Jan 2, 2013, 4:01 am
Last edit by: Prospero
Glossary:
500 mile upgrades: earned by Gold and Platinum Elites, can be used to upgrade segments in 500 mile increments of North and Central America, Caribbean flights from Economy to the next class of service.. Read below.
e500: Occasional nickname used for 500 mile upgrades.
Electronic or 500 mile upgrades: non-expiring electronic instruments used for near Americas and Caribbean elite upgrades; please read below.
MTEU: Miles Toward Electronic Upgrades. The MTEU earning year zeroes February 28.
Stickers: Holdover name from when 500 mile upgrades were actual stickers applied to tickets when upgraded.
UDU: Unlimited Domestic Upgrades granted EXP and PRO members in lieu of earning or using 500 mile upgrades. (Consequently, they do not earn “stickers”.)
Related thread: End of Feb insufficient miles for 4 500 mile upgrade stickers (2017). (Requesting "stickers" for incremental MTEU threshold accomplishment.)
NOTE: CHANGES in effect as of 1 January 2017:
Upgrade priority:
Platinum Pro status holders join Executive Platinum members with complimentary "Unlimited Domestic Upgrades / UDU.
Companions:
ONE passenger traveling with you can “borrow” your status for upgrade purposes. They do not have to be on the same PNR. When this is done, you’ll not be upgraded unless sufficient upgrade seats become available to upgrade two (or more) people. This link often is broken when the flight control goes to the airport, and it can be reestablished there (e.g. at the gate). A good clue that the link has broken is if you’re #1 or 2 and your companion is significantly below that on the upgrade list, such as #11. Finally, because of IT flaws, the 500 mile upgrades for your traveling companion will by necessity come from your account, even if your companion has their own “stickers”. This has not been true for some time, if your companion has status, the system will try to pull the stickers from the companion's account. If there are not enough stickers, you will have to check-in at the airport to have stickers pulled from your account
For questions about whether to split or consolidate PNRs for itineraries involving multiple parties, please see this thread:
Companion upgrade issues including "link" / split PNR for status etc. (master thread)
Link to aa.com 500 mile upgrades (AKA "stickers") page.
Link to aa.com to "Upgrade your experience".
500 mile upgrades: earned by Gold and Platinum Elites, can be used to upgrade segments in 500 mile increments of North and Central America, Caribbean flights from Economy to the next class of service.. Read below.
e500: Occasional nickname used for 500 mile upgrades.
Electronic or 500 mile upgrades: non-expiring electronic instruments used for near Americas and Caribbean elite upgrades; please read below.
MTEU: Miles Toward Electronic Upgrades. The MTEU earning year zeroes February 28.
Stickers: Holdover name from when 500 mile upgrades were actual stickers applied to tickets when upgraded.
UDU: Unlimited Domestic Upgrades granted EXP and PRO members in lieu of earning or using 500 mile upgrades. (Consequently, they do not earn “stickers”.)
Related thread: End of Feb insufficient miles for 4 500 mile upgrade stickers (2017). (Requesting "stickers" for incremental MTEU threshold accomplishment.)
NOTE: CHANGES in effect as of 1 January 2017:
Upgrade priority:
- Elite tier
- Systemwide and Mileage award upgrades
- Business Extra and certain Agency upgrade certificates
- 500-mile / courtesy DODU / UDU upgrades on purchased tickets
- 500-mile upgrades on PRO, EXP award tickets
- Last 12 month rolling EAD spend
- Fare code
- Date if purchase
Platinum Pro status holders join Executive Platinum members with complimentary "Unlimited Domestic Upgrades / UDU.
- Usable to upgrade from Economy to next class of service (Not Business to First)
- Flights 500 miles or less: Unlimited, auto-requested complimentary upgrades*
- Flights over 500 miles: Complimentary "domestic" (North & Central America, Caribbean) upgrades
- Upgrade one companion traveling with you on the same flight with 500-mile upgrades*
Companions:
ONE passenger traveling with you can “borrow” your status for upgrade purposes. They do not have to be on the same PNR. When this is done, you’ll not be upgraded unless sufficient upgrade seats become available to upgrade two (or more) people. This link often is broken when the flight control goes to the airport, and it can be reestablished there (e.g. at the gate). A good clue that the link has broken is if you’re #1 or 2 and your companion is significantly below that on the upgrade list, such as #11. Finally, because of IT flaws, the 500 mile upgrades for your traveling companion will by necessity come from your account, even if your companion has their own “stickers”. This has not been true for some time, if your companion has status, the system will try to pull the stickers from the companion's account. If there are not enough stickers, you will have to check-in at the airport to have stickers pulled from your account
For questions about whether to split or consolidate PNRs for itineraries involving multiple parties, please see this thread:
Companion upgrade issues including "link" / split PNR for status etc. (master thread)
Link to aa.com 500 mile upgrades (AKA "stickers") page.
Link to aa.com to "Upgrade your experience".
AA "Sticker" / 500-mile & EXP "UDU" Complimentary Upgrade Policy / FAQ
Jun 23, 2021, 12:15 pm
#451
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX oriented World Digital Nomad
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Globalist, MLife/Cosmo Identity Gold, Other Vegas too...
Posts: 1,317
When you book a flight, or anytime before flying, you can ask to apply your 500 mile upgrades to a flight, for the CHANCE to be upgraded. To get your name added to the upgrade list (domestic only), you need to use 1 of those 500 mile upgrades for every 500 miles of your flight. 2001 mile flight would cost 5 upgrades. They'll only get used if you get upgraded. Best to use them when a plane has a nice first class section, like MIA-LAX-JFK, but those are also the least likely to get upgraded on. You'll earn more of these upgrades, aka stickers, for every 12.5k EQM you earn, plus those bonus 2 you mentioned if you take a flight. Flights under 500 miles, aka baby flights, probably to a smaller city or from a smaller city to a hub, are free upgrades, don't require any of these stickers. Hope that helps!
Last edited by aztimm; Jul 27, 2021 at 8:09 am Reason: removed off-topic discussion
Jun 23, 2021, 12:18 pm
#452
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Jun 23, 2021, 12:26 pm
#453
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA Plat/2MM, DL Silver, UA Silver (via Marr), Marr LTT, HH Gold (via cc), Hyatt Disc
Posts: 1,039
And prioritization goes by Elite level then rolling 12 month EQD, so as a new AA flyer you likely will be behind most/all Plats (but ahead of all Golds!).
One of the nice things about the AA scheme is that not all Plats (or Golds) request a sticker upgrade if they are low on stickers or don't place a value on the ugrade.
One of the nice things about the AA scheme is that not all Plats (or Golds) request a sticker upgrade if they are low on stickers or don't place a value on the ugrade.
Jul 8, 2021, 8:42 am
#454
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
500 Mile Upgrade Question
I'm sure this is a basic question-and I should know the answer.
Wife and I are both platinum. We have some joint record travel coming up. I have a ton of 500 certs, she has none. I've requested upgrades wherever possible. Assuming we both were to clear on a segment requiring 3 certs each, could/would they take 6 certs from my account, or would there need to be 3 in her account for her upgrade?
Wife and I are both platinum. We have some joint record travel coming up. I have a ton of 500 certs, she has none. I've requested upgrades wherever possible. Assuming we both were to clear on a segment requiring 3 certs each, could/would they take 6 certs from my account, or would there need to be 3 in her account for her upgrade?
Jul 8, 2021, 8:51 am
#455
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,437
I'm sure this is a basic question-and I should know the answer.
Wife and I are both platinum. We have some joint record travel coming up. I have a ton of 500 certs, she has none. I've requested upgrades wherever possible. Assuming we both were to clear on a segment requiring 3 certs each, could/would they take 6 certs from my account, or would there need to be 3 in her account for her upgrade?
Wife and I are both platinum. We have some joint record travel coming up. I have a ton of 500 certs, she has none. I've requested upgrades wherever possible. Assuming we both were to clear on a segment requiring 3 certs each, could/would they take 6 certs from my account, or would there need to be 3 in her account for her upgrade?
I presume that both of you are on the same PNR.
Jul 8, 2021, 9:07 am
#456
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
The only workaround is to call AA before and set it up such that the wife 'leverages' the OP's status as if she didn't have any status of her own. They essentially un-request the upgrades, then remove her AA# number from the reservation, then re-request the upgrades so the system thinks she doesn't have status and will pull all stickers from the OP's account. Then her AA# is added back to the reservation as a last step.
AA "Sticker" / 500-mile & EXP "UDU" Complimentary Upgrade Policy / FAQ
Jul 8, 2021, 12:08 pm
#457
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
When both pax have status that is not how it happens at all; The system will pull stickers from each individual account, if the wife has zero then she'll have to buy more before she can check in.
The only workaround is to call AA before and set it up such that the wife 'leverages' the OP's status as if she didn't have any status of her own. They essentially un-request the upgrades, then remove her AA# number from the reservation, then re-request the upgrades so the system thinks she doesn't have status and will pull all stickers from the OP's account. Then her AA# is added back to the reservation as a last step.
AA "Sticker" / 500-mile & EXP "UDU" Complimentary Upgrade Policy / FAQ
The only workaround is to call AA before and set it up such that the wife 'leverages' the OP's status as if she didn't have any status of her own. They essentially un-request the upgrades, then remove her AA# number from the reservation, then re-request the upgrades so the system thinks she doesn't have status and will pull all stickers from the OP's account. Then her AA# is added back to the reservation as a last step.
AA "Sticker" / 500-mile & EXP "UDU" Complimentary Upgrade Policy / FAQ
Jul 18, 2021, 12:52 pm
#458
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: DC
Programs: AA PPRO, HH Diamond, National EE
Posts: 603
Anyone had their stickers disappear recently. I had 11 about 2 hours ago and now none and they aren’t showing in my redeemed folder either. I have an upgrade request in for a flight tonight that all 11 would cover but my seats are still economy and I’ve never had them taken before my upgrade clears.
Jul 21, 2021, 1:13 pm
#459
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,386
Sticker use by non-elite accompanying elite
Asking for a friend, been a long time since I've had to deal with this.
Friend is PLT and has 8 stickers, friend's spouse is non-status and has 11 stickers. They are on the same PNR which requires 16 stickers (8 each) to upgrade all segments. Question: Can non-status spouse's stickers be used in this case?
Friend is PLT and has 8 stickers, friend's spouse is non-status and has 11 stickers. They are on the same PNR which requires 16 stickers (8 each) to upgrade all segments. Question: Can non-status spouse's stickers be used in this case?
Jul 21, 2021, 2:14 pm
#461
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
Asking for a friend, been a long time since I've had to deal with this.
Friend is PLT and has 8 stickers, friend's spouse is non-status and has 11 stickers. They are on the same PNR which requires 16 stickers (8 each) to upgrade all segments. Question: Can non-status spouse's stickers be used in this case?
Friend is PLT and has 8 stickers, friend's spouse is non-status and has 11 stickers. They are on the same PNR which requires 16 stickers (8 each) to upgrade all segments. Question: Can non-status spouse's stickers be used in this case?
Jul 21, 2021, 2:42 pm
#462
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,386
Since they are good friends (and I'm such a nice guy), I'm going to use my otherwise unusable BusinessExtra points to "buy" gold status for the friend's spouse so he can use his otherwise unusable stickers.
Jul 21, 2021, 3:57 pm
#463
Suspended
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: ,united 1k, AA EXP, HH Diamond,BA gold, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 974
Thanks. I figured, but I was hoping for a different answer from the experts!
Since they are good friends (and I'm such a nice guy), I'm going to use my otherwise unusable BusinessExtra points to "buy" gold status for the friend's spouse so he can use his otherwise unusable stickers.
Since they are good friends (and I'm such a nice guy), I'm going to use my otherwise unusable BusinessExtra points to "buy" gold status for the friend's spouse so he can use his otherwise unusable stickers.
Jul 21, 2021, 4:09 pm
#464
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,386
Jul 27, 2021, 7:10 am
#465
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,386
Asking for a friend, been a long time since I've had to deal with this.
Friend is PLT and has 8 stickers, friend's spouse is non-status and has 11 stickers. They are on the same PNR which requires 16 stickers (8 each) to upgrade all segments. Question: Can non-status spouse's stickers be used in this case?
Friend is PLT and has 8 stickers, friend's spouse is non-status and has 11 stickers. They are on the same PNR which requires 16 stickers (8 each) to upgrade all segments. Question: Can non-status spouse's stickers be used in this case?