Do all USA airlines offer complimentary upgrades to their elites?
Dec 1, 2010, 5:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: London
Posts: 878
Do all USA airlines offer complimentary upgrades to their elites?
AFAIK most USA-based airlines offer complimentary upgrades to their elites for domestic trips (or even some int'l trips). AA (EXP only), CO, DL, UA and US do so for sure. I'm not very familiar with their programs, but I think that AS and VX also do so. WN and B6 have no first class. These are the biggest carriers I can think of and they all offer complimentary upgrades (on an availability basis).
I wonder how we reached this situation. I know that UA only started their UDU program in 2010 and I think in a sense they were following the others. I haven't been in the US for long, so I wonder if someone could write a brief history of this perk. I can't think of anything similar in any other country and even if it exists somewhere, I wouldn't expect it to be so prevalent. Any insight?
I wonder how we reached this situation. I know that UA only started their UDU program in 2010 and I think in a sense they were following the others. I haven't been in the US for long, so I wonder if someone could write a brief history of this perk. I can't think of anything similar in any other country and even if it exists somewhere, I wouldn't expect it to be so prevalent. Any insight?
Dec 1, 2010, 6:20 pm
#2
In Memoriam
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: dallas texas usa
Programs: aa plt 4.9MM LTAC
Posts: 14,828
the aa program will be 30 next year & probably will have a bunch of promo's like they did for 20 & 25 yrs.....
re free ug's for elites, the aa sticker program was introduced in the 2nd or 3rd year....it was sort of free because you got some stickers at no cost....
re free ug's for elites, the aa sticker program was introduced in the 2nd or 3rd year....it was sort of free because you got some stickers at no cost....
Dec 1, 2010, 10:28 pm
#3
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 2,732
If I may plug my favorite airline for a moment...
AS definitely does have unlimited upgrades, and although it has a relatively limited route network, it is routinely possible to score upgrades as a low-level elite (reached at just 20K miles). AS is also a bit more generous than its competitors; it offers upgrades systemwide, including Hawaii domestically as well as Canada and Mexico.
VX, on the other hand, does not offer complimentary upgrades. Their loyalty program is based around dollars spent which accumulate points; points are redeemed for free flights. They don't have any concept of elite status or benefits. Upgrades are available for purchase 6 hours before the flight.
AS definitely does have unlimited upgrades, and although it has a relatively limited route network, it is routinely possible to score upgrades as a low-level elite (reached at just 20K miles). AS is also a bit more generous than its competitors; it offers upgrades systemwide, including Hawaii domestically as well as Canada and Mexico.
VX, on the other hand, does not offer complimentary upgrades. Their loyalty program is based around dollars spent which accumulate points; points are redeemed for free flights. They don't have any concept of elite status or benefits. Upgrades are available for purchase 6 hours before the flight.