YYZ -> MCO - Which program?
 

Hi all -

Now that summer is around the corner, work has decided it is time to hit up MCO on a weekly basis (from YYZ) so I have some questions.

As Elite, I would obviously like to get some U/G here and there, so I'm wondering what my best bet it - AC or UA.

From my package I only have 2 U/G certs I think, so that won't get me very far. So my questions really are:

1. If I tried to get a status match on UA or US, would I have more options to upgrade on this route?

2. Is anyone familar with this route and the chances of U/G?

I have a ton of AC points, so I'm not too concerned about starting to collect UA or US (well, maybe US ;) so that isn't a major issue, more so the U/G options enroute... I'll be going down there for 9-12 months I reckon.


Thanks for any advice...

T.

bump bump... surely someone has flown YYZ -> MCO on *A before?

Thanks!

T.

AC is your only bet if you want to fly direct. UA and US will require transfers in ORD, IAD or PHL, CLT respectively. In the case of US, most of the flights from YYZ to the connection cities are on RJs so the only chance of upgrading is from PHL or CLT onwards.

In the case of UA, there is a possibility of upgrading but you'll need to build up a few miles before they kick in. If you can get a status match, you might score a few coupons, but unless you are going to fly a lot, you might put your AP status at risk. YYZ-MCO is around 1000 each way direct so unless you are doing a lot of other flying, spreading your miles over two programs might leave you in a lurch.

I was doing MCO on a regular basis last year and while it has been a few months since I've been down, I have never technically had to fly in the back...touch wood...Usually I upgraded with certs, but I've been comp'd more than a few times. The technically in the back comment refers to a couple of trips where i was on an all economy 320 that had no front and back ;) .

Overall I'd say the choice is really between going direct or flying the connections with the hope of an upgrade. YYZ-MCO isn't a very long flight and unless you are in a middle seat in the back, it should be bearable on anybody's metal. Keeo in mind this comes from somebody who regularly endures YYZ-DFW in and RJ :D

DF

Since being Gold with Canadian Plus, and then Elite with Air Canada (through to 2003), I have never been successful in upgrade requests on this route. However, I agree with the previous poster - there is no need to upgrade on this relatively short route - why waste your certificates on this route?

If you fly with United (or Ted), and if you are Elite with AC, then as a Star Alliance Gold, you can ask for E+ seats - which have 5'' more pitch than the regular seats.

DF is correct. If you want to u/g on UA, you'll have to fly thru ORD -- 1.5 hours on 319 or 733 (or similar) in UA F really gets you a whole lot of nothing besides a comfy seat (if that is what makes you happy, then go for it). If you fly through PIT or PHL on US, or IAD on UA, you're gonna be on an RJ 95% of the time on the transborder segment. Not sure about CLT.

Looks like your choices suck, no matter what you do :D

However, FGII does make a good point about E+... but then again... ORD/IAD are your only choices here (YYZ IAD always CRJ on UA/AC except I remember a year or more ago the IAD YYZ/YOW/YUL routes on AC metal did actually have 319's).

has anyone tried the codeshare fare from UA on this nonstop from AC? the fare is quite dramatic. AC's C class fare is priced quite high compared to the A class fare from UA's codeshare on that same flight. somewheres in the amount of 3-4 hundred? ticket was bought thru UA, and i was suprised that it beat AC by that much.

Thanks for the info - I guess I will tough it out in the back of the AC with all the other common folks ;)

At least there is a little good news in that I will still be going there in the Fall and Winter... the golf game is going to be damn good this year!

Thanks again,

T.

One other thing to note with UA out of ORD, this is a TED flight to MCO, so no option for an upgrade if you do select them.

What about the Sun Pass?

http://www.aircanada.com/en/offers/a...allet_sun.html