Originally Posted by
KnownasEric
You're right about the airport
I was told I needed to use the upgrades from MIA back to SEA, the final segment of the return trip. I booked saver business, but was put in economy because they had no saver first/business openings.
I know they don't expire, but I haven't been able to earn any in a long time (I have two remaining).
I just find it to be a joke that, in reality, the only way I can upgrade a companion on the same flight is by paying for it, even though AA is making a big show about extending benefits to '1 companion' and championing this as a 'new benefit'
The new benefit (which is a significant plus, IMO) is the extension to award tickets. The rest, including companion process, is mostly just the way 500-mile upgrades have "always" worked on paid tickets.
Things may be better than you think: If you and/or companion are actually on a saver *business* redemption but seated in economy on MIA-SEA, then (1) you can keep an eye out for saver award space subsequently appearing up front and call to switch, and (2) if it goes down to the airport, whoever is still in economy should get a spot on the upgrade (PALL) list reflecting entitlement to the higher cabin if available, no certs required. They are not supposed to let a seat go out empty in the cabin you paid for (with miles) without putting you in it.