What to do with "extra" SWU / Systemwide Upgrades / VIP
Jan 14, 2011, 5:08 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
So this thread has been a fun way to kill a few hours here in ORD AA club. I got to page 11 before I thought to myself - what do other EXP's do when Feb comes around and they have extra eVIP's just sitting there? Do you reach out to "Facebook" friends and give them away, use them domestically just to use them or worse, just let them go?
(I have 5 needing to be used by Feb. I guess the 777 on DFW-ORD is calling them since I don't fly internationally any more.)
(I have 5 needing to be used by Feb. I guess the 777 on DFW-ORD is calling them since I don't fly internationally any more.)
Give / gift them away if you can. I give away these things to people who can not afford it and really bargain with those of my friends who can.
As an EXP though, you should be pretty much auto upgraded on DFW-ORD with free stickers? I guess not from the above. My DL upgrades have been shockingly good so far in comparison, while I am just trying to earn my (for now free comp) CO Plat this year with real BIS travel on *A. As a lowly AA Plat, it is just good for free bags and better bonus miles.
Last edited by ffI; Jan 14, 2011 at 5:14 pm
Jan 14, 2011, 5:11 pm
#32
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP; UA 1K, AS 75K, LT Titanium, Globalist
Posts: 625
Apparently even a SWU doesn't assure F on DFW-ORD.
A few months back I was using an SWU on a flight DFW-ORD-BRU and I was not upgraded on the 777 flight to ORD.
I was shocked as:
1) I had booked 7 months before and applied for an F upgrade at that time
2) I applied the SWU 5 months ahead
3)the checkin desk said there was one empty seat in F and that I was number one on the list but that I should go to the gate and talk to the gate agent
4) The gate agent told me that she was sure I would get a seat in F and to standby and wait untill F started to board. Then a few minutes later she called someone to the front and handed them an F ticket. I asked her what had happened and she said the computer had moved someone ahead of me. I asked if they were using an SWU or had they booked earlier than me... to both questions she rolled her eyes and said it was very odd... that I should complain to Customer Service.
So lesson learned SWUs are not all powerful on the 777 flight DFW-ORD
A few months back I was using an SWU on a flight DFW-ORD-BRU and I was not upgraded on the 777 flight to ORD.
I was shocked as:
1) I had booked 7 months before and applied for an F upgrade at that time
2) I applied the SWU 5 months ahead
3)the checkin desk said there was one empty seat in F and that I was number one on the list but that I should go to the gate and talk to the gate agent
4) The gate agent told me that she was sure I would get a seat in F and to standby and wait untill F started to board. Then a few minutes later she called someone to the front and handed them an F ticket. I asked her what had happened and she said the computer had moved someone ahead of me. I asked if they were using an SWU or had they booked earlier than me... to both questions she rolled her eyes and said it was very odd... that I should complain to Customer Service.
So lesson learned SWUs are not all powerful on the 777 flight DFW-ORD
I was told at the FRA A/C once that it works the same way with SWU. I'm sure someone will confirm this or stuff me back in my place if it is not the case with SWU.
Jan 14, 2011, 5:25 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,388
In years when I have been EXP, I give them away to friends or family members or even strangers. I would never use an eVIP domestically - I'll chance the sticker upgrade; I much rather see them used by somebody else who doesn't get to fly First Class often, if ever. I've used eVIPs to upgrade friends on 3 hour domestic flights even. To some, its a once in a lifetime experience. I can handle the exit row seat on a trans-con in exchange for that.
This is exactly what I do. The single time I ever used a VIP domestically was on a J to F transcon upgrade. In general, I'd rather be in the back than waste a VIP. When I know I'm going to have a surplus I give them away.
I find it hilarious that on the DL board people brag about being able to use their SWUs on ATL-DFW.
Jan 14, 2011, 5:45 pm
#34
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
Jan 14, 2011, 7:16 pm
#35
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA Gold; AA Lfe Time PLT ; Marriott Titanium, LFT GLD
Posts: 1,276
Strangely enough I (as a EXP booking 7 months out travelling on an SWU) ended up in the back of the aircraft.
Jan 15, 2011, 3:28 am
#36
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DC Metro (WAS--DCA/IAD/BWI)
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, OW Sapphire, QF Bronze, Marriott Silver, Starwood Gold; National Emerald
Posts: 2,533
As an aside, to the OP,
I haven't figured out how to crack this nut, but family members of personnel who have been very severely injured in Afghanistan or Iraq are flown from the US to Germany to stay with their loved ones until they can be medevac'ed back to the US*. Usually the DOD buys these tickets at the very last minute for the family members; they are almost certainly economy class tickets. I don't know how you could figure out how to gift your SWUs to people in this situation but if anyone else on the board knows, I'm sure that would be a most appreciated gift.
*usually the family is able to fly on the AF aircraft with their loved ones but sometimes they have to fly commercial home. To gift an eVIP to those family members returning to the US via commercial air, maybe a call to Fisher House foundation would be appropriate, and more specifically, the Fisher House at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. I am not sure if that would work but it may be worth a try. The Fisher house is where family members stay while their relative is in a military hospital.
http://www.armyfisherhouses.org/army...stuhl-germany/
I haven't figured out how to crack this nut, but family members of personnel who have been very severely injured in Afghanistan or Iraq are flown from the US to Germany to stay with their loved ones until they can be medevac'ed back to the US*. Usually the DOD buys these tickets at the very last minute for the family members; they are almost certainly economy class tickets. I don't know how you could figure out how to gift your SWUs to people in this situation but if anyone else on the board knows, I'm sure that would be a most appreciated gift.
*usually the family is able to fly on the AF aircraft with their loved ones but sometimes they have to fly commercial home. To gift an eVIP to those family members returning to the US via commercial air, maybe a call to Fisher House foundation would be appropriate, and more specifically, the Fisher House at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. I am not sure if that would work but it may be worth a try. The Fisher house is where family members stay while their relative is in a military hospital.
http://www.armyfisherhouses.org/army...stuhl-germany/
I gave my eVIPs to a guy last year who promised to donate some miles to Fisher House. Does not have to be the same airline--Fisher House consolidates miles from all the airlines.
Just a suggestion.
Steve32
Jan 15, 2011, 3:44 am
#37
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Of all the suggestions in this thread, this seems the most deserving of the bunch. These folks are providing an actual, tangible service that represents hard work.
While I have no belief in god (or churches) myself, I have a good friend who participates in just such activities with his church. The good that they do goes beyond religious belief and rewarding these people, who are actually accomplishing something, seems a very worthwhile idea.
Thanks for the suggestion and for your work!
Cheers.
While I have no belief in god (or churches) myself, I have a good friend who participates in just such activities with his church. The good that they do goes beyond religious belief and rewarding these people, who are actually accomplishing something, seems a very worthwhile idea.
Thanks for the suggestion and for your work!
Cheers.
Jan 15, 2011, 7:23 am
#38
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 129
Of all the suggestions in this thread, this seems the most deserving of the bunch. These folks are providing an actual, tangible service that represents hard work.
While I have no belief in god (or churches) myself, I have a good friend who participates in just such activities with his church. The good that they do goes beyond religious belief and rewarding these people, who are actually accomplishing something, seems a very worthwhile idea.
Thanks for the suggestion and for your work!
Cheers.
While I have no belief in god (or churches) myself, I have a good friend who participates in just such activities with his church. The good that they do goes beyond religious belief and rewarding these people, who are actually accomplishing something, seems a very worthwhile idea.
Thanks for the suggestion and for your work!
Cheers.
Jan 15, 2011, 10:28 am
#39
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond; AS 75K
Posts: 2,879
i havent had any for a while, but i uged a friend w/1 a few years ago....the procedure was i call and apply the swu to his record....no problem...the swu owner must call, the donee can't do it....its just like buying or getting an award ticket for someone else....good luck...
Jan 16, 2011, 4:24 am
#40
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: OKA
Programs: AA Gold, UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 467
I tried to do this last year but could not. The tickets given to family members are from donated miles and so are not eligible for upgrading. Any family members flying on paid tickets have the tickets themselves, and so you would need to get in contact with them directly in order to try to apply the upgrade, and the Fisher Houses do not have that info to give you.
I gave my eVIPs to a guy last year who promised to donate some miles to Fisher House. Does not have to be the same airline--Fisher House consolidates miles from all the airlines.
Just a suggestion.
Steve32
I gave my eVIPs to a guy last year who promised to donate some miles to Fisher House. Does not have to be the same airline--Fisher House consolidates miles from all the airlines.
Just a suggestion.
Steve32
Family members flying on government tickets would be difficult to upgrade using an eVIP on the outbound trip, however, as their tickets are purchased with VERY short notice, and the Fisher House probably doesn't know about them with enough advance notice to actually give them the eVIP. But when the family is returning to the states, they might be able to use an eVIP if they are unable to get on the USAF plane that is taking their loved one back to a CONUS hospital - especially if it's to San Antonio -- as I don't think AA has any contract routes from Germany to DC, but they do have FRA-SAT.
Jan 23, 2011, 2:51 pm
#41
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, MM
Posts: 87
Also likely to have a few spare eVIPs expiring end-feb please feel free to PM me if you have a worthy cause.
Have tried to offload them on friends and family in the past but without luck as unless they have status the chances of upgrades clearing thse days is getting slimmer and slimmer.
Have tried to offload them on friends and family in the past but without luck as unless they have status the chances of upgrades clearing thse days is getting slimmer and slimmer.
Jan 24, 2011, 2:39 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Kendall Park, NJ
Programs: AA PLT, CO PLT, UA Exec Prem, Marriott Silver, SPG PLT, HHonors Diamond, AmEx PLT, Avis First
Posts: 67
Have 6 SWU upgrades that will expire
what should/can I do with them? (no, I will not GIVE them to you).
Options I have been told are:
-Use them domestically
-Donate to Military personnel
-Barter with FT users
Any other ideas?
Options I have been told are:
-Use them domestically
-Donate to Military personnel
-Barter with FT users
Any other ideas?
Last edited by dannyrube; Jan 24, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Jan 24, 2011, 2:44 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,533
Search?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...rades-vip.html
(I looked for "SWU" but another of the other terms in the title would work. I have no idea what a "OWS" is, though).
Cheers.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...rades-vip.html
(I looked for "SWU" but another of the other terms in the title would work. I have no idea what a "OWS" is, though).
Cheers.
Jan 24, 2011, 3:38 pm
#44
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: PIT
Programs: AA EXP, BA Bronze, A3 Silver, TK Gold, Hyatt Plat, National Executive, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, M Plat
Posts: 45
do you still have any available
I have a specific flight I am taking and my cousin would love to upgrade him for the transatlantic trip, do you still have any to give away?
Jan 24, 2011, 3:45 pm
#45
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA 1.5 MM Exec Plat, WN A-List, DL Silver, UA nonrev
Posts: 2,593