Calling all Aeroplan / Air Canada Experts!!!

[FreddyBeach]

I have a question.

Originally, my son and I were flying down to Orlando and getting in around 1:30pm. My wife and daughter were flying down later (this arrangement minimized the # of Aeroplan points we used) and arriving the same day around 7:00pm. This arrangement was ok with us. My son and I could get groceries, make sure everything was settled before the girls arrived.

Flash forward. Terminal 2 closes at Pearson and the flight schedules change. My son and I are now arriving around noon and the girls now have an 8 hour layover in Toronto before arriving in Orlando around 11:30pm.

Here's the question. Does anyone think we'd have a chance, if the girls came with us to the airport, to get them on the flight with us to Toronto? I hear about over-booking and stand-by flyers being able to get on... I'm just wondering if you people like our chances... We're flying from Fredericton to Toronto.

Thanks,

Mike in the Maritimes.

 

[bavaria]

You can try for same day standby. Just be aware that standbys are done in order of check in time and status; so try and check in 24 hours prior to your flight. I don't know if AC gives a 'standby for earlier flight' option during their online checkin. If you have elite or super elite status, your chances are also improved.

Also, for revenue tickets AC only allows standby on certain fares.

I usually call reservations and ask them to check the load to get an idea of how busy a flight may be. But that doesn't always indicate if I will get on the flight- yesterday I stood by for a flight oversold by 26, but got my stand by seat and ended up in business class. (United, not AC)

 

[Amberle3]

You can always try, but you're not all that likely to be successful. Because of the big schedule change (I'm assuuming they didn't originally have an 8 hour layover) with a regular (paid) ticket you'd be call Air Canada and say listen your schedule changed, this new flight is not acceptable and they'd likely reschedule them on another flight. But Aeroplan tickets don't have the same rules that regular tickets do and you're more or less at the airline's mercy. Frequent Flier tickets are pretty much last on the list in terms of priority for them unfortunately.

 

[murcor]

with a regular (paid) ticket you'd be call Air Canada and say listen your schedule changed, this new flight is not acceptable and they'd likely reschedule them on another flight. But Aeroplan tickets don't have the same rules that regular tickets do and you're more or less at the airline's mercy. Frequent Flier tickets are pretty much last on the list in terms of priority for them unfortunately.

This is true, but we have always had good luck with these things with aeroplan/aircanada.

Im not sure when you are leaving but if time & seats permitting on the flights they should be accomodating based on the new flight is not acceptable.

Call them now and Good Luck
Angela

 

[FreddyBeach]

I think the only way to do it through Aeroplan would be if there were extra "Aeroplan Classic" seats available on the morning flight (not likely). We leave May 12th by the way.

I think our only chance it to have them show up with us and pray for cancellations. We could check in to see just how crowded the flight is, I suppose...

Thanks for the info peoples!

Mike in the Maritimes.

 

[bavaria]

I don't know if you do have status, but it really helps. I have done same day standby over 50 times on United, and NOT ONCE did they leave me at the gate.

also, don't lose heart and walk away. Once I was desperately trying to get to YFC and the flight was seriously oversold; I was waaaay down the standby list. As the door was about to close, they spotted one empty seat. All the other potential standby passengers had gone back to the AC lounge, so I got the seat. I wouldn't leave the gate until the plane pushes back from the gate.

 

[amw]

They changed the schedule on our aeroplan-booked flights -- pushing it to an inconvenient time. We called aeroplan centre and they changed our tickets no charge to suit us better.

I'd say give them a call and see what they can too.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Yeah.. I'm with AMW on this one.

I'd call back and say - Hey.. an 8 hour layover was NOT the original deal for the number of points we were using. That's kind of excessive. What can we do to minimize that....

And see what they say. You might be pleasantly surprised.

J

 

[OntFamily]

Holders of Aeroplan tickets are eligible for same-day stand by for changing flights. So, you'd be able to waitlist yourself for the earlier flight. It will be important to get to the airport as soon as possible on the day of the flight, and asked to be placed on the stand by list for the earlier flight (the airport staff have a much more flexibility than the call centre staff in changing tickets).

Make sure you tell the check in agent your story -- they can work miracles.

 

[FreddyBeach]

Many thanks everyone.

It will be a much better trip if I can get the girls down there before midnight!

Mike in the Maritimes.

 

[FreddyBeach]

How about a little background....

I originally wrote this message because I tried phoning the Aeroplan Centre and got a real spud of an operator who essentially said "NO!" before I had a chance to ask for a change in schedule.

After having read your replies, you convinced me to give it another try. The person I was speaking with this time was MUCH, MUCH more helpful. (I should have asked for his name). I gave him my sob story, was polite, waited patiently while he he figured out if anything could be done.

When he finally came back (took about 20 minutes) he was able to switch my daughter and wife from their original flight to the same flight as my son and I!

So, rather than waiting 12 hours for them to get in, now we all get there together and we get almost a full extra day in Florida!

Thanks for all your help everyone.

Mike in the Maritimes.

 

[murcor]

Glad to hear that we convinced you to call again and things turned out for you!

 

[bunnyfoo]

I'm glad things worked out for you! Seems like Aeroplan is a little more accommodating than Air Miles. I remember once having my flight time changed but they wouldn't change it to a different flight for me.

 

[damo]

Aw. See Aeroplan isn't all that bad!!! 12 hours makes a huge difference at the beginning of a vacation.

 

[mbb]

Good news

Hopefully you won't have any more sched changes...if you do, when you call, make sure they cross-reference your booking references too..that way, if one goes through for changes, both will (Hopefully, they've already done this!!)

Have fun!

 

[nflder]

Did it cost anything to make the change? We booked by points and are on a real milk run - we are hoping when we check in at the airport here in St. John's to fly to Toronto that they will put us on the direct flight from Toronto to Orlando (there is one available about 2 hours after we land in Toronto). I don't think if we call Aeroplan they will adjust it, but at the counter they might - I have my fingers crossed.

 

[FreddyBeach]

Did it cost anything to make the change? We booked by points and are on a real milk run - we are hoping when we check in at the airport here in St. John's to fly to Toronto that they will put us on the direct flight from Toronto to Orlando (there is one available about 2 hours after we land in Toronto). I don't think if we call Aeroplan they will adjust it, but at the counter they might - I have my fingers crossed.

As things progressed, I started to think "What's this going to run me?". But as it turns out, we weren't charged a cent (or a point) for the change of schedule. Maybe it was because it was due to their own schedule change?

Mike in the Maritimes

 

[Freddie Beach Shelly]

Awwww....I love a happy ending!

 

[amw]

Did it cost anything to make the change? We booked by points and are on a real milk run - we are hoping when we check in at the airport here in St. John's to fly to Toronto that they will put us on the direct flight from Toronto to Orlando (there is one available about 2 hours after we land in Toronto). I don't think if we call Aeroplan they will adjust it, but at the counter they might - I have my fingers crossed.

No, it's only if their schedule changed that they would help at no charge. You should still call and see what your options are.

Actually, here's the info from their website:

Question:
Can I change an Aeroplan reward ticket after it has been booked?
Answer:
It’s okay—you can change your mind.
Rest assured, you can change a flight reward after you’ve booked. However, there are some procedures you’ll need to follow. Find everything you need to know, below.

Air Rewards

Prior to your reward travel, but after your reward ticket has been issued

Before you depart, you’re welcome to change your reward travel with Air Canada, Star Alliance and Air Canada Jazz, depending on the availability of reward space and the rules governing domestic and international fare types. To make a change, please call the Aeroplan Contact Center. If you wish to review your flight details, visit Manage Your Rewards.

For only CAD $55 per ticket (plus applicable taxes), you can:
Change your flight date or flight number
Change your flight date or flight number and your itinerary
Change your itinerary alone (including cabin)

You may need to add more Aeroplan Miles in order to make changes to your reward trip. In such cases, you’ll need to authorize the redemption of those additional miles.

Other changes may reduce the Aeroplan Miles required. Because we can’t refund those miles, you could cancel your existing reward travel and start the reward reservation process over again. You’ll also have to consider that associated fees will apply and all arrangements depend on reward seat availability.

Name changes are not permitted once the reservation has been made or tickets have been issued.



Once reward travel has begun

Once you embark, you can still make changes to your reward travel on Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz, depending on reward space availability and the rules governing the domestic and international fare types. To make a change, please call the Aeroplan Contact Center.

For only CAD $55 per ticket (plus applicable taxes), you can:

Change your flight date or flight number at any time
Change your flight date or flight number and your itinerary

You may need to add more Aeroplan Miles in order to make changes to your reward trip. In such cases, you’ll need to authorize the redemption of those additional miles.

Other changes may reduce the Aeroplan Miles required, and unfortunately, we can’t refund those miles.

 

[coastgirl]

That is really great news, Mike, thanks for posting the update. Amazing how much difference the agent you get can make. Glad you're getting there together.