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Has AA eliminated the upgrade window for elites?

Old Mar 30, 2017, 4:57 pm
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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
In fact, statusholders may be upgraded days prior to the opening of the upgrade window, even in 2017.

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.
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Has AA eliminated the upgrade window for elites?

Old Apr 18, 2015, 7:52 pm
  #61  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SAN
Programs: AA-EXP; US-Silver; Marriott-Platinum; Starwood-Platinum; Hilton-Gold
Posts: 1,260
9 of us cleared yesterday for 11 open seats at T-3. A friend checked in just prior to that and was given an upgrade offer for the same flight for a low price.

Two non-elites for tomorrow's flight (AA49) checked in and purchased the upgrade option on the website for pay (equivalent to the sticker cost +$10) and received an instant upgrade - ahead of those on UPG list with status.

Last edited by AA-Flyer-SAN; Apr 19, 2015 at 6:37 am
AA-Flyer-SAN is offline  
Old May 14, 2015, 9:40 pm
  #62  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: St. Louis, MO, USA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Gold Elite, Lowly kettle across every other loyalty program.
Posts: 778
Another data point. EF showing A 7 for tomorrow's noon flight. Have not cleared yet. Only bad part about this is not knowing if the stickers you buy will get used.
iplaybass is offline  
Old May 15, 2015, 8:59 am
  #63  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17
Originally Posted by TWAL10114Ever
I'm sorry, but to me, if seat choice and meal choice are that important, you pay for it up front for that guarantee.
The only reason clearing early makes a difference for me is that if it's a long meal flight, and I don't get the upgrade, I want to eat something before getting on the plane. No big deal.
dringess is offline  
Old May 19, 2015, 10:30 am
  #64  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CHI, BOS, SFO
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,667
Originally Posted by AA-Flyer-SAN
9 of us cleared yesterday for 11 open seats at T-3. A friend checked in just prior to that and was given an upgrade offer for the same flight for a low price.

Two non-elites for tomorrow's flight (AA49) checked in and purchased the upgrade option on the website for pay (equivalent to the sticker cost +$10) and received an instant upgrade - ahead of those on UPG list with status.
Yes - It's been, perhaps, more annoying as of late. On the last 8 flights over the last month, I have not cleared until T-4 before departure whereas earlier in the year 90% of my flights cleared at the 100 hr window.
Mateo4321 is offline  
Old May 19, 2015, 1:13 pm
  #65  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: AA EXP, UA GS, SPG Plat
Posts: 423
Originally Posted by AA-Flyer-SAN
9 of us cleared yesterday for 11 open seats at T-3. A friend checked in just prior to that and was given an upgrade offer for the same flight for a low price.

Two non-elites for tomorrow's flight (AA49) checked in and purchased the upgrade option on the website for pay (equivalent to the sticker cost +$10) and received an instant upgrade - ahead of those on UPG list with status.
I've also noticed that I only now clear the within T-24 hours. The T-100 hour upgrade hasn't been seen a very long time. the above quote is troublesome. Is this typical where AA sells F seats at OLCI before elites have cleared? I thought it was AA's official position that OLCI $ upgrades only occurred in situations where the upgrade waitlist was empty. This would be a HUGE deal if this changed.
rikramer is offline  
Old May 19, 2015, 1:29 pm
  #66  
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 361
Flying on 187 BOS - ORD tomorrow... normally my upgrades on my Boston runs clears several days out, often at T-100 no matter when I booked. This time, I booked in December and no upgrade to be had yet. Cabin is showing F7 A7 and was F7 earlier in the week when the upgrade window opened.

On my outbound on Saturday, 186, I cleared about T-6. Even with the cabin showing F7 A6 for most of the week leading up to the flight.

As an EXP booking back in late December, if I'm not at the top of the list I'd be damn surprised. Just don't understand the reasoning in holding back the seats. Everything BOS - ORD tomorrow is F5+ except for one F2 (6am departure).
TheSkyGuy is offline  
Old May 19, 2015, 1:37 pm
  #67  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Ex Platinum & 1MM, DL PLT, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,490
First, I would love to know how much these upgrades are being sold for to the non-elites who are not on the complimentary list.

Next, FWIW, I have heard US GA's in PHX announce that, before they clear the upgrade list, they have an 'exciting opportunity for anyone who might wish to purchase one...' which really made me see red. So, it sounds like this will be the norm for the 'new' American. And, as a PHX GA told me, when she sold a complimentary upgrade out from under me (had the new BP in my hand!), 'money comes first' which I suspect is Discount Dougie's mantra!
txrus is offline  
Old May 19, 2015, 1:42 pm
  #68  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ONT/FRA
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 878
Originally Posted by txrus
First, I would love to know how much these upgrades are being sold for to the non-elites who are not on the complimentary list.

Next, FWIW, I have heard US GA's in PHX announce that, before they clear the upgrade list, they have an 'exciting opportunity for anyone who might wish to purchase one...' which really made me see red. So, it sounds like this will be the norm for the 'new' American. And, as a PHX GA told me, when she sold a complimentary upgrade out from under me (had the new BP in my hand!), 'money comes first' which I suspect is Discount Dougie's mantra!
Despite all the whining amongst Delta DMs, FCM hasn't cut back on Delta's capacity utilization. I'm sure that hasn't gone unnoticed at AA.
BSBD is offline  
Old May 19, 2015, 1:49 pm
  #69  
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 361
Originally Posted by txrus
And, as a PHX GA told me, when she sold a complimentary upgrade out from under me (had the new BP in my hand!),'money comes first' which I suspect is Discount Dougie's mantra!
"Hi Gate Agent, I'd like to see your supervisor."

That's garbage, I'd have lost it.

Hope you wrote in about that, that shouldn't happen.
TheSkyGuy is offline  
Old May 19, 2015, 1:49 pm
  #70  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA PLT 3MM
Posts: 1,135
Originally Posted by rikramer
I've also noticed that I only now clear the within T-24 hours. The T-100 hour upgrade hasn't been seen a very long time. the above quote is troublesome. Is this typical where AA sells F seats at OLCI before elites have cleared? I thought it was AA's official position that OLCI $ upgrades only occurred in situations where the upgrade waitlist was empty. This would be a HUGE deal if this changed.
I cleared last week on the new 788 ORD->DFW at T-100 on a flight booked two weeks out, so early upgrades do still exist.
dmsdfw is offline  
Old May 19, 2015, 1:56 pm
  #71  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: AA EXP, UA GS, SPG Plat
Posts: 423
Originally Posted by txrus
First, I would love to know how much these upgrades are being sold for to the non-elites who are not on the complimentary list.

Next, FWIW, I have heard US GA's in PHX announce that, before they clear the upgrade list, they have an 'exciting opportunity for anyone who might wish to purchase one...' which really made me see red. So, it sounds like this will be the norm for the 'new' American. And, as a PHX GA told me, when she sold a complimentary upgrade out from under me (had the new BP in my hand!), 'money comes first' which I suspect is Discount Dougie's mantra!
What really gets me about these strategies is that it is the elites who end up at a disadvantage as they are often not give the opportunity to purchase the upgrade (since they are already on the upgrade list).
rikramer is offline  
Old May 19, 2015, 2:32 pm
  #72  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: AA EXP, UA GS, SPG Plat
Posts: 423
Originally Posted by dmsdfw
I cleared last week on the new 788 ORD->DFW at T-100 on a flight booked two weeks out, so early upgrades do still exist.
Granted, I was not very clear in my statement. I was referring to my own experiences....I haven't been upgraded at T-100 for a long time now. I do not have access to any information nor was I stating my belief that the T-100 window was no longer in play across AA.
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Old May 19, 2015, 3:10 pm
  #73  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: WFBF
Posts: 963
Originally Posted by dmsdfw
I cleared last week on the new 788 ORD->DFW at T-100 on a flight booked two weeks out, so early upgrades do still exist.
My last three AA-metal jaunts have cleared day of.

The most recent one, yesterday morning, I cleared along with half the F cabin at two minutes before boarding began.

I have a US-metal itinerary coming up next Tuesday, will see when that one clears...
ubernostrum is offline  
Old May 19, 2015, 3:31 pm
  #74  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: AA exp
Posts: 114
Originally Posted by ubernostrum
My last three AA-metal jaunts have cleared day of.

The most recent one, yesterday morning, I cleared along with half the F cabin at two minutes before boarding began.

I have a US-metal itinerary coming up next Tuesday, will see when that one clears...
I had same experience dfw-atl last month. F 2/3 empty but UPG cleared only t-4 both ways.
moki1 is offline  
Old May 19, 2015, 4:44 pm
  #75  
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Join Date: Jul 2002
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My last few experiences have been on US. But my Dad (AA Platinum) noted that his last trip from RDU to ORD and back, both upgrades cleared at the gate.
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