Mar 5, 2015, 10:12 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
A321T / 321T / Transcontinental JFK to/from LAX & SFO: Upgrade Success & Assistance
American flies the transcontinental A321T with three classes including solo First and Business pairs that fully recline horizontally. (Note the "32B" designation applies to all Airbus A321-100 and -200 - aircraft with "Sharklets" blended winglets in accord with ICAO standards, including two and three class A321s used by AA.)
It appears demand in J is high, supply less so, making this a tricky upgrade from coach to business. First sometimes looks like theres good availability until close to departure, and its common that this cabin is filled deadheading.
Upgrading is challenging, and Y to J SWU or miles + copay always trumps 500 mile or DODU / courtesy upgrades within an elite tier. (500 mile and courtesy upgrades from Business to First is not allowed).
Remember, upgrade priority for these flights is:
*Y to C/J only; C to F not allowed
Cabins will generally not be rolled forward (e.g. J to F) to accommodate upgrades.
Those confirmed in Flagship First on these (between JFK and LAX or SFO) can access Flagship Lounges as well as Flagship First Dining at JFK or LAX, or the Admirals Club at SFO (or the LAX TBIT Qantas First lounge).
Related threads:
Aircraft guide: Which Airbus A321? (including 321, 32B, A321neo)
A321 Transcon / A321T / "32B" 3 class began service Jan 2014 (consolidated)
Best Business / First seat on AA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / "32B" (consolidated)
Best Economy / MCE seat on AA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / 32B (consolidated)
Posts from 2014 through 2016 have been archived, and may be read here.
Signed in members with 90 days / 90 posts can edit this Wikipost; wiki contents may be printed by using the
(lower right wiki corner)
American flies the transcontinental A321T with three classes including solo First and Business pairs that fully recline horizontally. (Note the "32B" designation applies to all Airbus A321-100 and -200 - aircraft with "Sharklets" blended winglets in accord with ICAO standards, including two and three class A321s used by AA.)
It appears demand in J is high, supply less so, making this a tricky upgrade from coach to business. First sometimes looks like theres good availability until close to departure, and its common that this cabin is filled deadheading.
Upgrading is challenging, and Y to J SWU or miles + copay always trumps 500 mile or DODU / courtesy upgrades within an elite tier. (500 mile and courtesy upgrades from Business to First is not allowed).
Remember, upgrade priority for these flights is:
- Elite status tier
- SWU & miles and copay
- Business Extra and special corporate agency upgrade certificates
- 500 mile (stickers) and complimentary / DODU upgrades*
- Award upgrades (CK, EXP, PRO)*
- Last 12 months rolling EQD spend
- Etc.
*Y to C/J only; C to F not allowed
Cabins will generally not be rolled forward (e.g. J to F) to accommodate upgrades.
Those confirmed in Flagship First on these (between JFK and LAX or SFO) can access Flagship Lounges as well as Flagship First Dining at JFK or LAX, or the Admirals Club at SFO (or the LAX TBIT Qantas First lounge).
Related threads:
Aircraft guide: Which Airbus A321? (including 321, 32B, A321neo)
A321 Transcon / A321T / "32B" 3 class began service Jan 2014 (consolidated)
Best Business / First seat on AA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / "32B" (consolidated)
Best Economy / MCE seat on AA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / 32B (consolidated)
Posts from 2014 through 2016 have been archived, and may be read here.
Signed in members with 90 days / 90 posts can edit this Wikipost; wiki contents may be printed by using the
(lower right wiki corner)
Airbus A321T / 321T 32B Transcon JFK <--> LAX / SFO Upgrade Success / Help
Jan 21, 2017, 10:33 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,888
I'm taking 0028 leaves 10:45 pm Wednesday May 24. I booked myself through AMEX plat as it saved $150 vs AA and is refundable. Business. I booked wife with miles, 57.5k so don't feel too bad about that, given its saver and we gain a lot on red eye vs next day as FINAL destination is YUL. Business trip for me and will need the MQMs to maintain status.
Do options exist to upgrade to first on points for both of us? I'm just Gold so I'd need to purchase how many certs to upgrade? She has no status so Probably makes no sense to go that way. Sorry, my flights are normally in western half of nation, newbie to this flight.
Do options exist to upgrade to first on points for both of us? I'm just Gold so I'd need to purchase how many certs to upgrade? She has no status so Probably makes no sense to go that way. Sorry, my flights are normally in western half of nation, newbie to this flight.
For your wife, you probably just need to look for availability for first and then cancel her flight and re-book.
Do you really want first, though? You and your wife can sit next to each other in business - you will be across the aisle from each other in F (or one behind the other).
Jan 21, 2017, 10:43 pm
#32
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Santa Barbara, CA, Park City, UT
Programs: AA EXP, Delta Plat, Marriott Plat,Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat
Posts: 901
You can try to upgrade your flight with points - I believe it should just be 15,000 points (no co-pay).
For your wife, you probably just need to look for availability for first and then cancel her flight and re-book.
Do you really want first, though? You and your wife can sit next to each other in business - you will be across the aisle from each other in F (or one behind the other).
For your wife, you probably just need to look for availability for first and then cancel her flight and re-book.
Do you really want first, though? You and your wife can sit next to each other in business - you will be across the aisle from each other in F (or one behind the other).
Jan 22, 2017, 6:27 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 866
I'm not sure, maybe. I don't think she can get saver at this point for first so certainly not paying the extra for that but might be possible. Plan to eat then off to sleep for 3 hours or so. Is there any difference in food/alcohol in first vs. bus? I assume getting sleep there will be much easier as well. So, no need to be side by side.
Jan 23, 2017, 9:02 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 148
1/3 AA 15 (JFK - SFO)
I was #3 on the upgrade list and #1, #2, #8 were upgraded. By asking GA she told me #8 was upgraded from J to F
1/12 AA 164 (SFO - JFK)
I wasn't showing up on the upgrade list when I looked at the app in the morning. I called EXP support and they did something and claimed I was #3 but the app no longer showed me upgrade list. When I got the the airport I was told the flight was fully sold out. It ended up being delayed by 4 hours because 6 FC seats were broken and some of those 6 lucky passengers were rebooked to fly to LAX or given the option of flying in economy.
I am flying this route next month but my return flight is later in the day. Let's see how the upgrade gods will treat me this time.
I was #3 on the upgrade list and #1, #2, #8 were upgraded. By asking GA she told me #8 was upgraded from J to F
1/12 AA 164 (SFO - JFK)
I wasn't showing up on the upgrade list when I looked at the app in the morning. I called EXP support and they did something and claimed I was #3 but the app no longer showed me upgrade list. When I got the the airport I was told the flight was fully sold out. It ended up being delayed by 4 hours because 6 FC seats were broken and some of those 6 lucky passengers were rebooked to fly to LAX or given the option of flying in economy.
I am flying this route next month but my return flight is later in the day. Let's see how the upgrade gods will treat me this time.
Jan 23, 2017, 1:11 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,222
I'm not sure, maybe. I don't think she can get saver at this point for first so certainly not paying the extra for that but might be possible. Plan to eat then off to sleep for 3 hours or so. Is there any difference in food/alcohol in first vs. bus? I assume getting sleep there will be much easier as well. So, no need to be side by side.
I agree with others it's probably not worth the extra cost.
For the award ticket, you'd have to find First (Saver) availability, and re-book the award in that class.
For the paid ticket, you cannot use your elite "sticker" upgrades; those are only valid from coach tickets. You can use miles; there is a co-pay if you're on an "I" class fare. Details on AA.com. For J/D there's no co-pay. It's likely (but not guaranteed) that your refundable fare is in J/D and so no co-pay. Fares are a bit odd right now, refundable Biz is full J, which happens to be $1200 more expensive r/t than refundable First, in full F...
Jan 24, 2017, 4:07 pm
#36
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,888
They might add some last minute; however, I'd say you have a pretty decent chance of getting the upgrade if they're still selling seats, especially day of departure.
I've personally never seen the F cabin confirmed full, but I know it does happen on the more popular flights.
I've personally never seen the F cabin confirmed full, but I know it does happen on the more popular flights.
Jan 26, 2017, 3:06 pm
#37
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire Elite Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Asiana Diamond
Posts: 9
I'm on AA 9 (JFK to SFO), and just got upgraded to J. I subscribed to EF, and it showed J7 and C4 as of T-48.
EXP, and upgrade at ~T-16 (no email notification from AA, but only noticed it when i was checking the AA app on my phone and saw the seat change).
This flight is currently showing J2 U0 C0.
Hope my return flight on Sun 7am (AA 66) is successful, currently showing J7, and seatmap shows 13 open in J and 7 open in F.
EXP, and upgrade at ~T-16 (no email notification from AA, but only noticed it when i was checking the AA app on my phone and saw the seat change).
This flight is currently showing J2 U0 C0.
Hope my return flight on Sun 7am (AA 66) is successful, currently showing J7, and seatmap shows 13 open in J and 7 open in F.
Jan 26, 2017, 9:27 pm
#38
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: LGA, JFK, LAX, SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 302
I'm on AA 9 (JFK to SFO), and just got upgraded to J. I subscribed to EF, and it showed J7 and C4 as of T-48.
EXP, and upgrade at ~T-16 (no email notification from AA, but only noticed it when i was checking the AA app on my phone and saw the seat change).
This flight is currently showing J2 U0 C0.
Hope my return flight on Sun 7am (AA 66) is successful, currently showing J7, and seatmap shows 13 open in J and 7 open in F.
EXP, and upgrade at ~T-16 (no email notification from AA, but only noticed it when i was checking the AA app on my phone and saw the seat change).
This flight is currently showing J2 U0 C0.
Hope my return flight on Sun 7am (AA 66) is successful, currently showing J7, and seatmap shows 13 open in J and 7 open in F.
Jan 27, 2017, 11:33 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire Elite Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Asiana Diamond
Posts: 9
Uh oh...now I know who my competition is on AA#66 this Sunday. Will be curious to see if I get a complimentary upgrade or a mileage upgrade. My outbound to LAX upgraded at T-48 as a complimentary upgrade so I didn't have to spend $$$ or miles. Let me know what happens with you.
Jan 30, 2017, 4:26 pm
#40
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Platinum), AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 309
I meant unless F is confirmed full beforehand (say, a week before departure), then the J > F upgrade is usually pretty likely.
--
Side note for people flying this route the week leading up to Feb 12th, the
Grammys are on the 12th in LA, which means a LOT of paid F / J pax coming from NYC the week leading up to Sunday. Grammy events happen as early as the Tuesday before, so that's when the east coast music industry starts rolling in.
Makes for fun sightings in the LAX admirals club on the Monday after, but not so fun for your UPG chances...
Jan 30, 2017, 5:21 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,222
Feb 1, 2017, 7:08 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,485
I'm looking to fly out to LA on Friday night and fly back to NY on Monday afternoon (2 or 3 pm flight)? Just wondering, what the complimentary upgrade chances for EXP for these times. If I try to miles + copay for upgrades, do they have a good chance of clearing before the complimentary upgrade window? This is for May 6/7th weekend.
Feb 23, 2017, 10:27 am
#43
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: NYC
Posts: 108
Ugh - i didnt realize this - though EF is showing a lack of demand, at least on the later flights:
Friday 2/24 JFK-LAX
7pm J0 C0 (it was C1 until a couple of hours ago)
8pm J4 C0
9pm J7 C5
10pm J7 C7
All of these have more than 75% of F wide open showing F6 or higher and A4 or higher
I am on the 8pm and hoping to clear
Friday 2/24 JFK-LAX
7pm J0 C0 (it was C1 until a couple of hours ago)
8pm J4 C0
9pm J7 C5
10pm J7 C7
All of these have more than 75% of F wide open showing F6 or higher and A4 or higher
I am on the 8pm and hoping to clear
Mar 1, 2017, 1:04 pm
#44
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 117
Any idea on the odds of a Platinum getting upgraded on a Friday 0755p flight JFK-SFO on A321T? L class fare
Mar 1, 2017, 3:39 pm
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,486
So how does J-F upgrades work here? Just for curiosity's sake...
Last week I was on the AA180 (LAX-JFK at 4.30pm) and at check-in the F cabin was only 3/10 taken. When boarding finished it's fully occupied. J had been fully booked for some weeks.
Now yes, some could be last minute bookers, IRROPS or those who didn't assign seats, or those using miles to upgrade and clearing late perhaps (?)...
Does AA have a policy to op-up EXPs from F so they can process other upgrades from J to F?
Thanks for any info
Last week I was on the AA180 (LAX-JFK at 4.30pm) and at check-in the F cabin was only 3/10 taken. When boarding finished it's fully occupied. J had been fully booked for some weeks.
Now yes, some could be last minute bookers, IRROPS or those who didn't assign seats, or those using miles to upgrade and clearing late perhaps (?)...
Does AA have a policy to op-up EXPs from F so they can process other upgrades from J to F?
Thanks for any info