Nov 25, 16, 11:22 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Buying Higher Class of Service Than Ticketed
"Effective December 19, 2012, AA will waive the ticket change charge if customer purchases into a higher cabin (business or first), regardless of booking inventory, on the same routing/same day*. For example, no changes to origin/destination except the change to cabin/flight time is allowed with no ticket change charge. Customer would be responsible for paying the difference in fares. The non-refundable portion of the ticket remains non-refundable and would be handled internally by Refunds when necessary."
- AA Revenue Tickets, Ticket Change
Unlike an upgrade, earnings in EQM etc. should be for the new fare.
*This includes co-terminals as allowed in the detailed fare rules or elsewhere.
"Effective December 19, 2012, AA will waive the ticket change charge if customer purchases into a higher cabin (business or first), regardless of booking inventory, on the same routing/same day*. For example, no changes to origin/destination except the change to cabin/flight time is allowed with no ticket change charge. Customer would be responsible for paying the difference in fares. The non-refundable portion of the ticket remains non-refundable and would be handled internally by Refunds when necessary."
- AA Revenue Tickets, Ticket Change
Unlike an upgrade, earnings in EQM etc. should be for the new fare.
*This includes co-terminals as allowed in the detailed fare rules or elsewhere.
Upgrading AA Fare Code or Class of Service - Upfare / Upfaring (master thd)
Apr 26, 10, 7:20 pm
#31
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,849
You have to call. Put your reservation on Hold. Call and have it upfared to the desired class. Then complete your purchase online.
(I know, I know, I need to get this into the FAQ.)
Thread now merged into the existing thread on 'upfaring' - please see Page 1 for more info.
/Moderator
(I know, I know, I need to get this into the FAQ.)
Thread now merged into the existing thread on 'upfaring' - please see Page 1 for more info.
/Moderator
Apr 28, 10, 12:10 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 3
You have to call. Put your reservation on Hold. Call and have it upfared to the desired class. Then complete your purchase online.
(I know, I know, I need to get this into the FAQ.)
Thread now merged into the existing thread on 'upfaring' - please see Page 1 for more info.
/Moderator
(I know, I know, I need to get this into the FAQ.)
Thread now merged into the existing thread on 'upfaring' - please see Page 1 for more info.
/Moderator
Dec 2, 10, 8:12 pm
#34
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EP; WN CP;UA SILVER; MARRIOTT TITANIUM; HH DIAMOND; IHG PLAT; RADISSON PLAT; HYATT GLOBAL
Posts: 1,936
I have tried changing my fare class from Q (deep discount economy) to any discount economy fare class so I gan get 1 EQP instead of 0.5 EQP.
The reservation is on hold, I have called twice, being transferred from CS desk, to meeting services, to web services and back. No success.
It is possible to upfare, but for a $400+ plus fare difference (there this is no change fee since the reservation is on hold and is not ticketed.
The reservation is on hold, I have called twice, being transferred from CS desk, to meeting services, to web services and back. No success.
It is possible to upfare, but for a $400+ plus fare difference (there this is no change fee since the reservation is on hold and is not ticketed.
Dec 2, 10, 8:40 pm
#35
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,630
I am helping a friend try to complete a platinum challenge (NYC-GIG roundtrip). We are having no problem getting a fare class that earns 1 point/mile on the way down but on the way back we haven't been able to find a relatively cheap one without terrible layovers (the convenient flights are all cheap and with lower fare classes).
Is there any way to force AA.com to give a higher fare class? Or perhaps a way to use a creative routing to generate a higher fare class?
Is there any way to force AA.com to give a higher fare class? Or perhaps a way to use a creative routing to generate a higher fare class?
Dec 5, 10, 2:46 pm
#36
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,849
I have tried changing my fare class from Q (deep discount economy) to any discount economy fare class so I gan get 1 EQP instead of 0.5 EQP.
The reservation is on hold, I have called twice, being transferred from CS desk, to meeting services, to web services and back. No success.
It is possible to upfare, but for a $400+ plus fare difference (there this is no change fee since the reservation is on hold and is not ticketed.
The reservation is on hold, I have called twice, being transferred from CS desk, to meeting services, to web services and back. No success.
It is possible to upfare, but for a $400+ plus fare difference (there this is no change fee since the reservation is on hold and is not ticketed.
I'm confused - you say "No success." but then "It is possible to upfare..." Obviously, you will always have to pay the fare difference when upfaring.
Feb 14, 11, 2:41 pm
#37
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AAdvantage PLT, HHonors Silver, Pre✓
Posts: 146
I have two PNRs already ticketed, but now I am trying to 'upfare.' Each flight may change a few more times before I actually depart due to the wonderful world of business, so going to a full refundable fare for each PNR. Currently I have a discount non-refundable fare.
I am going to try to talk to one or two operators and hopefully one will be able to waive the $150 change fee, per ticket, for me since I am going to be paying a little more to 'upfare' two separate journeys.
Think I have any hope or waste of time to try to get fee waived? Thanks!
I am going to try to talk to one or two operators and hopefully one will be able to waive the $150 change fee, per ticket, for me since I am going to be paying a little more to 'upfare' two separate journeys.
Think I have any hope or waste of time to try to get fee waived? Thanks!
Feb 14, 11, 2:50 pm
#38
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,718
Feb 14, 11, 3:05 pm
#40
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AAdvantage PLT, HHonors Silver, Pre✓
Posts: 146
YESS! The rep talked to her 'help desk' and they were able to waive the change fees and 'upfare' me. And this was the first operator/rep I got! The return trip for one of the PNRs not available at fare code I was looking at and the available one was a lot more in price though.
Feb 14, 11, 3:11 pm
#41
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 1,773
If the policy does indeed extend to domestic same travel class, the kicker will be that the portion of the fare that was the original ticket will remain non-refundable ($150 fee plus voucher) in the case of cancellation. However, AFAIK, you will be able to change the flights/dates of travel without a fee once you upfare. This information has come from FT and you might be able to search for more information, or others with hands-on experience could chip in.
Edit: a little late (slow typing) given the post above, but I think the second paragraph may still be relevant
Last edited by beerup; Feb 14, 11 at 3:15 pm Reason: Too late
Feb 14, 11, 3:55 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,395
Btw, not defending AA here. Had they not done what you wanted to do, it would have been a stupid move on their part, IMO. Still...
Cheers.
Apr 15, 11, 7:31 am
#44
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL, AA 1MM LT GLD, SPG PLAT, National Exec Selc, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 8,278
Currently have a L/H fare NYC-CUN ticket for $808. There's now an I fare on that route for $951 all-in. Probably wouldn't have trouble clearing as an EXP but I'm traveling with someone who is already up front (on my miles). So I may consider paying $143 just to confirm it, get seats with her, etc. With a few bonus points, $143 sounds reasonable. But I'm not going to pay $293.
Any experiences with the EXP desk waiving the $150 fee when upfaring in this fashion?
At the end of the day, I'm almost certain to get the seat for free, so its almost certainly a free $143 to AA. But then again, airlines pricing often gives up revenue opportunities due to the nature of policies which have to be rigid?
Any experiences with the EXP desk waiving the $150 fee when upfaring in this fashion?
At the end of the day, I'm almost certain to get the seat for free, so its almost certainly a free $143 to AA. But then again, airlines pricing often gives up revenue opportunities due to the nature of policies which have to be rigid?
Dec 18, 11, 11:08 am
#45
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: not in my bed
Programs: AA
Posts: 31
Gah. Just tried this. Put a reservation on hold, called AA, got an upfare ($40 difference and I have a personal $100 voucher so I don't feel guilty).
Go online to buy: aa.com tells me there's a lower price now available and there's no choice but to buy it.
Ugh.
Go online to buy: aa.com tells me there's a lower price now available and there's no choice but to buy it.
Ugh.
