First Upgrading - Four Legs all cleared on a hold
Oct 12, 2009, 7:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The Hammer (YHM)
Programs: AA Gold, AP, QF, Marriott Silver
Posts: 172
First Upgrading - Four Legs all cleared on a hold
Thinking about going to Tucson over Christmas and new years with Mrs Hamilton Guy. I can get yyz-dfw-tus 26/12 - 10/1 for about $800.00 each way. But I need my boss's OK tomorrow, so I put the booking on hold, but I phone the EXP desk and say can you upgrade me. All four legs upgraded on the spot 
We are 4 E&F all the way^^
Now all I need is for the boos to say yes
We are 4 E&F all the way^^Now all I need is for the boos to say yes
Oct 12, 2009, 7:50 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA EXP, 1 MM, AC, HH Diamond, Marriott Silver, Hertz 5*
Posts: 4,010
Were those VIP upgrades, or how'd you do that two months out? 
Oct 12, 2009, 9:18 pm
#3
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Oct 12, 2009, 9:33 pm
#4
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Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
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How did you get to be EXP?
Oct 12, 2009, 9:42 pm
#5
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I am not shocked this would clear.
I am 1 for 1 on domestic (OK, North American) SWUs
I had one to burn and was heading for coach on a 763 return from a redeye 757 in FC, on a SFO-LAX-BOS MR.
OP: There is a very good chance of getting this kind of upgrade on the route you are flying. However, it is also useful to use something like Expert Flyer to know which flights can be upgraded before booking them.
I am 1 for 1 on domestic (OK, North American) SWUs
I had one to burn and was heading for coach on a 763 return from a redeye 757 in FC, on a SFO-LAX-BOS MR.
OP: There is a very good chance of getting this kind of upgrade on the route you are flying. However, it is also useful to use something like Expert Flyer to know which flights can be upgraded before booking them.
Oct 12, 2009, 9:51 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Oct 12, 2009, 9:54 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: AA 1MM
Posts: 3,182
Did you inadvertently hold a YUP/KUP? $800 each way is a bit pricey for this route if it isn't fully flexible (must not be, hence the hold) and doesn't come with an instant upgrade.
Oct 12, 2009, 10:12 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Posts: 4,010
Wouldn't those show up online and allow seat selection in the F cabin? OP says he
Last edited by videomaker; Oct 12, 2009 at 10:29 pm Reason: Clarification
Oct 12, 2009, 10:35 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: AA 1MM
Posts: 3,182
That would have been my thought. However, I priced that route on that date and the only thing even near that price were the YUPs at $942 o/w. The regular coach fares are $4-500 o/w, which doesn't add up.
Oct 12, 2009, 10:55 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
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Well seeing that the OP is EXP and if he/she really booked Y fare, I would not blow the eVIPs on such a shorthaul. Use those for international flights--when you're really getting your money's worth!
My suggestion, if you still want to go with the purchase of the flexible Y fare and desire an "instant upgrade" for this route, is to just use your miles. Full fare economy requires only 5K miles one way for a total of 10K for the trip, with no copay.
Honest suggestion would be to go with the lowest avail fare and not blow miles or eVIPs. If you're booking more than a week out, this route should almost certainly clear.
My suggestion, if you still want to go with the purchase of the flexible Y fare and desire an "instant upgrade" for this route, is to just use your miles. Full fare economy requires only 5K miles one way for a total of 10K for the trip, with no copay.
Honest suggestion would be to go with the lowest avail fare and not blow miles or eVIPs. If you're booking more than a week out, this route should almost certainly clear.
Oct 13, 2009, 6:47 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The Hammer (YHM)
Programs: AA Gold, AP, QF, Marriott Silver
Posts: 172
Hi Folks:
Sorry I should have included more detail. I used my EXP upgrade certs for this flight. I make EXP on points flying CX to HK and around Asia about 4 times a year and use my miles for my wife to come with me on a couple of those trips.
Since I rarely fly AA itself on business, I actually end up in danger of having the upgrade certs expire, so upgrading on a personal trip like this even though it is not particularly long haul is, for me a good use of the certs.
Sorry I should have included more detail. I used my EXP upgrade certs for this flight. I make EXP on points flying CX to HK and around Asia about 4 times a year and use my miles for my wife to come with me on a couple of those trips.
Since I rarely fly AA itself on business, I actually end up in danger of having the upgrade certs expire, so upgrading on a personal trip like this even though it is not particularly long haul is, for me a good use of the certs.
Oct 13, 2009, 8:07 am
#12
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Hi Folks:
Sorry I should have included more detail. I used my EXP upgrade certs for this flight. I make EXP on points flying CX to HK and around Asia about 4 times a year and use my miles for my wife to come with me on a couple of those trips.
Since I rarely fly AA itself on business, I actually end up in danger of having the upgrade certs expire, so upgrading on a personal trip like this even though it is not particularly long haul is, for me a good use of the certs.
Sorry I should have included more detail. I used my EXP upgrade certs for this flight. I make EXP on points flying CX to HK and around Asia about 4 times a year and use my miles for my wife to come with me on a couple of those trips.
Since I rarely fly AA itself on business, I actually end up in danger of having the upgrade certs expire, so upgrading on a personal trip like this even though it is not particularly long haul is, for me a good use of the certs.