Originally Posted by
InfrequentFlyer2018
Mods - if this belongs somewhere else, please move it.
I'm currently on a paid J ticket purchased through AA and operated by BA. JFK - LHR.
I'm trying to figure out how to use AA miles to upgrade to F. Called AA and they're telling me this is not possible. There has to be way, right?
You can upgrade BA flights with AA miles assuming two conditions are met:
1) You've booked an eligible fare code
2) There is upgrade space available; For a J>F upgrade, there needs to be F award space open on the BA flight you're trying to upgrade
Just calling AA and asking a random reservations agent if you can upgrade without verifying the above is sure to solicit all sorts of nonsense responses, especially from the many lesser experienced agents who have probably never processed one of these before (they are rarely used due to the fare code requirements).
Below is the master thread here on these partner upgrades as well as the aa.com link to partner upgrades, including the award chart and eligible fare codes. A J>F upgrade is 35k miles each way.
AA.com - Use Miles for Upgrades
AA Partner Airline Upgrade Award - BA, IB, including codeshares (master thd)