Connecting passengers trump originating pax on airport upgrade list (-T designation)
#76
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NY
Programs: AA Plat 1MM, IC RA, HH Gold
Posts: 2,791
Re: The other criteria. I agree the computer isn't going to do it.... but I am quite sure the GA has the ability to consider other factors and force an upgrade, if they desire to, based on what they think the priority should be. I am not saying this is policy, but I know damn sure it happened to me on a flgiht from HNL a few years back, when a known non-rev got an upgrade and I didn't. I suspect she was also traveling with non-revs that got the upgrade.. I know for certain she was a non-rev, and not traveling on airline business. So, yes, I am resentful.
#77
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,899
Please explain AA's logic
I am here in DFW as an EXP trying to upgrade to DCA.
I don't understand why they don't base X upgrade stand-by priority on original request time as opposed to through passengers getting a better place on the airport list rather than local customers.
In the case of misconnects and that sort of thing, I do understand the logic but I don't understand why a local upgrade request is trumped by a connecting passenger.
Please explain why AA puts the UPG1T as more important than UPG1.
I don't understand why they don't base X upgrade stand-by priority on original request time as opposed to through passengers getting a better place on the airport list rather than local customers.
In the case of misconnects and that sort of thing, I do understand the logic but I don't understand why a local upgrade request is trumped by a connecting passenger.
Please explain why AA puts the UPG1T as more important than UPG1.
#78
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
I am here in DFW as an EXP trying to upgrade to DCA.
I don't understand why they don't base X upgrade stand-by priority on original request time as opposed to through passengers getting a better place on the airport list rather than local customers.
In the case of misconnects and that sort of thing, I do understand the logic but I don't understand why a local upgrade request is trumped by a connecting passenger.
Please explain why AA puts the UPG1T as more important than UPG1.
I don't understand why they don't base X upgrade stand-by priority on original request time as opposed to through passengers getting a better place on the airport list rather than local customers.
In the case of misconnects and that sort of thing, I do understand the logic but I don't understand why a local upgrade request is trumped by a connecting passenger.
Please explain why AA puts the UPG1T as more important than UPG1.
#79
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
DFW being a major AA hub, does this mean that EXPs flying (originating) out of DFW have low chance of being upgraded? even if they purchase weeks in advance, because many of AA's EXPs are going to be routed through DFW?
#80
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Champaign (CMI)
Programs: AA ExecPlat
Posts: 92
Kiosk/OLCI check in and UPG TC note creation
Hi gang:
If one checks in at, say CMI, using the kiosk and is still waitlisted for an upgrade out of ORD or DFW would the machinery automagically add the T annotation? I suppose the same question applies for OLCI.
Cheers and thanks,
DocD
If one checks in at, say CMI, using the kiosk and is still waitlisted for an upgrade out of ORD or DFW would the machinery automagically add the T annotation? I suppose the same question applies for OLCI.
Cheers and thanks,
DocD
#81
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,526
Cheers.
#83
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA PLT AA 1MM
Posts: 727
It's not automatic
Just had the experience last week of having checked in online and then checked about our 2nd-leg upgrade request at the front desk at the airport--neither OLCI nor the stop at the desk resulted in tagging our connecting flight upgrade request as "through" (though I had mistakenly assumed the Aagent had done so since they usually do). Fortunately, we had time for a stop at the AC where they saw the omission and tagged our request as being for through passengers.
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,526
Just had the experience last week of having checked in online and then checked about our 2nd-leg upgrade request at the front desk at the airport--neither OLCI nor the stop at the desk resulted in tagging our connecting flight upgrade request as "through" (though I had mistakenly assumed the Aagent had done so since they usually do). Fortunately, we had time for a stop at the AC where they saw the omission and tagged our request as being for through passengers.
Cheers.
#85
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Midwest
Programs: AA PLT AA 1MM
Posts: 727
Most of our travel involves 2 or 3 flights each way. The large majority of our uncleared requests do require intervention at the airport to get that notation. From both my experience and comments from AC staff, I thought that the designation was in the system before the switch to the airport list but then is lost unless manually re-entered. (Guess I'll still keep asking just in case we're especially jinxed.)
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,526
"Unreliable" would describe so many aspects of air travel nowadays that I suppose this shouldn't be a surprise. But, still, it is interesting that such a straightforward feature could be so unreliable.
Most of our travel involves 2 or 3 flights each way. The large majority of our uncleared requests do require intervention at the airport to get that notation. From both my experience and comments from AC staff, I thought that the designation was in the system before the switch to the airport list but then is lost unless manually re-entered. (Guess I'll still keep asking just in case we're especially jinxed.)
Most of our travel involves 2 or 3 flights each way. The large majority of our uncleared requests do require intervention at the airport to get that notation. From both my experience and comments from AC staff, I thought that the designation was in the system before the switch to the airport list but then is lost unless manually re-entered. (Guess I'll still keep asking just in case we're especially jinxed.)
I think checking is a good thing...and will be my MO from now on as well.
Cheers.
#87
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
I just want to clarify something. Does T&C notation apply only to the airport upgrade list? or does it also apply for how they prioritize upgrades _before_ 24 hours at the airport?
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
One thing people can try to do, if you are an AC member, is ask the AAngel very nicely if she can change your upgrade request a through/connecting upgrade request (even if you're not a through/connecting). So from a UPG1 to a UPG1T for EXPs.
I've never had to do this except during my PLT days and it was a legitimate request. Also even among gate agents/AAngels, there is a varying definition of a through/connecting pax.
I've never had to do this except during my PLT days and it was a legitimate request. Also even among gate agents/AAngels, there is a varying definition of a through/connecting pax.
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
I like this, personally, because I don't live at a hub, but is does seem a bit unfair for the hub people. Of course this might be an incentive to attract flyers who have more choices of airlines, as they can't get nonstops to there destinations, just as these kinds of fares are often cheaper per mile than those from hubs.
#90
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,899
Crazy Admirals Club agent theories.
Maybe that is it. Incentive for passengers to connect at hub.
The DFW Admirals Club agent today told me it was due to two reasons.
1. The connecting passengers had been flying more so they were tired
2. They were flying further and thus had paid more for their tickets. Has she ever priced a one-way from DFW to DCA at the last minute vs. other cities via DFW? I think more often than not, the local DFW passenger will be paying much more.
Shows you what they know.
The DFW Admirals Club agent today told me it was due to two reasons.
1. The connecting passengers had been flying more so they were tired
2. They were flying further and thus had paid more for their tickets. Has she ever priced a one-way from DFW to DCA at the last minute vs. other cities via DFW? I think more often than not, the local DFW passenger will be paying much more.
Shows you what they know.