These are electronic systemwide upgrades that can be applied to any AA flight, assuming the proper inventory availability, and can be used for up to three segments in one direction, e.g. SMF-DFW-ORD-DEL, to the next class of service..
OK, I just made 2M lifetime, but where do I see these systemwide upgrades? Or how do I know I have them. If we are flying this fall, does this mean we can use them the same way I'd use milage upgrades? I'm obviously confused!
Location: MSP (and will only fly NWA in re-routes if I HAVE to)
Programs: AA EXP (4.5MM), hotel programs as needed
Posts: 5,802
Quote:
Originally Posted by scubamom
OK, I just made 2M lifetime, but where do I see these systemwide upgrades? Or how do I know I have them. If we are flying this fall, does this mean we can use them the same way I'd use milage upgrades? I'm obviously confused!
As a PLT you might well be confused.
Suggest you look at the EXP Membership Guide (or the PLT Membership Guide where it touts the added benefits of EXP) for more details on system wide upgrades.
eVIPs are similar to mileage upgrades tho possibly a bit more powerful. They are one class upgrade of service where ever AA flies (some fares are excluded) confirmable and/or wait list capable. They book into C inventory (if you are an ExpertFlyer user this is a hidden fare basis).
You will know about them when you get your 'Congrats' e-mail.
Until then (probably within 2 weeks of making 2MM) you can call the PLT 'desk' and ask them if the eVIPs have been deposited into your account. There is NO WAY to know on-line (the web programmers tried and tried and failed on this a couple of years ago much to the upset of we EXPs).
By searching to see eVIP strategy .. you will find these are capacity controlled devices .. and your fall trip (if you have booked it already) may not have C inventory . so you have to go on wait list. Some flights (ZHR for example) are very difficult for eVIPs (and as PLT you are a lower wait list priority to use them than an EXP) so a lot depends on where you travel to. Most people prefer to use an eVIP to upgrade Y>J on a long international flight (where time and sleep are issues) rather than use them on shorter domestic flights. The upgrade can be from J>P depending on the J fare basis (I=no, D and J = Yes).
Be aware that should you cancel the reservation with an eVIP attached (cleared) there are issues in opening up the eVIP again . tho a call to AA normally resolves it in 20+ minutes!
Hi, fellow diver... As has been pointed out, we were going to be able to "see" these online, but it seems it was just to difficult to ammend the legacy system to do this - ahem, maybe some advice to AA, or at least a makeover to make it look like Young Island's?
As brp says, the good thing is that instead of expiring in one year, these systemwide upgrade VIPs can be used the remainder of the eyar you earn them, next year, and through 28 Feb of the following year - earn them in July 2006, they are good through 29 Feb 2008 (wow, you get another day!)
To echo a bit of what JGR01 posted and add my bit, eVIPs are good for upgrading up to three segments in the same direction to the next class of service, and used to be called VIPOWs. An example might be IAH-DFW-ORD-DEL; all three flights could be upgraded with one eVIP per person, assuming available seats. They are very nice rewards, unless one is stuck with flying ATR-72s and RJs a lot.
By the way, congratulations, and enjoy them this fall! (But call soon and get what you can nailed down, or at least get on the wait list for when seat inventoyr upens up - in that regard, they are like 500 mile stickers; the seats must be available. We've had pretty good success, esepcially off-season in fall.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by scubamom
OK, I just made 2M lifetime, but where do I see these systemwide upgrades? Or how do I know I have them. If we are flying this fall, does this mean we can use them the same way I'd use milage upgrades? I'm obviously confused!
First of all, thank you everyone on this forum!!! Without you guys, I won't be able to get my 1MM for sure.
However, I still have two questions regarding this 1MM thing:
1, I know a few thread mentioned North America residents will only receive eight 500 upgrade stickers instead of four eVIPs? Is this still true?
2, If I change my address to a foreign country (eg. Japan) now, assuming I will be getting four eVIPs. Do they have an expiry date? Are they only good for one yr or something?
First of all, thank you everyone on this forum!!! Without you guys, I won't be able to get my 1MM for sure.
However, I still have two questions regarding this 1MM thing:
1, I know a few thread mentioned North America residents will only receive eight 500 upgrade stickers instead of four eVIPs? Is this still true?
2, If I change my address to a foreign country (eg. Japan) now, assuming I will be getting four eVIPs. Do they have an expiry date? Are they only good for one yr or something?
1) Yes - according to the numerous threads already existing on this subject, it's still true.
2) The VIPs (which you will not get, even if you switch now) would likely expire in February of 2008.
Location: MSP (and will only fly NWA in re-routes if I HAVE to)
Programs: AA EXP (4.5MM), hotel programs as needed
Posts: 5,802
If you are reaching 1MM this morning .. changing your mailing address now will not help you (as confirmed by nako above).
Reports have been (here on FT .. search) that you need to change your address somewhat in advance of reaching the 1MM level (like several months) and keep it that way for a bunch of months after the 1MM level reached.
Its these type of abuses that cause this undocumented benefit to constantly grate at AA Customer Service. If lots of people keep complaining about the lack of eVIPs for North American residents at the 1MM level . AA might just remove the 1MM level all together and standardize the benefit to start at 2MM.
Enjoy your 8 500milers and your new luggage tags with the 1MM oval on the appropriate tier level colored tags (2 of them!).
IMO, most of us FlyerTalkers enjoy "gaming the system" within the system's parameters. Abusing the system, as JGR01 posted and IMO, is likely to result in further restrictions and injury to all AAdvantage members.
Trying to get more by stretching beyond the system's limits could engender negative results for you not worth the attempt, again IMO. Enjoy the 1MM status with 8 "stickers + luggage tags reflecting your current status and the 1M logo, and look forward to 2MM / Platinum for Life, 4 VIPs etc.
Congratulations!
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