75K/100K AA (SWU-Like) International Upgrades on a Very Limited Number of AA Routes
Apr 6, 2021, 4:27 pm
#31
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
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!
And to keep things simple and in this thread, to find Upgrade space on EF, you need to:
1. Search in the Awards and Upgrades section. That will return only the A and C upgrade inventory, not the paid inventory.
2. Less of a concern for these certificates since they are limited to non-stops in specific markets, but you need to search segment-by-segment, not a full itinerary.
(E.g. you might search LAX-LHR and see it return an LAX-SEA-LHR itinerary with LAX-SEA as C7 and SEA-LHR as C7. You might think that there are 7 C upgrade spots available on the SEA-LHR, but if you search SEA-LHR by itself, it might show as C0...the individual segment is the one you should go by and what the agents will see).
3. Make sure you click "Exclude Codeshares," or else it will show you the AA flight number for a BA-operated flight with C inventory which is purely a paid fare bucket on BA, and has not even a passing relationship to upgrade inventory on AA.
It's not the most intuitive process, but once you have the basics down of what things mean on AA and in EF, it's quick.
Apr 6, 2021, 5:03 pm
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
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Confirmed LAX-LHR in C for 2 pax later this year. Nice benefit, can't complain.
Apr 6, 2021, 5:46 pm
#34
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond; AS 75K
Posts: 2,879
I’ve had good luck with this approach: Check for mileage award space in business at aa.com. Sometimes it’s useful to check segment by segment and waitlist the domestic if the international is available. I then place the itn on hold and call AA to upgrade with the SWU (hopefully the AS books in same category).
Apr 6, 2021, 5:54 pm
#35
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Apr 6, 2021, 5:55 pm
#36
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
In the fall, a LAX-LHR (1364 EQM) one-way is a little more than half of a return while SEA-LHR (1200 EQM) is about 75% of a return.
James
Apr 6, 2021, 6:07 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YVR
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 245
Don’t go looking for space on LAX-HND-LAX. No flights until October 30.
Apr 6, 2021, 7:23 pm
#38
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75k, Hyatt Globalist, National Executive Elite
Posts: 272
Are these just mini-SWUs? If so, I believe it's a test run for the one SWU 75k gets next year.
Apr 6, 2021, 8:07 pm
#39
Join Date: May 2013
Location: west coast best coast
Programs: TINDER GOLD, STARBUCKS GOLD, COSTCO EXECUTIVE!!
Posts: 3,989
AS better be careful here. Giving AS fliers second-class status (and instruments) to AA EXP's won't go over well in the long run. Hopefully this takes off some of the heat from Golds losing benefits like free changes and the Saver fare introduction.
Apr 6, 2021, 9:55 pm
#40
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Apr 6, 2021, 10:15 pm
#41
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,724
Where are these codes showing up....in an email or in your AS account page? So if someone qualifies for 75K next week are they eligible or is it only for those with 75K status as of today?
Apr 6, 2021, 10:29 pm
#42
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 7,263
James
Apr 6, 2021, 10:45 pm
#43
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 201
Will this work for connections? For instance if I fly SEA-LHR (on AA) and then connect to a BA flight to a European destination.
Apr 6, 2021, 11:14 pm
#44
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Apr 6, 2021, 11:54 pm
#45
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