Air Canada eUpgrades Explained

[@PrinceofTravel]

Interested in learning all about how to travel the world on points? Join us at The Travel Summit Toronto 2022: The #1 event for elevating your travel! thetravelsummit.com

[@KakaoStoryit.tvZSportsteams]

❤

[@mariahwalker4477]

I actually have a PhD, and I still couldn't understand how these work until I watched your video, so thank you VERY much for your clear explanation of the e-Upgrade system. Much appreciated!

[@blueocean0809]

Love the outtakes at the end, this shows the raw reality of the time and effort that goes into making your videos. Greatly appreciated and thanks for this clarification, while i get the overall just of what is going on i will have to watch again several times to really understand this concept.

[@PrinceofTravel]

Definitely needs plenty of time to absorb, but once you get it, it'll change the way you approach AC business class redemptions. Thanks for the kind words too.

[@golddim7307]

That was a great video. Thank you for breaking it down. I now have my PhD in eUpgrades. :-)

[@PrinceofTravel]

🎓😎

[@joellenlin1212]

just used 13 e upgrad credits to redeem a business class trip (one way only, but still a win! :) back to Taiwan by following the steps in this video. Thanks so much for making the process easier for us newbies!

[@SkyGenshin]

This channel is such a gem, this info is gold.

[@theteacherandbeyond]

Awesome Ricky!! You've been drumming up excitement for this one for awhile ;) Glad it's here!

[@PrinceofTravel]

Thank you, Miss Teacher! 😃 It's a very well-hidden but very important sweet spot in my opinion.

[@firetiger4856]

I like you. I like AIR CANADA

[@1967spaceman]

Ricky, thanks for explaining the eUpgrades, in the past I have been guilty of missing out on them because it was too intimidating to figure out how to use. Now with your help I will look to use mine.

[@PrinceofTravel]

They're definitely intimidating at first glance, but it's a fantastic sweet spot now under the new program once you get to understand them. 👍🏼

[@mtlporsche2877]

Super informative! Thank you I have a question though, all the flights that pop up from YUL to FCO say you will be waitlisted no matter what fare you choose. This is for flights at the end of August or Beginning of September. As you mentioned who wants to wait to know if you're being upgraded to Business.

[@HoverboyArchives]

Thank a ton for these videos. Do we know if the Chase Aeroplan card has the eUpgrade rollover benefit?

[@vincenttong007]

Love the Vids!! Question: If my wife and I are doing Family Sharing, can we combine e-upgrade credits?

[@PrinceofTravel]

No, eUpgrades can't be combined

[@BodybreakHal-Jo]

Enjoy your channel. Do you have any insight into whether Air Canada will extend our eUpgrades through 2022. Since we are still essential lockdown and not supposed to travel how can we use all of our credits. Thanks Hal

[@razdg]

Very informative video Ricky. Question, I just booked a return leg in June for LHR to YVR with Latitude using my points. The e-upgrade shows waitlisted and I went ahead after booking and used up 11 credits. However there is no eta on when I will get notified on whether I was successful. The business cabin looks about just over 1/3 full. Any ideas?

[@hkchigger9971]

Thanks for sharing Richard. Can’t wait to take advantage of some upgrades when we can fly again. (Should add that the points are adding up while staying at home, so this will help greatly)

[@PrinceofTravel]

Oh yes - I've earned hundreds of thousands of points from cancelling future trips this year 😉

[@jxlzn]

Hi Ricky -- thanks for the awesome video and I just subscribed. Just a quick question, I only have 25k status with aeroplan but I have Star Alliance Gold with other airlines. When I fly air canada can i use my membership from other airlines to get lounge access but still credit the miles flown to aeroplan?

[@johnjefferson6263]

I used the Latitude Attitude yesterday. Great!! Thanks. I see Air Canada is offering a bonus of 100% points if you buy 100,000 for $3,500. What is your opinion of this. We do have extensive travel plans on our schedule.

[@fr.larryleger4834]

Great help for me and a friend who each made a booking to New Zealand this fall!

[@afzalshaikh2128]

I watched this twice and now it makes sense 😀

[@RichardHartl]

Hi Ricky, question for you, if I book Air Canada Vacations can I use my eupgrades with them too?

[@jli5666]

A question, I have 40 credit points and a TD Aeroplan Visa Card. 40 credit points will be expired on Mid Jan of 2023. Are those points will be automatically roll over to another year?

[@Halcanada]

Lots of great information. where do ou go on the Air Canada site to check for eupgrades on your particular flight before you book?

[@PrinceofTravel]

During the search process, look for "Sort & Filter" in the top-left corner, and then you'll be able to choose "eUpgrades" and get the information to show up.

[@RobM7018]

Love your videos. Is it possible to use eUpgrades on a latitude ticket & buddy pass ticket with 25K status?

[@PrinceofTravel]

Yes, absolutely. You'd book two Latitude fares with cash and only pay for one, then use eUpgrades to upgrade both. Potentially a great use of the Buddy Pass!

[@Grubbbee]

I'm at the point where i need to spend 10-15K on my next cc bill or fly some place to get another 5000 miles before the end of the year or i guess i reset back to zero in terms of getting to 25K status. Any advice?

[@yukonsaras]

I keep getting waitlisted on the Latitude fares. It shows there is room in business but I'm still waitlisted... Can you explain how the waitlist works? If you are still "waitlisted" for an upgrade is it better not to check in online and instead do it at the airport hoping that someone will cancel their flight and the upgrades might still go through?

[@Padfoot333]

I just tried it and same thing happens to me, did u manage to figure it out?>

[@FTS2024]

No reward space....that is why.

[@Hen_sta]

Thanks for all the great tips. Regarding eupgrade clearance window for cash fares, the AC guide mentions the clearance windows for premium economy, but how about for someone upgrading from economy to business, would you know what the clearance period is for that?

[@danielturner8798]

If I got the Chase Aeroplan card in July, thus achieving 25K+ status then, the eUpgrade credits I received immediately would expire on January 16, 2025, since they were earned in July, right? And then I would receive more eUpgrade credits at the beginning of 2024 that would also expire on January 16, 2025?

[@negativegains4883]

I keep joining a waitlist and not getting it. Lame imho so next time might just pick something with less value but immediate use

[@AyushNehra]

If your upgrade is not accepted do you get back your credits or lose it?

[@jason4real]

Thanks so much for the information Ricky! Being a 50k for many years, I don't think I ever took maximum advantage of the eupgrade points. Ugh. Anyway, you mentioned TD Aeroplan visa can rollover the points, can you let me know how? Do I call TD or Aeroplan? Don't want lose 40+ points, and Feb 28th is just days away! Thanks again

[@PrinceofTravel]

Note that it has to be a premium card, so the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege in your case. You don't have to do anything, they'll be automatically redeposited into your account in March.

[@Robin-jc6ei]

If I need to buy 2 tickets for myself and companion, do I need to spend double E-upgrade credits ?

[@Th3BrandonTran]

Great video! How do e-upgrades work with family plans? If I'm on a family member's plan who has status and I have nothing, am I able to use their e-upgrades for myself?

[@PrinceofTravel]

Unfortunately not. The eUpgrades can really only be shared by the status member when one fellow passenger is travelling with them. You might try this workaround: get the family member with status to make a booking with you as the second passenger, upgrade both, and then cancel the first passenger's flight. This might work some of the time, but it may not always work, since the agent might notice that you had applied eUpgrades and remove the upgrade when cancelling the first passenger.

[@Th3BrandonTran]

@@PrinceofTravel Thanks for the advice!

[@FTS2024]

Note: Just because you get confirmed with e-upgrade to J class with e-upgrades is NOT A GUARANTEE. small chance of a downgrade at the gate if there are issues ie. Plane from 787 to A320....Pilot deadheading....seat malfunction...etc. chance are slim but still be prepared mentally.

[@ElliotFinkelman]

So if I have an epgrade possibility AND I do a bid upgrade what happens???? Right now if I use my E Upgrade I am on the waitlist. Do they prioritize a bid vs an E upgrade

[@awardmaven7558]

For those with Aeroplan Reserve card, still no sign of the eUpgrades that expired on Feb 28... very disappointing. Ricky -- is your sense that if/when these are rolled-over, they will have a new expiration date of Feb 28, 2022?

[@omfljvlions2011]

Can you migrate eUpgrade points into the next Calendar year?

[@shiguangyang54]

Hi Ricky, I got the issue with the waiting list stuff, do you have any idea when can I choose my business class seat? The flight is in Nov

[@noreenhewson6933]

Thank you for making this clear!

[@zihengwang6406]

Hi, thanks for your great videos! I have a question here. I hold the AMEX Aeroplan reserve card, and I got 20 credits in Dec 2021, and 40 in Jan 2022. Now I have 46 left and the AC website shows 6 credits will expire Jan 1,2023 and 40 expire on Jan 16,2023. But I’m a little confused with the premium credit card rollover policy. Could you please clarify my situation? Thanks!

[@saqibsiddiqi6684]

Is there a way to know after requesting for eups and being on waitinglist to see how far down the waiting list you are and how long until you will know If you are upgraded ? This is for latitude and 25k aeroplan member so anytime clearance window.

[@curtiskobylnyk6634]

I learn a lot from your videos, thank you

[@truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb4793]

I stopped using Aeroplan because I had to pay for to earn points. Am I wrong?

[@hughchurchwell2073]

For the everyday status upgrade, do the aeroplan points accrued through cancellation qualify towards the 100,000 needed?

[@PrinceofTravel]

Great question. It's not on the list of exclusions, so I'd say we should wait and see when the feature is officially rolled out later this year if these types of points earnings qualify.

[@maureenmacdonald3686]

Do you have any update on this process? I tried it and I could not see any option to choose the e-upgrade when booking with points but I was able to modify it to use the upgrade after booking. Aeroplan didn't know anything about this! Bad customer service...after waiting on the phone for over 30 min ( I'm surprised that was so quick) their answer was to call Air Canada because they know nothing about e-upgrades I wasn't given the option to buy a Latitude flight. Is it not available for purchase (toronto-vancouver)?

[@shonnesp1]

This video is EXCELLENT! Thank you

[@adriansumarjadi8033]

Liked it! What about connection Ricky? Let’s say, i want to fly from YYZ to BKK but since there’s no direct there, usually it’s via DEL where YYZ to DEL will be using AC and DEL to BKK will be using Thai Airways. If i book latitude, i should still be able to redeem my AC eupgrade to business class correct? However, what about my Thai Airways economy flight? Does it also go under the ‘latitude’ version of Thai Airways? How or what’s the probability of being upgraded to business class on the DEL to BKK using thai airways since it’s highest fare in economy class?

[@PrinceofTravel]

Yes, you can still upgrade your YYZ-DEL flight, but you can't upgrade the Thai flight. eUpgrades can only be used to upgrade on Air Canada flights. Upgrading on the DEL-BKK would only be doable at the gate via a paid upgrade if the airline allows it (unlikely but possible on award tickets), or an operational upgrade if you get very lucky.

[@t.c.chuang3104]

@@PrinceofTravel hello, is that mean we can no longer use Aéroplan to upgrade other Star alliance flights?

[@PrinceofTravel]

@@t.c.chuang3104 That feature is coming soon.

[@BodybreakHal-Jo]

Enjoy you information. I was wondering if you know anything about eupgrade waitlist. I booked a flight for mid December for Hawaii and I bought a latitude ticket with my points. There is no seats taken in the business cabin and yet I was put on a waitlist. I thought that latitude got you immediately on your flight. Also do you think they will rollover our eupgrades if we shouldn’t fly for most of the year?

[@vinodhkj]

Im facing same with one of my booking. It shows waitlist and not instant upgrade

[@raymondringl2811]

Just wanted to confirm if this is correct? -- When selecting a flight and filtering by eUpgrades, if the flight immediately says 'You will be waitlisted', that means that even if you book into Latitude Economy, you'll still be waitlisted confirm an upgrade, rather than immediately upgraded. Has anyone gone through that process yet?

[@labtechsuperstar]

Awesome video, Ricky! I'm still left with some questions for a family of 4 booking. I get it that one can only use eUps for say yourself and one other person. I'm just wondering what the best strategy is for maximizing eUps and AP points. Would one be able to do all 4 people on the same booking? Do they need to be done individually? Or 2 at a time?

[@PrinceofTravel]

In this case, ideally you and your partner would both earn status and then upgrade the whole family on a flight that has 4 seats available for eUpgrades.

[@labtechsuperstar]

@@PrinceofTravel Um, and if I have no partner?

[@PrinceofTravel]

You can try this: use eUpgrades to upgrade yourself and passenger #2, then cancel your own booking and leave passenger #2 intact. Then do the same for yourself and passenger #3, then cancel your own flight and leave #3 intact, and finally book and upgrade for yourself and passenger #4. This may work but isn’t guaranteed to work, because some agents may notice that you’ve used eUpgrades and cancel the upgrade for the other passenger when cancelling your own flight.

[@labtechsuperstar]

@@PrinceofTravel It's worth a try. Thanks!

[@sukminnam]

Thanks for the video! My question regarding eUpgrades would be: My 25k status and eUpgrades expire at the end of 2021. If I want to use my eUpgrades on a flight in 2022, would having an Aeroplan co-branded card to carry over the eUpgrade credits be good enough? :)

[@PrinceofTravel]

Yes, you'd need a premium Aeroplan card and you'd be able to rollover up to 50 eUpgrades. We'll also have to see whether AC makes it easier to retain status this year. I think they almost certainly will.

[@seandouglas5434]

Hi Ricky. For the latitude instant upgrade strategy, I’m finding that many segments have a wait list, and won’t be cleared instantly because R space is zero, even with elite status. Any advice on how to secure instant upgrades on Air Canada?

[@loginreda]

Quick question here. Can Eupgrades Be used with other aeroplan partners ? Or strictly Air Canada ? Thank you

[@PrinceofTravel]

Just Air Canada.

[@mblakeborough]

Any tips for a family of 4. We have 2 kids. Any way to do the upgrade when we can only do 2 people eupgrade

[@enilojc]

I have 70 eUpgrades and still don’t know how to use it. 😭 I asked the air Canada lady when I check-in, she didn’t tell me anything about my eUpgrade when I asked for upgrade 😔

[@jasonhu97]

Hi, This is a great video. Thank you very much. FYI. I found something new to the eupgrade rollover, I am holding 25k status for both 2022 and 2023, I am also holding aeroplan amex reserved. However, my eupgrade points were not rolled over, which was a surprise to me. By asking Amex, they said that I need to have 25 status boost in order to do that. And I am not qualified. Do you know this?

[@danielasner2470]

Thank you for your channel! I love it!

[@PrinceofTravel]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@joshuaking8999]

Hey Ricky, Can you please make a video regarding Star Alliance (any airline) Tier Points run for Gold Status with them?

[@PrinceofTravel]

For sure, I'll have that on my list 👌🏼

[@nataliecourey]

Can I ask for my eupgrade credits back? I have a TD Aeroplan visa card and still lost them.

[@manuellecharbonneau5820]

exceptional video. Thank you!

[@brandeasily7911]

Thanks for a good informative video

[@brendabrown4411]

I just called Aeroplan to see if they would roll over 50 e upgrades that I have expiring on Feb 28 and they said no. I only have the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite card...

[@PrinceofTravel]

Yeah, you need the premium Aeroplan cards for the rollover. At least everyone's status got extended, so we all get another set of eUpgrades for 2021 anyway.

[@leo.stella]

How many upgrades I can rollover I have chase aeroplan credit card and I have 25k status which I earned this year because I spent over 15k$ , can I still rollover eupgrates I have currently 38

[@PrinceofTravel]

Only the Canadian “premium” ($599) cards have the feature of rolling over eUpgrade credits. Unfortunately unless you hold one of those cards your eUpgrades will expire.

[@Jasonyhlee]

is Economy Latitude supposed to be confirmed instantly ? it's been 48 hours and the upgrade is still not cleared.

[@PrinceofTravel]

It's supposed to be confirmed instantly.

[@terrymorley4437]

The instant confirmation did not work for me either. I was told I would have to wait until 3 weeks before the flight date.

[@daniellepowell2675]

@@PrinceofTravel The instant confirmation has not worked for me either. I had 4 e upgrades removed from my balance but still in economy latitude. Fortunately I have a business flight booked as well.

[@Nchikky]

Is anyone else having issues with the eUpgrade availability not showing up right now? I have super elite status and tried to search eUpgrade availability for flights to multiple different countries on different dates and nothing is showing up. Even tried the exact search that Ricky did in this video and still nothing. I triple checked that I had eUpgrades selected under display options.

[@PrinceofTravel]

The website may still have kinks to be worked out from time to time. For the most accurate results, search for "R" space (eUpgrade space) on Air Canada flights using ExpertFlyer.

[@quick.easy.eat23]

Like!!! Done!!!

[@terrymorley4437]

I booked a Latitude flight on Friday and requested an e upgrade. It still says waitlisted and when I called AC the agent told me it won’t be confirmed until 3 weeks before the flight.

[@abbysisson8580]

Thanks Ricky! This video is my guide in booking my first international flights after 2years of pandmic ;-) also my first business class upgrade using the latitude+eupgrades for my return flight which was approved instantly. However, my departure flight YYZ-LHR i knew before booking that it's waitlisted i booked it anyways, but i'm wondering if there's a chance AirCanada will actually deny my request? Also i want to ask Terry if how long before your flight were you approved of your request?

[@ketantailor7325]

Are you allowed to use the latitude attitude method for someone else? So, I'd like to book my wife on a flight.

[@nikolalevnaich1986]

🏀Ricky sinks another 3 pointer, great work!

[@PrinceofTravel]

🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@ejtblueboy6976]

On Latitude advantage, when using points clearly presented on web, when paying cash you don't get latitude unless you click on a link off to the side? June 07 YYZ to LGA Latitude $750, Flexible Business $454???? Maybe too many people watching your videos😀

[@awardmaven7558]

Hi Ricky. Great video. One question -- for Aeroplan credit card holders, does rollover of expiring eUpgrades happen automatically? I have points expiring... today! Thanks again.

[@PrinceofTravel]

Yes, if you have a premium Aeroplan credit card it'll happen automatically.

[@0mikey4]

Really great info!

[@global3]

👌Another Awesome Aeroplan video 📹

[@PrinceofTravel]

谢谢夸奖！

[@apecflyer7696]

Now only if I had AC status

[@PrinceofTravel]

You can earn it without flying - check out our other video to learn how: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnrMqX6qbbt7Y5I

[@tuppyrogers]

Tuppy For the past several days on the Aeroplan site and using the e upgrade filter, e upgrade availability now does not appear on the flight point redemption page, which used to happen. Now they only show up when searching using cash fares. Anybody else having this problem please?

[@amishtangri6340]

Yes, I am having same issue. Display results not showing any eupgrade availability. I tried around 20 different search combinations.

[@tuppyrogers]

@@amishtangri6340 Thanks very much Amish

[@PrinceofTravel]

Seems like a temporary bug, I'd expect it to be fixed shortly.

[@tuppyrogers]

@@PrinceofTravel Thank you Ricky

[@arashmalekzadeh1]

you qualify and then everything stops and 72 of 192 eUpgrades are expiring Feb28.

[@PrinceofTravel]

😬 Still 4 days to get a premium Aeroplan credit card

[@arashmalekzadeh1]

@@PrinceofTravel i do have American express Aeroplan. What do i need to do?

[@golddim7307]

​@@arashmalekzadeh1 Nothing if you have the Amex Reserve.

[@arashmalekzadeh1]

@@golddim7307 Do you mean automatically 50 of my eUpgrades will extend? Or they ae just lost as ofFeb 28?

[@golddim7307]

​@@arashmalekzadeh1 If you have the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, then yes. If you have another Amex credit card , then no. Only the highest Aeroplan credit cards in American Express, TD, and CIBC allow this.

[@johnwindisman2803]

I only ever see "waitlist" even when booking 10 months out. This is an AC scam.

[@PrinceofTravel]

Air Canada is definitely tightening people's ability to use eUpgrade credits, as more people are becoming Aeroplan Elites, more people are able to use this features, hence Air Canada is not releasing "Upgradable seats" that far out. Their purpose is to not want you to use them. But these upgradable spaces do exist, probably not in popular routes. We are not an Air Canada Apologist, we are just analyzing the situation.

[@lizajane1878]

First here😃

[@PrinceofTravel]

Welcome, esteemed Super Elite member! What's it like being able to nominate someone to use your eUpgrades when they aren't travelling with you? Do tell us 😃

[@lizajane1878]

@@PrinceofTravel actually I have never used this benefit...

[@Tellyawhat4]

Geezus Crickey Moses! This is way too complicated and borders on needing a PhD (Piled High and Deep) in BS to decipher. Life is too short for this calibre of crap. Sorry, nothing personal. You present well but this rewards system needs major simplifying.

[@malitman]

It's it because no one cares