Does AA ever upgrade without stickers (non EXP) [operational upgrade]
#31
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Pre-EXP I had two Op-Ups on AA on flights where I had elected not to request a sticker upgrade.
One on LAX-LAS and one (very surprisingly, given elite heaviness plus the fact I would normally request sticker upgrades) on DFW-LGA.
One on LAX-LAS and one (very surprisingly, given elite heaviness plus the fact I would normally request sticker upgrades) on DFW-LGA.
#32
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Southern California/Los Angeles
Programs: Various
Posts: 2,778
A Senior Citizen friend of mine traveling from ORD to MCI on AA a few years ago thought he would try asking for an upgrade.
He was in a middle seat, row 22 on an MD 80. He walked up to the GA, stated he was retired and used to work for NW Airlines, then asked "Do you have any room up front ?" His request was granted = Bulkhead Row 7.
Does that count?
He was in a middle seat, row 22 on an MD 80. He walked up to the GA, stated he was retired and used to work for NW Airlines, then asked "Do you have any room up front ?" His request was granted = Bulkhead Row 7.
Does that count?
#33
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: RDU
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For those who have received the rare op-up, did you ask about an upgrade or were you given the upgrade without asking (e.g. GA just called your name and handed your an F boarding pass out of the blue)?
#34
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Plano, TX USA
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2 things I live by:
1) If you don't ask, you don't get
2) the worst thing they can say is no
1) If you don't ask, you don't get
2) the worst thing they can say is no
#35
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fort Worth, TX - Kapolei, HI
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#36
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#37
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Here, there … you know how it goes.
Posts: 1,518
Happened on Monday, actually. It was a short flight SJC-LAX, so I hadn't even bothered to put in for a 500-mile UG given we had Exit row, but maybe 20 min before boarding the GA called us over and Op-Up'ed us -- said she needed our seats, so we were quite happy.
#38
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Fort Worth, TX - Kapolei, HI
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#39
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Omaha
Programs: AA Life Plat 4mm, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,459
I fly around 12/14 RT's per year, never enough to make EP but a solid Platinum (4mm lifetime); I would guess it happens to me once per year. Whenever they call my name at the gate usually something good happens.
#40
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I was PLT both times.
#41
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Posts: 3,109
I suspect that you can find a lot of op ups on short Eagle CR700's. Very often the Y cabin will be full and F empty - that's when you see YUP fares < Y fares. For the one sticker that's involved, I usually put in for the upgrade but my guess would be if one played the op-up lottery you'd win a lot.
#42
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Stockholm, Sweden + Austin, Tx
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Posts: 2,848
Reviving a slightly older thread.
I've had several non-requested upgrades to first as a lowly plat in the last 3 months. Sitting in LAX right now an just got another. caught a standby a couple months ago that was treated as a delay of the original flight (oddly). They not only upgraded me but also upgraded my travel companion (unlinked PNRs) when I said I didn't want to be upgraded alone. She had 0 status.
Happens. More rare these days.
I've had several non-requested upgrades to first as a lowly plat in the last 3 months. Sitting in LAX right now an just got another. caught a standby a couple months ago that was treated as a delay of the original flight (oddly). They not only upgraded me but also upgraded my travel companion (unlinked PNRs) when I said I didn't want to be upgraded alone. She had 0 status.
Happens. More rare these days.