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
Nov 30, 2021, 7:25 pm
#526
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
I’ve raised this question before, but this one is even worse than before. Have a flight less than 3 days away, so well into my window. C/R/D/J/I all show as 7, as in the flight is wide open, yet I have still not cleared the auto upgrade. Do I just need to wait patiently or is this something I should reach out to, to make sure it’s not some error or process issue?
Nov 30, 2021, 9:16 pm
#527
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,912
I’ve raised this question before, but this one is even worse than before. Have a flight less than 3 days away, so well into my window. C/R/D/J/I all show as 7, as in the flight is wide open, yet I have still not cleared the auto upgrade. Do I just need to wait patiently or is this something I should reach out to, to make sure it’s not some error or process issue?
-FlyerBeek
Dec 1, 2021, 4:52 pm
#528
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
Well, my assumption was correct. With ~36 hours out from the flight and still no movement, I contacted AA again, even though my Upgrade area showed "Requested", turns out I was not on the upgrade list for either segment. I had already been upgraded on my return, so it seemed very suspicious. UG went through 2 minutes later, but seems I may have missed out on the second segment because of it.
Dec 1, 2021, 8:59 pm
#529
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,912
Well, my assumption was correct. With ~36 hours out from the flight and still no movement, I contacted AA again, even though my Upgrade area showed "Requested", turns out I was not on the upgrade list for either segment. I had already been upgraded on my return, so it seemed very suspicious. UG went through 2 minutes later, but seems I may have missed out on the second segment because of it.
-FlyerBeek
Dec 2, 2021, 1:41 pm
#530
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 45
I am a Plat Pro traveling with my wife on a separate PNR. I have 4 stickers in my account, and requested an upgrade for her one one leg of our upcoming trip (4 legs over 2 days). What happens if I request an upgrade for her on subsequent legs and I no longer have stickers remaining (on the off chance the upgrade on the first leg clears)? Do I lose the upgrade, or do I have the option to then purchase more stickers to cover the subsequent upgrade? Thanks in advance.
Last edited by grant15; Dec 2, 2021 at 2:05 pm
Dec 2, 2021, 8:47 pm
#531
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton DMD, Hyatt Glob, Hertz PC
Posts: 267
Have a flight tomorrow morning, companion is not showing on the upgrade list.
I sponsored, and checked in first. No stickers left my account when I checked in.
EP desk (v rude agent) assures me companion is on the list, but cannot see his position. (Reservations can't see the list, right?)
His app says "requested," and displays the number of stickers needed. He is gold and has 0 currently. At no point was he prompted to buy them.
It's an A321 with the 4 extra seats, and assuming he is on the list we will likely both clear.
Is this worth staying up late and HUCAing about, or should I see what happens at the airport?
Update: Not on upgrade list at airport. GA said there wasn't much she could do, but to call EXP desk, who was very nice but also baffled. GA eventually figured it out somehow. Most probably a symptom of the "two elites together" glitch.
I sponsored, and checked in first. No stickers left my account when I checked in.
EP desk (v rude agent) assures me companion is on the list, but cannot see his position. (Reservations can't see the list, right?)
His app says "requested," and displays the number of stickers needed. He is gold and has 0 currently. At no point was he prompted to buy them.
It's an A321 with the 4 extra seats, and assuming he is on the list we will likely both clear.
Is this worth staying up late and HUCAing about, or should I see what happens at the airport?
Update: Not on upgrade list at airport. GA said there wasn't much she could do, but to call EXP desk, who was very nice but also baffled. GA eventually figured it out somehow. Most probably a symptom of the "two elites together" glitch.
Last edited by meechyathere; Dec 3, 2021 at 8:22 am
Dec 3, 2021, 10:54 am
#532
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 550
I am a Plat Pro traveling with my wife on a separate PNR. I have 4 stickers in my account, and requested an upgrade for her one one leg of our upcoming trip (4 legs over 2 days). What happens if I request an upgrade for her on subsequent legs and I no longer have stickers remaining (on the off chance the upgrade on the first leg clears)? Do I lose the upgrade, or do I have the option to then purchase more stickers to cover the subsequent upgrade? Thanks in advance.
Dec 3, 2021, 11:54 am
#534
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
you should read through upgrades and .com on how companion upgrades. Key is that anytime u have a status companion u always need to see an agent at the airport
Have a flight tomorrow morning, companion is not showing on the upgrade list.
I sponsored, and checked in first. No stickers left my account when I checked in.
EP desk (v rude agent) assures me companion is on the list, but cannot see his position. (Reservations can't see the list, right?)
His app says "requested," and displays the number of stickers needed. He is gold and has 0 currently. At no point was he prompted to buy them.
It's an A321 with the 4 extra seats, and assuming he is on the list we will likely both clear.
Is this worth staying up late and HUCAing about, or should I see what happens at the airport?
Update: Not on upgrade list at airport. GA said there wasn't much she could do, but to call EXP desk, who was very nice but also baffled. GA eventually figured it out somehow. Most probably a symptom of the "two elites together" glitch.
I sponsored, and checked in first. No stickers left my account when I checked in.
EP desk (v rude agent) assures me companion is on the list, but cannot see his position. (Reservations can't see the list, right?)
His app says "requested," and displays the number of stickers needed. He is gold and has 0 currently. At no point was he prompted to buy them.
It's an A321 with the 4 extra seats, and assuming he is on the list we will likely both clear.
Is this worth staying up late and HUCAing about, or should I see what happens at the airport?
Update: Not on upgrade list at airport. GA said there wasn't much she could do, but to call EXP desk, who was very nice but also baffled. GA eventually figured it out somehow. Most probably a symptom of the "two elites together" glitch.
Dec 6, 2021, 5:44 pm
#535
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 1
New here (first post!)
But I just had a quick question. I became a Gold AAdvatage Elite on November 12, 2021. I had 46,000 EQMs. I was under the impression that at the time you garner status the amount of EQMs you have would determine the amount of stickers you receive (4 for every 12,500). But I called AA and was told that it starts AFTER I get Gold. So the 46,000 EQMs I garnered for 2021 do not matter. Any insight on this (and sorry if it was answered in this long thread already).
But I just had a quick question. I became a Gold AAdvatage Elite on November 12, 2021. I had 46,000 EQMs. I was under the impression that at the time you garner status the amount of EQMs you have would determine the amount of stickers you receive (4 for every 12,500). But I called AA and was told that it starts AFTER I get Gold. So the 46,000 EQMs I garnered for 2021 do not matter. Any insight on this (and sorry if it was answered in this long thread already).
Dec 7, 2021, 1:27 am
#536
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,912
New here (first post!)
But I just had a quick question. I became a Gold AAdvatage Elite on November 12, 2021. I had 46,000 EQMs. I was under the impression that at the time you garner status the amount of EQMs you have would determine the amount of stickers you receive (4 for every 12,500). But I called AA and was told that it starts AFTER I get Gold. So the 46,000 EQMs I garnered for 2021 do not matter. Any insight on this (and sorry if it was answered in this long thread already).
But I just had a quick question. I became a Gold AAdvatage Elite on November 12, 2021. I had 46,000 EQMs. I was under the impression that at the time you garner status the amount of EQMs you have would determine the amount of stickers you receive (4 for every 12,500). But I called AA and was told that it starts AFTER I get Gold. So the 46,000 EQMs I garnered for 2021 do not matter. Any insight on this (and sorry if it was answered in this long thread already).
-FlyerBeek
Dec 8, 2021, 3:51 pm
#537
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: DFW
Programs: AA PlatPro, AS
Posts: 142
New here (first post!)
But I just had a quick question. I became a Gold AAdvatage Elite on November 12, 2021. I had 46,000 EQMs. I was under the impression that at the time you garner status the amount of EQMs you have would determine the amount of stickers you receive (4 for every 12,500). But I called AA and was told that it starts AFTER I get Gold. So the 46,000 EQMs I garnered for 2021 do not matter. Any insight on this (and sorry if it was answered in this long thread already).
But I just had a quick question. I became a Gold AAdvatage Elite on November 12, 2021. I had 46,000 EQMs. I was under the impression that at the time you garner status the amount of EQMs you have would determine the amount of stickers you receive (4 for every 12,500). But I called AA and was told that it starts AFTER I get Gold. So the 46,000 EQMs I garnered for 2021 do not matter. Any insight on this (and sorry if it was answered in this long thread already).
I’m about 2000 EQMs away from my next batch of 4, so if I don’t hit that by the end of the year, I’m going to call and ask if they’ll give them to me. I’m Platinum now, and getting only 4 this year is a shame.
Dec 9, 2021, 11:02 am
#538
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
Dec 11, 2021, 8:58 am
#540
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: New Jersey. USA
Programs: DL, BA, AA Plat Pro, MLIfe Gold, HH Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 110
In my experience, I've seen GA's call for pax at the gate to approach the counter. They will start at the top of the list and inform them that 1 seat is available for upgrade and see if they would like to have their party seated separately, thus splitting the PNR. I have been asked and the GA has easily done so.
As a recent data point, last week Mrs. Pittie Pup and I were on the same PNR for a round trip booking. On both legs we cleared the upgrades at the start of our time window. Nothing special was done with the reservation after the booking was made.