Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: SAT
Programs: AA EXP BA Gold, TK Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AS 100K, QR PLT, SAS Gold, IHG Spire, AMR
Posts: 5,898
I had 4 biz awards BKK-HKG-JFK with the HKG-JFK segment in premium economy. One by one I was able to upgrade 3 of us. Even though BA showed space, AS was unable to change from T to U and I checked daily for 3 weeks. To make matters worse, we were split on CX840 and CX846. Upon check in in HKG I asked for 4 biz seats and was told no. Upon further chatting, CX put us on the same flight AND gave my son a courtesy upgrade to Biz all within a matter of 5 mins.
The point is that the airport CAN make changes to AS issued awards without involving AS. It is all about availability and what the agent is willing to do.