Jan 19, 2015, 12:17 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Upgrading AA Award Tickets
AAdvantage ConciergeKey and Executive Platinum members have reported being able to upgrade award tickets using the same criteria as UDU / 500 mile even-upgrade "stickers" as of March, 2017.
Otherwise, Award tickets can not be upgraded with the usual upgrade instruments (nor do award trips earn miles) at this time. An award may be able to be "upgraded" by securing an award for a higher class of service, in which case AA will often allow the change at no additional cost. Be sure to read the FAQ and threads on MileSAAver and AAnytime wards - one can sometimes reasonably "upgrade" an Economy AAnytime award to a MileSAAver to Business or First if a seat is available.
Upgrades on Award tickets link
Executive Platinum members will be able to use their complimentary 500-mile upgrade benefits on AAdvantage® award tickets for travel on American from Main Cabin to the next class.
Executive Platinum members will be able to use their complimentary 500-mile upgrade benefits on AAdvantage® award tickets for travel on American from Main Cabin to the next class.
Those flying domestic sectors on voluntary downgrades to First and Business connections where there is no Dimestic First or Business award inventory are similarly situated. If no award seat inventory is available on the downgraded flights, only LFBU (if offered) are likely to result in a seat in J or F.
For an older thread on this topic, see also:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...09-2013-a.html
For information on kiosk / LFBU (load-factor based) upgrades, see:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
(with credit to dstan)
Any Ways / How to Upgrade Award Tickets? (master thread)
May 24, 2014, 11:19 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Hyatt Plat, HHonors Gld
Posts: 9
Any Ways / How to Upgrade Award Tickets? (master thread)
I understand AA's policy is that award tickets are not upgrade eligible, but has anyone had success in receiving an upgrade from Y to J/F on an award ticket where (1) you are an EXP (or other elite) (2) all normally wait listed upgrades have cleared and (3) there are many seats still left empty up front?
I was in this situation 2 weeks ago on a 2-class domestic flight with 10 empty seats in F after the list cleared... still no upgrade for me. It looks like I will be in a similar situation on a flight this weekend, and am wondering if anyone has had more success in this.
If not, I will sit in MCE and be happy with my free sandwich and cocktail, but it still seems strange to me that even DL will give upgrades in this situation. Seems unnecessarily stingy.
Thanks all!
I was in this situation 2 weeks ago on a 2-class domestic flight with 10 empty seats in F after the list cleared... still no upgrade for me. It looks like I will be in a similar situation on a flight this weekend, and am wondering if anyone has had more success in this.
If not, I will sit in MCE and be happy with my free sandwich and cocktail, but it still seems strange to me that even DL will give upgrades in this situation. Seems unnecessarily stingy.
Thanks all!
May 24, 2014, 1:39 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,976
DL specifically allows its higher level elites upgrades on award tickets. AA specifically does not. So it is not "strange". It is also not "strange" that AA gives its top tier elites free food and drink in Y and DL does not. It is simply the mix of policies that each airline thinks works best for it. Overall I like AA's mix better.
That said, in the days before DL allowed such upgrades I was occasionally upgraded at the gate in situations like the OP described. I would have expected similar with AA, but perhaps the GAs don't have as much flexibility.
That said, in the days before DL allowed such upgrades I was occasionally upgraded at the gate in situations like the OP described. I would have expected similar with AA, but perhaps the GAs don't have as much flexibility.
May 24, 2014, 2:11 pm
#4
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
AA will not upgrade an EXP on an award unless it is in their interest to do so - e.g. oversold Y cabin and there's nobody else in the queue to boot up front. Just because there are empty seats up there will not get you an upgrade, though of course you can always "upgrade" by calling and spending more miles for riding up front.
And IMO this is as it should be.
And IMO this is as it should be.
Jun 21, 2014, 9:56 pm
#6
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
No. You must spend the required miles for your friend to fly up front. Award tickets are not upgradable.
We've moved your query to the proper AA forum. /Moderator
We've moved your query to the proper AA forum. /Moderator
Jun 22, 2014, 12:40 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
2. You would even not get a free upgrade as an EXP on an award (except in the case of a oversold Y cabin that results in a roll forward)
Sep 10, 2014, 12:59 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MIA, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, SPG, DL Silver, Hilton Gold
Posts: 65
Upgrade on domestic award ticket
Has anyone ever been able to pull off an upgrade on an award ticket (given that there is space available)?
I know it doesn't give us the option to request one when you book the award flight but I want to know if anyone has had luck securing one by talking to airport personnel.
I know it doesn't give us the option to request one when you book the award flight but I want to know if anyone has had luck securing one by talking to airport personnel.
Sep 10, 2014, 3:38 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 591
Has anyone ever been able to pull off an upgrade on an award ticket (given that there is space available)?
I know it doesn't give us the option to request one when you book the award flight but I want to know if anyone has had luck securing one by talking to airport personnel.
I know it doesn't give us the option to request one when you book the award flight but I want to know if anyone has had luck securing one by talking to airport personnel.
Sep 10, 2014, 4:25 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: ALB
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors Diamond, Nexus
Posts: 432
Has anyone ever been able to pull off an upgrade on an award ticket (given that there is space available)?
I know it doesn't give us the option to request one when you book the award flight but I want to know if anyone has had luck securing one by talking to airport personnel.
I know it doesn't give us the option to request one when you book the award flight but I want to know if anyone has had luck securing one by talking to airport personnel.
Edit: forgot what forum I was reading and now realize this is probably for AA. So nevermind!
Sep 10, 2014, 6:03 am
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Its happened to me twice. I did not ask for it, the GA just gave me a BP for F (J for a LAX/JFK flight). The last time flying MIA/LGA was placed on another flight due to a mechanical and the GA said you are EXP and handed me a BP in F. I of course just said thank you and left the podium very quickly.
Sep 10, 2014, 6:04 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DL: Silver; AA: EX PLAT; UA: Silver; HY: DIA; HH: DIA; MR: TIT
Posts: 1,708
Has anyone ever been able to pull off an upgrade on an award ticket (given that there is space available)?
I know it doesn't give us the option to request one when you book the award flight but I want to know if anyone has had luck securing one by talking to airport personnel.
I know it doesn't give us the option to request one when you book the award flight but I want to know if anyone has had luck securing one by talking to airport personnel.
Sep 10, 2014, 7:23 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: AUS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 49
Happened to me once. Flying DCA-DFW. My wife and I were traveling on Anytime tickets and when I asked the gate agent he bumped us both up. And didnt even take any stickers for my wife (no status). Only time I have had it work though.
Sep 10, 2014, 1:59 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: MIA, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, SPG, DL Silver, Hilton Gold
Posts: 65
I will be flying on an AAnytime award on a red eye from LAS to MIA and would really like to get the upgrade since it's a redeye. It's good to see that some of you guys have been able to pull it off. I however am Platinum and not EXP.
Sep 10, 2014, 2:06 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Stuck Between the Moon and CLD or SAN, Your local Taco Bell
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT, DL PM, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,510
It's a very nice benefit that pmUS gives you at the 85k level under special dividends. They're offering it again this year, so it probably has a good shot at carrying over to the new program. If it does, the process is the same as domestic upgrades (i.e., you can't ask for it, but the upgrade gnome moves you just as if you were on a paid ticket).