Dec 4, 2012, 5:40 pm
Last edit by: JY1024
The current version of this thread can be found here:
FAQ: What's a Systemwide Upgrade / SWU / eVIP / VIP? (Master thread)
FAQ: What's a Systemwide Upgrade / SWU / eVIP / VIP? (Master thread)
ARCHIVE: SWU / VIP / eVIP Systemwide Upgrade questions
Sep 27, 2016, 9:23 am
#4636
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
I am flying xxx-LHR-ORD. Transit time is under 5hrs. Flying into LHR on BA metal and flying LHR-ORD on AA metal.
Requested SWU waitlist on AA metal. EXP agent made me give the cc info for some "forward cabin tax". I am guessing she was talking about the APD.
I don't believe there should be any APD at the time of upgrade. Is my understanding correct? If so, should I call to clarify now? Or when the upgrade clears?
Requested SWU waitlist on AA metal. EXP agent made me give the cc info for some "forward cabin tax". I am guessing she was talking about the APD.
I don't believe there should be any APD at the time of upgrade. Is my understanding correct? If so, should I call to clarify now? Or when the upgrade clears?
● UK Air Passenger Duty / APD for LHR/UK departures: (Often incorrectly called "Luxury tax"): Departing from the UK (or on a layover of 24:00 or longer via the U.K.), you'll be charged the APD of around $110. This applies for upgrades to business only. Upgrading business to first doesn't incur this, (since your business ticket already included the APD). This does not apply TO the U.K. or to connecting in under 24:00 in the U.K.
Sep 27, 2016, 9:41 am
#4637
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
I am flying xxx-LHR-ORD. Transit time is under 5hrs. Flying into LHR on BA metal and flying LHR-ORD on AA metal.
Requested SWU waitlist on AA metal. EXP agent made me give the cc info for some "forward cabin tax". I am guessing she was talking about the APD.
I don't believe there should be any APD at the time of upgrade. Is my understanding correct? If so, should I call to clarify now? Or when the upgrade clears?
Requested SWU waitlist on AA metal. EXP agent made me give the cc info for some "forward cabin tax". I am guessing she was talking about the APD.
I don't believe there should be any APD at the time of upgrade. Is my understanding correct? If so, should I call to clarify now? Or when the upgrade clears?
If it was me, I would call in again to get clarification. If you can head off the charge to begin with it would better than having to chase a refund. AA doesn't seem to be real quick submitting them.
Last edited by RogerD408; Sep 27, 2016 at 9:46 am
Sep 27, 2016, 9:45 am
#4638
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
From what the Wiki says, I'd say no, you don't pay the APD. It may be the AAgent did not see the connecting flight and thought you were originating at LHR. There are no requirements you must be connecting on the same airline or even the same PNR.
If it was me, I would call in again to get clarification. If you can head off the charge to begin with it would better than having to chase a refund. AA doesn't seem to be real quick submitting them.
If it was me, I would call in again to get clarification. If you can head off the charge to begin with it would better than having to chase a refund. AA doesn't seem to be real quick submitting them.
Sep 27, 2016, 9:51 am
#4639
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: status free since 2017
Posts: 2,188
From what the Wiki says, I'd say no, you don't pay the APD. It may be the AAgent did not see the connecting flight and thought you were originating at LHR. There are no requirements you must be connecting on the same airline or even the same PNR.
If it was me, I would call in again to get clarification. If you can head off the charge to begin with it would better than having to chase a refund. AA doesn't seem to be real quick submitting them.
If it was me, I would call in again to get clarification. If you can head off the charge to begin with it would better than having to chase a refund. AA doesn't seem to be real quick submitting them.
Thank you gents. That was my understanding as well.
I did call and next AAgent was better informed. She did acknowledge, it's a common misunderstanding among agents but rates desk is better informed and does not charge the tax when re-ticketing.
Sep 27, 2016, 8:39 pm
#4640
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
I am flying HKG-LAX-ORD. LAX-ORD has A inventory available. Let's say I am fine/happy with my SWU used only for LAX-ORD (aka not clearing the WL and having to slum it in HKG-LAX). But of course what I want is HKG-LAX-ORD all cleared in one SWU. Should I apply the SWU to LAX-ORD now then? If I do this would I need a 2nd SWU to 'clear again' the HKG-LAX upgrade once inventory opens?
Sep 27, 2016, 9:28 pm
#4641
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: status free since 2017
Posts: 2,188
I am flying HKG-LAX-ORD. LAX-ORD has A inventory available. Let's say I am fine/happy with my SWU used only for LAX-ORD (aka not clearing the WL and having to slum it in HKG-LAX). But of course what I want is HKG-LAX-ORD all cleared in one SWU. Should I apply the SWU to LAX-ORD now then? If I do this would I need a 2nd SWU to 'clear again' the HKG-LAX upgrade once inventory opens?
Sep 27, 2016, 9:28 pm
#4642
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
One SWU will be sufficient for HKG-LAX-ORD as long as it's on one ticket. I'll let others weigh in on the subjective portion of your question (whether you should clear the domestic leg now and risk non-clearance of HKG-LAX).
Sep 27, 2016, 9:30 pm
#4643
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
That was my question. Say I (voluntarily) clear/go ahead with the domestic leg now. Is it still possible, using the same SWU, to be on the waitlist and hopefully eventually clear HKG-LAX?
Sep 27, 2016, 9:32 pm
#4644
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
Yes, it's possible and with one SWU. Whether you should do it is another question, with the potential for lots of disagreement.
Sep 28, 2016, 11:24 am
#4645
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: status free since 2017
Posts: 2,188
Let's say I am fine/happy with my SWU used only for LAX-ORD (aka not clearing the WL and having to slum it in HKG-LAX).
Sep 28, 2016, 12:58 pm
#4646
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
I am guessing some would say LAX-ORD is achievable using stickers so it won't be worth a single SWU.
I was worried that had I used my SWU into A for this segment, I would need to use an extra SWU to clear HKG-LAX once there is C. Well since this is not the case, then that's great. I'll go ahead with domestic only for now (happy with that since domestic leg is 787 with flat bed.)
I was worried that had I used my SWU into A for this segment, I would need to use an extra SWU to clear HKG-LAX once there is C. Well since this is not the case, then that's great. I'll go ahead with domestic only for now (happy with that since domestic leg is 787 with flat bed.)
Sep 28, 2016, 1:12 pm
#4647
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
I am guessing some would say LAX-ORD is achievable using stickers so it won't be worth a single SWU.
I was worried that had I used my SWU into A for this segment, I would need to use an extra SWU to clear HKG-LAX once there is C. Well since this is not the case, then that's great. I'll go ahead with domestic only for now (happy with that since domestic leg is 787 with flat bed.)
I was worried that had I used my SWU into A for this segment, I would need to use an extra SWU to clear HKG-LAX once there is C. Well since this is not the case, then that's great. I'll go ahead with domestic only for now (happy with that since domestic leg is 787 with flat bed.)
Sep 28, 2016, 4:13 pm
#4648
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 3
AA SWU / systemwide upgrade to MXP taken back
I just had a shock! I was upgraded to Milan and when I went to board they took my upgrade back!
The gate agent claimed it was her perogative and I wasn't first on the list. I was upgraded BOS to JFK and my upgrade JFK to MXP came through before we took off from Boston.
Any rules I should know? Has anyone else experienced this? I called the EXP desk and they said they'd return the systemwide. Ugh!
Thanks for your advice and thoughts
Angel
The gate agent claimed it was her perogative and I wasn't first on the list. I was upgraded BOS to JFK and my upgrade JFK to MXP came through before we took off from Boston.
Any rules I should know? Has anyone else experienced this? I called the EXP desk and they said they'd return the systemwide. Ugh!
Thanks for your advice and thoughts
Angel
Sep 28, 2016, 5:22 pm
#4649
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
We have moved your post from the TalkBoard Topics Forum to the proper airline's forum.
JDiver, Moderator
My guess is your seat was allocated to a Federal Air Marshal, or perhaps they took the seat of a passenger paying for Business and you were then displaced for. The GA has no such prerogative, but if a FAM issue, they are prohibited by law from telling you that (and as a result you may be told nonsense reasons), and nobody can deny a FAM (or two) seats on a flight that has been selected.
JDiver, Moderator
My guess is your seat was allocated to a Federal Air Marshal, or perhaps they took the seat of a passenger paying for Business and you were then displaced for. The GA has no such prerogative, but if a FAM issue, they are prohibited by law from telling you that (and as a result you may be told nonsense reasons), and nobody can deny a FAM (or two) seats on a flight that has been selected.
Last edited by JDiver; Sep 29, 2016 at 3:31 pm
Sep 28, 2016, 5:45 pm
#4650
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: BNA
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 766
Geez that would suck. Curious: did it clear on its own or did you "push it" after availability opened up (e.g. after receiving an EF notification).