airline · Aeroplan
Air Canada upgrades
Air Canada offers an upgrade program: eligible passengers can place a bid to upgrade to a premium cabin (such as Premium Economy or Business), and are only charged if the bid is accepted. Availability depends on fare/cabin type, route, and timing.
Reviewed Source checked (Air Canada's own upgrade pages)
Check your Air Canada upgrade eligibility
See if your booking can be upgraded — enter your booking reference and last name in a secure form, right in the chat. Your details are never shared with the assistant.
Check eligibility →Products offered
- Bid UpgradeOpen page →
Offer an amount within a set range to upgrade to a higher cabin or cabin category. You're only charged if your bid is accepted — if it loses, there's no charge.
- Cabin upgrade paths
- Economy → Premium Economy · Economy → Business
- How to upgrade
- Visit Air Canada's official upgrade page and enter your booking reference and last name to see available upgrade offers: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/upgrades.html
- Loyalty program
- Aeroplan
Typical observed bid ranges
Real, anonymized ranges from 86 upgrade checks we've seen for Air Canada — not fixed prices. Your exact range depends on route, cabin, and how full the flight is.
| Cabin | Range | Typical |
|---|---|---|
| Business | USD 521–USD 1,430 | USD 641 |
| Premium Economy | CAD 431–CAD 941 | CAD 533 |
From Air Canada's own upgrade pages
“igation title 1>sub menu>nav1row1col6title>nav1row1col6fieldlabel>0" target="_self" data-ng-href="/ca/en/aco/home/book/why-book-with-us.html">Why Book With Us aco>navigation title 1>sub menu>nav1row1col6title>nav1row1col6fieldlabel>1" target="_self" data-ng-href="/ca/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and…”
Source: aircanada.com · checked Nov 2, 2026
Frequently asked
Does Air Canada offer upgrades?
Air Canada offers an upgrade program: eligible passengers can place a bid to upgrade to a premium cabin (such as Premium Economy or Business), and are only charged if the bid is accepted. Availability depends on fare/cabin type, route, and timing.
What upgrade options does Air Canada offer?
Air Canada offers Bid Upgrade. Upgrade paths cover Economy → Premium Economy; Economy → Business.
How does Air Canada's bid (offer) upgrade work?
You name an amount — within a range shown for your booking — to move up to a higher cabin. It's an offer, not a fixed price: you're only charged if Air Canada accepts it. If your offer isn't accepted you pay nothing and keep your original seat.
How do I check if my Air Canada booking can be upgraded?
Check your specific booking with Upgrade Agent: enter your booking reference and last name and you'll see the upgrade options and price ranges available on your flights — you don't need to dig through Air Canada's website. Visit Air Canada's official upgrade page and enter your booking reference and last name to see available upgrade offers: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/upgrades.html
Who is eligible for a Air Canada upgrade?
Eligibility depends on your fare type, route, and how close to departure you are — not every fare or flight qualifies, and offers usually open within a window before departure. The reliable way to know is to check your specific booking rather than assume.
When am I charged for a Air Canada upgrade?
Only if your offer is accepted. With bid upgrades the charge happens when the upgrade is confirmed — typically in the days before departure. If your offer isn't accepted, there's no charge.
How will I know if my Air Canada upgrade offer was accepted?
Air Canada notifies you — usually by email — if your offer is accepted, typically shortly before departure. Until then your original booking stands, and you can review your offer's status where you submitted it.
Can I change or cancel my Air Canada upgrade offer?
A pending offer can usually be changed or cancelled any time before it's accepted, from the page where you submitted it. Once an offer is accepted and charged, the upgrade is confirmed.
How much does a Air Canada upgrade cost?
There's no fixed price — you offer within a range shown for your booking, which varies by route, cabin, and demand. You choose where in that range to bid; higher offers can have a better chance of being accepted, though the exact acceptance formula isn't published.
Can I use Aeroplan points or miles for a Air Canada upgrade?
Air Canada's loyalty program is Aeroplan. Depending on the route and the offer shown on your booking, upgrades may be payable with points/miles as well as cash — the options available appear when you check your specific booking.
What cabins can I upgrade to on Air Canada?
Upgrade paths on Air Canada cover Economy → Premium Economy; Economy → Business. The exact options depend on your booked cabin and the specific flight.
What should I bid for a Business upgrade on Air Canada?
Observed Business upgrade bids on Air Canada have run USD 521–USD 1,430, typically around USD 641, based on 84 anonymized eligibility checks. These are real observed ranges, not a fixed price — your exact range depends on the route, cabin, and how full the flight is.
What should I bid for a Premium Economy upgrade on Air Canada?
Observed Premium Economy upgrade bids on Air Canada have run CAD 431–CAD 941, typically around CAD 533, based on 1 anonymized eligibility check. These are real observed ranges, not a fixed price — your exact range depends on the route, cabin, and how full the flight is.
Can I change or cancel my Air Canada upgrade bid after submitting it?
Yes — an Air Canada upgrade bid can be changed or cancelled any time until Air Canada makes its decision. Once a bid is accepted it's final and your card is charged. To update or withdraw it, use Air Canada's Manage My Booking / offer page, or check your booking here (booking ••••••e + last name) and I can help you modify or cancel it.
When is my card charged for a Air Canada upgrade bid?
Only if your bid is accepted. Submitting an Air Canada upgrade bid authorizes your card for the bid amount, but nothing is charged unless Air Canada accepts it — if the bid is declined or expires, the authorization is released and you pay nothing, keeping your original cabin. If it's accepted, the card you provided is charged the amount you offered and your upgrade is confirmed.
When will I find out if my Air Canada upgrade bid was accepted?
Air Canada decides upgrade bids before your flight — often close to departure, once the operator knows how much cabin space is left. You'll be notified by email either way at the address on your offer. You don't need to keep checking, but you can see your bid's current status any time by checking your booking here (booking ••••••e + last name) or on Air Canada's Manage My Booking page.
[redacted:retention]
[redacted:retention]