international upgrades on AA
May 6, 2013, 2:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6
international upgrades on AA
I'm sure this has been covered but I can't find my exact answers. I fly to China from USA 2-3 times per year. Enough for Platinum status but not enough for EP status.
I fly coach and book my own tickets on line. Being Plat I can at least usually get the exit row on the 777, row 31.
What is the best method to upgrade to business? At least one way? I usually just buy the cheapest economy fare available.
Not if it matters, but I also hold the new Citicard AAdvantage Exective World Elite card.
I fly coach and book my own tickets on line. Being Plat I can at least usually get the exit row on the 777, row 31.
What is the best method to upgrade to business? At least one way? I usually just buy the cheapest economy fare available.
Not if it matters, but I also hold the new Citicard AAdvantage Exective World Elite card.
May 6, 2013, 2:52 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,214
May 6, 2013, 2:52 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,947
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 6_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/536.26 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0 Mobile/10A525 Safari/8536.25)
25k miles + $350 co-pay. Call AA and request one. You likely will be wait listed.
25k miles + $350 co-pay. Call AA and request one. You likely will be wait listed.
May 6, 2013, 3:10 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA PPro, 1MM
Posts: 505
Isn't it possible for miles+copay upgrades to clear instantly if inventory is available (like with SWUs)?
May 6, 2013, 3:17 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: HSV (formerly AUS)
Programs: AA MM (like it matters!) All of my flying was personal travel, and COVID-19 stopped that.
Posts: 223
They used to clear miles+copay upgrades immediately if inventory was available.
However, AA is now bankrupt, and they are holding anything above cattle class until the absolute last moment, praying that someone will show up at the gate and want to pay full pop.
However, AA is now bankrupt, and they are holding anything above cattle class until the absolute last moment, praying that someone will show up at the gate and want to pay full pop.
May 6, 2013, 3:22 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: LAX, SNA
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt DM, SPG GLD, Hertz 5*, AMEX PLT, GE
Posts: 340
international upgrades on AA
Miles and copay come out of the same inventory (C inventory for business). The availability of this inventory can be checked on expertflyer.
May 6, 2013, 3:42 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,214
It depends on the route. Naturally, routes with heavy paid traffic tend to have lower C inventory.
May 6, 2013, 3:57 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BGM/ PHL
Programs: US (Silver, *A Silver), AA, Starbucks (Gold)
Posts: 2,242
Every time I sat in Envoy on US it was through a "GoEnvoy" upgrade - basically our version of LFBUs. Used to be $400-$500 for PHL-LHR (not a bad deal IMO considering the alternative is 30,000 + $300)... now they go for double that.
Something tells me this is only going to get worse post-merger.
Last edited by thomwithanh; May 6, 2013 at 7:05 pm
May 6, 2013, 5:18 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,342
The FAQ (Where it says "Please check here first") covers a lot of basic information like this. In your case, you should check the "How can I upgrade on AA" section.
They still do, and upgrade inventory has nothing to do with AA's bankruptcy. AA has a Revenue Management department that controls when and if upgrade inventory is released.
They still do, and upgrade inventory has nothing to do with AA's bankruptcy. AA has a Revenue Management department that controls when and if upgrade inventory is released.
May 6, 2013, 5:57 pm
#11
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Apieinthesky is correct; your post is not correct. One can find available upgrade inventory with travel tools available, such as ExpertFlyer, and secure an upgrade when purchasing the ticket - even today. Another member recently reported finding 7+ upgrade seats available on the 77W later this year LAX-LHR - and return.
I have secured upgrades using SWUs this way, this year, as well.
I have secured upgrades using SWUs this way, this year, as well.
May 6, 2013, 6:09 pm
#12
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Having already cleared 8 systemwides this year, none at the gate or on day of departure, can you share where you are finding this lack of availability?
May 6, 2013, 6:12 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
May 6, 2013, 6:42 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 542
