Air Canada Vacations - Bride and Groom Executive Class Upgrade

[torilynnsmith]

To all those Canadian brides out there flying with ACV can you provide some insight into some promotions, discounts, upgrades you are receiving?  

 

I know we were discussing this on the Canadian OOT bag thread but perhaps we can get it going again in its own thread to help out those brides that may not be looking there!

 

We are flying with ACV but have been told nothing of the sort.  Our travel agent has basically written us off now that we are booked and can't back out.  It was suggested that we contact her supervisor or manager but unfortunately that is not an option as we chose to go with an independent agent (Shine Travel) and she is a 1 man show pretty much.  I am really frustrated now and FI is at his breaking point with the whole thing.  We chose her because we like supporting small businesses and thought we would get a personal service as well could help her with a great deal of word of mouth.  She was fantastic in the beginning but now is absolutely HORID and I feel awful for recommending her to other brides.

 

ANYWAYS! Any insight into the ACV promo.  When she FINALLY got back to me she said she thinks 20 people have to be booked for the bride and groom to get the first class (executive class) upgrade.  What is everyone else finding?

[luvmoo]

Hey Tori!

Thanks for starting the new thread! i know alot of conversation was in the other thread so i will do my best to sum up what i had.

 

When the FI and i were looking at different TA's and companies to go with for booking our group trip, we researched a few different companies. We went with ACV for a few reasons the top two are... #1 at the time of us booking they were the cheapest.. ( over sunquest vacations, westjet vacations etc..) so that was the #1. #2 they have the free upgrade for the bride and groom when you have a group booking, up to executive class, along with proviing us use of the captains closet or whatever it is called, to have my dress stored for the flight. This was told to me by more than one TA.

 

I loved that!! I was not told we needed a minimum however I had 29 booked right away, so the 20 was never an issue for me.. However!! My TA called me up after the 29 people booked, and said " you get to upgrade one other couple up to Executive class as you have 20 people book.. " so i got to upgrade my FI and i, and one other couple up with us, for free...  Having said that it was my understanding that the bride and groom get the automatic upgrade, and then if you book 20 people, you get one more set of 2 upgrades for free. ( to upgrade to executive class it is 299.00 per person) So it is a significant perk!

 

Executive class upgrade allows you to have 3 bags at 70lbs each per person. Regular class allows one bag at 50lbs, and the option to purchase the allowance for an additional bag for 30.00

 

I am so sorry to hear you are having such a hard time with your TA. This is something you should totally not have to be stressing about.

 

Hope this info helps, and people find it useful.. If you are going through ACV already, and have not heard of this upgrade then Look into it!! it is well worth it! and it is a ACV promotion.. NOT a TA promotion.

 

 

 

Originally Posted by torilynnsmith 

To all those Canadian brides out there flying with ACV can you provide some insight into some promotions, discounts, upgrades you are receiving?  

 

I know we were discussing this on the Canadian OOT bag thread but perhaps we can get it going again in its own thread to help out those brides that may not be looking there!

 

We are flying with ACV but have been told nothing of the sort.  Our travel agent has basically written us off now that we are booked and can't back out.  It was suggested that we contact her supervisor or manager but unfortunately that is not an option as we chose to go with an independent agent (Shine Travel) and she is a 1 man show pretty much.  I am really frustrated now and FI is at his breaking point with the whole thing.  We chose her because we like supporting small businesses and thought we would get a personal service as well could help her with a great deal of word of mouth.  She was fantastic in the beginning but now is absolutely HORID and I feel awful for recommending her to other brides.

 

ANYWAYS! Any insight into the ACV promo.  When she FINALLY got back to me she said she thinks 20 people have to be booked for the bride and groom to get the first class (executive class) upgrade.  What is everyone else finding?

 

[torilynnsmith]

Thanks luvmoo!!!! I hope some of the other girls find this thread and post their info.... I am still waiting to hear 

[canadiangirl]

Hey Ladies:

 

So this is what I was told from our TA after reading the upgrade info on the other thread... thought i would add to this one too!

 

Our TA had told me YESTERDAY that mike and I will get the upgrade automatic (without having a min number of guests)

I was also told that we will get the cabin used for the airline staff for my wedding dress and mikes stuff as well.

 

Executive class upgrade allows you to have 3 bags at 70lbs each per person. Regular class allows one bag at 50lbs, and the option to purchase the allowance for an additional bag for 30.00 (thank goodness i have alot to bring)

 

I was also informed that if we get a certain number of guests that book, we too also get to upgrade another couple (but who???)

 

Tori I am so so sorry that you are going through this right now...have you called her and told her your concerns? im assuming you have everything will work out...but if it continues just send Patrick over there lol

[torilynnsmith]

Alright, so I had enough of waiting for my oh so wonderful travel agent to give me further details about this "promo" so I called ACV MYSELF!!!!! I thought this is why we chose her but hey you live and you learn, next time I will probably deal with the carriers MYSELF!!!!!!

 

Here is the information that the ACV rep who was GREAT shared with me

 

 

For weddings the Bride and Groom are automatically upgraded to executive class once they have TWENTY people booked with their group.  Not sure about the special you got luvmoo and Leigh but count your blessings that is AWESOME!!!  The upgrade is subject to availability (which makes perfect sense) and MUST be on one of their charter series flights so an 1700, 1800, or 1900 series flight (mine is!!!)

 

I wish I got the same news as you guys with the AUTOMATIC upgrade but hey I will take the 20 people minimum to get the SIX BAGS to punta cana!!!!!!!!!!

 

Now I am off to count my guest list to see where we're at because as some of you may know Fis side of the family decided to have TA open a SEPARATE group rate for them from Ottawa that is NOT with ACV so unfortunately those 20 odd people don't count  oh the joys of family and wedding planning!!!!!!!

 

Thanks for all your help ladies, I hope this thread helps some other ACV brides out!

[canadiangirl]

Well Tori:

 

At least you got some answers, and well your guest count is high so you two should be getting the upgrade no prob!!!!! NOW just take a sigh of joy and enjoy the thought that you and him sit in first class lol

[torilynnsmith]

I will sigh of relief when we have 20 ACV guests booked the majority of our guests are flying with sunwing unfortunately as they wanted a different flight then we arranged..... oh well I will see what happens... 

Originally Posted by canadiangirl 

Well Tori:

 

At least you got some answers, and well your guest count is high so you two should be getting the upgrade no prob!!!!! NOW just take a sigh of joy and enjoy the thought that you and him sit in first class lol

 

[cole379]

I asked about this with my TA. She said it used to be 16 people (20 people actually got you an extra two seats) but they recently changed it to 20. Plus, they don't have to give it to you because it is subject to availability. Also, it is only on charter flights (flights beginning with 1800 number). Since we are flying out of Toronto, our flight is a NOT a charter flights, so even if I had a million people, I would not get it. So I guess I will be paying for my extra baggage and getting other people to help us bring extra bags.

[torilynnsmith]

It is on charter flights but ACV themselves told me today that it is 1700, 1800, and 1900 series charter flights (any of those are included subject to availability).  I too am flying out of Toronto and I even had them check and my flight is indeed an 1800 charter flight.  When are you flying Cole?

 

Oh Also it does not count on connectors, forgot to mention that.  So say you are flying from Winnipeg to Toronto and then Toronto to Destination, you will only be flying executive class from Toronto to Destination or the final "leg" or your trip.  Not sure how that affects baggage etc. but may be something you want to look into for any of those ACV brides with connectors!!!!!!

 

 

Originally Posted by cole379 

I asked about this with my TA. She said it used to be 16 people (20 people actually got you an extra two seats) but they recently changed it to 20. Plus, they don't have to give it to you because it is subject to availability. Also, it is only on charter flights (flights beginning with 1800 number). Since we are flying out of Toronto, our flight is a NOT a charter flights, so even if I had a million people, I would not get it. So I guess I will be paying for my extra baggage and getting other people to help us bring extra bags.

 

[luvmoo]

Hey cole, Do you know how recently they changed that? Because i got the free upgrade for my FI and myself, and once 20 people booked i was also able to upgrade my parents for free.. so i got that promotion you mentioned below, without even asking for it... I am flying direct from Calgary, on a charter so i am lucky i get it... I know it is based on availability, i suppose that is another bonus to booking early... as the TA gets you in the Executive class.. while there are still seats availble.. ( i already have my seat assignments both going to and from Jamaica  )

 

Good luck ladies!!!!!
 

Originally Posted by cole379 

I asked about this with my TA. She said it used to be 16 people (20 people actually got you an extra two seats) but they recently changed it to 20. Plus, they don't have to give it to you because it is subject to availability. Also, it is only on charter flights (flights beginning with 1800 number). Since we are flying out of Toronto, our flight is a NOT a charter flights, so even if I had a million people, I would not get it. So I guess I will be paying for my extra baggage and getting other people to help us bring extra bags.