Feb 13, 2015, 11:53 am
Last edit by: JDiver
AA and US cross program and merged FFP upgrade questions
Upgrade peculiarities and anomalies through 16 Oct / prior to CSS / PSS merger
Please contribute summary information and links to key posts here in this wikipost!
Upgrade peculiarities and anomalies through 16 Oct / prior to CSS / PSS merger
Please contribute summary information and links to key posts here in this wikipost!
See Elite status benefits" on aa.com, in particular upgrade benefits on AA and US by status.
"Our combined loyalty program" on aa.com. In particular:
Upgrades
Now that we’ve combined loyalty programs, all complimentary upgrades on eligible flights will be auto-requested. However, elite upgrade policies will vary by airline until we combine reservation systems later in 2015 (17 October 2015).
Now that we’ve combined loyalty programs, all complimentary upgrades on eligible flights will be auto-requested. However, elite upgrade policies will vary by airline until we combine reservation systems later in 2015 (17 October 2015).
Learn more about elite upgrades
To make sure you’re eligible for elite upgrades, you should book flights that are marketed and operated by the same airline – either US Airways or American. If you’re booked on a codeshare flight, you’ll only be able to upgrade when you check in, and as always, upgrades are based on availability.
To summarize:
How to book flights marketed and operated by the same airline
Now that we’ve combined loyalty programs, all complimentary upgrades on eligible flights will be auto-requested. However, elite upgrade policies will vary by airline until we combine reservation systems later in 2015 (17 October 2015).
Now that we’ve combined loyalty programs, all complimentary upgrades on eligible flights will be auto-requested. However, elite upgrade policies will vary by airline until we combine reservation systems later in 2015 (17 October 2015).
Learn more about elite upgrades
To make sure you’re eligible for elite upgrades, you should book flights that are marketed and operated by the same airline – either US Airways or American. If you’re booked on a codeshare flight, you’ll only be able to upgrade when you check in, and as always, upgrades are based on availability.
To summarize:
- Purchase on AA.com or anywhere else + AA flight number + AA operated = OK
- Purchase on AA.com or anywhere else + AA flight number + US operated = Upgrade/waitlist at OLCI
- Purchase on AA.com or anywhere else + US flight number + US operated = OK
- Purchase on US.com or anywhere else + US flight number + US operated = OK
- Purchase on US.com or anywhere else + US flight number + AA operated = Upgrade/waitlist at OLCI
- Purchase on US.com + AA flight number + AA operated = Impossible, no AA-marketed flights sold on US.com
How to book flights marketed and operated by the same airline
See the Major Merger Updated >13 March thread for upgrades updates: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...dates-etc.html (full cross-airline upgrade compatibility will occur "later this year" when the SHARES PSS has been merged into Sabre. [/hl]Until then AA and US recommend not booking each other's codeshares with intent to upgrade.[/hl]
This is the merged, master thread about securing upgrades in the "merged AA but still operating as separate airlines" when flying with mixed ticketing, the "other" airline than the one with the flyer's frequent flyer program or status, etc. As it is a merged thread, there may be some thread discontinuity; we apologise for any difficulties.
The information below reflects the wiki in AA / US Reciprocal Elite Benefits [Master Thread]
Thanks to FT member ashill for valuable contributions to this wiki.
AA and US cross program and merged FFP upgrade questions (merged threads)
May 7, 2015, 4:39 pm
#511
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
I have been reading here to try to see how many folks feel they were shorted MM miles from US to AA when the conversion took place. I have a close friend that has been CP for 10 years, which would mean he achieves minimum 100K miles/year (butt in seat), but he only got 300K MM miles added from US to AA. From what I understand, US has not been keeping track of MM miles forever. Does anyone know when they started tracking? Also, I understand that US did count any Star Alliance activity toward MM status, which seems very stingy. In the end, he may have had 15-20% of his flights on Star Alliance carriers, but not 70%. He has not had any luck with customer service in having his MM numbers reevaluated. Are any others going through the same issue?
It would have been relatively easy to include US activity from partners, credit card, etc. to make it line up closer with pmAA folks (at least for the past few years), but a decision was clearly made to not do that.
May 8, 2015, 4:15 pm
#512
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: MI
Programs: NW/DL Plat->Gold->Silver, AA EXP 1MM
Posts: 855
Upgrades at the 100 hr window as EXP on US?
Allegedly can book US metal on the U.S. site, or via phone, and using EXP number, be eligible for upgrades at the usual EXP window
Has anyone had success with this?
Has anyone had success with this?
May 8, 2015, 4:32 pm
#513
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Yes, others have the same issue, myself included. There is zero chance anything will be done to fix it. This was a conscious decision by US/AA. pmAA was way bigger than pmUS and the net effect was a relatively small group.
It would have been relatively easy to include US activity from partners, credit card, etc. to make it line up closer with pmAA folks (at least for the past few years), but a decision was clearly made to not do that.
It would have been relatively easy to include US activity from partners, credit card, etc. to make it line up closer with pmAA folks (at least for the past few years), but a decision was clearly made to not do that.
But, unless I'm mistaken, the post you're responding to covers in it's other part an entirely different issue, based on:
has been CP for 10 years, which would mean he achieves minimum 100K miles/year (butt in seat), but he only got 300K MM miles added from US to AA.
...I understand that US did count any Star Alliance activity toward MM status,
...In the end, he may have had 15-20% of his flights on Star Alliance carriers, but not 70%.
...I understand that US did count any Star Alliance activity toward MM status,
...In the end, he may have had 15-20% of his flights on Star Alliance carriers, but not 70%.
EDIT to add: this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...am-merger.html
Last edited by JonNYC; May 8, 2015 at 4:39 pm
May 8, 2015, 9:55 pm
#514
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Silver Spring, and Eastern Shore Md. USA
Programs: AA EXP, UA MM/Premier Gold, Hyatt Globalist,Hilton Honors Gold, IHG platinum, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,059
HEADS UP--your automatic domestic upgrade registration may not be working
A cautionary tale. I found out today that the reason I had not been upgraded on a flight next week (EXP so complimentary) was that the computer decided that my fare class (S) was not eligible for an upgrade so it did not put me on the waitlist for upgrades. The EXP desk said they had never seen this before and there is no reason for it as any paid fare class is eligible for an upgrade.
I had booked this flight on AA.com and my flight reservation said complimentary upgrade requested (even though I was not on the list). I asked the EXP desk agent to check the rest of my itinerary and one of my two return flights was in the same situation (fare class not eligible) but she fixed that problem. I asked her what was to prevent this from happening again and she said she would report it to IT. I asked if I should check my future flights if not upgraded as expected and she said it would be a good idea.
Bottom line--check your upgrades
I had booked this flight on AA.com and my flight reservation said complimentary upgrade requested (even though I was not on the list). I asked the EXP desk agent to check the rest of my itinerary and one of my two return flights was in the same situation (fare class not eligible) but she fixed that problem. I asked her what was to prevent this from happening again and she said she would report it to IT. I asked if I should check my future flights if not upgraded as expected and she said it would be a good idea.
Bottom line--check your upgrades
Last edited by silver springer; May 8, 2015 at 9:56 pm Reason: typo
May 9, 2015, 5:29 am
#515
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PBI/FLL/MIA
Programs: DL DM/2MM, MR Ambassador, National EE
Posts: 1,614
Ummmmm... yes? If you book a US ticket (037 ticket) on US-operated metal and use your AAdvantage number you will be UG eligible at your UG window. You might not get upgraded (the inventory has to be available) but you will be eligible.
May 9, 2015, 12:50 pm
#516
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: MI
Programs: NW/DL Plat->Gold->Silver, AA EXP 1MM
Posts: 855
Thanks. Looking forward to the trial which arrives early June on US flights which look wide open in first, at least for now
May 10, 2015, 9:35 am
#517
Left Expert Flyer 4/23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,741
May 10, 2015, 10:01 am
#518
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SFO/OAK
Programs: AA EXP 3.4MM, BAEC, UAMP, Skyteam (<10k) HH Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz Gold, GE/TSA TT
Posts: 2,723
May 11, 2015, 8:10 am
#519
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,264
Miles + CoPay: Unavailable on USAirways Codeshare!
Don't see any other threads on this...
Trying to upgrade a couple family members on a USAirways flight, bought on AA.com (so marketed by AA), so essentially a USAirways codeshare. Note this is the 2nd leg of an itinerary, with the first leg an AA metal flight.
AA reservations is saying that, despite 'A' inventory being available, one can't use miles + copay since it's a codeshare. They could reticket it as a USAirways flight for $121 + $200 change fee.
There's no reference to this on the AAdvantage website in the upgrade section.
Not sure if this is a technical limitation, or just one of those rules that American decided to put in place for no apparent reason.
Trying to upgrade a couple family members on a USAirways flight, bought on AA.com (so marketed by AA), so essentially a USAirways codeshare. Note this is the 2nd leg of an itinerary, with the first leg an AA metal flight.
AA reservations is saying that, despite 'A' inventory being available, one can't use miles + copay since it's a codeshare. They could reticket it as a USAirways flight for $121 + $200 change fee.
There's no reference to this on the AAdvantage website in the upgrade section.
Not sure if this is a technical limitation, or just one of those rules that American decided to put in place for no apparent reason.
May 11, 2015, 8:57 am
#520
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: OW Emerald
Posts: 1,452
Mileage upgrades awards are not applicable on codeshare flights.
May 11, 2015, 9:28 am
#521
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA PLT 3MM
Posts: 1,135
I would say that the sentence
is pretty comprehensive (though grammatically erroneous). https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/r...rade-chart.jsp
is pretty comprehensive (though grammatically erroneous). https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/r...rade-chart.jsp
May 11, 2015, 9:49 am
#522
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
As they've been telling us for a couple of months, codeshare upgrades across AA / US can't be done until +/- October, when US reservations (HP QIK / SHARES) moves to AA Sabre.
There is a lengthy thread:
AA and US cross program and merged FFP upgrade questions (merged threads), where we'll likely merge this.
May 11, 2015, 10:24 am
#523
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MCO/FLL
Programs: AA-gold(MM); Marriott-Lifetime Titanium Elite; Hilton-Gold;
Posts: 503
Here is my dilemma. I booked thru my corporate TA, Concur. The only way I was able to get this flight connection Wednesday was to book as US Airways, it is actually AA 1533 on AA metal and it is a 738 (so their is a first). Showing not offered for upgrade request yet on the second leg, that automatically requested for me.
I wasn't even able to change my seat on the first leg, sent me to US Airways, then US Air site sent me back to AA. Finally had to call Ex. Plat desk rep who also had difficulty. HUCA, this time the agent was able to pick me a decent seat. But could not submit upgrade request. Why does it show not offered when its AA metal? I anticipate when I try and check in tomorrow, it won't let me have the option of upgrading.
Flight Details Upgrade Required Request Upgrade?
1533 Depart: Miami ( MIA )
Arrive: Washington ( DCA ) Not Offered N/A
4367 Depart: Washington ( DCA )
Arrive: St Louis ( STL ) Complimentary US logo Requested
I wasn't even able to change my seat on the first leg, sent me to US Airways, then US Air site sent me back to AA. Finally had to call Ex. Plat desk rep who also had difficulty. HUCA, this time the agent was able to pick me a decent seat. But could not submit upgrade request. Why does it show not offered when its AA metal? I anticipate when I try and check in tomorrow, it won't let me have the option of upgrading.
Flight Details Upgrade Required Request Upgrade?
1533 Depart: Miami ( MIA )
Arrive: Washington ( DCA ) Not Offered N/A
4367 Depart: Washington ( DCA )
Arrive: St Louis ( STL ) Complimentary US logo Requested
May 11, 2015, 10:34 am
#524
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,073
Use your AAdvantage miles to upgrade on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines, American Eagle, US Airways, US Airways Express, and/or US Airways Shuttle for yourself or anyone you designate.
Interpretation: You must be on a flight marketed and operated by the airline flying the segment.
But to add further clarification, the restriction on codeshares is also pretty clearly stated in the first bullet point of the Terms and Conditions at the bottom of the mileage upgrade page (as jridge pointed out)
May 11, 2015, 10:50 am
#525
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,264
The first sentence in the upgrade link is fairly clear:
Use your AAdvantage miles to upgrade on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines, American Eagle, US Airways, US Airways Express, and/or US Airways Shuttle for yourself or anyone you designate.
Interpretation: You must be on a flight marketed and operated by the airline flying the segment.
But to add further clarification, the restriction on codeshares is also pretty clearly stated in the first bullet point of the Terms and Conditions at the bottom of the mileage upgrade page (as jridge pointed out)
Use your AAdvantage miles to upgrade on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines, American Eagle, US Airways, US Airways Express, and/or US Airways Shuttle for yourself or anyone you designate.
Interpretation: You must be on a flight marketed and operated by the airline flying the segment.
But to add further clarification, the restriction on codeshares is also pretty clearly stated in the first bullet point of the Terms and Conditions at the bottom of the mileage upgrade page (as jridge pointed out)
OK thanks for the link. I guess I read it based on my hopeful interpretation... my flight is, in fact, marketed by and operated by one of the airlines listed- just not the same one.
Sometimes it seems like AA should be able to put on the 'common sense' hat and make exceptions, but I understand that they'd be making exceptions by the minute.
Oh well- I guess we'll get there soon enough.