Worth paying for an upgrade?
Mar 19, 2009, 9:50 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 21
Worth paying for an upgrade?
Hi,
I will be travelling from Delhi to ORD by AA and was looking to upgrade to Business class. I am a regular AA frequent flier and it looks the upgrade will cost me 40K miles and $350, is it worth the money and miles? or is there a way to buy upgrades at the airport for less money?
And also, I have an AA voucher worth about $100, can I use it for upgrade payment?
Thanks
I will be travelling from Delhi to ORD by AA and was looking to upgrade to Business class. I am a regular AA frequent flier and it looks the upgrade will cost me 40K miles and $350, is it worth the money and miles? or is there a way to buy upgrades at the airport for less money?
And also, I have an AA voucher worth about $100, can I use it for upgrade payment?
Thanks
Mar 19, 2009, 9:58 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
I have never seen an upgrade I didn't like. Definitely do it.
Mar 19, 2009, 10:08 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 668
If you can access Coupon Connection (you have minimal posts) you may have something to trade with a eVIP holder.
Mar 19, 2009, 10:12 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 17,769
Hi,
I will be travelling from Delhi to ORD by AA and was looking to upgrade to Business class. I am a regular AA frequent flier and it looks the upgrade will cost me 40K miles and $350, is it worth the money and miles? or is there a way to buy upgrades at the airport for less money?
And also, I have an AA voucher worth about $100, can I use it for upgrade payment?
Thanks
I will be travelling from Delhi to ORD by AA and was looking to upgrade to Business class. I am a regular AA frequent flier and it looks the upgrade will cost me 40K miles and $350, is it worth the money and miles? or is there a way to buy upgrades at the airport for less money?
And also, I have an AA voucher worth about $100, can I use it for upgrade payment?
Thanks
Mar 19, 2009, 10:47 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
Mar 19, 2009, 10:49 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Duluth, GA
Programs: AAdvantage PLT, AA 2MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,268
as others have pointed, it's up to you to decide the relative worth of J vs Y
me, I'd go for the upgrade in a heartbeat, even though it does soak up 40k miles each way plus the $350 co-pay. sitting for approx. 15 hrs (14:40 going, 15:25 rtn) in AA's coach has no appeal to me whatsoever. I had a particularly unpleasant 13+ hr ride from BOM to LHR in Y once. it was torture, although a lot of that wasn't so much the endpoints as the conditions (dysentery, belligerent drunk, seats that didn't recline, smoking section).
as usual this is just my 2 cents worth, but I'd consider this to be a very good use of miles (Y -> J)
bon voyage
me, I'd go for the upgrade in a heartbeat, even though it does soak up 40k miles each way plus the $350 co-pay. sitting for approx. 15 hrs (14:40 going, 15:25 rtn) in AA's coach has no appeal to me whatsoever. I had a particularly unpleasant 13+ hr ride from BOM to LHR in Y once. it was torture, although a lot of that wasn't so much the endpoints as the conditions (dysentery, belligerent drunk, seats that didn't recline, smoking section).
as usual this is just my 2 cents worth, but I'd consider this to be a very good use of miles (Y -> J)
bon voyage
Mar 19, 2009, 11:57 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: OW/AA, DL, UA; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,936
Somewhere during the flight, after 7 hours in AA's economy class, w/ almost another 7 hours to go, and all the fun of the Dehli airport awaiting on arrival, I'd be kicking myself if I hadn't at least tried for it.
On a TATL flight, possibly more of a grey or debate-able question. ORD-DEL is, IMHO, a no brainer.
On a TATL flight, possibly more of a grey or debate-able question. ORD-DEL is, IMHO, a no brainer.
Mar 19, 2009, 12:03 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: NJ
Programs: UA LTG, AA LTG, Bonvoy LTP, IHG Plat, LHW Sterling
Posts: 2,405
I’ll and my voice to the fiscally responsible camp. The “correct” answer should be based on your financial situation.
Mar 19, 2009, 12:15 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL
Programs: AA 2MM, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,966
If you would like to be able to look things up also, I found it here:
Forum Unofficial User's Guide: thread links, Glossary & new member info.
This contains the answers to frequently asked questions, and is a gold mine of information.
Mar 20, 2009, 4:22 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Duluth, GA
Programs: AAdvantage PLT, AA 2MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,268
it's been awhile since I last used a voucher for upgrade payment but back then (2005?) I had to hand over the voucher to a ticket agent at the airport. no doing this over the phone, at least then.
hope things work out for your trip and upgrade
hope things work out for your trip and upgrade
Mar 20, 2009, 7:59 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
Hi,
I will be travelling from Delhi to ORD by AA and was looking to upgrade to Business class. I am a regular AA frequent flier and it looks the upgrade will cost me 40K miles and $350, is it worth the money and miles? or is there a way to buy upgrades at the airport for less money?
And also, I have an AA voucher worth about $100, can I use it for upgrade payment?
Thanks
I will be travelling from Delhi to ORD by AA and was looking to upgrade to Business class. I am a regular AA frequent flier and it looks the upgrade will cost me 40K miles and $350, is it worth the money and miles? or is there a way to buy upgrades at the airport for less money?
And also, I have an AA voucher worth about $100, can I use it for upgrade payment?
Thanks
Mar 21, 2009, 9:09 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Colombia, South America
Programs: AAExPlat HHGold AVLifeMiles
Posts: 194
Mar 22, 2009, 2:00 am
#14
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
To OP: If there eaver was a subjective decision, this is it. We all like upgrades, we like to hoard miles, and we like cash. 
When to exchange them is an intensely personal decision.
When to exchange them is an intensely personal decision.
Mar 22, 2009, 12:13 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,076
This is the longest of all AA flights. Figure that in coach! 
As has been pointed out in other threads (search, search; nudge, nudge) the travel time in combo with late day arrival definitely would merit an upgrade. Personally, I would change travel dates to make upgrade possible, if required.
Go C!
As has been pointed out in other threads (search, search; nudge, nudge) the travel time in combo with late day arrival definitely would merit an upgrade. Personally, I would change travel dates to make upgrade possible, if required.
Go C!