AC upgrade certs on UA metal?
Apr 3, 2004, 10:41 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,675
AC upgrade certs on UA metal?
OK, this has probably been discussed before, but at this time the search function is not working (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=310537) so please cut me some slack 
Talking to AC staff (both call center and a concierge at YYZ), I have been advised that UA accepts AC upgrade certs, although strictly on a stand-by basis at the gate .
Mentioning this to UA staff at ORD and MSP, I get blank stares and/or clear denials.
Which one is it? Can I use the certs? If so, can anybody point me to a rule that I can quote to UA staff, which they in turn could look up on their system? And, yes, I will be posting a similar query on UA forum...
Talking to AC staff (both call center and a concierge at YYZ), I have been advised that UA accepts AC upgrade certs, although strictly on a stand-by basis at the gate .
Mentioning this to UA staff at ORD and MSP, I get blank stares and/or clear denials.
Which one is it? Can I use the certs? If so, can anybody point me to a rule that I can quote to UA staff, which they in turn could look up on their system? And, yes, I will be posting a similar query on UA forum...
Apr 3, 2004, 10:43 am
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,675
Originally Posted by yyzprincess
One word NO!!!!!
BTW, if the answer is indeed "NO!!!!!", can you think of any reason that may have prompted some AC people to think otherwise? Is there something coming up in the near future, or were they confusing this with a different situation?
Apr 3, 2004, 10:57 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K2MM ACMME50 SQPPS HHDiamond Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,391
I don't why anyone at AC advised that they could be used on UA.
AC upgrade are very restrictive. They can only be used by members with Status.Last year,my SE qualifying miles,50% were flown on UA,I tried the AC Upgrades,always NO!
AC upgrade are very restrictive. They can only be used by members with Status.Last year,my SE qualifying miles,50% were flown on UA,I tried the AC Upgrades,always NO!
Apr 3, 2004, 11:09 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,675
OT: This is neat. Replies are being posted out of sequence. Ha!
BTW, I do have status, so that is not a problem. Both AC employees I talked to mentioned that this ability to do stand-by upgrades is part of (new?) Star Alliance rules.
BTW, I do have status, so that is not a problem. Both AC employees I talked to mentioned that this ability to do stand-by upgrades is part of (new?) Star Alliance rules.
Apr 3, 2004, 11:17 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: AC SE, SPG Lifetime Plat, ACMM
Posts: 3,535
It's not the norm unless the rules have changed. Having siad this, I have used my SE Certs to UG at the RCC a couple of years back. I suppose it all depends on the RCC agent, but if the rules are changing I am happy about it.
Apr 3, 2004, 11:49 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Westjet Platinum, Fairmont Platinum RIP, Accor Gold, Marriott Lifetime Silver, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,296
Wow, I'd love to use my 500 mile upgrade certs from United to upgrade myself on AC, but always the answer is "no" do not pass go, do not collect $200! I can't use them fast enough on UA before they expire!
One can always dream....
One can always dream....
Apr 3, 2004, 12:03 pm
#8
Company Representative - Air Canada
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 24,215
Originally Posted by blue2002
BTW, I do have status, so that is not a problem. Both AC employees I talked to mentioned that this ability to do stand-by upgrades is part of (new?) Star Alliance rules.
They are most likely thinking about the new Star Alliance upgrade certs given to UK *S/*G members. They permit upgrades from H or higher on most *A carriers on a standby basis.
They got confused and should have said that if you're booked on a UA codeshare flight operated by AC, then you could upgrade on a standby basis provided that your fare is equivalent using AC certs. (Since this can't be done in advance)
Jun 6, 2004, 1:40 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K MM * DL MM * HH Diamond * Marriott Lifetime Titanium * Queen's '92
Posts: 5,950
Originally Posted by YOWkid
In general,
UA: F/A/C/D/Y/B/M/H/Q/V/W/S/T
AC: J/C/Y/M/B/H/V/Q/L/N
The funny thing is, when I started using Certs, I was advised of the same thing by some people at AC. And these were on strictly UA metal -- but AC codeshare. Odd why some have that impression. It would be very cool if the rules did one day change.
Simon
Jun 6, 2004, 2:19 pm
#12
Company Representative - Air Canada
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 24,215
UA H does not = AC H. It's very city pair dependent. On some, UA H = AC G YYZ/LAX, on others, UA H = AC U YVR/SFO, then UA H = AC I on YYZ/ORD. Since UA has been matching AC's new fares with things like UBIZ/EBIZ, it's all a mess now.
Is there a specific city pair you're looking for?
Is there a specific city pair you're looking for?
Jun 6, 2004, 2:32 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K MM * DL MM * HH Diamond * Marriott Lifetime Titanium * Queen's '92
Posts: 5,950
Empress,
This being the case, if one is on an AC metal / UA ticketed flight and approach them with an upgrade, how to know if you're asking for a valid upgrade or not? Or, conversely, if they're being lazy/don't know the correct answer?
Simon
This being the case, if one is on an AC metal / UA ticketed flight and approach them with an upgrade, how to know if you're asking for a valid upgrade or not? Or, conversely, if they're being lazy/don't know the correct answer?
Simon
Jun 6, 2004, 2:37 pm
#14
Company Representative - Air Canada
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 24,215
They just can't and won't have the time to check because it's now different for each city pair... so they will either say 'You can't upgrade because you're ticketed with UA' or 'Even though you're not supposed to get an upgrade, I'll let you have it this time.' !!!