ARCHIVE: 2017 "Sticker" / 500-mile & EXP "UDU" Complimentary Upgrade Policy / FAQ
#91
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: AA PLT PRO, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plt. Premier
Posts: 587
UGG AA IT - Not enough 500 mile upgrades
So I bought a ticket from HTS-MSP return last month while I was still EXP, of course the system auto requested upgrades for me as they were complimentary at the time, since I have fallen to PLT.
So I fly out on Monday and AA upgraded me, probably 48 before the flight, no problem checking in. Yesterday they emailed me "You've been upgraded", so I go to check in this morning and I am getting a message "You do not have enough 500 mile upgrades, you need to buy more" Well I did not request a upgrade you automatically put me on the list since I was EXP at the time Will I have any problem getting my BP tomorrow at MSP ? I already have a FC seat since the system auto-upgraded me.
So I fly out on Monday and AA upgraded me, probably 48 before the flight, no problem checking in. Yesterday they emailed me "You've been upgraded", so I go to check in this morning and I am getting a message "You do not have enough 500 mile upgrades, you need to buy more" Well I did not request a upgrade you automatically put me on the list since I was EXP at the time Will I have any problem getting my BP tomorrow at MSP ? I already have a FC seat since the system auto-upgraded me.
#92
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,985
So I bought a ticket from HTS-MSP return last month while I was still EXP, of course the system auto requested upgrades for me as they were complimentary at the time, since I have fallen to PLT.
So I fly out on Monday and AA upgraded me, probably 48 before the flight, no problem checking in. Yesterday they emailed me "You've been upgraded", so I go to check in this morning and I am getting a message "You do not have enough 500 mile upgrades, you need to buy more" Well I did not request a upgrade you automatically put me on the list since I was EXP at the time Will I have any problem getting my BP tomorrow at MSP ? I already have a FC seat since the system auto-upgraded me.
So I fly out on Monday and AA upgraded me, probably 48 before the flight, no problem checking in. Yesterday they emailed me "You've been upgraded", so I go to check in this morning and I am getting a message "You do not have enough 500 mile upgrades, you need to buy more" Well I did not request a upgrade you automatically put me on the list since I was EXP at the time Will I have any problem getting my BP tomorrow at MSP ? I already have a FC seat since the system auto-upgraded me.
#93
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: AA PLT PRO, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plt. Premier
Posts: 587
You won't get a FC BP unless you have enough 500-milers. It doesn't matter what status you had when you made the request, but rather when you fly. Unless you want to get stuck in an unfavorable seat in Y, you need to buy the 500 milers or call in to have the UG backed out and pick from the seats left in Y.
#94
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Rolling Lakes Yacht Club
Posts: 4,985
There are probably just as many, if not more, fallen EXPs that would happily cough up for the UG.
#95
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: AA - Plat, HHonors - Diamond, IHG - Plat, Marriott - Gold, National - Exec, Amtrak - Select, NEXUS
Posts: 1,075
You could have called at any time after booking and had the UG request removed if you knew you would fall to PLAT, but since you did not do that you either: need to buy stickers, call now and get the UG backed out and get an available coach seat assigned, or get whatever remaining seat is available when you check in at the airport and decline the upgrade due to insufficient stickers. (Yes, you will need to see an agent to get a BP if you don't buy stickers and don't call to get the UG cancelled.)
#96
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138
#97
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 29
These 500 mile UG stickers are getting pretty useless. I haven't had one upgraded in ages and I'm Plat. I currently have 22 sitting in my account.
Any tricks to getting these processed?
Any tricks to getting these processed?
#98
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
As always, pick the right routes/dates/times. For example, I'm 75% over the last 6 months on TPA-ORD-TPA as Plat.
#99
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
They gave me a bunch when my account converted from US to AA, and I don't think I've been below 25 since--probably higher.
#100
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AA PP, UA 1K/MM, WoH Globalist, HH Gold
Posts: 1,197
I thought the EXP UDU came out of the same buckets as the SWU upgrades. So if you saw a flight that said SWU was available and you were within the 100 hour window, you should have your EXP upgrade clear.
I'm not seeing that play out recently and was wondering if something had changed.
I'm not seeing that play out recently and was wondering if something had changed.
#101
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA Plat/2MM, DL Silver, UA Silver (via Marr), Marr LTT, HH Gold (via cc), Hyatt Disc
Posts: 1,039
#102
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
Different inventories.
I thought the EXP UDU came out of the same buckets as the SWU upgrades. So if you saw a flight that said SWU was available and you were within the 100 hour window, you should have your EXP upgrade clear.
I'm not seeing that play out recently and was wondering if something had changed.
I'm not seeing that play out recently and was wondering if something had changed.
#105
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138