2015 Chances of Upgrade Clearing and Upgrade Availability Discussion (consolidated)
Oct 8, 2015, 5:43 pm
#901
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
Thank you in advance if you respond with words of wisdom that I might learn from...
I booked a flight from PHL-ORD-PEK and return on October 11-16th. Unfortunately, the flights on the 11th were way too expensive to pay for business. I had 8 SWU so I put in for one back in August, thinking there was a good chance it might clear. I've never used one before and now I remember why...
As of today, business is booked full. However, there are some seats in 1st open so they may pull some business class up and then is my question. Being ExPlat and putting in months ago, what is the chance this thing will clear? I should have known better and flew EWR to PEK on UA where I always can upgrade but I figured I had a good chance of an upgrade.
American's 777-200 is tired, economy is unbearable for 13 hours. Any thoughts if it will clear or if I'm just dreaming?
Thanks,
G1C
I booked a flight from PHL-ORD-PEK and return on October 11-16th. Unfortunately, the flights on the 11th were way too expensive to pay for business. I had 8 SWU so I put in for one back in August, thinking there was a good chance it might clear. I've never used one before and now I remember why...
As of today, business is booked full. However, there are some seats in 1st open so they may pull some business class up and then is my question. Being ExPlat and putting in months ago, what is the chance this thing will clear? I should have known better and flew EWR to PEK on UA where I always can upgrade but I figured I had a good chance of an upgrade.
American's 777-200 is tired, economy is unbearable for 13 hours. Any thoughts if it will clear or if I'm just dreaming?
Thanks,
G1C
When did you request the upgrade? only in August is two months ago. 3-5 months is way better. Importantly how many seats in MCE were occupied when you booked? This is 'your competition': namely EXPs
Finally, just because the flight is J0 dont assume it is full in biz. That flight looks WAY oversold in Y, they may have pulled J seats out of inventory to allow upgrades. but they dont process upgrades yet as that would then allow the computer to further oversell Y.
They will probably fill up F. If I was in paid J i would almost certainly burn an SWU on that plane.... one thought, day of: you could ask an AAngel. "If I give someone an SWU from J to F can I use a second SWU to get into that J seat?" Its been done.
Oct 8, 2015, 6:19 pm
#902
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Hilton/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson GLD, IHG PLT
Posts: 4,608
This is up to you. Go to the airport early, once you get to the airport, if nothing has cleared, and you are #1 or 2 on upgrade list I and Bus is full, I suggest as follow. Go to the counter, preferably AC desk and sponsor to upgrade someone from Business to First via SWU. As long as Business is full, you will not get the upgrade. This is probably the only way. A good agent will see who is on paid Business, will page/call that person and see if they don't mind being upgraded to first, (who wouldn't). Will cost you 1 or 2 extra SWU. Your call.
Oct 8, 2015, 6:31 pm
#903
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
If they are going to expire in Feb anyways, go for it. 2 SWU's for that flight is worth it.
Oct 8, 2015, 6:49 pm
#904
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
Oct 9, 2015, 10:55 pm
#905
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4
Checking C availability in expert flyer
For checking availability, should one check each leg individually (or) use the option where you can put a Starting and Ending point and put a connection in between?
I'm asking because one leg of my SWU request shows C availability, while the other leg shows no availability ..
Will the available leg clear soon (or) will both legs need to have C available for SWU to clear in advance?
I'm asking because one leg of my SWU request shows C availability, while the other leg shows no availability ..
Will the available leg clear soon (or) will both legs need to have C available for SWU to clear in advance?
Oct 10, 2015, 12:38 am
#906
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,581
The last time this happened (domestic leg did not clear), I checked with the gate agent because I didn't see my name on the UG list. She checkekd and then minutes later I saw I was on #1 (I ticketed 9 months ago). Alas, business/first was already full. No one was UG'd at the gate.
In restropect, I should have called after I saw 1 leg was cleared. Oh well!
Oct 10, 2015, 4:34 pm
#907
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,978
For checking availability, should one check each leg individually (or) use the option where you can put a Starting and Ending point and put a connection in between?
I'm asking because one leg of my SWU request shows C availability, while the other leg shows no availability ..
Will the available leg clear soon (or) will both legs need to have C available for SWU to clear in advance?
I'm asking because one leg of my SWU request shows C availability, while the other leg shows no availability ..
Will the available leg clear soon (or) will both legs need to have C available for SWU to clear in advance?
That's a long answer to your question. The short answer: no, all segments do not need to be available for any one segment to clear.
Last edited by Stripe; Oct 10, 2015 at 9:05 pm
Oct 11, 2015, 12:21 am
#908
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
3/3 for SWUs this year (but i cheat and only book flights with available upgrade space). 15/21 for all coach flights ive taken, some booked as soon as 3 days before departure. Basically the only time i did not get upgraded was when i was flying with a companion or i was on US metal before the FF merge.
Oct 11, 2015, 12:32 pm
#909
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: DFW
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum 2MM, Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite, HHonors
Posts: 62
This is up to you. Go to the airport early, once you get to the airport, if nothing has cleared, and you are #1 or 2 on upgrade list I and Bus is full, I suggest as follow. Go to the counter, preferably AC desk and sponsor to upgrade someone from Business to First via SWU. As long as Business is full, you will not get the upgrade. This is probably the only way. A good agent will see who is on paid Business, will page/call that person and see if they don't mind being upgraded to first, (who wouldn't). Will cost you 1 or 2 extra SWU. Your call.
Oct 11, 2015, 3:30 pm
#910
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA EXP (3.5MM), UA Premier, Hertz President's Circle, Marriott
Posts: 163
LAX-GRU, best day of week for upgrades?
I am planning a vacation in the fall 2016 to RIO. I'd like to fly on AA non stop via GRU on AA 216/216 and use system-wide upgrades which I realize are rarely offered.
Anyone familiar with this flight - which days are easiest (if any) for upgrades to clear? Outbound I'd prefer to fly on FRIDAY, and return on SATURDAY. How bad are my chances?
Thanks in advance for any insight.
Anyone familiar with this flight - which days are easiest (if any) for upgrades to clear? Outbound I'd prefer to fly on FRIDAY, and return on SATURDAY. How bad are my chances?
Thanks in advance for any insight.
Oct 11, 2015, 5:44 pm
#911
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: status free since 2017
Posts: 2,188
This is up to you. Go to the airport early, once you get to the airport, if nothing has cleared, and you are #1 or 2 on upgrade list I and Bus is full, I suggest as follow. Go to the counter, preferably AC desk and sponsor to upgrade someone from Business to First via SWU. As long as Business is full, you will not get the upgrade. This is probably the only way. A good agent will see who is on paid Business, will page/call that person and see if they don't mind being upgraded to first, (who wouldn't). Will cost you 1 or 2 extra SWU. Your call.
Oct 11, 2015, 6:45 pm
#912
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NYC LAX RDU
Programs: US-Plt;Concierge key; American AAirpass; Delta Silver;Starwood - Platinum; Amex Cent
Posts: 710
I am planning a vacation in the fall 2016 to RIO. I'd like to fly on AA non stop via GRU on AA 216/216 and use system-wide upgrades which I realize are rarely offered.
Anyone familiar with this flight - which days are easiest (if any) for upgrades to clear? Outbound I'd prefer to fly on FRIDAY, and return on SATURDAY. How bad are my chances?
Thanks in advance for any insight.
Anyone familiar with this flight - which days are easiest (if any) for upgrades to clear? Outbound I'd prefer to fly on FRIDAY, and return on SATURDAY. How bad are my chances?
Thanks in advance for any insight.
Oct 11, 2015, 7:13 pm
#913
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA EXP (3.5MM), UA Premier, Hertz President's Circle, Marriott
Posts: 163
Thanks - with fewer seats on the 787 I am curious how this has changed?
Oct 11, 2015, 8:45 pm
#915
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BOS, LAX
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 804
I was forced to reconsider the value of the EXP program after three hours sitting on tarmac in PEK in Y, when I was supposed to be upgraded on the PEK-DFW flight according to each and every sign known to the FT regulars.