Non-Elite Check-In Upgrade Over Plat 500-Milers
#91
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Are Elites who have NOT requested a sticker/500mile upgraded for a flight offered a LFBU upgrade at check in? Wonder if someone in the same scenario as OP could have removed the sticker upgrade request and asked for LFBU option.
Just wondering how to move forward for upgrade requests. Is it better to not even ask for the sticker upgrades and roll the dice at check in.
Just wondering how to move forward for upgrade requests. Is it better to not even ask for the sticker upgrades and roll the dice at check in.
#93
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
#94
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
Personally, I would think not. I will continue to submit for sticker upgrades rather than roll the dice on LFBUs. I have no evidence to support this apart from my own experiences over the last year with sticker upgrades--my upgrades clear less frequently than they have the previous years--but I would imagine LFBUs are even more scarce.
#95
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
Actually, I wholeheartedly make that recommendation to all AA elites. Don't ever bother requesting domestic upgrades, or even SWUs. They probably won't come through. Economy is in many ways better than F anyhow, and you'll just end up cluttering up the list.
#96
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
I second that. Y is the new F/J!
#97
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
If only more people had listened to you on Wednesday. My upgrade might have cleared.
#99
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
I'm a little confused -- are you suggesting that DODUs/LFBUs come out of whatever A/C inventory is published in the system? Because that, IME, almost never seems to comport with your previous statements about having enough set aside for elites awaiting sticker upgrades. I'd be quite surprised if general availability of A inventory factored in elites waiting for sticker upgrades.
Now, if the DODUs are offered as a subset of A/C that makes more sense, but I'm not sure why that would necessarily lead one to conclude that's a reason why they clear before elite upgrades.
Of course, another reason could be practicality -- they just can't process all the DODU's at the very last minute, since that's usually when they seem to clear the last bunch of elite upgrades. So they have to offer some starting as early as 24 hours.
Now, if the DODUs are offered as a subset of A/C that makes more sense, but I'm not sure why that would necessarily lead one to conclude that's a reason why they clear before elite upgrades.
Of course, another reason could be practicality -- they just can't process all the DODU's at the very last minute, since that's usually when they seem to clear the last bunch of elite upgrades. So they have to offer some starting as early as 24 hours.
Are Elites who have NOT requested a sticker/500mile upgraded for a flight offered a LFBU upgrade at check in? Wonder if someone in the same scenario as OP could have removed the sticker upgrade request and asked for LFBU option.
Just wondering how to move forward for upgrade requests. Is it better to not even ask for the sticker upgrades and roll the dice at check in.
Just wondering how to move forward for upgrade requests. Is it better to not even ask for the sticker upgrades and roll the dice at check in.
#100
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
#101
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
Rec'd the following from AA Cust Svc:
Unsure how calling the same desk I spoke with multiple times last week will be able to answer my questions...
Anyone know where I can send this to get it to the proper group to address?
Hello OneAnt,
First, on behalf of all of us here at AAdvantage Customer Service, thank you for being one of our valued AAdvantage Platinum members.
We're sorry to hear that you are having difficulty in using your upgrades however; this isn?t something our department handles.
When you?re able, please contact our colleagues in AAdvantage Platinum
reservations:
* From the U.S. or Canada, call 800-843-3000
* If you?re outside the U.S. or Canada, visit aa.com/phones to find the number for the reservations office nearest you
* If you're unable to call, you can also send us a Tweet @AmericanAir and our social media team may be able to assist.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Karen W.B.
AAdvantage Customer Service
American Airlines
P.S. Did you know that we have a way for you to Buy, Gift, or Share miles for yourself or friends and family? Visit aa.com/buymiles for more information.
First, on behalf of all of us here at AAdvantage Customer Service, thank you for being one of our valued AAdvantage Platinum members.
We're sorry to hear that you are having difficulty in using your upgrades however; this isn?t something our department handles.
When you?re able, please contact our colleagues in AAdvantage Platinum
reservations:
* From the U.S. or Canada, call 800-843-3000
* If you?re outside the U.S. or Canada, visit aa.com/phones to find the number for the reservations office nearest you
* If you're unable to call, you can also send us a Tweet @AmericanAir and our social media team may be able to assist.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Karen W.B.
AAdvantage Customer Service
American Airlines
P.S. Did you know that we have a way for you to Buy, Gift, or Share miles for yourself or friends and family? Visit aa.com/buymiles for more information.
Anyone know where I can send this to get it to the proper group to address?
#102
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Best plan is to write in again, referencing that that answer was non-responsive, and that your question is one of AAdv policy, not your inability to figure out how to use upgrades (someone here might very well have better language to suggest) but, in no case can you/should you try to figure out how to email it to "AAdvantage Platinum reservations" as there is no such thing. What -should- happen is someone at AA CR should read the email and offer to forward it for an answer as to what current policy is, has it changed and "what went wrong" in your particular case.
Again, someone here might have some better ideas, I personally never email them. Also reach out via Twitter maybe.
#104
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,017
Next reply from AA. The AAdvantage Customer Service department is who I sent this to first, and is who directed me to the reservations department to use upgrades. Hope I don't get caught in a loop here.
July 27, 2016
Dear OneAnt:
Thanks for contacting Customer Relations.
In order to facilitate a response to your inquiry, I've asked my colleagues in our AAdvantage Customer Service department to look into AAdvantage program policies for you. They will assist you as soon as possible. In the meantime, thank you for your patience.
Of course, complete information about the AAdvantage program is always available at http://www.aa.com/AAdvantage. You can manage your account online when you login with your AAdvantage number and password. Should you have any further questions or need information regarding AAdvantage member policies, you may send an email directly to AAdvantage Customer Service at www.aa.com/contactaa by selecting 'Customer Service' from the AAdvantage section.
If you prefer, you may reach our AAdvantage Customer Service department by telephone at 800-882-8880. Ask for the "Main Menu" when prompted, and then request "AAdvantage Account Service".
OneAnt, we appreciate your participation in the AAdvantage program and look forward to serving you soon.
Sincerely,
Brent Ford
Customer Relations
American Airlines
AA Ref#X-XXXXXXXXXX
Dear OneAnt:
Thanks for contacting Customer Relations.
In order to facilitate a response to your inquiry, I've asked my colleagues in our AAdvantage Customer Service department to look into AAdvantage program policies for you. They will assist you as soon as possible. In the meantime, thank you for your patience.
Of course, complete information about the AAdvantage program is always available at http://www.aa.com/AAdvantage. You can manage your account online when you login with your AAdvantage number and password. Should you have any further questions or need information regarding AAdvantage member policies, you may send an email directly to AAdvantage Customer Service at www.aa.com/contactaa by selecting 'Customer Service' from the AAdvantage section.
If you prefer, you may reach our AAdvantage Customer Service department by telephone at 800-882-8880. Ask for the "Main Menu" when prompted, and then request "AAdvantage Account Service".
OneAnt, we appreciate your participation in the AAdvantage program and look forward to serving you soon.
Sincerely,
Brent Ford
Customer Relations
American Airlines
AA Ref#X-XXXXXXXXXX
#105
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
They -do- enjoy their petty torments, but, in this instance, I'd say this is the exact answer you're looking for. ("...to look into AAdvantage program policies for you")