2015 Chances of Upgrade Clearing and Upgrade Availability Discussion (consolidated)
Mar 21, 2015, 10:31 pm
#241
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 205
Yes it's based on revenue and a EXP are going to be spending a whole lot of more $$$ than a PLT... and that is why EXP upgrades are PRIORITY #1. If you read my post I'm upgraded 100 hour out on FREE UPGRADES. They are clearly upgrading me prior to PLT's who are using miles and a $75 co-pay.
Recently on a flight from JFK to LAX, a flight that was sold out 1 week before the flight, I was upgraded at the gate and told I was the only upgrade.... yes before any PLT.
My source.... American Airline staff who I know and one who happens to be my partner. PLT does not get upgraded before EXP... unless they pay full fare. I have a 99.9999% upgrade success on all my flights, I've only flown coach twice in the past 2.5 years and that was international LAX to LHR.
Recently on a flight from JFK to LAX, a flight that was sold out 1 week before the flight, I was upgraded at the gate and told I was the only upgrade.... yes before any PLT.
My source.... American Airline staff who I know and one who happens to be my partner. PLT does not get upgraded before EXP... unless they pay full fare. I have a 99.9999% upgrade success on all my flights, I've only flown coach twice in the past 2.5 years and that was international LAX to LHR.
And I still don't get why AA34 was cancelled for weather while AA2 and the 7:00 am weren't.
Mar 22, 2015, 12:03 am
#242
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
Funny... emailing crew to get super-special VIP treatment. How blowhardy.
I tend to feel awkward when I get the up in the air treatment...
It isnt as linear as you might imagine.
I was on a DFW-SMF at 6:30PM that was cancelled. Weather.
Turns out the NEXT day they were expecting weather in dallas. As a result they decided to cancel the SMF-DFW that would land at noon in DFW. This was an effort to simply reduce the number of planes landing.
As a result the plane I was suppoosed to be on, the day before, which was GOING to be that SMF-DFW inbound, was canceled as AA didnt want to 'strand' the equipment in SMF.
Inbound traffic control can result in weird (frustrating) secondary cancellations.
I tend to feel awkward when I get the up in the air treatment...
I was on a DFW-SMF at 6:30PM that was cancelled. Weather.
Turns out the NEXT day they were expecting weather in dallas. As a result they decided to cancel the SMF-DFW that would land at noon in DFW. This was an effort to simply reduce the number of planes landing.
As a result the plane I was suppoosed to be on, the day before, which was GOING to be that SMF-DFW inbound, was canceled as AA didnt want to 'strand' the equipment in SMF.
Inbound traffic control can result in weird (frustrating) secondary cancellations.
Mar 22, 2015, 12:24 am
#243
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 205
Funny... emailing crew to get super-special VIP treatment. How blowhardy.
I tend to feel awkward when I get the up in the air treatment...
It isnt as linear as you might imagine.
I was on a DFW-SMF at 6:30PM that was cancelled. Weather.
Turns out the NEXT day they were expecting weather in dallas. As a result they decided to cancel the SMF-DFW that would land at noon in DFW. This was an effort to simply reduce the number of planes landing.
As a result the plane I was suppoosed to be on, the day before, which was GOING to be that SMF-DFW inbound, was canceled as AA didnt want to 'strand' the equipment in SMF.
Inbound traffic control can result in weird (frustrating) secondary cancellations.
I tend to feel awkward when I get the up in the air treatment...
It isnt as linear as you might imagine.
I was on a DFW-SMF at 6:30PM that was cancelled. Weather.
Turns out the NEXT day they were expecting weather in dallas. As a result they decided to cancel the SMF-DFW that would land at noon in DFW. This was an effort to simply reduce the number of planes landing.
As a result the plane I was suppoosed to be on, the day before, which was GOING to be that SMF-DFW inbound, was canceled as AA didnt want to 'strand' the equipment in SMF.
Inbound traffic control can result in weird (frustrating) secondary cancellations.
Mar 22, 2015, 2:36 am
#244
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seat 1L these days :)
Programs: AF Platinum/AY LUMO/SK EBG/baEC S/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G/HH Dia/IHG plat
Posts: 7,965
Mar 22, 2015, 9:12 am
#245
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Philly
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 200
For your best chances, I'd suggest using an app like ExpertFlyer that can give you notifications when F seats become available within the 24 hour window. Wait to check in until you get a notification or you're at the airport, as once you check-in it's pretty much game over.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Mar 22, 2015, 1:04 pm
#246
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 477
I have a question around how SWU wait list is processed.
I want to travel with my family to Europe (4 pax) and I am the only with status (EXP) and nobody else has any status. I am wondering if it is better to have 1 PNR or 4 separate PNRs.
I believe the wait list goes by Status level (EXP is higher than PLT than GLD and finally no status) and then time / date stamp of when you were placed on the list. Also, if we are all in a single PNR the entire family inherits the EXP status priority but not if we are in separate PNRs.
Hence I am wondering what happens if 2 SWUs become available and we are the first 4 on wait list and there is 1 more EXP and 1 more PLT on the wait list but with later time / date stamp than us. Will 2 out of family of 4 get upgraded or the 2 will get assigned to the pax lower down the wait list.
Also, can you put expert flyer alerts on SWU availability and proactively manage the PNR splits later as and when the SWU become available.
I want to travel with my family to Europe (4 pax) and I am the only with status (EXP) and nobody else has any status. I am wondering if it is better to have 1 PNR or 4 separate PNRs.
I believe the wait list goes by Status level (EXP is higher than PLT than GLD and finally no status) and then time / date stamp of when you were placed on the list. Also, if we are all in a single PNR the entire family inherits the EXP status priority but not if we are in separate PNRs.
Hence I am wondering what happens if 2 SWUs become available and we are the first 4 on wait list and there is 1 more EXP and 1 more PLT on the wait list but with later time / date stamp than us. Will 2 out of family of 4 get upgraded or the 2 will get assigned to the pax lower down the wait list.
Also, can you put expert flyer alerts on SWU availability and proactively manage the PNR splits later as and when the SWU become available.
Mar 24, 2015, 6:18 pm
#247
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: status free since 2017
Posts: 2,188
SWU upgrades on LAX-GRU route
I have no insight to the popularity of this route. Thinking of making the route as ORD-LAX-GRU for more EQM rather than MIA/JFK. Even if agent calls it backtracking, I am happy to just use the SWU for LAX-GRU. Hopefully EXP status will clear the domestic segments.
Just trying to gauge an idea what are the chances here few months out? Is this like DFW-HKG where 20+ EXPs end up praying to be cleared at gate or is it better? I checked expertflyer for few random dates and it looked pretty busy in J cabin with 0 C inventory.
Suggestions welcome.
Just trying to gauge an idea what are the chances here few months out? Is this like DFW-HKG where 20+ EXPs end up praying to be cleared at gate or is it better? I checked expertflyer for few random dates and it looked pretty busy in J cabin with 0 C inventory.
Suggestions welcome.
Mar 24, 2015, 6:28 pm
#248
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Gold (prev. Ex Plat for 10 years); DL Plat; UA Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,339
Done it twice, and I think loads are somewhat inconsistent on the route. I've never seen C or A inventory much outside of a 7-10 day window, which seems somewhat consistent with other GRU routes.
Two of my flights were jammed in all cabins. Another had me and my travel companion in F (plus 1 pilot) on upgrades, and only 8-12 people in J. Y was jammed.
It seems to be popular but it also, IMO, is probably among the easier GRU upgrades in the system. Plenty of Brazilian VFR and tourist traffic in Y, not sure tons of premium demand.
OTOH, the F/A on one of the flights mentioned they have a robust cargo business, especially xLAX, which might explain why it's a 777 and not a 763 or 77W. Plenty of cargo space on the 777, but no need for the premium capacity of the 77W. DL used to run LAX-GRU on 763, so it's doable if they deemed it the right equipment for the route.
Two of my flights were jammed in all cabins. Another had me and my travel companion in F (plus 1 pilot) on upgrades, and only 8-12 people in J. Y was jammed.
It seems to be popular but it also, IMO, is probably among the easier GRU upgrades in the system. Plenty of Brazilian VFR and tourist traffic in Y, not sure tons of premium demand.
OTOH, the F/A on one of the flights mentioned they have a robust cargo business, especially xLAX, which might explain why it's a 777 and not a 763 or 77W. Plenty of cargo space on the 777, but no need for the premium capacity of the 77W. DL used to run LAX-GRU on 763, so it's doable if they deemed it the right equipment for the route.
Mar 26, 2015, 9:46 am
#249
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 9
Need some advice.
I am AA PLT and flying JFK-SFO AA 179 Sat 3/28 - I booked more than 45 days out
Right now, seat map says 9 Seats open in J. Y is packed. EF says: J7 D7 I6 Y4 B1 H1
Currently, no C upgrades available. Guessing that will change at T-24 or sooner.
The questions is, jump on the C upgrade when it becomes available or hold out for the sticker upgrade?
Recommendations?
I am AA PLT and flying JFK-SFO AA 179 Sat 3/28 - I booked more than 45 days out
Right now, seat map says 9 Seats open in J. Y is packed. EF says: J7 D7 I6 Y4 B1 H1
Currently, no C upgrades available. Guessing that will change at T-24 or sooner.
The questions is, jump on the C upgrade when it becomes available or hold out for the sticker upgrade?
Recommendations?
Mar 26, 2015, 3:24 pm
#250
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: AA exp
Posts: 114
Need some advice.
I am AA PLT and flying JFK-SFO AA 179 Sat 3/28 - I booked more than 45 days out
Right now, seat map says 9 Seats open in J. Y is packed. EF says: J7 D7 I6 Y4 B1 H1
Currently, no C upgrades available. Guessing that will change at T-24 or sooner.
The questions is, jump on the C upgrade when it becomes available or hold out for the sticker upgrade?
Recommendations?
I am AA PLT and flying JFK-SFO AA 179 Sat 3/28 - I booked more than 45 days out
Right now, seat map says 9 Seats open in J. Y is packed. EF says: J7 D7 I6 Y4 B1 H1
Currently, no C upgrades available. Guessing that will change at T-24 or sooner.
The questions is, jump on the C upgrade when it becomes available or hold out for the sticker upgrade?
Recommendations?
Mar 26, 2015, 9:54 pm
#252
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Apr 2, 2015, 7:54 am
#253
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: DFW
Programs: AA CK, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Globalist
Posts: 11
SWU Odd for TATL Flights
Long time reader, first time poster....not the first to say this. 
Curious to know how things look for an AA EXP getting a SWU to clear for AA50 on 15 April from Coach to Business and the same for return on 19 April on AA51
Thanks
Curious to know how things look for an AA EXP getting a SWU to clear for AA50 on 15 April from Coach to Business and the same for return on 19 April on AA51
Thanks
Apr 2, 2015, 8:48 am
#254
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EXP (LT Plat 2MM), Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Plat, SPG Plat75, UA1K
Posts: 1,248
Traveling LHR-JFK-ORD on 4/5. Used miles to upgrade LHR-JFK but waitlisted for upgrade on AA 199 back to Chicago. Looks like flight is F3A0P0 at the moment. Does AA typically open up "A" class before "X" or will I be battling for my place with the sticker crowd?
Apr 2, 2015, 10:29 am
#255
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548