How do I upgrade my Air Canada premium economy?

You can complete your Last Minute Upgrade Purchase:
  1. At Web Check-in, or on your mobile device within the 24-hour period prior to departure and, at least: 45 minutes prior to departure for flights within Canada; ...
  2. At a self-service Check-in Kiosk, within the 12-hour period prior to departure and, at least:




To upgrade from Premium Economy to Business or Signature Class on Air Canada in 2026, you have several primary paths. The most common is the AC Bid Upgrade, where you can offer a cash amount or Aeroplan points starting from the time of booking up until 48 hours before departure; if accepted, you are notified roughly 48 hours out. Aeroplan Elite Status members can use eUpgrade Credits, which offer a more predictable path if "R" class space is available. You can check this availability using tools like ExpertFlyer or by looking for the "eUpgrade" icon during the booking process on Air Canada's website. If seats remain, a Last Minute Upgrade Purchase may be offered during the check-in window (starting 24 hours before flight) for a fixed cash price. Finally, if you hold miles with a Star Alliance partner (like United or Lufthansa), you can request a Star Alliance Mileage Upgrade, though these are subject to strict fare class requirements and capacity controls.

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Ask at check-in Airlines may sell upgrades at a discount when you check-in, either online or at the airport. The closer to the flight departing, the less likely the airline is to sell a cash fare in the upgraded cabin. Thus, they may be open to the idea of offering it to an existing passenger for a discounted price.

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Well, it all depends on the airline and the route, but on average, you can expect to pay around 1.5-3 times more for premium economy. For example, if an economy class ticket costs $500, a premium economy ticket for the same flight could cost anywhere from $750 to $1000.

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Upgrades are available for select destinations and scheduled flights operated by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, and under the Air Canada Express banner. To see if your flight is eligible, enter your Booking Reference and last name in the fields provided on the AC Bid Upgrade webpage.

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You can make an offer to request an upgrade by placing a bid on the AC Bid Upgrade webpage. If your bid is accepted, you will be notified by email approximately 48 hours before your flight.

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He said: “You should ask the lead flight attendant or the flight attendant at the boarding door. “You should ask prior to door closure, but don't be surprised if they don't move you until after you're in the air if they're going to grant your request.”

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If luxury and extra legroom is really important to you, book it in advance. However, if you're perfectly willing to fly economy class, and willing to roll the dice, a last-minute upgrade can be the cheapest option. You may even get lucky and score a free upgrade.

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It is possible to ask for an upgrade at the airport gate, even if you have already checked-in online and booked a seat.

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The cheapest way to get a business or first-class ticket is to buy an economy ticket then buy an upgrade. You can either do this immediately after booking or look for last-minute upgrades as your travel date approaches. The price for premium cabin fares decreases as you get closer to departure.

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The closer to the flight departing, the less likely the airline is to sell a cash fare in the upgraded cabin. Thus, they may be open to the idea of offering it to an existing passenger for a discounted price. The prices vary depending on the airline and route.

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On almost every flight, the passengers who get upgrades are either the ones who pay for them (whether in dollars or miles) in advance or frequent fliers with elite status who receive complimentary upgrades as part of their perks. There are very few exceptions, so don't expect to score a free upgrade by just asking.

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Start by asking if the flight is busy, perhaps mentioning that you'd be grateful for a window or an extra seat next to you as it's a long-haul flight — then throw in a hint about the fact that you're tall, or on your honeymoon, say. Every now and then, economy is overbooked and check-in will upgrade someone.

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If you aren't able to confirm an Air Canada eUpgrade prior to your flight, you'll be put on a waitlist for an upgrade. Once check-in closes, the list is cleared, and space-available upgrades are given out in a priority sequence at the gate.

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Generally, most first-class or other premium-cabin seats will become more expensive as the departure date approaches. While this can vary by airline, route and season, your best bet is usually to book as far in advance as possible, especially if the ticket includes good change or cancellation policies.

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More space, but not necessarily more comfort The seats are an inch or two wider on average than the typical coach seat, and the rows are farther apart, offering several more inches of legroom. Most premium economy seats recline, and many have footrests. How much space you actually get depends on the airline.

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Know When to Ask Talk to a gate agent and let them know that you're interested in moving up. Once onboard there isn't anything we can do as a flight attendant, Kamalani said of her airline. Gate agents will typically have a list of frequent fliers who are first eligible for upgrades.

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preferred seating is still in economy class. in some planes you may get a little bit of extra leg room but you are still seated in economy. Premium economy is a separate cabin, the seats are wider and have more recline. You also get amenity kits and better service.

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