Originally Posted by
acearchie
I'm finding it very hard to find any information on how/if this is possible.
From what I understand AA upgrades their higher status users on a much more frequent basis, it seems almost filling from the front backwards.
From
this article it seems that as BA gold I might be entitled to an upgrade in a battle of like for like status on an upcoming AA flight tonight (booked through BA).
Is there anything I have to do/ask for for this to occur? I can see there is a waitlist for the next cabin (and seats available) but no ones name is on the list (yet)!
AA only gives free upgrades on long haul to its own elite (or rarely other OW elites for that matter) when they have oversold a cabin and need to roll people forward. This is different from comp upgrades on domestic flights. You're not "entitled" to anything. You could ask to pay for an upgrade, but in my experience asking in your situation (BA ticket on AA metal) I've ben told many times in lounge, desk, gate that it's not possible on a BA 125 ticket. I have seen other posters saying they had luck asking at AA desk in LHR though (I've never tried that) so maybe try that. As for a freebie, you might get lucky, but there are likely a lot of other AA elites ahead of you plus people using upgrade instruments (miles or SWU).
The article is taking about using just such instruments. For BA EC members, you get upgrade vouchers (GUF1 or GUF2) at a certain levels of tier points. I am assuming you don't have any? If you do, you need certain fare classes available to use them. There's a whole thread on that if you search.