Question about using miles to upgrade
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 14
Question about using miles to upgrade
I travel frequently, and on international flights I've always flown economy, as the price of a business class ticket is often triple that of economy.
However, after looking at the chart for upgrades:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/r...rade-chart.jsp
I noticed that it would only cost me $350 plus 25,000 miles to upgrade from a North America flight to Tokyo. If a mile is 2 cents, then that is about $850 total.
This is much cheaper than buying a business class ticket outright, which is usually about $3,000 more.
Seems like a great deal. Is there a catch or caveat?
However, after looking at the chart for upgrades:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/r...rade-chart.jsp
I noticed that it would only cost me $350 plus 25,000 miles to upgrade from a North America flight to Tokyo. If a mile is 2 cents, then that is about $850 total.
This is much cheaper than buying a business class ticket outright, which is usually about $3,000 more.
Seems like a great deal. Is there a catch or caveat?
#3
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 239
Indeed, AA has been very careful about releasing C inventory. A quick search on expert flyer shows only 2 seats available out of dfw for the first week of February. But since you aren't really investing in anything by using miles, go for it.
The one tip is to ask to upgrade early, since if there isn't inventory you'll be waitlisted. Many FTers note C inventory opening up (aka, SWUs and mile upgrades "clearing") as late as at the gate for Asia, especially on newer aircraft like the 787.
The one tip is to ask to upgrade early, since if there isn't inventory you'll be waitlisted. Many FTers note C inventory opening up (aka, SWUs and mile upgrades "clearing") as late as at the gate for Asia, especially on newer aircraft like the 787.
#6
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
The other possibility is AA sells "Load Factor Based Upgrades" by email, at counter or kiosk if there's available inventory (after all upgrade requests with SWU, miles and copay are satisfied) at reasonable prices. These are very scarce or unavailable on some routes.
#8
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: WAS
Posts: 1,626
I travel frequently, and on international flights I've always flown economy, as the price of a business class ticket is often triple that of economy.
However, after looking at the chart for upgrades:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/r...rade-chart.jsp
I noticed that it would only cost me $350 plus 25,000 miles to upgrade from a North America flight to Tokyo. If a mile is 2 cents, then that is about $850 total.
This is much cheaper than buying a business class ticket outright, which is usually about $3,000 more.
Seems like a great deal. Is there a catch or caveat?
However, after looking at the chart for upgrades:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/r...rade-chart.jsp
I noticed that it would only cost me $350 plus 25,000 miles to upgrade from a North America flight to Tokyo. If a mile is 2 cents, then that is about $850 total.
This is much cheaper than buying a business class ticket outright, which is usually about $3,000 more.
Seems like a great deal. Is there a catch or caveat?
#9
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LA
Programs: AA, DL, UA
Posts: 543
For example if you're EXP, there's no difference using a SWU versus miles + copay (UPG vs VIP) in terms of priority -- the time of request is the one that really matters.
Assuming if you have no status then the miles+copay UPG will be behind those of the lowest tier elite (AAdvantage Gold) members using either miles+copay (UPG) or SWU's (VIP) that are gifted from an EXP member.
However, if this is a domestic flight (and certain flights to Mexico/Central America), you'll be ahead of all those who use 500-mile upgrades (stickers) as those are processed after all the miles+copay/SWU's. Sticker upgrades aren't offered on international flights.
Great Thread for Reading
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
Indeed. These are extremely rare on some routes but easily available on others, e.g., Argentina and Brazil.
#12
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Hilton/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson GLD, IHG PLT
Posts: 4,606
It'll be an UPG. VIP is only for SWU's. However there's really no difference between the two in terms of priority (as in your status is the one that really matters -- even for SWU's, if an EXP gifts one to a member with no status, it'll be equivalent to giving them a free miles+copay upgrade).
For example if you're EXP, there's no difference using a SWU versus miles + copay (UPG vs VIP) in terms of priority -- the time of request is the one that really matters.
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For example if you're EXP, there's no difference using a SWU versus miles + copay (UPG vs VIP) in terms of priority -- the time of request is the one that really matters.
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I had an experience on AA91 11/29. I bought 2 tickets back in Feb of this year and applied the SWU to both tickets, wife and mine, and we are both EXP and MM. I also split the ticket, so each of us will have its own PNR and better chance at the UPG. On Aug, wife is confirmed on the upgrade, and there where at least >10 seats open, I know its not a correct indicator. The morning of the 29th there where 4 seats open, unfortunately I did not have access to check where I was on the UPG list, but needless to say, I did not get the upgrade. The GA told me that there where others ahead of me, and those received the last seats. This got me thinking, as I thought that I would have been #1 on the UPG list, since my wife was already upgraded back in AUG. Something must have happened in order for me drop down but I do not have access to such information.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA Gold; AA Lfe Time PLT ; Marriott Titanium, LFT GLD
Posts: 1,276
Ranking basis for SWU based upgrades
Has AA changed its practice on ranking SWU upgrades?
#14
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,274
I have a pretty good success rate over the last few years doing miles + copay as a GLD. I've done it multiple times to/from LHR, and twice to Sao Paulo. They don't always clear, but I'd estimate about a 60% success rate. Not too bad.
With the changes to qualification in 2016, I am looking to spend more time in paid F (domestic) or J/Y+ (international) and do less upgrades, so we'll see how that works out.
With the changes to qualification in 2016, I am looking to spend more time in paid F (domestic) or J/Y+ (international) and do less upgrades, so we'll see how that works out.