AA for PLTComp Upgrades from Y fare to next class

SNAPLT · Oct 1, 03, 3:06 am

Does anyone know if AA offers complimentary upgrades from full fare Y class to the next class of service on international routes?

I'm an AA PLT member and I've had Comp upgrades from Y to First/Business on domestic flights as well as flights to YYZ (LAX - ORD - YYZ).

I'm travelling on Y from LAX - LHR in Nov and was wondering if I can get a Comp upgrade. I've been told by AA PLT Desk that if the system sees that you are on a Y fare, they will upgrade without deducting any electronic upgrades in your account.

Any help would be appreciated on this subject. Thanks.

YVR Cockroach · Oct 1, 03, 4:10 am

You might get a complimentary upgrade (opup) but there's no official Y to J/C for "international" flights. You can't use use the e-upgrades for these flights either. You can upgrade with miles for 10k per direction rather than the 25k required for discounted fares.

martin33 · Oct 1, 03, 11:07 am

Quote:

Originally posted by SNAPLT:
I'm travelling on Y from LAX - LHR in Nov and was wondering if I can get a Comp upgrade.

No. But it's a complete no-brainer to do the regular upgrade for your trip since it only costs 10,000 miles each way... you'll earn that many back and then some!

SNAPLT · Oct 1, 03, 1:39 pm

Thanks for the advice. I had thought that I would get a complimentary upgrade from Y inventory on transcon/int'l flights as I got it on an int'l flight to Canada. I guess Canada is not really treated as international.

In any case, I will upgrade using 10,000miles each way.

Since I am a new PLT member, I've never used miles to upgrade before. Please advise if I can confirm the upgrade before the upgrade period (i.e. prior to 72 hrs for PLT or at time of booking) and how do I do this? Do I make the reservation and then call the Platinum desk to ask for the upgrade using my miles?

Thanks!

YVR Cockroach · Oct 1, 03, 1:52 pm

Quote:

Originally posted by SNAPLT:
as I got it on an int'l flight to Canada. I guess Canada is not really treated as international.

All flights to Canada, Mexico and various caribbean and central american countries are not considered "international" but rather transborder/regional so you can, as you found out, use e-upgrades on these but you certainly have no lounge privileges.

Quote:

Since I am a new PLT member, I've never used miles to upgrade before. Please advise if I can confirm the upgrade before the upgrade period (i.e. prior to 72 hrs for PLT or at time of booking) and how do I do this? Do I make the reservation and then call the Platinum desk to ask for the upgrade using my miles?

You can upgrade anytime by calling AA (after or at time of reservation). Preferably, you should determine if there's C inventory (mileage upgrade inventory) available before you even book the flight. The aeroplan.de galileo viewer will help you determine that. If you request at least 21 days prior to the flight, you're not hit with an award expedite fee if/when the upgrade clears.

If there's no C inventory, keep checking regularly as sometimes it becomes available days/weeks before the flight.

andrzej · Oct 1, 03, 1:53 pm

For future reference, sticker and free Y upgrades apply to every AA destination EXCEPT: Japan, South America and Europe.

You could be confirmed at the time of purchase if:
C invenory is available on the flight you're on. To check availibility, go to:
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/people/...ravel/galileo/

If it's not, you will be waitlisted. As a Plat you have a good shot on most routes. If you don't clear before you get to the airport, you have to get yourself on a new airport list at the time of check-in.

You have to call the AA Plat desk to request the upgrade once you have a reservation.

Good luck!

SNAPLT · Oct 1, 03, 1:59 pm

Thanks terenz/andrzej for the quick response.

So the booking code that is used for upgrades from Y (or I guess all Economy class tickets) to business is C for transcon flights?

I've been to the Galileo site before so I know how to check. Thanks.

As for AA lounge access...I guess I'm lucky that I'm also a CX Gold card member (i.e. One World Sapphire) so I get AA lounge access anywhere/everywhere that it is offered.

The best part of it is because of SARS, my CX Gold membership is automatically renewed for 2004 so I'm putting all miles into AA (for the domestic upgrades etc..).

Thanks again.

YVR Cockroach · Oct 1, 03, 5:18 pm

Quote:

Originally posted by SNAPLT:
So the booking code that is used for upgrades from Y (or I guess all Economy class tickets) to business is C for transcon flights?

At least when there is an int'l BC cabin. The equivalent of domestic non-premium FC to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and central America is "business class". I think it may be the same upgrade code as domestic FC.