Last-Minute Upgrades (LMUs) - information and data points - 2022 onwards
#16
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: ARN
Programs: AC, SK, Marriott
Posts: 1,142
I have a question, which I am not sure if this is the right place to address it: When you book in economy class cheapest fare bucket and you upgrade to business class on online check in special discounted offer for upgrade. Will the miles posted in Aeroplan account will be the upgraded business class fare or just the original class of booking in economy class?
#17
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: YQT
Programs: AC, US, AA, UA, BA, QF, DL...
Posts: 462
YQT-YYZ
Some recent data points from Northern Ontario:
January 26
YQT-YYZ-YXU
Booked in Flex (U) for $527
J9 at OLCI
LMU offer - $82
January 29
YQT-YYZ
Booked in Standard (U) for $390
J7 at OLCI
LMU offer - $129
January 29
YQT-YYZ-YXU (same flight to YYZ as above)
Booked in Flex (K) for $199
J7 at OLCI
LMU offer - $151
January 29
YQT-YYZ-YQG
Booked in Business Lowest (P/M) for $386
OLCI doesn't open for another 5 hours, but currently it's J9 with 4/12 seats taken.
Looks to me like the LMU price correlates best with the price of the ticket rather than the fare bucket or type (e.g. Standard U is less than Flex K). I'm not sure if the Flex U is cheaper than the Standard U because of the fare type or because it's J9 vs. J7.
In any case, a cheap Flex fare + LMU works out to $350, which is not a whole lot less than the cheap Business Lowest at $386.
January 26
YQT-YYZ-YXU
Booked in Flex (U) for $527
J9 at OLCI
LMU offer - $82
January 29
YQT-YYZ
Booked in Standard (U) for $390
J7 at OLCI
LMU offer - $129
January 29
YQT-YYZ-YXU (same flight to YYZ as above)
Booked in Flex (K) for $199
J7 at OLCI
LMU offer - $151
January 29
YQT-YYZ-YQG
Booked in Business Lowest (P/M) for $386
OLCI doesn't open for another 5 hours, but currently it's J9 with 4/12 seats taken
Looks to me like the LMU price correlates best with the price of the ticket rather than the fare bucket or type (e.g. Standard U is less than Flex K). I'm not sure if the Flex U is cheaper than the Standard U because of the fare type or because it's J9 vs. J7.
In any case, a cheap Flex fare + LMU works out to $350, which is not a whole lot less than the cheap Business Lowest at $386.
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Programs: AC 75K, Hertz Presidents Circle, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 10,061
My friend bought a Europe fare in Basic Y. Are LMUs offered to Basic fares or should she pay more for Standard while changes are still free?
#21
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PIT
Programs: OZ Diamond, UA Gold
Posts: 9,880
#24
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 178
AC Upgrade at Check In - Charged 3x's
AC Upgrade at Check In charged me three times the amount. I have been calling and on wait. I also did not get my receipt emailed via email.
Has this ever happen to anyone? Is there a particular avenue I need to contact?
Has this ever happen to anyone? Is there a particular avenue I need to contact?
#26
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 178
Charge posted was $3157 CAD (More expensive then if I just booked it)
Update - The charge they said is right $1223.50 USD each passenger .. (Would never pay it) and told me to submit a complaint. Thankfully I took a screenshot of the payment page but the page says zero info about the flight but just the upgrade cost. Hope that suffices
Last edited by Adam Smith; Apr 21, 2022 at 4:44 pm Reason: Merge consecutive posts by same user
#28
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 178
Online Check in stated:
2 passengers total = $835USD ($417.50USD Each)
----
They charged me
2 passengers total = $2447USD ($1223.50USD Each)
#29
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,622
I was poking around the tariff yesterday and noted that it said LMUs weren't offered on Basic fares. Not sure whether that's true in practice though.