American Upgrade List Order
Apr 24, 2015, 5:34 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1
American Upgrade List Order
I have a question about upgrade priority. I'm currently Aadvantage Gold and I recently flew from DFW to MAD and I requested an upgrade. I was given the upgrade to business class but it involved paying $350 plus 25,000 miles. Now, my question is if I got the upgrade because there were no EXP members who wanted to be upgraded?
In other words, assuming there is an empty business class seat and an EXP member requests an upgrade and someone who is Gold requests an upgrade but the Gold person will be charged money and miles for it, who gets the upgrade? I think that out of loyalty it will probably go to the EXP member even he won't be paying 'extra' for it. Am I correct?
Thanks,
BJ
In other words, assuming there is an empty business class seat and an EXP member requests an upgrade and someone who is Gold requests an upgrade but the Gold person will be charged money and miles for it, who gets the upgrade? I think that out of loyalty it will probably go to the EXP member even he won't be paying 'extra' for it. Am I correct?
Thanks,
BJ
Apr 24, 2015, 9:34 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: JFK > LGA >> EWR
Programs: AA EXP 1.2mm, Kimpton IC, Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,180
An EXP member would also have to pay for the upgrade, either with miles+copay or with a SWU.
And yes, an EXP would be prioritized ahead of a lower status member on the waiting list, regardless of the instrument type.
And yes, an EXP would be prioritized ahead of a lower status member on the waiting list, regardless of the instrument type.
Apr 25, 2015, 5:57 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
I have a question about upgrade priority. I'm currently Aadvantage Gold and I recently flew from DFW to MAD and I requested an upgrade. I was given the upgrade to business class but it involved paying $350 plus 25,000 miles. Now, my question is if I got the upgrade because there were no EXP members who wanted to be upgraded?
Apr 25, 2015, 11:08 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP - Marriott LT Platinum - National Exec Elite
Posts: 1,112
OP-
I think you're confused by the domestic upgrade policies that AA uses... For longhaul international travel, there's no "free" upgrades. All members, regardless of status must use either a System Wide Upgrade or a Mileage+Copay instrument.
It's not clear to me that you understand that Mileage+Copay was your only available way into J. It's very common for empty seats in J and F to go out empty with plenty of elites in Y.
I think you're confused by the domestic upgrade policies that AA uses... For longhaul international travel, there's no "free" upgrades. All members, regardless of status must use either a System Wide Upgrade or a Mileage+Copay instrument.
It's not clear to me that you understand that Mileage+Copay was your only available way into J. It's very common for empty seats in J and F to go out empty with plenty of elites in Y.