Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Wilton Manors, FL
Programs: AA PPro, LA Platinum, CM Silver, NK Silver, F9 Gold, Hyatt Explorist,
Posts: 574
Aerofreaky:
You do not need to purchase a specific fare to upgrade a flight. If you have upgrade certificates, you can call their call center before buying your ticket to see if they have any "A" fares available in business class. If confirmed, you can buy your tickets and use your upgrades and be confirmed in J that day. You can also buy upgrades at the airport on a first come, first served basis. The prices out of MIA are fair, though I cannot speak for JFK. AV is also currently running a promotion to elite members to upgrade to J when purchasing a SuperFlexi fare, if confirmed on day of purchase with A inventory.
You earn 1 mile per mile flown, minimum 500 miles. There are no reductions for lower class fares.
I have asked for row 7 on the A319 and A 320 as a lowly Gold and they have given it to me. My Spanish is not good enough to sit in an exit row, although I donīt think those rows are reserved for elites anyway. Neither is row 7, but the agents donīt assign them.