GLD and PLT on Y/B fares do not pay stickers. The accounting can look funny, however, since the computer debits and then re-credits offsetting sticker amounts. You will find GLD life iffy; PLT is actually rather satisfying.

Some further facts about life in the AA system...

FULL FARE

The class B rarely appears domestically, but can often be attractive for international trips, especially if comparing for upgrades against a facially cheaper class of remaining discount coach.

The class Y always seems to be priced high, but on AA Y is also the booking code given to negotiated corporate fares, and some of those are quite cheap. Negotiated corporate Y fares are eligible for unlimited free upgrades for GLD and PLT. Government fares are not.

DOMESTIC UPGRADES

The 500-mile system is easy for EXP's: free and unlimited with quite a good hit percentage. For PLT and GLD, it is only totally free on Y and B fares. Otherwise, stickers must be tendered; they can be earned, or bought (for miles or for cash).

What is the effect of the paying part? By putting some price on things, it increases hit percentage for those who are the most keen on hitting. One PLT will decide 600 miles is not worth doing as compared to a sure booking in the exit row, and another PLT will decide even 600 miles needs an upgrade. The end result is decent upgrade percentages as PLT. A GLD's upgrade percentage could be good (e.g., caribbean off season) or negligible (e.g., LAX-JFK on a Sunday night).


PARTNERS

AA has several different kinds of partners; their relationships are complex. What's simple for AA (unlike UA) is the issue of upgrades on partners: at present there are none. well, op-ups and the like, when oneworld partners go by statuses, but nothing formal..

1. Alaska (AS). Flights on AS count almost identically to flights on AA, with full EQM and EQP elite credit.

2. BA. BA runs one of the stingiest major ff programs in the world, and with no apologies (go see the BA forum!). This spills over into oneworld. Until further notice (probably if/when ATI comes from DoT), BA flights between London and the USA cannot earn AA miles at all, nor be used for award flights. The ban does not apply to London-Canada/Mexico/Caribbean/Bermuda/S America. Discount flights on BA earn only fractional miles and elite qualifying points, but if flights are codeshared and booked AA-coded, the AA flight rules apply instead.

3. other oneworld partners. If codeshared and booked in the AA code, these are treated as pure AA flights. If booked in the partner code, or not codeshared, these are eligible to earn miles and/or status. How much? depends on the partner. Some partners give full miles for discount fares (e.g., AY), and some don't (e.g., IB). Some offer full elite bonuses (QF, AY), and some do not (JL, BA). Mexicana joins in 2009, and S7 Russian Airlines in 2010.

4. other partners. These have a chance to earn you some miles, but they do nothing for elite qualifying. some partners are for redemptions only.

REDEMPTIONS

AA has recently switched to one-way redemptions. There are 3 kinds.

1. AA-only. The main distinction with these is the option to use double
the basic mileage to get last seat (F/J/Y booking class) availability, called AAnytime. AAnytime flyers are treated as full fare payers, with no baggage fees etc.

2. All Partners. One-way, by zones and classses. Very restricted opportunities to stop over.

3. Oneworld Award. These are redemptions with cost determined by total distance flown. oneworld partners only, and must have two non-AA partners involved. The plus to these is no restrictions on stopovers.