Originally Posted by wile e

I have attempted to read and search through this thread, but did not stumble across an answer to my question.

The woman in my office booked my flight in economy, when it was supposed to be business class. I am in the middle of a Platinum challenge and business class would've put me over the top. The flight was booked through Amex Travel, and an AA flight number was booked for a code-share flight. Because it wasn't booked through AA nor are they the operating airline, they cannot offer me any upgrades or changes. The operating airline (Finnair) is saying they can't either, I can only upgrade through AA. There are plenty of seats available in business, but I cannot access any of them. I do not have direct access to Amex, as it is the company account that the flight was booked through, so I am at a loss as to how I can rectify this.

The only option offered to me is to upgrade at check-in at the airport, if any seats are available. Since Finnair started offering the auction for business class seats, check in upgrades have become increasingly rare. However if there is a seat available, with this purchase cost be calculated towards my EQD?

Otherwise, what are options? I have no more scheduled flights for the duration of my challenge and I will be roughly 700 EQD and 150 EQM away from Platinum. I'd rather not spend $800+ on a flight I do not really need just for the status, but I will if needed. How are AA Vacations handled? Does the full cost of the vacation count? Or only my flight purchased and not my family flights?

Any suggestions would be helpful and appreciated.

Flights were booked through Amex Travel (I don't have access to the account)
Flights purchased AA8985 and AA8986
Codeshare Flight AY005 and AY006