ARCHIVE: Chances of upgrade clearing / upgrade availability - 2012 and prior)
Nov 10, 2010, 3:13 pm
#1666
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: BOS, PHX, LAX
Programs: AA EXP, 2MM+, Lifetime PLT, Admirals Club
Posts: 479
Last edited by magic111; Nov 10, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Nov 10, 2010, 3:32 pm
#1667
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1K, American EXP & 3 Million Miler, Hyatt Globalist & Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 2,360
Nov 10, 2010, 4:11 pm
#1668
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
When you say "coupon upgrade", could you clarify for us what you mean? Are you speaking of using an SWU/eVIP, or are you speaking of an MFU (Miles For Upgrades, which includes a co-pay)?
In any case, this will likely soon be merged with the thread linked to above.
In any case, this will likely soon be merged with the thread linked to above.
Nov 10, 2010, 4:24 pm
#1669
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Radisson Premium
Posts: 6,638
From what the FA's on the HNL flights tell me, and this goes for all origins, the overwhelming majority of passengers on these flights are award bookings. In one ORD-HNL flight that I took earlier this year, I was told by the FA that I was only 1 of 2 $$ paid passengers in F.
So the reason why F can fill up on these flights (thus limiting inventory) is because of this. From ORD I've used eVIPs as an EXP, because I just didn't want to risk it. Of course, whenever I use eVIPs domestic, I always seem to use them when I didn't really need to
haha.. On one hand, I do feel like because there's a lot of award bookings, this is *not* an elite heavy flight. But because you would have to pay for the stickers anyway as a gold, you might want to sacrifice the 15K miles if inventory is available and save the $5 bucks. That way you won't have to worry about it plus you'll save $5! hehe
So the reason why F can fill up on these flights (thus limiting inventory) is because of this. From ORD I've used eVIPs as an EXP, because I just didn't want to risk it. Of course, whenever I use eVIPs domestic, I always seem to use them when I didn't really need to
haha.. On one hand, I do feel like because there's a lot of award bookings, this is *not* an elite heavy flight. But because you would have to pay for the stickers anyway as a gold, you might want to sacrifice the 15K miles if inventory is available and save the $5 bucks. That way you won't have to worry about it plus you'll save $5! hehe
Last edited by demkr; Nov 10, 2010 at 6:12 pm Reason: terminology change to avoid confusion
Nov 10, 2010, 6:10 pm
#1670
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
From what the FA's on the HNL flights tell me, and this goes for all origins, the overwhelming majority of passengers on these flights are non-revs. In one ORD-HNL flight that I took earlier this year, I was told by the FA that I was only 1 of 2 rev passengers in F.
So the reason why F can fill up on these flights (thus limiting inventory) is because of this. From ORD I've used eVIPs as an EXP, because I just didn't want to risk it. Of course, whenever I use eVIPs domestic, I always seem to use them when I didn't really need to haha.. On one hand, I do feel like because there's a lot of non-rev, this is *not* an elite heavy flight. But because you would have to pay for the stickers anyway as a gold, you might want to sacrifice the 15K miles if inventory is available and save the $5 bucks. That way you won't have to worry about it plus you'll save $5! hehe
So the reason why F can fill up on these flights (thus limiting inventory) is because of this. From ORD I've used eVIPs as an EXP, because I just didn't want to risk it. Of course, whenever I use eVIPs domestic, I always seem to use them when I didn't really need to
haha.. On one hand, I do feel like because there's a lot of non-rev, this is *not* an elite heavy flight. But because you would have to pay for the stickers anyway as a gold, you might want to sacrifice the 15K miles if inventory is available and save the $5 bucks. That way you won't have to worry about it plus you'll save $5! hehe
Nov 10, 2010, 6:12 pm
#1671
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Radisson Premium
Posts: 6,638
I didn't mean non-rev in the sense that they are FAs or employees. Non-rev in the same as $$$ i.e. award fares. I'll change the terminology. Sorry for the confusion
Nov 10, 2010, 7:12 pm
#1672
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
More importantly, where can I find these upgrade coupons? Are they in the Sunday paper?
Nov 10, 2010, 7:14 pm
#1673
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,949
The Patented Up-Check® program has calculated your odds of a sticker upgrade at 0.021%
Nov 10, 2010, 8:31 pm
#1674
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: AAdvantage Gold
Posts: 1,615
also keep in mind that 2 of the 30 seats (2HJ) are reserved for pilot rest. This flight is over 8 hours and requires a third pilot, and forget about row 17 as well, that's actually used for crew rest on this flight.
Nov 10, 2010, 10:21 pm
#1675
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA,CX, BA, Priority Club, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 1,397
Nov 13, 2010, 1:03 am
#1676
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PEK, SFO, NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Fairmont PC Plat
Posts: 277
So far, EXP isn't working out too well for me (1/3). Missed AA177 JFK-SFO today (was #2 on the upgrade list), after booking 4 weeks in advance. Also missed SFO-JFK a few weeks ago. I had to proactively ask the FA regarding the free EXP snack in Y, but at least Gogo In-flight Wi-Fi was free
Nov 14, 2010, 8:25 am
#1677
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AA EXP, AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, TSA PreCheck
Posts: 312
So far, EXP isn't working out too well for me (1/3). Missed AA177 JFK-SFO today (was #2 on the upgrade list), after booking 4 weeks in advance. Also missed SFO-JFK a few weeks ago. I had to proactively ask the FA regarding the free EXP snack in Y, but at least Gogo In-flight Wi-Fi was free
Sidebar question: Why was GoGo Wi-Fi free for you? AA isn't listed as participating in the free Google GoGo give-away going on now.
Nov 14, 2010, 8:27 am
#1678
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Nov 16, 2010, 10:51 am
#1679
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Home Airports: CAE/CLT
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, National Executive
Posts: 5,452
AA 1432
DFW-ERW
15 Nov 2010 (Monday)
Reservations made in September
I cleared with DW about 2 hours before departure. AAngel told me that there were still 2EXPs on the waitlist 2 hours before departure.
Needless to say my kids, who are PLT, did not clear and sat in steerage.
DFW-ERW
15 Nov 2010 (Monday)
Reservations made in September
I cleared with DW about 2 hours before departure. AAngel told me that there were still 2EXPs on the waitlist 2 hours before departure.
Needless to say my kids, who are PLT, did not clear and sat in steerage.
Nov 16, 2010, 10:58 am
#1680
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
