quikkings711

I have a paid Y ticket from SYD to LAX this April on a Sunday. What are the odds of me getting upgraded using SWU as an EXP? Considering that there are obviously no data points yet but I'd love to hear your thoughts.

cmd320

Low would be my guess. Though maybe possible, it's difficult to say at this point.

bilica

AA app allowed me select a seat in J - I guess the upgrade cleared. I have even selected the meal...

However my reservation is not accessible from aa.com... Strange...

cmd320

Did you select your meal on the AApp? I didn't even know that was possible!

It sounds like you should be in good shape, I would still call when you have a minute and let them know you can't see it on AA.com just to be on the safe side.

bilica

Sorry - selected the meal on aa.com (although the actual flights are not showing).

Seat assignment worked only on the app...

VickiSoCal

Have you gotten the re-ticketing email yet?

Exec_Plat

Well, Id say you are #1 on the list- (you DID request the SWU already, right???) Take a screen save of the seat map today- how many MCE selected on your flight? If you are 1 and 2, then Id say you are the first and second EXPs on the SWU/Mile waitlist.

If AA will clear any, you should get one.

Will AA sell all those J? The certainly have not release a single J award yet....

taxicabnumber

Along these lines, on which day would it be hardest to clear SYD-LAX (i.e., when is there the most paid J demand on average for SYD-LAX)? Looking at buying a one-way SYD-SFO for next March, and debating between nonstop SYD-SFO on QF in Y (booked as AA codeshare) vs. SYD-LAX-SFO on all-AA metal, in Y but with the hope of an SWU.

Exec_Plat

1. You do realize this is new route- so there is ZERO history for any opinions. (mine included) We can use AA behaviour on other routes as a hint, but maybe they will be more Qantas like? QF sells a lot of biz seats. Will AA? Is there a pent up need for American hospitality headed to Oz??

2. Why One Way? Have you penciled all that out? A SYD-SFO-SYD round trip might me cheaper. (Or SYD-SFO and HNL-SYD retrurn?) Dunno, just speculating. Just a cheap return to allow the outbound to be a cheaper RT fare. You wouldnt fly it. (Also look at LAX with a cheap separate ticket LAX-SFO)

3. Look at the seat map? How many seats are taken in Y? How many in MCE? If you are the first, and your are an EXP, I personally believe the chances are decent.

4. On the LAX-USA you arrive same day. I think Friday, Sat, Sun and Monday are business heavy days. Just my guess. (the QF sub forum might have some input on this) Folks returning from a trip to SYD. Folks coming to USA for a business trip. But look at the Y and MCE load too. Thats your 'competition'.

GL

discoverCSG

This coming Tuesday, I'm flying DCA-1202-MIA-257-MEX. I'm EXPlat, and I was ticketed/requested on May 31.

Today, DCA-MIA cleared at the T-100 window, but MIA-MEX did not.

I offer this as a data point, but do you think MIA-MEX will clear? If so, when? T-24? T-4? T-1? At the gate?

cmd320

EF is showing J4 with a few opens in MCE. Being that you requested months ago, I would say you should have a pretty decent shot as an EXP. Expect it to clear as late as T-4, if it's not cleared by then, expect to clear from the list at the gate or not at all.

taxicabnumber

1. Yes, I do, and I also realize that QF/AA might have different demands/corporate contracts/etc that could affect this; but at least having an idea of QF (/DL/UA) demand patterns could help.

2. SYD-SFO one way isn't too bad, $800 or so; no savings to be had from booking RT (granted RT is ~$1k, so cheaper on a per-segment basis, but seems to be nothing like US-Asia/Europe RT vs OW pricing tends to be). I grabbed two J saver seats on QF right when they were released for the outbound, hence needing a one-way of some sort to get home. If I want to use miles on the way home to sit up front, my only options are via ICN/PVG (no thanks)/TYO.

3. Seat map isn't too bad. 4 seats taken in J, 3 in MCE (but why are 20ABC/21DEGH/29DEGH/30AC/30JL blocked?)

4. Makes sense! I guess it's partially a guessing game about how many AA customers will be on Aussie business patterns...

Exec_Plat

I was curious, so started a thread over in the QF forum asking about QF loads as a data point....

Since this is a QF/AA joint venture, they arent really competing- the idea that "AA customers" are different that "QF customers" might not be so true. I view this as an analogue of the US-LHR on AA versus BA. You get miles on both, codeshares, connections, etc, etc. Not as loyalty driven. food, seats and service perhaps?

I was wondering if that was the reason for a one way.... supected that. I prolly have a pair of USA-SYD F seats I wont use in mid march. Wrong direction for you. Is there a one way that you can get the value back as a credit, perhaps with a hefty fee? Book that, waitlist the SWU, watch for a saver in J. Is a $200 penalty worth it? 500?

Do keep you eyes pealed for AA74, Id like to think they will open J in the next few ______s (days, weeks...months...years?!?!?)

GL

brc757rr

UPDATE: 8 of us cleared at T-4. Funny thing is my LAX-JFK cleared at T-100 today. Hmmm.

supermintyfresh

Yikes! Were you upgraded from DFW-PEK at least? J availability in the new 788 routes must be terrible... only 28 premium seats for such a large cabin.