was an aircraft change from Airbus 220 to 320 to accommodate.
Flight was oversold. We are both 75K and were seated in economy bulkhead row. Both got the texts saying we got upgraded as we were about to board and both of us were confused as neither one of us requested an eup
Flight was oversold. We are both 75K and were seated in economy bulkhead row. Both got the texts saying we got upgraded as we were about to board and both of us were confused as neither one of us requested an eup
flight
Sep 11, 23, 7:49 am
#177
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: YYG
Programs: airlines and hotels and rental cars - oh my!
Posts: 2,902
