Technical Question about Upgrades
Sep 3, 2006 | 11:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: YTZ/YYZ
Programs: AE, AA
Posts: 245
Technical Question about Upgrades
As a newly minted Elite I have never had the opportunity to use an upgrade certificate. I'm heading to Vancouver in October and will be using one if the God's of the I Class deem it appropriate.
My question is - does the 4 day window open at 48 hours prior to scheduled departure or at 12:01 am 4 days prior to the departure date?
I tried a search but couldn't find an answer to this.
Thanks!
My question is - does the 4 day window open at 48 hours prior to scheduled departure or at 12:01 am 4 days prior to the departure date?
I tried a search but couldn't find an answer to this.
Thanks!
Sep 3, 2006 | 11:08 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Southern Alberta
Posts: 20,547
The window opens for Elites at four calendar days prior to departure.
The four day period begins at 0000hrs Eastern time where the AC computer resides.
The four day period begins at 0000hrs Eastern time where the AC computer resides.
Last edited by airbus320; Sep 3, 2006 at 11:16 am Reason: to add a detail
Sep 3, 2006 | 11:54 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,190
So if your flight is Friday at 3p, you'd call up to confirm I-class at 00:01am on Tuesday or Monday?
Sep 3, 2006 | 12:19 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: YUL
Posts: 582
So if your flight is Friday at 3p, you'd call up to confirm I-class at 00:01am on Tuesday or Monday?
Sep 3, 2006 | 9:05 pm
#5
Company Representative - Air Canada
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Canada
Posts: 24,224
Originally Posted by aaac
According to the official rules, it would be 00:01AM on Tuesday. That said, you may get lucky and got hold of an agent who may upgrade you the day before.
Using Shareholder's example of Fri at 1500:
1 day prior Thu 1500
2 days prior Wed 1500
3 days prior Tue 1500
4 days prior Mon 1500
So 4 days prior is Mon and you can officially U/G at 0001 on Mon.
Sep 3, 2006 | 10:03 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: In Exile
Programs: QFF WP :-0, AC, FlyBuys, Porter's Liquor Store, Mother's Helper
Posts: 2,496
Originally Posted by Andrew Yiu
It's 0001 on Mon, not Tue.
Using Shareholder's example of Fri at 1500:
1 day prior Thu 1500
2 days prior Wed 1500
3 days prior Tue 1500
4 days prior Mon 1500
So 4 days prior is Mon and you can officially U/G at 0001 on Mon.
Using Shareholder's example of Fri at 1500:
1 day prior Thu 1500
2 days prior Wed 1500
3 days prior Tue 1500
4 days prior Mon 1500
So 4 days prior is Mon and you can officially U/G at 0001 on Mon.
Sep 3, 2006 | 10:28 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: YYZ, DUB, OGG
Programs: *G/NEXUS/GE (as are spouse & both kids since 2 years old), ACCOR ALL DIAMOND since program inception
Posts: 1,220
Originally Posted by airbus320
The window opens for Elites at four calendar days prior to departure.
The four day period begins at 0000hrs Eastern time where the AC computer resides.
The four day period begins at 0000hrs Eastern time where the AC computer resides.
Sep 3, 2006 | 10:46 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ/YOW
Programs: AC SE 2MM * DL MM * HH Diamond * Marriott Lifetime Titanium * Queen's '92
Posts: 5,986
Originally Posted by GoldFlyer
Officially, so it can be arbitrary or discretionary at times - just wondering?
Simon
Sep 3, 2006 | 11:21 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2006
Location: YUL
Programs: AC Elite
Posts: 114
My input on internationally originating flights: I called Canada at midnight local time 4 days before Sep. 5 for HKG-YVR, and I wasn't questioned at all. I read that it was all right on FT, so I hope I haven't been blacklisted or anything. It's been J5 C0 for several days, so I've stopped being optimistic anyway. 
Sep 4, 2006 | 10:26 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: Aeroplan; PriorityClub
Posts: 935
Originally Posted by patty canuck
FYI, if you are travelling (originating in a time zone ahead of EST. eg LHR), you may be able to get away by calling 0001 LOCAL time (-4days obviously) - I called Canada direct as LHR offices was closed and it was 7pm EST and just indicated to the CSR that it was 0001 -4days where the ORIGINATING flight was - she said that it was OK and gave me the upgrade - it was a packed flight out back so my wife and I were lucky.
Sep 11, 2006 | 8:48 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: YUL
Programs: Super Elite 100K
Posts: 908
Work the phones!
As a lowly E, I've discovered over the past few years that the best way to get an upgrade is to work the phones until you get an agent that will do it! I've had one agent reject the upgrade request because I called too early, then hung up, called back, and scored the UG with another agent. Hit or miss..but if you want the big seat, be ready to invest the few minutes it takes to make a few calls!
Good luck.
Good luck.
Sep 20, 2006 | 9:01 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: YTZ/YYZ
Programs: AE, AA
Posts: 245
Follow-up Question
2 Elites are travelling YYZ-YVR on a Wednesday morning 3 weeks form now. According to Expertflyer.com AC131 is I9 with only 4 J seats currently occupied (Expertflyer is not showing J Inventory numbers, apparently due to a dispute between AC and Sabre). AC105 is showing I9 with 6/20 J seats occupied. Which offers a greater likelhood of getting an upgrade when their upgrade window opens?
Similarly, coming back on Friday am, AC142 is I9 and wide open in J, as is AC116.
Thanks for the advice.
Similarly, coming back on Friday am, AC142 is I9 and wide open in J, as is AC116.
Thanks for the advice.
Sep 20, 2006 | 10:31 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,626
Originally Posted by RSWillson
2 Elites are travelling YYZ-YVR on a Wednesday morning 3 weeks form now. According to Expertflyer.com AC131 is I9 with only 4 J seats currently occupied (Expertflyer is not showing J Inventory numbers, apparently due to a dispute between AC and Sabre). AC105 is showing I9 with 6/20 J seats occupied. Which offers a greater likelhood of getting an upgrade when their upgrade window opens?
Similarly, coming back on Friday am, AC142 is I9 and wide open in J, as is AC116.
Thanks for the advice.
Similarly, coming back on Friday am, AC142 is I9 and wide open in J, as is AC116.
Thanks for the advice.