Complimentary Upgrades on American (AA)
Aug 19, 2021, 2:04 pm
#196
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DAL
Posts: 3,398
Gold 75K here, taking my first flights on AA in a very long time
17 August 2021
AA 1535
LAX-MIA
77W
- UPGRADED to Business about 2 days before flight
- Noticed upgrade during routine itinerary check on 15 August
- At T-48, Business Class seat map showed 20/52 seats available
18 August 2021
AA 2283
MIA-LAX
77W
- NOT upgraded; made it to #7 on upgrade list. #1 was upgraded.
- Appeared on the upgrade list automatically; did not manually request upgrades nor take any action at the gate.
- At T-72, Business Class seat map showed 5/52 seats available
17 August 2021
AA 1535
LAX-MIA
77W
- UPGRADED to Business about 2 days before flight
- Noticed upgrade during routine itinerary check on 15 August
- At T-48, Business Class seat map showed 20/52 seats available
18 August 2021
AA 2283
MIA-LAX
77W
- NOT upgraded; made it to #7 on upgrade list. #1 was upgraded.
- Appeared on the upgrade list automatically; did not manually request upgrades nor take any action at the gate.
- At T-72, Business Class seat map showed 5/52 seats available
Aug 19, 2021, 3:46 pm
#197
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Programs: AS 100K, UA MM, AA MM, IC Plat Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 3,146
Aug 19, 2021, 5:22 pm
#198
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
So there is hope for advance now. nice. I'm doing BOS-MIA-LAX and back next month.
Flagship lounge is not back open yet so you didn't miss much. MIA is supposed to reopen in September, the remainder in fall, hopefully in time for my flight (if I get the magical advance upgrade). Business class on MIA/LAX should get Admirals Club access without membership
Flagship lounge is not back open yet so you didn't miss much. MIA is supposed to reopen in September, the remainder in fall, hopefully in time for my flight (if I get the magical advance upgrade). Business class on MIA/LAX should get Admirals Club access without membership
Last edited by CDKing; Aug 19, 2021 at 5:30 pm
Aug 23, 2021, 11:19 pm
#200
Join Date: Apr 2020
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium; AS 100k; BA Silver; UA Silver
Posts: 442
Guys, sorry if this question has already been covered in the thread but how do I add my 75k status to the AA reservation? Do I need to call their customer support and ask them to do that manually?
In general, I found their website to be quite confusing - for example, I can't add an AS Mileage Plan number for myself, but I can do that for my companions...
In general, I found their website to be quite confusing - for example, I can't add an AS Mileage Plan number for myself, but I can do that for my companions...
Aug 23, 2021, 11:42 pm
#201
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DAL
Posts: 3,398
Guys, sorry if this question has already been covered in the thread but how do I add my 75k status to the AA reservation? Do I need to call their customer support and ask them to do that manually?
In general, I found their website to be quite confusing - for example, I can't add an AS Mileage Plan number for myself, but I can do that for my companions...
In general, I found their website to be quite confusing - for example, I can't add an AS Mileage Plan number for myself, but I can do that for my companions...
To add a AS number to a passenger profile in an existing to booking you'll have to call it in if there's an existing number in it.
Aug 24, 2021, 5:00 am
#202
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 829
Guys, sorry if this question has already been covered in the thread but how do I add my 75k status to the AA reservation? Do I need to call their customer support and ask them to do that manually?
In general, I found their website to be quite confusing - for example, I can't add an AS Mileage Plan number for myself, but I can do that for my companions...
In general, I found their website to be quite confusing - for example, I can't add an AS Mileage Plan number for myself, but I can do that for my companions...
Aug 24, 2021, 11:51 am
#203
Join Date: Apr 2020
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium; AS 100k; BA Silver; UA Silver
Posts: 442
I guess I'm one of few people who don't have a Twitter account 
I called AA customer support and they added my AS number. I still don't know why I can add myself as a companion and include my AS MileagePlan number but can't do it as an AA account holder.
Also, can you guys clarify this for me: are AS 75k and a companion on the same reservation eligible to get first-class upgrades? I thought I've read so some time ago, but CSR said not yet.
I called AA customer support and they added my AS number. I still don't know why I can add myself as a companion and include my AS MileagePlan number but can't do it as an AA account holder. Also, can you guys clarify this for me: are AS 75k and a companion on the same reservation eligible to get first-class upgrades? I thought I've read so some time ago, but CSR said not yet.
Aug 24, 2021, 12:20 pm
#204
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 829
I guess I'm one of few people who don't have a Twitter account I called AA customer support and they added my AS number. I still don't know why I can add myself as a companion and include my AS MileagePlan number but can't do it as an AA account holder.
Also, can you guys clarify this for me: are AS 75k and a companion on the same reservation eligible to get first-class upgrades? I thought I've read so some time ago, but CSR said not yet.
I called AA customer support and they added my AS number. I still don't know why I can add myself as a companion and include my AS MileagePlan number but can't do it as an AA account holder.Also, can you guys clarify this for me: are AS 75k and a companion on the same reservation eligible to get first-class upgrades? I thought I've read so some time ago, but CSR said not yet.
Aug 24, 2021, 4:26 pm
#205
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 72
I finally got my first AA upgrade as an AS 75K. It was SFO-ORD. When I checked in, 2 seats were available in first and I was the only person on the upgrade waiting list. Even though I was the only passenger on the waiting list, I didn't get upgraded until 10 minutes before boarding. I guess they were really trying to wait and sell the last first class seat.
My second flight, ORD-MSP, I was upgraded 30+ hours out.
My second flight, ORD-MSP, I was upgraded 30+ hours out.
Aug 24, 2021, 5:17 pm
#206
Join Date: Apr 2020
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium; AS 100k; BA Silver; UA Silver
Posts: 442
I finally got my first AA upgrade as an AS 75K. It was SFO-ORD. When I checked in, 2 seats were available in first and I was the only person on the upgrade waiting list. Even though I was the only passenger on the waiting list, I didn't get upgraded until 10 minutes before boarding. I guess they were really trying to wait and sell the last first class seat.
My second flight, ORD-MSP, I was upgraded 30+ hours out.
My second flight, ORD-MSP, I was upgraded 30+ hours out.
Aug 24, 2021, 5:42 pm
#207
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 72
After scanning my updated boarding pass on my phone to board, the gate agent called my name to come get a new updated boarding pass. I told him, "hey that's me who you just called, my boarding pass on my phone is already updated," but in my head I was like "couldn't you had called my name earlier like 10 minutes ago? 🤦🏻♂️"
Aug 26, 2021, 11:59 am
#209
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SAN
Programs: AS 100K, DL MM, AA PLT
Posts: 2,934
Upgrades are only available on marketed/operated flights. Codeshares do not currently support upgrades regardless of marketing or operating carrier. So, you should buy from AA if you want an upgrade on AA metal.
Aug 26, 2021, 8:00 pm
#210
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: IAH
Programs: UA1K, AS Gold 75K, HH Diamond, MR Titanium LT Gold, IHG Platinum, HZ PC, CLEAR
Posts: 341
Finally, auto-upgraded on AA at T-72!
I have not flown on AA for 22 days because I was frustrated with begging AA gate agents for an upgrade, so I went back to United for a bit, with other flights on Alaska.
Today, I noticed on the AA app that I am already confirmed in First for my August 29 AA flights, IAH-CLT and CLT-MIA. The last flight is on a 777-200ER, so I will get a lie-flat, something that does not exist on Alaskan.
Finally, I am getting the best of both worlds, top AS status with complimentary upgrades on AA planes I really want to fly on. Lie-flats are a different world from regular First, which, to me, is not much better than an aisle exit row in Economy.
Today, I noticed on the AA app that I am already confirmed in First for my August 29 AA flights, IAH-CLT and CLT-MIA. The last flight is on a 777-200ER, so I will get a lie-flat, something that does not exist on Alaskan.
Finally, I am getting the best of both worlds, top AS status with complimentary upgrades on AA planes I really want to fly on. Lie-flats are a different world from regular First, which, to me, is not much better than an aisle exit row in Economy.
Last edited by Guate87; Aug 26, 2021 at 11:51 pm