Mar 30, 2017, 4:57 pm
Last edit by: jay_dubya
AA Upgrade Window for AAdvantage Elites
The "upgrade window" is the time during which an upgrade may be granted to statusholders. The "upgrade window" for AAdvantage Elites varies upon elite status held. In 2017:
- ConciergeKey - 120 hours
- Executive Platinum - 100 hours
- Platinum Pro - 72 hours
- Platinum - 48 hours
- Gold - 24 hours
- Non-elite - no upgrade window
Conversely, higher load factors, Revenue Management predictions and actions, flight route, season, demand, supply and other factors all affect the availability of upgrade seats and when any seats might be made available to upgrade. AA has tightened upgrade availability over the recent years, but planning leading to significantly higher load factors has been undoubtedly been a major factor in upgrade "tightness" to the point even upper tier elites who get upgraded may do so airside at the gate counter.
Has AA eliminated the upgrade window for elites?
Mar 17, 2015, 11:20 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Exploralist, Marriot Silver
Posts: 2,065
Mar 18, 2015, 3:39 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,630
I was getting all excited!
Mar 18, 2015, 6:42 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA PLT 3MM
Posts: 1,135
I have a theory that the late clearing of domestic upgrades (X) maybe being driven by the late clearing of international SWU and miles+copay upgrades (C). Typically, if someone applies for an SWU on a leg that includes both international and domestic segments, clearing of both is held off until the international portion is available, even though the domestic segment could often clear immediately or at least earlier.
Previously, you could waitlist for both X (sticker) and A (SWU) on domestic flights, so it was a non-problem, but they removed that ability a while back. Therefore, I have a suspicion that they might hold off on releasing X until anyone waiting in the wings for A has cleared.
Make sense?
Previously, you could waitlist for both X (sticker) and A (SWU) on domestic flights, so it was a non-problem, but they removed that ability a while back. Therefore, I have a suspicion that they might hold off on releasing X until anyone waiting in the wings for A has cleared.
Make sense?
Mar 18, 2015, 7:36 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL / NYC / PSA-BLQ
Programs: AA PPRO, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMX-Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 3,109
IME, I am getting upgrades at T-100 for flights with little F demand and/or low issues on service disruption/pax switching flights.
For example, last week my LIT-ORD cleared at T-100 but my ORD-LGA which was F7 cleared same day. I did a SDFC on ORD-LGA as I arrived early and that cleared at the gate (flight was F7 and I switched 30 minutes before scheduled departure/50 minutes before actual).
The above pattern has been pretty consistent this year.
For example, last week my LIT-ORD cleared at T-100 but my ORD-LGA which was F7 cleared same day. I did a SDFC on ORD-LGA as I arrived early and that cleared at the gate (flight was F7 and I switched 30 minutes before scheduled departure/50 minutes before actual).
The above pattern has been pretty consistent this year.
Mar 18, 2015, 12:42 pm
#20
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
Previously, you could waitlist for both X (sticker) and A (SWU) on domestic flights, so it was a non-problem, but they removed that ability a while back. Therefore, I have a suspicion that they might hold off on releasing X until anyone waiting in the wings for A has cleared.
Mar 18, 2015, 1:11 pm
#21
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, National, Hilton
Posts: 79
For a 3/17 PHX/DFW segment, I got upgraded on 3/13. For 3/5 PHX/DFW segment, I got upgraded on 3/1. So there's definitely still a window. Just doesn't mean you'll get it that early all the time.
Mar 18, 2015, 1:42 pm
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Based upon antidotal evidence from FTs the window has been getting closer and closer over the past few years. As an EXP last year out of MIA many of upgrades, if all, were at the gate. So far as a PLT I'm actually 100% for sticker and copay with the former clearing from T72 to T4.
Mar 18, 2015, 3:27 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA PLT 3MM
Posts: 1,135
About two and a half years ago by the looks of it. This thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ests-cant.html discusses and post #13 there appears to give a definitive answer from someone who typically post correct and relevant information.
Mar 18, 2015, 6:07 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
I've had about 80% of my upgrades within the last month happening at T-4hrs. The other 20% clear at the EXP window...
Mar 18, 2015, 8:28 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 361
Flying ORD - BOS midday tomorrow, upgrade still "requested."
The return on Friday mid-afternoon cleared at T-100.
Flying a same day turn ORD - LGA on Sunday. Leaving early Sunday, upgrade still "requested."
Return from LGA cleared at T-100.
Interesting to note, the two flights that haven't cleared show F7 A6 (ORD-BOS) and F7 A7 (ORD-LGA) and they're both meal flights!
(I know it doesn't matter as the catering sucks and I barely touch it now but I find it funny)
The return on Friday mid-afternoon cleared at T-100.
Flying a same day turn ORD - LGA on Sunday. Leaving early Sunday, upgrade still "requested."
Return from LGA cleared at T-100.
Interesting to note, the two flights that haven't cleared show F7 A6 (ORD-BOS) and F7 A7 (ORD-LGA) and they're both meal flights!
(I know it doesn't matter as the catering sucks and I barely touch it now but I find it funny)
Mar 18, 2015, 11:29 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NYC, SLC, LAX
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat
Posts: 3,951
IME, I am getting upgrades at T-100 for flights with little F demand and/or low issues on service disruption/pax switching flights.
For example, last week my LIT-ORD cleared at T-100 but my ORD-LGA which was F7 cleared same day. I did a SDFC on ORD-LGA as I arrived early and that cleared at the gate (flight was F7 and I switched 30 minutes before scheduled departure/50 minutes before actual).
The above pattern has been pretty consistent this year.
For example, last week my LIT-ORD cleared at T-100 but my ORD-LGA which was F7 cleared same day. I did a SDFC on ORD-LGA as I arrived early and that cleared at the gate (flight was F7 and I switched 30 minutes before scheduled departure/50 minutes before actual).
The above pattern has been pretty consistent this year.
Mar 19, 2015, 6:42 am
#28
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: Bonvoy Amb; AA EXP
Posts: 1,136
I get that it is inconvenient both in terms of meals and planning for upgraders, but as someone who has had frequent cancellations due to weather or otherwise (and I pay for F), the holding back of upgrades has been a blessing.
This issue was one of my main concerns in the US/AA merger as US is/was well known for not holding back F seats for irrops or last minute bookings.
As a recent example, I was flying BOS-JFK-SFO last week. My BOS-JFK flight cancelled, so I had to reroute. In the past, I would have looked at the cabins and not had any potential solutions to get me to my destination other than in a middle seat. Instead, I had quite a few options in F that also allowed me to arrive on time. The fact that I had to trade riding in a premium cabin on a 321T versus standard domestic F is likely a high-class problem.
This issue was one of my main concerns in the US/AA merger as US is/was well known for not holding back F seats for irrops or last minute bookings.
As a recent example, I was flying BOS-JFK-SFO last week. My BOS-JFK flight cancelled, so I had to reroute. In the past, I would have looked at the cabins and not had any potential solutions to get me to my destination other than in a middle seat. Instead, I had quite a few options in F that also allowed me to arrive on time. The fact that I had to trade riding in a premium cabin on a 321T versus standard domestic F is likely a high-class problem.
Apr 15, 2015, 10:03 am
#30
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Laguna Beach CA
Programs: AA EXP/4MM UA 1MM, HY Global, Bon Lft Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 720
Upgrade premium windows gone?
Is this the new American?
It is my experience that upgrades are not clearing at the traditional windows even when flights are not full. Particular flights show availability in all classes, first class cabin 60-80% unassigned, but upgrades do not clear in advance. Eventually, the upgrades may clear but it is the last hours or at the gate.
Even United seems to be doing a better job with the upgrade clearance at the traditional window for premium passengers.
It is my experience that upgrades are not clearing at the traditional windows even when flights are not full. Particular flights show availability in all classes, first class cabin 60-80% unassigned, but upgrades do not clear in advance. Eventually, the upgrades may clear but it is the last hours or at the gate.
Even United seems to be doing a better job with the upgrade clearance at the traditional window for premium passengers.
Last edited by dlflyer2; Apr 15, 2015 at 10:09 am