Operational upgrades (op-ups); and why doesn't AC give away all J seats as comp-ups?
Jul 15, 2019, 7:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: Air Canada
Posts: 2
Operational upgrades (op-ups); and why doesn't AC give away all J seats as comp-ups?
Thanks for any insight on this.
I happened upon a gate upgrade to business class on Air Canada from Vancouver to Sydney, AU. While I was super stoked, I also couldn't figure out why I had received an upgrade out of economy. Business class was only 80% full when I was in there, so my upgrade looked to have been for a specific reason.
I have a couple of theories, but would love to know the culprit so I can attempt upgrades again in the future:
- This ticket was booked on a bereavement fare, which I understand to be a fully flexible ticket
- I didn't specify a meal type
- I was traveling alone
- I have just hit Aeroplan 25k/Star Alliance Silver status at 26,000 points.
Another couple of clarifications:
- This was a lay-flat business class seat (not Premium economy - Row 3)
- Economy was full
- Flight was already late arriving from Toronto
Ok, thanks again! :-)
I happened upon a gate upgrade to business class on Air Canada from Vancouver to Sydney, AU. While I was super stoked, I also couldn't figure out why I had received an upgrade out of economy. Business class was only 80% full when I was in there, so my upgrade looked to have been for a specific reason.
I have a couple of theories, but would love to know the culprit so I can attempt upgrades again in the future:
- This ticket was booked on a bereavement fare, which I understand to be a fully flexible ticket
- I didn't specify a meal type
- I was traveling alone
- I have just hit Aeroplan 25k/Star Alliance Silver status at 26,000 points.
Another couple of clarifications:
- This was a lay-flat business class seat (not Premium economy - Row 3)
- Economy was full
- Flight was already late arriving from Toronto
Ok, thanks again! :-)
Last edited by Erin Dybvig; Jul 21, 2019 at 12:05 am Reason: Edited Status names for clarification
Jul 15, 2019, 8:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: YVR
Posts: 304
Thanks for any insight on this.
I happened upon a gate upgrade to business class on Air Canada from Vancouver to Sydney, AU. While I was super stoked, I also couldn't figure out why I had received an upgrade out of economy. Business class was only 80% full when I was in there, so my upgrade looked to have been for a specific reason.
I have a couple of theories, but would love to know the culprit so I can attempt upgrades again in the future:
- This ticket was booked on a bereavement fare, which I understand to be a fully flexible ticket
- I didn't specify a meal type
- I was traveling alone
- I have just hit Aeroplan Silver status at 26,000 points
Ok, thanks again! :-)
I happened upon a gate upgrade to business class on Air Canada from Vancouver to Sydney, AU. While I was super stoked, I also couldn't figure out why I had received an upgrade out of economy. Business class was only 80% full when I was in there, so my upgrade looked to have been for a specific reason.
I have a couple of theories, but would love to know the culprit so I can attempt upgrades again in the future:
- This ticket was booked on a bereavement fare, which I understand to be a fully flexible ticket
- I didn't specify a meal type
- I was traveling alone
- I have just hit Aeroplan Silver status at 26,000 points
Ok, thanks again! :-)
Jul 15, 2019, 8:27 pm
#3
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: 44,282
When you say Aeroplan Silver, you actually mean Aeroplan Silver, or do you mean Altitude Prestige 25K?
I only ask because the former is completely irrelevant to flight operations.
I only ask because the former is completely irrelevant to flight operations.
Jul 15, 2019, 8:54 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,742
The usual scenario is economy is oversold so they needed to bump someone up to business to make room for all the economy passengers. If they didn't want to break up a family and you were in a seat that would otherwise allow them to sit together then it's easier to move a single person. They also look at things like fare class and check in time, as well as status. Sometimes it's just random and you were an easy person to move.
Be grateful when it happens, and never expect it to happen. In 20 years of flying I have only had it happen once on AC and once from economy to premium economy on BA. Both times I was a single traveller.
Be grateful when it happens, and never expect it to happen. In 20 years of flying I have only had it happen once on AC and once from economy to premium economy on BA. Both times I was a single traveller.
Jul 15, 2019, 8:56 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Vancouver
Programs: AC SE100K 1MM, FB Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,601
I’d suggest you were likely the highest economy fare (as you indicated) and you got an operational upgrade as they were oversold in economy. Operational upgrades generally follow some sort of formula that considers both status and class of fare or fare paid.
Jul 15, 2019, 10:20 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: Aeroplan 75K | Latitude Flight Pass junkie
Posts: 1,548
If a bereavement fare is full fare economy (Y), then you’d likely be a good candidate for an operational upgrade. That can be for any number of reasons.
How was the flight?
How was the flight?
Jul 15, 2019, 10:58 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
Would a bereavement* fare - normally sold at a discount - be classed as Full Y?
I'd caution against the "lottery ticket" type comments, as I've been upgraded at the airport (LHR-YYC, YVR-SYD, EWR-YVR and YVR-YOW) without asking or using any e-upgrade or its predecessors. I wish I could claim stories of applying devastating charm or possessing elevated status, but neither of those were true. They were all genuine surprises at the time, and even today I have no idea why they happened. Except perhaps the flight to Ottawa - I think I know how that transpired.
Anyway, I hope the OP enjoyed the increased comfort on a long flight, especially given the reasons for travel.
*hint?
I'd caution against the "lottery ticket" type comments, as I've been upgraded at the airport (LHR-YYC, YVR-SYD, EWR-YVR and YVR-YOW) without asking or using any e-upgrade or its predecessors. I wish I could claim stories of applying devastating charm or possessing elevated status, but neither of those were true. They were all genuine surprises at the time, and even today I have no idea why they happened. Except perhaps the flight to Ottawa - I think I know how that transpired.
Anyway, I hope the OP enjoyed the increased comfort on a long flight, especially given the reasons for travel.
*hint?
Jul 16, 2019, 5:12 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YYZ/LHR/SFO/SIN
Programs: AC SE100K
Posts: 282
Wow. I've had many operational upgrades on BA between YYZ and LHR (both directions). Booked in PY I was almost always guaranteed an upgrade to J. I think I was batting 75% of the time as a BA Silver. Also many upgrades from Y to PY and even J. I hear this is (or was) one of BA's best routes for op-ups due to the heavy overbooking of Y for travellers headed to India. On AC I've had one trans-Atlantic op-up from PY to J. Nearly always flying AC J these days, and when I do fly Y I tend to use my e-upgrade credits, so no idea what the op-up rate on AC would be as an SE100K. I suppose a lot depends on the route and fare class.
Jul 16, 2019, 5:33 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,250
Are you sure you were upgraded from Economy to Business? Is it possible you were upgraded to Premium Economy, and have mistaken that for Business?
That would make more sense.
Were you in a larger seat, or a flat bed pod?
That would make more sense.
Were you in a larger seat, or a flat bed pod?
Jul 16, 2019, 6:03 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
Would not elite status trump fare paid? Surely there'd be E50K/E75K/E100K elites on such a flight who'd have greater priority for an opup? And as others have speculated, was it actually from economy to business, or economy to premium economy? It would seem PE>J would be a more normal opup, then move someone in Y>PE.
Jul 16, 2019, 8:05 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
Lost in the cacophony of attempts to apply arcane and official Rules and Procedures is the notion that sometimes unexpected stuff just...happens. Even good stuff like random upgrades. Even at Air Canada.
Jul 16, 2019, 8:20 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SEMM / HH Diamond
Posts: 3,143
