AirTran Airways A+ Rewards - Business Class UG with A+ Credits

I have looked through this forum and was able to answer most of my questions. I determined that I can call at 12:00:01am the day prior to departure to upgrade using A+ credits. Also, a call to regular reservations 800-AIR-TRAN will work since the A+ program department line closes at midnight.

Some questions I still have:

There are two of us on the single itinerary. We have 8 A+ credit all in one account. I am thinking that we can use all 8 credits to upgrade both people to business class?
We paid for seat assignments, I am guessing that will be credited and available for a future flight?
Do elites still get upgrades at T-48 hours automatically. I know we will have a jump on those upgrading with cash at T-24 hours, but do Elites still get a jump or was that discontinued?

Some questions I still have:

There are two of us on the single itinerary. We have 8 A+ credit all in one account. I am thinking that we can use all 8 credits to upgrade both people to business class?
We paid for seat assignments, I am guessing that will be credited and available for a future flight?
Do elites still get upgrades at T-48 hours automatically. I know we will have a jump on those upgrading with cash at T-24 hours, but do Elites still get a jump or was that discontinued?




I foresee no prob.
I'd say yes. Wouldn't hurt to confirm with a call.
First I've heard of that. No unpaid upgrade is automatic. Elites check-in at T-24 to crash the wait-list near the top. Paid seats trump everything, even crew non-revs. AirTran will seat a rival's flight crew in Business if there are unsold seats.

3. First I've heard of that. No unpaid upgrade is automatic. Elites check-in at T-24 to crash the wait-list near the top. Paid seats trump everything, even crew non-revs. AirTran will seat a rival's flight crew in Business if there are unsold seats.

I remember reading here about a year ago where AirTran was providing automatic upgrades for Elites at T-48. I think it was a special promo for a short time after the Southwest announcement.

I remember reading here about a year ago where AirTran was providing automatic upgrades for Elites at T-48. I think it was a special promo for a short time after the Southwest announcement.


Elites can purchase upgrades at 48 hours prior. The rest of the pax can purchase them at 24 hours prior.

Elites can purchase upgrades at 48 hours prior. The rest of the pax can purchase them at 24 hours prior.

Elites can also upgrade with 4 flight credits 48 hours prior. I have done this.

I have looked through this forum and was able to answer most of my questions. I determined that I can call at 12:00:01am the day prior to departure to upgrade using A+ credits. Also, a call to regular reservations 800-AIR-TRAN will work since the A+ program department line closes at midnight.

Some questions I still have:

There are two of us on the single itinerary. We have 8 A+ credit all in one account. I am thinking that we can use all 8 credits to upgrade both people to business class?
We paid for seat assignments, I am guessing that will be credited and available for a future flight?
Do elites still get upgrades at T-48 hours automatically. I know we will have a jump on those upgrading with cash at T-24 hours, but do Elites still get a jump or was that discontinued?


1) Yes, you can
2) Yes - they may even credit the credit card you used to buy the seat assignments, but failing that, the credit will be tied to your A+ account.

Elites can also upgrade with 4 flight credits 48 hours prior. I have done this.

Elites as well as non-Elites can upgrade with 4 credits any time after a ticket purchase. There is no 48 hour window for credit upgrades.

Elites as well as non-Elites can upgrade with 4 credits any time after a ticket purchase. There is no 48 hour window for credit upgrades.

I'm almost certain you are mistaken. For non-Elites, the window opens midnight the day before departure time. For Elites, it's T-48 hours.

I'm almost certain you are mistaken. For non-Elites, the window opens midnight the day before departure time. For Elites, it's T-48 hours.

http://www.aplusrewards.com/a_terms_conditions.aspx#how_to_getFreeBusinessClas sUpgrades

Getting Free Business Class Upgrades: Call us at 1-888-3-A-PLUS-8 (1-888-327-5878) to reserve your upgrade to Business Class anytime beginning midnight the day prior to departure. Four (4) A+ Rewards credits are required to redeem for a one-way Business Class upgrade.

I remember reading here about a year ago where AirTran was providing automatic upgrades for Elites at T-48. I think it was a special promo for a short time after the Southwest announcement.

You are right. This was a special promotion during the winter of 2010/11... It lasted for a couple of months (the automatic, free elite upgrades) but the new upgrade process remained.

http://www.aplusrewards.com/a_terms_conditions.aspx#how_to_getFreeBusinessClas sUpgrades

Getting Free Business Class Upgrades: Call us at 1-888-3-A-PLUS-8 (1-888-327-5878) to reserve your upgrade to Business Class anytime beginning midnight the day prior to departure. Four (4) A+ Rewards credits are required to redeem for a one-way Business Class upgrade.

Exactly right for non-Elites. For Elites the window opens at T-48 hours. I have done this on multiple occasions, though sometimes I have to remind the agent of this Elite benefit. Here's a link:
http://www.airtran.com/eliteupgrades/
Note, in particular, the last FAQ on the page.

Elites as well as non-Elites can upgrade with 4 credits any time after a ticket purchase. There is no 48 hour window for credit upgrades.

Definately incorrect on both counts. That would severely impact revenue losing full BC fares. The whole upgrade idea is based on unsold BC seats.

Though Elites and Corp booking *full* coach fares do get automatic upgrades to BC at time of booking. So make sure you book using your account.

The Elite using credits inside T-48 upgrade is a holdover from the autoupgrade they ran during the holidays awhile ago.

The Elite using credits inside T-48 upgrade is a holdover from the autoupgrade they ran during the holidays awhile ago.

Perhaps that glitch should be fixed? ;)

Perhaps that glitch should be fixed? ;)

I actually thought/dreamed that might have been a beta test for GA's to implement a t-40 upgrade script. Sure would simplify the UG process and as it was done then prioritize UGs on fare paid. If that UG switch could be enabled I'd be very happy.

Is that still accurate that Elites can use credits to upgrade at 48hrs? I don't see it anywhere on the website. Anyone have recent experience doing this?

Thanks in advance.

Is that still accurate that Elites can use credits to upgrade at 48hrs? I don't see it anywhere on the website. Anyone have recent experience doing this?

Thanks in advance.

Yes T-48 still exists for Elites.

And for the OP anytime after midnight is correct though to be exact anytime after midnight *Eastern time* might give you an hour or two extra jump if your location is further West. ^

Awesome. Will be using credits to upgrade an upcoming ATL-LAS trip.

Now the question, do I want to stay up/get up at midnight to call them, or just wait 6 hours till morning.

Awesome. Will be using credits to upgrade an upcoming ATL-LAS trip.

Now the question, do I want to stay up/get up at midnight to call them, or just wait 6 hours till morning.

I might be OCD about this, but it's a pretty popular flight for upgrades, so calling at midnight might be advisable. However, having Elite, you'd probably have no worries the next morning either. I'd maybe look at the seat map that evening and if BC is wide open, wait, and if more than a couple seats are booked, then stay up and watch Letterman.

That is kind of what I was thinking - if I get nervous about it based on the seatmap, I'll stay up.

That is kind of what I was thinking - if I get nervous about it based on the seatmap, I'll stay up.

Keep in mind ATL-LAS can have a large number of inbound connections which could call in at T-48 (Elites), or after midnight (A+) up to say two hours prior to you based on their origin depart time. Things can change fast.

Keep in mind ATL-LAS can have a large number of inbound connections which could call in at T-48 (Elites), or after midnight (A+) up to say two hours prior to you based on their origin depart time. Things can change fast.

Is it T-48 for elites or midnight 2 days before?

T-48, I'll definitely be awake. Midnight 2 days before, no elites are going to be able to get a jump on me except by calling in at midnight - it is an evening flight, nobody connecting is going to start their itinerary a calendar day earlier.

Things can change fast, but not for those reasons you gave as far as I understand.

Is it T-48 for elites or midnight 2 days before?

T-48, I'll definitely be awake. Midnight 2 days before, no elites are going to be able to get a jump on me except by calling in at midnight - it is an evening flight, nobody connecting is going to start their itinerary a calendar day earlier.

Things can change fast, but not for those reasons you gave as far as I understand.

T-48 for Elites means just that.

Evening ATL-LAS will indeed have a large number of inbound connections. With their UG options based on their first flight departure time.

Not to mention last minute BC bookings paid or for credits (often BC is the only last minute A+ option)

LAS-ATL will be a fairer game. (SJC could be the only connect possible)

The flight in question is tomorrow at 10:25pm. I put it in my calendar to alert me to call in yesterday at 10:30, but at 10:00pm, I decided I was tired and wanted to go to bed and didn't care enough to call in at 10:30.

I called in this morning at 7AM, got my upgrade with credits, 2F, the seat I wanted. No problems. Good gamble #1 here.