ARCHIVE: Chances of upgrade clearing / upgrade availability - 2012 and prior)
May 30, 2010, 3:59 pm
#916
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL
Programs: AA 2MM, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,966
There have been sporadic reports of advance clearing, but PVG is normally a very late-clearing upgrade. Apparently, they have significant amounts of paid premium travel.
May 30, 2010, 4:53 pm
#917
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,590
I don't think LGA-ORD is a good use of miles for an Award Upgrade. If you get lucky with the stickers, great. If not, it's a short flight.
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This thread has now been merged in to the existing Chances of Upgrade Clearing thread, which, in addition to being available via Search as noted by brp above, is also linked directly from our FAQ at the top of the forum.
• What are the chances that my upgrade will clear?
/Moderator
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This thread has now been merged in to the existing Chances of Upgrade Clearing thread, which, in addition to being available via Search as noted by brp above, is also linked directly from our FAQ at the top of the forum.
• What are the chances that my upgrade will clear?
/Moderator
I wouldnt use miles for any upgrade, but if OP wants to sit in first after buying coach then OP should.
May 30, 2010, 7:06 pm
#918
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Radisson Premium
Posts: 6,638
These will be very difficult to upgrade because those flights are very top tier heavy, and many use their VIPs to be confirmed right away. I'd say you have more of a chance on the Sunday morning flight, but redeyes are usually very full, especially out of LAX. GL!
May 30, 2010, 10:50 pm
#919
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: 30,000 Feet
Programs: LY Top Platinum, AA Platinum, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 863
The AAgent I spoke with told me that the redeye's are light on Tuesday nights b/c its mid-week.
May 30, 2010, 11:49 pm
#920
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
SFO-MIA upgrade question
Will fly SFO-MIA-SFO in August for a couple of days. I know there are no guarantees, but any educated guesses re whether my upgrade chances are better if I fly during the week or on the weekend (e.g., Fri-Sun, Sat-Mon). Will probably book on the remaining 763 flights.
Thanks for any advice.
Thanks for any advice.
Jun 1, 2010, 11:14 am
#921
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: AA ExPLT, Bonvoy Titanium, Amex PLT, Hertz GLD, National EX
Posts: 332
Atl-mia #1945
Flight #1945 - ATL to MIA
Did not clear at the 72, 48 or 24 hour mark. Checked in online 24 hours before my flight. Upgrade cleared the same day - 1:39 p.m. for a 6:30 p.m. flight. First was full, including 4 really annoying/bratty kids & their mother... but that's a whole other story!
Did not clear at the 72, 48 or 24 hour mark. Checked in online 24 hours before my flight. Upgrade cleared the same day - 1:39 p.m. for a 6:30 p.m. flight. First was full, including 4 really annoying/bratty kids & their mother... but that's a whole other story!
Jun 1, 2010, 11:50 am
#922
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Radisson Premium
Posts: 6,638
LGA-ORD flight 303 tomorrow ... F0. Booked the trip weeks ago. Never missed an upgrade on this route even when I was low level. This summer is going to truly suck. Capacity cuts (while other airlines continue to expand) and middle seats for business travelers on midcons are NOT a good way to reward loyalty 
Update: upgraded at gate!
Update: upgraded at gate!
Last edited by demkr; Jun 4, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Jun 1, 2010, 2:35 pm
#923
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: HY
Programs: AA-EXP (3.3MM), AAirpass, SQ-PPS Solitaire, DL-PM (.777MM), SPG-Plat, HH-D
Posts: 2,307
Do not mean to hijack this thread but my question is not worthy of a thread of its own and its about upgrades. I booked a ticket using miles to SJU from BOS and wanted to know if I am still eligible for a free upgrade even though its not a paid fare. Anyone knows? thanks 
Jun 1, 2010, 2:39 pm
#924
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
Jun 1, 2010, 2:44 pm
#925
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
Seriously, though, your question is oft-asked. Did you consult the FT AA wiki or AA.com? Both sources hold the answer (which btw is "no" you are not eligible for a complimentary upgrade on an award ticket.)
Jun 1, 2010, 2:55 pm
#926
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,419
Do not mean to hijack this thread but my question is not worthy of a thread of its own and its about upgrades. I booked a ticket using miles to SJU from BOS and wanted to know if I am still eligible for a free upgrade even though its not a paid fare. Anyone knows? thanks
Complimentary upgrades are applicable for AAdvantage Executive Platinum members traveling on all purchased, published fares. You may also request a complimentary upgrade for one companion traveling on the same flight also on a purchased, published fare booked in Y or B, excluding military/government fares.
Upgrades may be used for yourself and one travel companion in conjunction with purchased, published Economy Class fare tickets, and are not valid for use with an AAdvantage travel award, any free ticket or opaque fares.
Upgrades may be used for yourself and one travel companion in conjunction with purchased, published Economy Class fare tickets, and are not valid for use with an AAdvantage travel award, any free ticket or opaque fares.
Jun 2, 2010, 3:49 am
#927
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Sarah Kirschbaum
Posts: 55
I became a Platinum this year.
It's already June 1, and I have yet to receive
a single upgrade after 27 flights this year.
Most of the flights were from east coast to west coast, with
connections in DFW and ORD. On every one of those 27 flights,
all first class seats were occupied. All of my trips were
booked 45 days or more in advance, not sure if this made
any difference.
I must hand it to AA's customer service dept. When I spoke
with them about this, they actually apologized and credited
me 5,000 miles as a goodwill gesture. I totally didn't expect
them to do that.
Being a newbie Platinum, I don't really know how this game
works. Any suggestions appreciated!
It's already June 1, and I have yet to receive
a single upgrade after 27 flights this year.
Most of the flights were from east coast to west coast, with
connections in DFW and ORD. On every one of those 27 flights,
all first class seats were occupied.
All of my trips were booked 45 days or more in advance, not sure if this made
any difference.
I must hand it to AA's customer service dept. When I spoke
with them about this, they actually apologized and credited
me 5,000 miles as a goodwill gesture. I totally didn't expect
them to do that.
Being a newbie Platinum, I don't really know how this game
works. Any suggestions appreciated!
Jun 2, 2010, 5:22 am
#928
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 94
I became a Platinum this year.
It's already June 1, and I have yet to receive
a single upgrade after 27 flights this year.
Most of the flights were from east coast to west coast, with
connections in DFW and ORD. On every one of those 27 flights,
all first class seats were occupied. All of my trips were
booked 45 days or more in advance, not sure if this made
any difference.
I must hand it to AA's customer service dept. When I spoke
with them about this, they actually apologized and credited
me 5,000 miles as a goodwill gesture. I totally didn't expect
them to do that.
Being a newbie Platinum, I don't really know how this game
works. Any suggestions appreciated!
It's already June 1, and I have yet to receive
a single upgrade after 27 flights this year.
Most of the flights were from east coast to west coast, with
connections in DFW and ORD. On every one of those 27 flights,
all first class seats were occupied.
All of my trips were booked 45 days or more in advance, not sure if this made
any difference.
I must hand it to AA's customer service dept. When I spoke
with them about this, they actually apologized and credited
me 5,000 miles as a goodwill gesture. I totally didn't expect
them to do that.
Being a newbie Platinum, I don't really know how this game
works. Any suggestions appreciated!
I do have to ask the question though - are you (a) requesting your upgrades online as soon as you book your tickets AND (b) requesting to be added to the airport list when you check in?
Jun 2, 2010, 6:16 am
#929
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: OKC-DFW
Programs: EXP- finally
Posts: 136
ord to pek
thursday 187 all but two seats sold on the whole plane. to quote the plt desk intnl agent "this is a very popular flight". Hard to believe due to it's unreliability, short history, and late arrival. But my other choice thru PVG gets in even later.
Jun 2, 2010, 6:22 am
#930
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 1,229
