Eupgrade failure. Thoughts and advice? (part rant) )
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ / Toronto
Programs: Aeroplan and Flying Blue
Posts: 2
Eupgrade failure. Thoughts and advice? (part rant) )
So i waited till t-10 days and signed in.
Didn't get an upgrade, but was wait-listed.
Cest la vie....
Traveling home from YVR to YYZ... i check in online and see I'm wait-listed for business. Nice... get to YVR Airport... Go to check a bag... ask the question...how far down the list am I?.. your not on the list!
What? can you add me? yes I'll try... sorry I cant add you..system wont let me.
Call Altitude line. They say I'm on the list.
They say try with the Gate Agent.. I do...she says your not on the list.
I showed her the Altitude message... shoulder shrug.
get back to messaging the altitude folks.
they INSIST that I'm on the list, and that I should ask gate agent again.
400 pax all trying to get on AC034... I'm not going to be that guy I tell them.
They need to fix the $hit show they created. You wouldn't expect a guest in a restaurant to fix the restaurant problem !!
Any advice... or whatever... AC has taken so much away and nickled and dimed so much, I'm seriously thinking of saying status...
anyways..end of rant... any advice? contact Customer Service?...
cheers
Valk33
Didn't get an upgrade, but was wait-listed.
Cest la vie....
Traveling home from YVR to YYZ... i check in online and see I'm wait-listed for business. Nice... get to YVR Airport... Go to check a bag... ask the question...how far down the list am I?.. your not on the list!
What? can you add me? yes I'll try... sorry I cant add you..system wont let me.
Call Altitude line. They say I'm on the list.
They say try with the Gate Agent.. I do...she says your not on the list.
I showed her the Altitude message... shoulder shrug.
get back to messaging the altitude folks.
they INSIST that I'm on the list, and that I should ask gate agent again.
400 pax all trying to get on AC034... I'm not going to be that guy I tell them.
They need to fix the $hit show they created. You wouldn't expect a guest in a restaurant to fix the restaurant problem !!
Any advice... or whatever... AC has taken so much away and nickled and dimed so much, I'm seriously thinking of saying status...
anyways..end of rant... any advice? contact Customer Service?...
cheers
Valk33
Last edited by tcook052; Apr 30, 2017 at 1:09 am Reason: profanity
#2
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: 44,331
There are two lists.
One in reservations, and one in DCS.
Sometimes it doesn't transfer over. I don't know why. The last time this happened to me, I called the concierge, and he confirmed that was the issue, and fixed it somehow.
If you're on the res list, you'll get an error trying to get added to the DCS list.
One thing you can do is cancel the upgrade request through the website or over the phone, then they should be able to add you to the list at the airport.
One in reservations, and one in DCS.
Sometimes it doesn't transfer over. I don't know why. The last time this happened to me, I called the concierge, and he confirmed that was the issue, and fixed it somehow.
If you're on the res list, you'll get an error trying to get added to the DCS list.
One thing you can do is cancel the upgrade request through the website or over the phone, then they should be able to add you to the list at the airport.
#3
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-canada-aeroplan/1829439-ac-ft-tips-proper-rant.html
Missing a date, but not bad.
Good idea remove then re-add but that may drop you down the list. Though you would at least be in it.
AC are likely to use language along the lines of eUps aren't guaranteed and are a benefit so their failing IT isn't their problem. Planning on a nice YYZ to SYD in J? Now would be a good time to get a good will voucher for 5-20% off.
Missing a date, but not bad.
Good idea remove then re-add but that may drop you down the list. Though you would at least be in it.
AC are likely to use language along the lines of eUps aren't guaranteed and are a benefit so their failing IT isn't their problem. Planning on a nice YYZ to SYD in J? Now would be a good time to get a good will voucher for 5-20% off.
#4
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
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#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ / Toronto
Programs: Aeroplan and Flying Blue
Posts: 2
Thanks for the input... my challenge is...
imagine using Starbucks Order ahead app..
You pre-order a triple shot unicorn whatever...
your phone says..Yes...you got it...
you get there ..and its gone...
you talk to a MANAGER... and he/she says
talk to the Barista... they can fix it...
NO THEY CANT IF THE UNICORNS ARE GONE>>
Same deal with upgrades...
Why am I asked to hassle a gate saying no, when the system says yes...
AC is messed up. The Ac IOS App crashed 3 times today.
AC Mod/Lurker/Agent/Fan/Whatever... on here.
Feel free to reach out to me. I'm done with your ..........
imagine using Starbucks Order ahead app..
You pre-order a triple shot unicorn whatever...
your phone says..Yes...you got it...
you get there ..and its gone...
you talk to a MANAGER... and he/she says
talk to the Barista... they can fix it...
NO THEY CANT IF THE UNICORNS ARE GONE>>
Same deal with upgrades...
Why am I asked to hassle a gate saying no, when the system says yes...
AC is messed up. The Ac IOS App crashed 3 times today.
AC Mod/Lurker/Agent/Fan/Whatever... on here.
Feel free to reach out to me. I'm done with your ..........
Last edited by tcook052; Apr 30, 2017 at 1:09 am Reason: profanity
#6
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: AC75 MM
Posts: 959
#7
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Join Date: Sep 2012
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#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: yyz/ord
Programs: AC E50 UA1k 2MM AA EXP Royal Ambassador SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,516
So sorry, but its Air Canada, they don't care about the customer. When you called that AC person should have fixed the problem, you should NOT need to do anything more.
What you need to understand on "this board" many AC flyers, have lots of suggestion on what you should do.
reality if you can, get status with another airline.
What you need to understand on "this board" many AC flyers, have lots of suggestion on what you should do.
reality if you can, get status with another airline.
#9
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: The Midwest
Programs: BA BLUE, HH, AC/UA
Posts: 775
#10
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: 35,255
#11
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,675
Back when I lived in Canada I held status with AC, even SE for a few years. As of last year I live in US and fly with DL, pretty much every week. Initially status-matched to Gold, I have since earned it this year.
So, why am I chiming in? Well, the issue of upgrade waitlists is not a new one... If you dig through FT AP archives, the lack of reliability and visibility of the said waitlists has been a topic of our discussions FOR YEARS. The fact that AC has yet to fix it is, to me, mind-boggling.
Let me tell you how this works with DL... Immediately after I make a reservation in economy through my corporate travel agency, an upgrade request is generated by virtue of my status and my preference recorded in the DL SkyMiles. The upgrade request is for both Comfort+ (DL's version of premium economy) and First. Sometimes the upgrade clears prior to check-in. When it doesn't, the moment I check in I can - on-line, in DL mobile app, or on a screen at the gate:
1) see my place on the upgrade lists (one list for Comfort+, one for First);
2) see the number of seats available in both upgrade classes;
3) see when the upgrade actually clears.
Once the upgrade clears, the new seat assignment shows up in my mobile app, and/or if needed the gate printer spits out a new BP for me after scanning the old one. This happens with 100% consistency and reliability. There is no drama, no guessing, no uncertainty...and no need for me to become DL's shadow IT SME. I know that my name will be on the list.
Just saying...
So, why am I chiming in? Well, the issue of upgrade waitlists is not a new one... If you dig through FT AP archives, the lack of reliability and visibility of the said waitlists has been a topic of our discussions FOR YEARS. The fact that AC has yet to fix it is, to me, mind-boggling.
Let me tell you how this works with DL... Immediately after I make a reservation in economy through my corporate travel agency, an upgrade request is generated by virtue of my status and my preference recorded in the DL SkyMiles. The upgrade request is for both Comfort+ (DL's version of premium economy) and First. Sometimes the upgrade clears prior to check-in. When it doesn't, the moment I check in I can - on-line, in DL mobile app, or on a screen at the gate:
1) see my place on the upgrade lists (one list for Comfort+, one for First);
2) see the number of seats available in both upgrade classes;
3) see when the upgrade actually clears.
Once the upgrade clears, the new seat assignment shows up in my mobile app, and/or if needed the gate printer spits out a new BP for me after scanning the old one. This happens with 100% consistency and reliability. There is no drama, no guessing, no uncertainty...and no need for me to become DL's shadow IT SME. I know that my name will be on the list.
Just saying...
Last edited by blue2002; Apr 29, 2017 at 10:07 am
#12
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
In that order.
I mean I understand calling me out on things is a passion for some, but this isn't even hard to verify:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...-priority.html
Or if you also think Ben is lying:
https://www.aircanada.com/us/en/aco/...s/request.html
Click "How upgrade availability is determined for upgrades to Business Class"
Followed by "Within 24 hours of departure"
So, why am I chiming in? Well, the issue of upgrade waitlists is not a new one... If you dig through FT AP archives, the lack of reliability and visibility of the said waitlists has been a topic of our discussions FOR YEARS. The fact that AC has yet to fix it is, to me, mind-boggling.
#14
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Join Date: Sep 2012
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Posts: 44,331
Ah okay.
To be fair, this is the only technical issue I've ever seen with the upgrade list.
Not the only INSTANCE of this issue (it hit me once and a nominee once), but the only technical issue I've seen.
The big problem with this one is that it's hard to fix each instance if someone involved doesn't understand what's going on. Passenger is not on the onload list. Attempt to add, and you get an error saying "passenger already requested upgrade".
My only advice is to keep writing in about these things.
And the quicker you do it after the flight, the easier it is for them to go in and see what happened.
To be fair, this is the only technical issue I've ever seen with the upgrade list.
Not the only INSTANCE of this issue (it hit me once and a nominee once), but the only technical issue I've seen.
The big problem with this one is that it's hard to fix each instance if someone involved doesn't understand what's going on. Passenger is not on the onload list. Attempt to add, and you get an error saying "passenger already requested upgrade".
My only advice is to keep writing in about these things.
And the quicker you do it after the flight, the easier it is for them to go in and see what happened.