I'm curious how many of you have encountered this one...

It goes like this: I call in for my upgrade (nevermind the window business), they tell me that they can confirm the first segment but I am waitlisted on the second segment of a 3 segment outbound - the last is an intra Europe connection which is moot. OK, great.

Next day, I go on to the web to see if by chance, the second segment has cleared only to find that I'm not even waitlisted!

(I pause here to comment that this has likely happened to me 3 of the last 4 times I've called in for an upgrade - I say likely, because until now, I didn't realize what was actually happening nor does the agent)

I discovered the same thing again today (not showing waitlisted) and call into to res to ask if I was in fact waitlisted. Initially, she says "no" at which point I firmly tell her that this same thing keeps happening to me over and over again and I'm really getting annoyed. After which she apologizes and then pauses and says, "oh wait a minute"...and goes on to explain that her colleague inserted the waitlisting at the end of the segment list (after my return segments) and that's why she missed it initially. It's possible that this has happened to me several times in the past...funny thing is that this is the first time the agent has caught it.

So beware, fellow travellers.

 

I had this happen last week on my return from ICN via YVR. I was able to confirm my upgrade from ICN-YVR but was [supposedly] waitlisted for YVR-YYZ. (I called the Korean AC number which got me an agent who actually works for a TA in that country, but as AC's agents. She contact AC about the upgrade on my behalf.) When I checked online, only the ICN-YVR flight showed the confirmed I space, but there was no indication that the YVR-YYZ flight was even waitlisted.

When I checked in at the airport, however, both segments had been upgraded, so this may be something new.

 

i had an issue like that before.... AP business class redemption ticket with a waitlisted segment for upgrade AC codeshare BR from YVR to TPE.....

AC / AP insisted they made waitlist upgrade requests on phone @ YYZ and YVR but BR never saw it nor bothered to ask AC. so ended up sitting in the back!

checked with BR, AC later on.... both then denied any upgrade requests were made however AP said a request was made..... BR said they would only upgrade people with AC upgrade certificates and AC said upgrade certifcates (as per their certificate) can only be used on AC metal...

sought advice from business traveller magazine about all this inconsistency...and was told its not uncommon for airlines to do codeshare agreements quickly without figuring out the operational / communication details.

 

You were misled, global_happy_traveller.

Once issued, STAR awards cannot be upgraded through waitlisting when not AC metal flights, even if part of the ticket is in Business or First, and the flight in question was only available in Economy. Award tickets can only be upgraded (if business or First points redeemed) if higher class space opens up and the ticket holder specifically calls in and requests the ticket be reissued in the higher class.

Award tickets do not operate like revenue tickets. There is no active waitlist for the upgraded class of service. This has to be done by checking back with AE regularly to see if the carrier has opened new higher class award seats.

And as noted, award tickets, even on AC metal, cannot be upgraded with certs. Only as described above, or at the gate on the day of flight...though this may have changed recently (see recent thread).

 

You are wrong, SH.
A BR reward is not a Star reward - they are not members of Star.
Any reward on BR would be an AC reward, since AC code-shares this
route with BR. therefore, the " no upgrade on STAR" does not apply.

 

Now here is a different one. I was waitlisted on the first leg (domestic) of an overseas trip. With confirmed upgrade for the continuation.

I just checked. It appears the upgrade has now cleared. However the web page says "Executive Lowest (M)." And when I try looking at seat assignments it shows me the economy seat map."

 

My understanding is that there are no rewards available on the BR flights.

However one can get Aeroplan rewards, and it appears the OP was talking about rewards. It sounds he got a business class reward with the BR leg not available. I know for a fact that using IKK one can get business class rewards, but possibly not otherwise.

It does sound right that BR has nothing to do with the issue. OTOH, if AC purchases a block of seats from BR, then they should be able to upgrade people if not all seats purchased are actually sold? (My guess is, 5 business class seats on each flight.)

 

long story short.... there is a lack of consistency in rules / procedures amongst BR / AC (and Aeroplan)..... Who's right or wrong and who should be accomodated remains a mystery..... In light of this, BR advised me their YVR station manager will be meeting AC YVR staff to discuss on this.

Following stranger's comments: yes i did see online on AC9841 with 5 seats available on the night of departure and AC was even selling them online under Lowest Executive Class Fares. However, my spouse told me (and confirmed by BR staff later) that BR gave it all to their customers. Thank god I didnt buy under Z class and it was a reward (with one missing J segment) otherwise I'd be mad!