Originally Posted by
FirstClassMustache
Question regarding T-14/later upgrades. If I book 2x PE on JAL through AA, as we get closer is there a chance I will be able to upgrade to J/F seats with points/cash? If so, what do upgrades typically run for points/$'s? PE is 50k and I've seen J for 60k, so would it be fair to expect just another 10k points per seat to upgrade? Thanks!
Technically speaking you cannot "upgrade" a JL award, the only thing you can do is cancel your existing PE awards, get a refund for the miles/taxes, and rebook the new awards in business class.
And all partner awards including JL are currently at fixed pricing, from the US<>Japan 50k is the PE price and 60k is the business class price. So to do what you're talking about would in fact be an extra 10k miles each.
If you book 2x PE awards now, and later 2x J awards become available, I would first put the new J awards on hold at aa.com. Then pull up your old reservation and cancel it. You will probably then have to call AA to get the miles redeposited. Then go back in and ticket the new on-hold reservation.
Alternatively you should be able to call AA and accomplish the cancellation, miles redeposit, and rebooking in one call. But again it's important that you don't use the term "upgrade" when you call as that will just confuse lesser experienced agents and probably elicit some nonsense responses. What you want to do is "change" your existing PE award to business class.