Nov 21, 2013, 10:08 am
Last edit by: JDiver
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As facts emerge about the mechanics of the Plusgrade system, please add them to this wiki.
• AA information from plusgrade.com website:
https://upgrade.plusgrade.com/offer/AmericanAirlines
• Terms and conditions from plusgrade.com website:
https://upgrade.plusgrade.com/offer/...rvice?lang={0}
• Important statement of non-impact upon elite upgrades from above webpage:
As facts emerge about the mechanics of the Plusgrade system, please add them to this wiki.
• AA information from plusgrade.com website:
https://upgrade.plusgrade.com/offer/AmericanAirlines
• Terms and conditions from plusgrade.com website:
https://upgrade.plusgrade.com/offer/...rvice?lang={0}
• Important statement of non-impact upon elite upgrades from above webpage:
Elite Status Members: AAdvantage elite status members (Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum members) should continue to request 500-mile upgrades (complimentary or purchased) as normal. This option is offered to passengers who aren't able to use 500-mile upgrades, either because they aren't AAdvantage members, or because they are traveling on fares that are not eligible. Rest assured that elite status member upgrade requests will continue to be given priority and will not be impacted by this program.
[Plusgrade] New Service -- Bid on an Upgrade [31 Mar 2013]
Nov 19, 2013, 9:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: AA ExPlt, UA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 356
[Plusgrade] New Service -- Bid on an Upgrade [31 Mar 2013]
I just received this email today for a ticket I bought for my mother-in-law to visit at Thanksgiving. It's an opportunity to bid in advance on flight upgrades. Likely targeted to non-elite members, but not sure.
An upgrade to First Class is easier than you think.
It's as simple as making us an offer.
We're excited to introduce a new service that lets you tell us how much an upgrade from Main Cabin is worth to you. Simply make an offer and we will email you before check-in to let you know whether your offer was accepted.
Not every flight qualifies for this new option, but fortunately for you, your upcoming flight is eligible!
If you're interested in upgrading from Main Cabin to First Class, just click here and send us your offer.
Thank you for flying with us, and we look forward to welcoming you on board soon.
It's as simple as making us an offer.
We're excited to introduce a new service that lets you tell us how much an upgrade from Main Cabin is worth to you. Simply make an offer and we will email you before check-in to let you know whether your offer was accepted.
Not every flight qualifies for this new option, but fortunately for you, your upcoming flight is eligible!
If you're interested in upgrading from Main Cabin to First Class, just click here and send us your offer.
Thank you for flying with us, and we look forward to welcoming you on board soon.
Last edited by JDiver; Nov 19, 2013 at 4:04 pm Reason: add quote box
Nov 19, 2013, 9:41 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,214
Interesting... wonder what order this is processed in?
Fascinating concept though (although I hope it isn't like UA's TOD upgrades)
Fascinating concept though (although I hope it isn't like UA's TOD upgrades)
Nov 19, 2013, 9:41 am
#3
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,416
I just received this email today for a ticket I bought for my mother-in-law to visit at Thanksgiving. It's an opportunity to bid in advance on flight upgrades. Likely targeted to non-elite members, but not sure.
An upgrade to First Class is easier than you think.
It's as simple as making us an offer.
We're excited to introduce a new service that lets you tell us how much an upgrade from Main Cabin is worth to you. Simply make an offer and we will email you before check-in to let you know whether your offer was accepted.
Not every flight qualifies for this new option, but fortunately for you, your upcoming flight is eligible!
If you're interested in upgrading from Main Cabin to First Class, just click here and send us your offer.
Thank you for flying with us, and we look forward to welcoming you on board soon.
An upgrade to First Class is easier than you think.
It's as simple as making us an offer.
We're excited to introduce a new service that lets you tell us how much an upgrade from Main Cabin is worth to you. Simply make an offer and we will email you before check-in to let you know whether your offer was accepted.
Not every flight qualifies for this new option, but fortunately for you, your upcoming flight is eligible!
If you're interested in upgrading from Main Cabin to First Class, just click here and send us your offer.
Thank you for flying with us, and we look forward to welcoming you on board soon.
And so it begins.
Nov 19, 2013, 9:42 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
Yikes... Would you be willing to provide info on the exact flight?
I'd be curious to see the actual loads.
I'd be curious to see the actual loads.
Last edited by bdemaria; Nov 19, 2013 at 9:48 am
Nov 19, 2013, 9:50 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,527
Nov 19, 2013, 9:55 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP 3.8MM AC; UA Silver; Hyatt Globalist; Honors Diamond; Bonvoy LT TTM
Posts: 336
This is not good for us FF folks at all! Some foreign carriers have been doing this for a little while. Basically, revenue management can look at any given flight, see what the offers are and clear those passengers ahead of those of us getting free or sticker upgrades if it's more revenue. Might initially seem appealing to AA, but I understand this is being tested on only select/limited routes for now. Upgrades are what keep me loyal to AA (often pay higher fares, as I know I will likely be upgraded), so if upgrades are being auctioned to the highest bidder, I might as well fly whoever is cheapest.
We should be writing customer relations with our concerns...
We should be writing customer relations with our concerns...
Last edited by bcm0830; Nov 19, 2013 at 10:12 am
Nov 19, 2013, 9:56 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Milwaukee
Programs: AAEXP 3+MM, Marriott Plt and Plt for life, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 414
If this is real it is very disturbing. I wonder what the minimum bid might be. I can see as an EXP getting no upgrade because someone else bid $5 to upgrade. $5 new revenue is better than giving it to me for free.
Nov 19, 2013, 9:59 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
I hope AA understands that loyalty isn't cheap, and they probably do have a minimum value that must be crossed to displace an EXP, and perhaps another to displace PLT, then GLD for upgrades.
Nov 19, 2013, 10:00 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,527
Maybe. Since they already do something like this with LFBU (yes, you can look it up 
), and this does not impact upgrades, it is quite possible that this will all happen after waitlisted elites have been processed, just as LFBU are. I agree that it's not a good omen, but early panic-monkeying is likely not necessary.
Assuming, of course, that they plan to displace anyone.
On the other hand. some per-emptive emails wouldn't hurt either
Cheers.
), and this does not impact upgrades, it is quite possible that this will all happen after waitlisted elites have been processed, just as LFBU are. I agree that it's not a good omen, but early panic-monkeying is likely not necessary.On the other hand. some per-emptive emails wouldn't hurt either
Cheers.
Nov 19, 2013, 10:09 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA PLT 3MM
Posts: 1,135
Maybe. Since they already do something like this with LFBU (yes, you can look it up ), and this does not impact upgrades, it is quite possible that this will all happen after waitlisted elites have been processed, just as LFBU are. I agree that it's not a good omen, but early panic-monkeying is likely not necessary.
), and this does not impact upgrades, it is quite possible that this will all happen after waitlisted elites have been processed, just as LFBU are. I agree that it's not a good omen, but early panic-monkeying is likely not necessary.
Nov 19, 2013, 10:12 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,480
This is the part that I find disturbing, considering how as of late, more and more upgrades (at least for me as a Plat) are being cleared after check-in, at the gate.
Nov 19, 2013, 10:15 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,822
First, AA gives away its entire domestic first class cabins by making mileage upgrade "A" bucket = ∞, now, the bean counters want to follow UA's foot steps and offer cheap bid upgrades? 
AA bean counters, do your research and look at UA's numbers. You want to screw elites and offer TODs? That's the kind of numbers you will have.
Then, look at DL's numbers. DL does not allow any kind of upgrades for non-elites on discounted coach fares, miles or revenue. Elites are happy, DL makes more money.
AA bean counters, do your research and look at UA's numbers. You want to screw elites and offer TODs? That's the kind of numbers you will have.
Then, look at DL's numbers. DL does not allow any kind of upgrades for non-elites on discounted coach fares, miles or revenue. Elites are happy, DL makes more money.
Nov 19, 2013, 10:17 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,892
This would make AA the first North American participant in the "Plusgrade" upgrade scheme. At least one North American airline was said rumored to be partnering with the company earlier this year, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...coming-na.html
Other participants include Copa Airlines (very closely tied to UA/CO).
Other participants include Copa Airlines (very closely tied to UA/CO).
Nov 19, 2013, 10:18 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA PLT 3MM
Posts: 1,135
You missed the bit about giving away elite status to every man and his dog just in case there weren't ten upgrade requests for each seat already.
Nov 19, 2013, 10:25 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
The OP mentions a ticket for visiting at Thanksgiving, so it's likely that this is a week or so out but the offer has already been made - before the 100 hour window opens. Of course, RM may have looked at how many upgrade requests have been made but many EXPs will buy tickets much closer in than 100 hours so not be on the list yet.
I've traveled often during T'giving (regular flight SJC-DFW-BOS, etc... not HNL or TATL [although one T'giving I flew home on a TATL w/just 5 people in J)
and there have almost always been empty F seats, its lots of families, award tickets, etc.. and X upgrades clear at 100 hrs, b/c Y is packed and many elites choose to avoid the fray.
