KBOS777

Just received this email too. My broad assumption is that they will act similarly to AA System Wide Upgrades (SWU) where if there is "C" space available on your route, you can call and apply the upgrade via the coupon code. For example, using ExpertFlyer, I see an LAX-LHR flight for 6/16 on AA and noted 7 seats that have "C" space available. Not confirmed, just my guess

olouie

Yeah kind of what I am assuming too since you have to book on AA.com. Neat perk, but timing through end of year might be hard for some of these destinations. I am not holding my breath that Australia opens up by then (I hope, but seems uncertain).

ACBLtd

But notice this is a flight operated by BA. Although the transatlantic and Japan JBV are metal-neutral, upgrade instruments never have been in the past, with AA SWU usage. I have two trips booked on eligible routes during the validity period. Despite empty cabins (yes, I know seat reservations don't mean anything), on all the flights for my dates, the ones I'm on and others in that market are C0. The flights operated by the JBV partners as codeshares all have C space.

I'll still waitlist for the upgrAAde and cross my fingers!

KBOS777

Great point! Been a while since I've done this There are additional flights that day that include AA "C" space. Great perk!

PDXPremier

I'm willing to roll the dice on a PDX-LAX upgrade not clearing but there is *zero* chance I'm going to pay cash for a ticket on a 10+ hour overseas flight and not have it clear....especially with transatlantic flights being as low as 22.5K (miles) on AA. If the upgrades were good on award tickets, then that would indeed be a game changer.

DMPHL

As stated above, if the proper inventory is available, you can process the upgrade at the time of booking. More often than not, however, you have to waitlist, and monitor with an EF alert (or manually check EF) so that when availability opens up, you can call in to process the upgrade.

The system is set up so that it should process automatically based on waitlist priority, but it's not always real-time. There is sometimes a lag between availability opening up and the system sweeping the waitlist to automatically process upgrades. Hence the utility of the EF alerts and periodic manual checks...to potentially snag an upgrade before the system automatically processes someone ahead of you, or to prevent that from happening to you!

Almost no international upgrades on AA are easy far in advance. Upgrade inventory gets released much closer to departure most likely.

Kacee

AA now clears SWU into a subset of C inventory. The change is discussed here: AA changes the confirmed upgrade (C and A ) process [EF now updated]

I'm not seeing any value in these things given the limited routes. Of course I've already got like 6 expiring SWUs, so that may taint my views

DeltaFlyingProf

For those wondering about LAX-HND, it seems to start on October 30th.

ryan754

Shame they don't work to GRU/GIG. I'll surely use London in the coming month or so..

DMPHL

Definite shame, as South America routes have, over the last few years, had the most advance C upgrade availability.

985X

They do that on purpose. Upgrades are only eligible for long-haul AA routes departing from west coast (not even PHX-LHR), which is the targeting market for AS. If they give us SWU, imagine how salty the AA elites would be and how many flyers would consider switching loyalty program from AA to AS..

channa

Did everyone get this? I don't seem to have it, but companion got it (both 75Ks).

Also there's one code but says valid for 2 upgrades?

olouie

Also doesn't help that AA is really decreasing its LAX hub and focusing on DFW. The flights are more limited and not much upgrade availability on these routes outside of LHR. Prices for LHR Y + upgrade and taxes isn't that much of a smoking deal vs. some of the J prices one can find outside of AA (Highly YMMV though).

Xrayman

Received email today as well. Yeah would like to use to go from SEA to LHR. Confused initially why 2 flights were only 90 minutes apart and the appreciated one was on BA.

Bradhattan

Follow the link in post #10 and read. Expert Flyer (EF) is also your friend for C space search, although not straightforward any more, with both a revenue C and upgrade C now (C used to be only upgrade space, I think). I believe the link in #10 informs on what to do to find upgrade C via EF. Also, at least as late as November 2019, (could have changed, but unlikely) you could only use SWU on AA metal. If I am wrong, don't worry, someone will be along shortly to straighten us both out....lol...good luck!