Complimentary upgrades on AA for all elite statuses are now in effect
Jan 12, 2023, 11:16 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Reno/Tahoe
Programs: Alaska 75k/One World Emerald
Posts: 413
Complimentary upgrades on AA for all elite statuses are now in effect
I went to check something on an upcoming AA flight for my MVP bf and saw this at the top of the record locator:
"We requested your upgrade.Alaska elite members get complimentary upgrades on American. For upgrade status you can check back here or at the airport."
I went into the app and sure enough the upgrade button was there (it wasn't when we booked the ticket).
My question now, is how will the upgrades be prioritized? Currently there doesn't seem to be any distinction between 75k and 100k. I've always assumed this is because the AA system goes off the One World Emerald status. If that's the case, Golds and MVPs should fall behind Emeralds and be upgraded in that order.
"We requested your upgrade.Alaska elite members get complimentary upgrades on American. For upgrade status you can check back here or at the airport."
I went into the app and sure enough the upgrade button was there (it wasn't when we booked the ticket).
My question now, is how will the upgrades be prioritized? Currently there doesn't seem to be any distinction between 75k and 100k. I've always assumed this is because the AA system goes off the One World Emerald status. If that's the case, Golds and MVPs should fall behind Emeralds and be upgraded in that order.
Jan 13, 2023, 9:21 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: On a plane or a beach
Programs: Yes
Posts: 3,156
I haven’t been keeping up on this, but.. do AA elites of all levels now also get waitlisted for upgrades on AS?
If so, I foresee an increase in frustration for non-top tier elites seeing additional pax above them.
If so, I foresee an increase in frustration for non-top tier elites seeing additional pax above them.
Jan 13, 2023, 9:28 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Reno/Tahoe
Programs: Alaska 75k/One World Emerald
Posts: 413
That I don't know, but if it isn't, I imagine it will be right around the corner. It doesn't make sense that AA would offer this benefit to AS elites unless it was going to be reciprocated. And yes, that does mean that Golds and MVPs will find themselves further down the wait list.
Jan 13, 2023, 10:10 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 128
That I don't know, but if it isn't, I imagine it will be right around the corner. It doesn't make sense that AA would offer this benefit to AS elites unless it was going to be reciprocated. And yes, that does mean that Golds and MVPs will find themselves further down the wait list.
They have already been behind American OWE (Ex Plats and Plat Pros).
I think the American OWS (Plats) would be behind MVPG but ahead of MVP’s — leading to MVP’s being the ones affected
Jan 13, 2023, 10:12 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Reno/Tahoe
Programs: Alaska 75k/One World Emerald
Posts: 413
That makes sense - I'll bet you're right.
Jan 13, 2023, 11:35 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
"American And Alaska Airlines Expand Elite Upgrades"
https://viewfromthewing.com/american...lite-upgrades/
Regards
Jan 13, 2023, 1:03 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: BOS & SFO
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 675
My AA Gold friend has seen decent luck with upgrades on transcons and some other routes (e.g. LAX/SEA, DFW/MCO, MIA/BOS), so considering that MVPG are higher priority than AA Gold there seems to be a decent chance at upgrades for MVPG.
Jan 13, 2023, 1:39 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: FAI Fairbanks, AK
Programs: AS MVPG 100K, Avis Presidents Club, Life Member VFW Post 10029
Posts: 125
Jan 13, 2023, 5:51 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2002
Programs: The opinions expressed here are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the airlines I worked for.
Posts: 1,894
Yes, in certain markets and at certain times. I think this policy benefits AA elites a lot more than Alaska elites tho.
As a nonrev, I could get First on Alaska on flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (except around 5pm flights), Saturday evenings, etc. pretty easily, so these seats will go to AA upgraders first now.
If you want to know the answer to your question, I'd recommend asking someone on the AA forum who nonrevs regularly on them to get an idea. I only nonreved on them occasionally and First was always full with a big waitlist (same at United and Delta). But I'm sure there are some markets where that doesn't happen.
As a nonrev, I could get First on Alaska on flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (except around 5pm flights), Saturday evenings, etc. pretty easily, so these seats will go to AA upgraders first now.
If you want to know the answer to your question, I'd recommend asking someone on the AA forum who nonrevs regularly on them to get an idea. I only nonreved on them occasionally and First was always full with a big waitlist (same at United and Delta). But I'm sure there are some markets where that doesn't happen.
Jan 14, 2023, 8:04 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Very happy about this. Have flights on AA metal soon to DFW and MSN and shows upgrade requested on my reservation.
When I was AA PLAT I was probably around 60% for upgrades? But that was when you needed stickers. I expect maybe as MVP Gold could see 30-50% but really depends on route/time of day. One route that I hear is notoriously easy is LAXBOS because AA flies it with way too many premium seats so they can have lie flat product.
When I was AA PLAT I was probably around 60% for upgrades? But that was when you needed stickers. I expect maybe as MVP Gold could see 30-50% but really depends on route/time of day. One route that I hear is notoriously easy is LAXBOS because AA flies it with way too many premium seats so they can have lie flat product.
Jan 14, 2023, 1:53 pm
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/mi...elite-benefits
Tablets are gone. Blankets do exist on some premium transcontinental routes.