Mar 27, 2015, 10:13 am
Last edit by: JDiver
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March 2015 frequent flyer program merger to AAdvantage brings some changes to the AA upgrade processes:
Some of this is discussed in Gary Leff's interview with AA's Suzanne Rubin here.
Thread on elimination of usefulness of a connecting flight for upgrade priority considerations here.
See dmsdfw post #51 for some illustrations.
(lower right wiki corner)Complimentary Upgrades, "Stickers" & Elite Status - 28 Mar 2015 Changes
March 2015 frequent flyer program merger to AAdvantage brings some changes to the AA upgrade processes:
- Y and B courtesy upgrades for non-EXP / CP elites are not available after 28 March. Y and B fares do still affect priority upgrade listing.
- All Elites are now eligible for courtesy upgrades on flights of less than 500 mile sectors; 500 mile upgrade "stickers" will not be necessary, regardless of (paid) fare class.
- Priority for connecting passengers: GONE. Those on through / connecting flights ("-T") lose priority gained by arriving from another flight; elite status, Y/B priority and date and time of request priorities are not affected.
- "Grace" on just over 500 miles: There is no more up to 51 mile "Grace" for 500 mile upgrade use; if a flight were to be 1,049 miles, it would require full number of "stickers" to upgrade, with no forgiveness for the extra miles.
- USDM elites are being "equalized" by being granted up to 24 stickers (depending on 10,000 mile increments flown recently, and CPs get them too as they've lost complimentary companion upgrades).
Some of this is discussed in Gary Leff's interview with AA's Suzanne Rubin here.
Thread on elimination of usefulness of a connecting flight for upgrade priority considerations here.
See dmsdfw post #51 for some illustrations.
Complimentary Upgrades, "Stickers" & Elite Status - 28 Mar 2015 Changes
Mar 26, 2015, 2:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 51
Complimentary Upgrades, "Stickers" & Elite Status - 28 Mar 2015 Changes
Just got platinum on AA... I know EXP gets unlimited complimentary upgrades. Does platinum ever receive comp upgrades? What if youre traveling with a companion who is not elite?
Mar 26, 2015, 3:10 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA 1MM; DL PM
Posts: 141
They mail you a little brochure about all of this, by the way:
https://www.aa.com/content/images/AA...Guide_2014.pdf
Mar 26, 2015, 3:13 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Platinum
Posts: 232
This was just recently asked and most people with multiple years of platinum status can count on one hand how many "complimentary" upgrades (not using 500-mile upgrades) they've gotten. It typically will happen (and did so once for me) when Y is full and they want to move a person(s) to J to make room for standby passengers.
Mar 26, 2015, 3:44 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,388
Mar 26, 2015, 4:24 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 1,773
Mar 26, 2015, 4:28 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: FRA|PDX
Programs: AA AAdvantage, AS Mileage Plan, EK Skywards, LH Miles & More
Posts: 37
Last year I got two complimentary upgrades (PDX-DFW & LAX-HNL). Both times Y was oversold. That would pretty much be the only chance to get complimentary upgrades as PLAT now. Complimentary upgrades on Y/B fares are being eliminated as the two programs are merging these days. Now we're down to 500 mile stickers.
Companion upgrades using stickers for non elites are working - even when on separate tickets. Just had this work for me and a family member yesterday. Both cleared at T-25.
Companion upgrades using stickers for non elites are working - even when on separate tickets. Just had this work for me and a family member yesterday. Both cleared at T-25.
Mar 26, 2015, 4:43 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: FRA|PDX
Programs: AA AAdvantage, AS Mileage Plan, EK Skywards, LH Miles & More
Posts: 37
I'm not sure if a companion might get a complimentary upgrade on those flights, but on flights over 500 miles you'll have to use your stickers to upgrade both you and your companion.
Mar 26, 2015, 4:46 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Complimentary upgrades on flights less than 500 miles still seem to require a Y/B ticket though.
I'm not sure if a companion might get a complimentary upgrade on those flights, but on flights over 500 miles you'll have to use your stickers to upgrade both you and your companion.
I'm not sure if a companion might get a complimentary upgrade on those flights, but on flights over 500 miles you'll have to use your stickers to upgrade both you and your companion.
Mar 26, 2015, 4:48 pm
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
And, as for the other Y/B thing, yes, changes this weekend as part of this package of changes:
mergervarious by JonNYCme, on Flickr
Mar 26, 2015, 4:50 pm
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Mar 26, 2015, 4:51 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Mar 26, 2015, 5:55 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: FRA|PDX
Programs: AA AAdvantage, AS Mileage Plan, EK Skywards, LH Miles & More
Posts: 37
Only on flights 500 miles or less in length will Y/B still get you complimentary upgrades once the programs merge. There aren't any changes for those flights.
As per the upcoming changes mentioned above:
"Y/B upgrades for Platinum and Gold members are no longer complimentary unless the flight is 500 miles or less in length."
Clearly still requires Y/B fare which I personally do not consider to be worth the extra bucks on such short sectors unless you need a refundable ticket.
As per the upcoming changes mentioned above:
"Y/B upgrades for Platinum and Gold members are no longer complimentary unless the flight is 500 miles or less in length."
Clearly still requires Y/B fare which I personally do not consider to be worth the extra bucks on such short sectors unless you need a refundable ticket.