Originally Posted by
NC_Girl
Yes, I find it much more pleasant in First. Having flown pretty much nothing but coach for the last 10 years I had forgotten how much more enjoyable it was to fly in the front of the plane. Flying coach is much more stressful, squashed in, harried FA's, fighting for a place for my luggage etc etc
What I was hoping for? If I could put in several months or however long it took to get top Elite Status on an airline that I could then continue to fly on bargain fares but be upgraded? I know I would have to keep up a lot of flying (which I actually do enjoy) to continue to have status but flying 100,000 miles but upgraded in a better cabin would be great!
You dont sound like you are mentally equipped to handle mileage run type of flying. It is a very insane way of flying for the sake of accumulate miles to achieve / requalify for elite status. The first year to achieve elite would be the hardest needless to say as you start from the bottom.
I dont see how you "actually do enjoy" when all your flying to achieve elites would have to be done in coach and on crazy schedules.
You dont get upgrade UNTIL AFTER YOU ACHIEVE THE STATUS - that is AFTER the 100,000 miles - which would be 20 Transcon trips at 5K each to give you some perspective.
Upgrade is capacity controlled although for certain markets being an EXP (Executive Platinum, AA's highest elite status from flying), the upgrades to the front on DOMESTIC flights are easier than other markets where there is concentration of elites. (think DFW and ORD).
When you achieve EXP, you will receive 4 SWU (systemwide upgrade cert) that allows you to upgrade to business class from any fare code you pay, or to F from business class you pay.
You have to REQUALIFY each year in order to maintain your status - that means you will have to fly 100,000 the following year - but then since you already have status, the flying becomes much easier (still in coach but have chance to upgrade.)
You should visit AA forum and read the STICKY at the top to learn more and see if this is for you.
Oh, once you achieve elite status, you earn DOUBLE redeemable miles so you mileage bank balance goes up twice faster and you can use the miles to fly upfront by redeeming business / first class awards.