Saver vs Main as OWE (AA Exec Plat) - Bags/Premium/etc.
Feb 3, 2023, 9:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: AUS, LAX
Programs: AA EXP - 2.2 MM, Admirals Club, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Avis Presidents, National Exec
Posts: 1,581
Saver vs Main as OWE (AA Exec Plat) - Bags/Premium/etc.
I'm an AA Exec Plat / OWE. I've flown a handful of AS flights both as AA codeshare and direct AS and have enjoyed the perks of Premium and (while solo) numerous first class upgrades. That said, I'm planning a trip with my son (no status) and had the following questions, particularly around Saver vs Main fare codes:
1. If I book saver as OWE for a party of 2, will they extend free baggage to me and my companion? For example, AA extends full baggage elite benefits even on their "Basic Economy" fares, including companions.
2. Am I eligible for Premium class seating for me and my companion? For example, AA allows Main Cabin Extra seat selection at time of booking for Sapphire and above Elites and their companions.
3. Not sure if this has changed, but I've struggled to get upgrades on AS as OWE when traveling with a companion. My understanding is I have to get on the airport/gate list and hope for the best, is this still the case? This isn't a huge issue either way, but I've always been curious if AS will move this benefit to an OW companion.
Sorry for the basic questions, but I've got my eye on an AUS-SEA roundtrip with a super attractive Saver fare. If it operates like AA's Basic Economy, elite benefits apply with the exception of flight change flexibility.
1. If I book saver as OWE for a party of 2, will they extend free baggage to me and my companion? For example, AA extends full baggage elite benefits even on their "Basic Economy" fares, including companions.
2. Am I eligible for Premium class seating for me and my companion? For example, AA allows Main Cabin Extra seat selection at time of booking for Sapphire and above Elites and their companions.
3. Not sure if this has changed, but I've struggled to get upgrades on AS as OWE when traveling with a companion. My understanding is I have to get on the airport/gate list and hope for the best, is this still the case? This isn't a huge issue either way, but I've always been curious if AS will move this benefit to an OW companion.
Sorry for the basic questions, but I've got my eye on an AUS-SEA roundtrip with a super attractive Saver fare. If it operates like AA's Basic Economy, elite benefits apply with the exception of flight change flexibility.
Feb 4, 2023, 12:17 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2021
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan - MVP Gold
Posts: 183
And to answer your third question, yes you and your companion on the same PNR are eligible for upgrades as a AA EXP.
This page https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...a-airlines.jsp explains your benefits on AS pretty well.
One unfortunate quirk to note though - sometimes AS likes to release upgrade inventory space slowly, one at a time, in the hours leading up to departure. And if you have multiple travelers on a PNR then AS won't upgrade just one of you. What this can mean is if you have a companion and AS releases a single upgrade seat, it'll go to the first solo traveller... And then after that upgrade clears if they release another seat, again since there's only 1 it'll go the next solo traveller. So that can lead to getting bypassed even if you should've been higher on the upgrade list which is unfortunate.
This page https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...a-airlines.jsp explains your benefits on AS pretty well.
One unfortunate quirk to note though - sometimes AS likes to release upgrade inventory space slowly, one at a time, in the hours leading up to departure. And if you have multiple travelers on a PNR then AS won't upgrade just one of you. What this can mean is if you have a companion and AS releases a single upgrade seat, it'll go to the first solo traveller... And then after that upgrade clears if they release another seat, again since there's only 1 it'll go the next solo traveller. So that can lead to getting bypassed even if you should've been higher on the upgrade list which is unfortunate.
Feb 4, 2023, 5:30 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: AUS, LAX
Programs: AA EXP - 2.2 MM, Admirals Club, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Avis Presidents, National Exec
Posts: 1,581
And to answer your third question, yes you and your companion on the same PNR are eligible for upgrades as a AA EXP.
This page https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...a-airlines.jsp explains your benefits on AS pretty well.
One unfortunate quirk to note though - sometimes AS likes to release upgrade inventory space slowly, one at a time, in the hours leading up to departure. And if you have multiple travelers on a PNR then AS won't upgrade just one of you. What this can mean is if you have a companion and AS releases a single upgrade seat, it'll go to the first solo traveller... And then after that upgrade clears if they release another seat, again since there's only 1 it'll go the next solo traveller. So that can lead to getting bypassed even if you should've been higher on the upgrade list which is unfortunate.
This page https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...a-airlines.jsp explains your benefits on AS pretty well.
One unfortunate quirk to note though - sometimes AS likes to release upgrade inventory space slowly, one at a time, in the hours leading up to departure. And if you have multiple travelers on a PNR then AS won't upgrade just one of you. What this can mean is if you have a companion and AS releases a single upgrade seat, it'll go to the first solo traveller... And then after that upgrade clears if they release another seat, again since there's only 1 it'll go the next solo traveller. So that can lead to getting bypassed even if you should've been higher on the upgrade list which is unfortunate.
Feb 4, 2023, 10:18 am
#5
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,040
As long as you are on the same PNR you are both automatically added to the upgrade list.