Aug 28, 2020, 11:19 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING!
As we approach the end of the status year (31 Jan 2021, but now including interim extended use dates after 31 Jan 2020), AAdvantage members on FT with no opportunity or plans to use expiring SWU (31 Jan 2021) often gift them to other FlyerTalk members. This traditionally has begun in September, but with new interim expiry dates the thread is current now.
Please familiarize yourself with these ground rules. Posts that do not conform to these rules will be summarily deleted (without notice to the poster).
AA: "Upgrades are void if sold or advertised for sale for cash or other considerations. Members may designate another passenger to use their upgrades."
For recent obsolete posts, please see ARCHIVE: Expiring SWU / VIP giveaway (strictly freely given): 2018 Edition (link).
Thanks everyone!
~AAdvantage forum Moderator team
As we approach the end of the status year (31 Jan 2021, but now including interim extended use dates after 31 Jan 2020), AAdvantage members on FT with no opportunity or plans to use expiring SWU (31 Jan 2021) often gift them to other FlyerTalk members. This traditionally has begun in September, but with new interim expiry dates the thread is current now.
Please familiarize yourself with these ground rules. Posts that do not conform to these rules will be summarily deleted (without notice to the poster).
AA: "Upgrades are void if sold or advertised for sale for cash or other considerations. Members may designate another passenger to use their upgrades."
- Asking for SWU here is not permitted! Donors will post here, and members are welcome to communicate via PM from there. If you don't see an open request, don't ask for one.
- To comply with AAdvantage T&C, SWU must given freely, with no strings attached. Requests for money, trading for SWU with different expiry or another airline’s instruments, or any other consideration, whether in the clear or via PM, are not allowed.
- Out of respect of our generous donors, please follow their instructions and contact them with the information they request.
- Donors can ultimately make the choice of recipient (tenured/contributive member, longer flight itineraries, international vs. domestic, etc.).
- Recipients are solely and entirely responsible for the payment of any fees or taxes associated with the use of a gifted SWU (e.g. United Kingdom Air Passenger Duty or French taxe de solidarité sur les billets d'avion).
- This thread is NOT for the discussion of ethics, entitlement, or nomination of charities/groups as recipients. (Donating instruments for use in charity auctions or as prizes is prohibited by AAdvantage terms and conditions.)
- If anybody offers to sell, buy, barter or trade SWU by PM, please contact the moderators immediately, as this is a violation of AAdvantage and FlyerTalk rules. FT members have been sanctioned by AA in the past for these kinds of actions. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
For recent obsolete posts, please see ARCHIVE: Expiring SWU / VIP giveaway (strictly freely given): 2018 Edition (link).
Thanks everyone!
~AAdvantage forum Moderator team
Using expiring SWU beyond their expiration date.
It has been reported as possible here that some may be able to use an SWU beyond it’s programmed expiration date:
Those few very high value flyers with high “Eagle” (Helix score) ratings may receive extensions for unused SWU, but that is not an option for most AAdvantage members. Requests to do so will be met with a firm “no” from AA.
The system will, however, pull the SWU with the earliest expiration date. At least it has recently, and no reports on this being “fixed” have been reported. There are certain conditions that must be met for this to occur:
The AAdvantage member must have requalified as Concierge Key or Executive Platinum for the 2020 status year, and have SWU expiring 31 Jan 2021 in their account.
The SWU “pull” by the system must be prior to the SWU expiration date, even if the flight is past it - e.g. sometimes a SWU will “pull” long before the formal upgrade window, or if you can confirm a flight occurring 1 Feb or later with an SWU upgrade prior to 31 January — the system is programmed to pull your SWU with the earliest expiration date.
You can’t call and request this, it occurs naturally because (at least recently) the system is programmed that way. An agent will merely tell you this can’t be done (potentially, unless you’ve got Eagles galore.
You can’t upgrade using miles and copay, then switch to a SWU.
CAVEAT: It’s always possible the system has been altered to end this possibility, but it was extant early 2020.
It has been reported as possible here that some may be able to use an SWU beyond it’s programmed expiration date:
Those few very high value flyers with high “Eagle” (Helix score) ratings may receive extensions for unused SWU, but that is not an option for most AAdvantage members. Requests to do so will be met with a firm “no” from AA.
The system will, however, pull the SWU with the earliest expiration date. At least it has recently, and no reports on this being “fixed” have been reported. There are certain conditions that must be met for this to occur:
The AAdvantage member must have requalified as Concierge Key or Executive Platinum for the 2020 status year, and have SWU expiring 31 Jan 2021 in their account.
The SWU “pull” by the system must be prior to the SWU expiration date, even if the flight is past it - e.g. sometimes a SWU will “pull” long before the formal upgrade window, or if you can confirm a flight occurring 1 Feb or later with an SWU upgrade prior to 31 January — the system is programmed to pull your SWU with the earliest expiration date.
You can’t call and request this, it occurs naturally because (at least recently) the system is programmed that way. An agent will merely tell you this can’t be done (potentially, unless you’ve got Eagles galore.
You can’t upgrade using miles and copay, then switch to a SWU.
CAVEAT: It’s always possible the system has been altered to end this possibility, but it was extant early 2020.
ARCHIVED: SWU / VIP Expiring by 31 Jan 2020 giveaway (NO ASK; terms & conditions)
Sep 17, 2019, 9:47 am
#1
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
ARCHIVED: SWU / VIP Expiring by 31 Jan 2020 giveaway (NO ASK; terms & conditions)
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING!
NOTE: The “by 31 Jan 2021“ thread is here.
Please familiarize yourself with these ground rules. Posts that do not conform to these rules will be summarily deleted (without notice to the poster).
AA: "Upgrades are void if sold or advertised for sale for cash or other considerations. Members may designate another passenger to use their upgrades."
For recent obsolete posts, please see ARCHIVE: Expiring SWU / VIP giveaway (strictly freely given): 2018 Edition (link).
Thanks everyone!
~AAdvantage forum Moderator team
NOTE: The “by 31 Jan 2021“ thread is here.
Please familiarize yourself with these ground rules. Posts that do not conform to these rules will be summarily deleted (without notice to the poster).
AA: "Upgrades are void if sold or advertised for sale for cash or other considerations. Members may designate another passenger to use their upgrades."
- Asking for SWU here is not permitted! Donors will post here, and members are welcome to communicate via PM from there. If you don't see an open request, don't ask for one.
- To comply with AAdvantage T&C, SWU must given freely, with no strings attached. Requests for money, trading for SWU with different expiry or another airline’s instruments, or any other consideration, whether in the clear or via PM, are not allowed.
- Out of respect of our generous donors, please follow their instructions and contact them with the information they request.
- Donors can ultimately make the choice of recipient (tenured/contributive member, longer flight itineraries, international vs. domestic, etc.).
- Recipients are solely and entirely responsible for the payment of any fees or taxes associated with the use of a gifted SWU (e.g. United Kingdom Air Passenger Duty or French taxe de solidarité sur les billets d'avion).
- This thread is NOT for the discussion of ethics, entitlement, or nomination of charities/groups as recipients. (Donating instruments for use in charity auctions or as prizes is prohibited by AAdvantage T&C.)
- If anybody offers to sell, buy, barter or trade SWU by PM, please contact the moderators immediately, as this is a violation of AAdvantage and FlyerTalk rules. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
For recent obsolete posts, please see ARCHIVE: Expiring SWU / VIP giveaway (strictly freely given): 2018 Edition (link).
Thanks everyone!
~AAdvantage forum Moderator team
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 28, 2020 at 11:17 pm
Sep 17, 2019, 10:44 am
#2
Join Date: May 2019
Location: MAD
Programs: AA EXP/CK 8 MILLION MILES, DL, UA MILLION MILER, MARRIOTT TITANIUM, HILTON DIAMOND, HERTZ PRESIDENTS
Posts: 57
Please note that as of two years ago (I believe) SWUs are only valid until the end of January. From the AA Website, "Upgrades earned based on your 2018 flight activity are valid through January 31, 2020; upgrades earned based on your 2019 flight activity are valid through January 31, 2021." ... the title of the thread needs to be updated! 
Sep 18, 2019, 3:36 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: Aegean (Gold) American (EP)
Posts: 150
Thanks for starting for this year. I’ll most likely have a few to gift.
The CK desk said there was no way to “Secret Santa” SWUs any longer as some have done in the past.
FYI - the link to the prior thread is invalid.
The CK desk said there was no way to “Secret Santa” SWUs any longer as some have done in the past.
FYI - the link to the prior thread is invalid.
Sep 19, 2019, 1:51 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
Oct 2, 2019, 5:50 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 1
SWU needed
I have an upcoming trip LAX to PVG Oct 17 with C award space available. Flying with a friend who has never left the US (or sat in biz class obviously lol) would be a real treat! If you have any extras it would be much appreciated!
Nov 17, 2019, 4:23 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Empire State
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 461
Hi all! Anyone have an extra SWU that they’re not planning to use? We have an upcoming LHR-JFK with confirmable C class availability. Many thanks!
Nov 17, 2019, 4:29 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Nov 17, 2019, 5:31 pm
#8
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
A reminder soliciting SWU is not allowed; posts attempting such will be deleted summarily.
Please read the Wikipost at the top of the page before posting.
Thank you,
Moderator
Please read the Wikipost at the top of the page before posting.
Thank you,
Moderator
Dec 4, 2019, 4:23 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Austin,TX
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 6
Dec 13, 2019, 1:46 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Bonvoy titanium
Posts: 537
I’m leaving AA for delta and I have three swu to give away
priority will be given to (in order)
1 active posters
2 international flights
3 long distance domestic (coast to coast)
requirements
1 swu upgrade must clear immediately
2 in dm provide all necessary flight details and confirmation of swu upgrade availability
3 be an active poster with a long distance flight
this is my Christmas gift to a few fellow road warriors
priority will be given to (in order)
1 active posters
2 international flights
3 long distance domestic (coast to coast)
requirements
1 swu upgrade must clear immediately
2 in dm provide all necessary flight details and confirmation of swu upgrade availability
3 be an active poster with a long distance flight
this is my Christmas gift to a few fellow road warriors
Dec 13, 2019, 3:31 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gatwick, UK
Programs: UA *G, BA Silver
Posts: 1,673
Please note that as of two years ago (I believe) SWUs are only valid until the end of January. From the AA Website, "Upgrades earned based on your 2018 flight activity are valid through January 31, 2020; upgrades earned based on your 2019 flight activity are valid through January 31, 2021." ... the title of the thread needs to be updated!
I don't know if this applies when gifting them, but it seems strange if not – but I have already managed to apply my last two to flights I am taking in February.
Dec 14, 2019, 4:26 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: AAdvantage EXP
Posts: 152
I’m leaving AA for delta and I have three swu to give away
priority will be given to (in order)
1 active posters
2 international flights
3 long distance domestic (coast to coast)
requirements
1 swu upgrade must clear immediately
2 in dm provide all necessary flight details and confirmation of swu upgrade availability
3 be an active poster with a long distance flight
this is my Christmas gift to a few fellow road warriors
priority will be given to (in order)
1 active posters
2 international flights
3 long distance domestic (coast to coast)
requirements
1 swu upgrade must clear immediately
2 in dm provide all necessary flight details and confirmation of swu upgrade availability
3 be an active poster with a long distance flight
this is my Christmas gift to a few fellow road warriors
So nice of you Nuhusky - Just sent you a DM with C7 for my HKG to LAX flight- Wow, love this community...