Jul 10, 2013, 4:13 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
SIZE="4"]AA "instant upgrade" (-UP) fare
Click here for the current thread.
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These are often referred to as "instant upgrade" fares; they upgrade into the class of service P, A or I internationally with positive space; OSO / schedule disruptions mean unless the P, A, D, I etc. fare is offered on the new flight they "downgrade" to Coach on the next available flight. (One can wait for the next flight with P, A, D, I available, but this might require overnights etc. at one's expense.)
Purchasers should carefully read the Detailed Fare Rules, as many of these are, as essentially "instant upgrades", punitive in effect during IROPS / OSO", "change of gauge" aircraft substitutions, cancellations and missed connections because if the necessary fare inventory isn't available one is generally given the option to fly now, in Economy, or wait until such inventory becomes available (which may entail hours or days at the passenger's own expense).
The detailed fare codes for these flights might look like (international) GNE7C0Z1/CRUP or SNE7C0Z1/CRUP, Lxxxx, etc. Reaccommodation in Coach: these particular sample fates will be treated like an N class fare. As well: "The most restrictive set of fare rules applies to the entire itinerary. In addition other fare rules may apply."
In the detailed fare rules, instant upgrade fares may include something like this:
E.G. During irregular operations or missed connections, one may continue in that class of service if A, P, D, I etc. as applicable is available, or the passenger can take a voluntary downgrade to the lower class of service / Y on an earlier flight. Some may do this if waiting for A, P or I requires one or more overnights.
Refunds may be limited to $0.50 per mile to a maximum of $50 per downgraded segment, and are limited to vouchers good for future travel on AA.
Link to compensation offered for an involuntary downgrade of "instant upgrade" fares:
One explanatory post (15 Apr 2015) might be:
Click here for the current thread.
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These are often referred to as "instant upgrade" fares; they upgrade into the class of service P, A or I internationally with positive space; OSO / schedule disruptions mean unless the P, A, D, I etc. fare is offered on the new flight they "downgrade" to Coach on the next available flight. (One can wait for the next flight with P, A, D, I available, but this might require overnights etc. at one's expense.)
Purchasers should carefully read the Detailed Fare Rules, as many of these are, as essentially "instant upgrades", punitive in effect during IROPS / OSO", "change of gauge" aircraft substitutions, cancellations and missed connections because if the necessary fare inventory isn't available one is generally given the option to fly now, in Economy, or wait until such inventory becomes available (which may entail hours or days at the passenger's own expense).
The detailed fare codes for these flights might look like (international) GNE7C0Z1/CRUP or SNE7C0Z1/CRUP, Lxxxx, etc. Reaccommodation in Coach: these particular sample fates will be treated like an N class fare. As well: "The most restrictive set of fare rules applies to the entire itinerary. In addition other fare rules may apply."
In the detailed fare rules, instant upgrade fares may include something like this:
ECONOMY FARE WITH AN INSTANT ONE-CLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE TO FIRST/BUSINESS. APPLICATION CLASS OF SERVICE THESE FARES APPLY FOR ECONOMY CLASS SERVICE. CAPACITY LIMITATIONS SEATS ARE LIMITED BOTH ECONOMY AND FIRST CLASS BOOKING INVENTORIES MUST BE AVAILABLE AT TIME OF BOOKING. THESE FARES PERMIT A ONE-CLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING.
Refunds may be limited to $0.50 per mile to a maximum of $50 per downgraded segment, and are limited to vouchers good for future travel on AA.
Link to compensation offered for an involuntary downgrade of "instant upgrade" fares:
Instant Upgrade tickets are booked in the Main Cabin. However, Instant upgrade ticketholders who travel in the Main Cabin due to an involuntary seat change, equipment change, routing change, flight cancellation, or missed connection as a result of a late incoming flight may request a travel voucher. The voucher value shall be equal to $0.10 per mile, or $50, whichever is greater, for each flight segment flown in the downgraded cabin. Refunds will be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount, and can be requested at www.aa.com/refunds.
...
Just moments ago, I priced out a trip from LAX to DFW, and two different discounted First Class ticket options were presented, the fare class of one was SA00ZNI1 (books into P) and the other was MA00ZRI1 (books into A).
At the bottom of the purchase summary screen, AA provides this warning:
The fare rules for both tickets provide the following as the last entry:
Why does this matter? Because if I buy either of these tickets and then I decide that I want to fly an earlier or later flight, these fares will not permit me to walk up to the counter and claim a last-minute F seat if my capacity-controlled inventory is not available. For instance, if that last F seat is in F (not P or A), then I'd have to pay the fare difference in order to confirm a change to that seat.
We can (and have for years and years) argued around here that these fare practices are misleading - and I agree. Nevertheless, AA is most certainly still selling what it considers to be "instant upgrade" fares, and savvy travelers should read the fare rules* and plan accordingly.
*Or at least download them to your hard drive as a pdf at the time of reservation/purchase so that others might help decipher them when things go inverted. So often around here, people post questions where reading the fare rules is vital to an accurate answer, and they respond "who reads/saves those when buying a ticket?"
Back to the OP's question: How to find instant upgrade tickets? Nearly every domestic first class fare I've seen on aa.com is an instant upgrade ticket. Finding a domestic first class fare that isn't an instant upgrade fare is quite a chore. The OP can rest assured that if their fare books in P, A or F, they're going to earn their hoped-for tier points. As Microwave pointed out, the best/correct place for that discussion is in the British Airways forum where there are numerous BAEC members with experience in buying and flying on AA's instant upgrade F tickets.
Just moments ago, I priced out a trip from LAX to DFW, and two different discounted First Class ticket options were presented, the fare class of one was SA00ZNI1 (books into P) and the other was MA00ZRI1 (books into A).
At the bottom of the purchase summary screen, AA provides this warning:
■ First/Business Fares may be an Instant Upgrade and therefore subject to restrictions.
Rule Application
and Other Conditions
NOTE THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS INFORMATIONAL AND NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. ECONOMY FARE WITH AN INSTANT ONECLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE TO FIRST/BUSINESS. APPLICATION CLASS OF SERVICE THESE FARES APPLY FOR ECONOMY CLASS SERVICE. CAPACITY LIMITATIONS SEATS ARE LIMITED BOTH ECONOMY AND FIRST CLASS BOOKING INVENTORIES MUST BE AVAILABLE AT TIME OF BOOKING. THESE FARES PERMIT A ONECLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING.
and Other Conditions
NOTE THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS INFORMATIONAL AND NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. ECONOMY FARE WITH AN INSTANT ONECLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE TO FIRST/BUSINESS. APPLICATION CLASS OF SERVICE THESE FARES APPLY FOR ECONOMY CLASS SERVICE. CAPACITY LIMITATIONS SEATS ARE LIMITED BOTH ECONOMY AND FIRST CLASS BOOKING INVENTORIES MUST BE AVAILABLE AT TIME OF BOOKING. THESE FARES PERMIT A ONECLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING.
We can (and have for years and years) argued around here that these fare practices are misleading - and I agree. Nevertheless, AA is most certainly still selling what it considers to be "instant upgrade" fares, and savvy travelers should read the fare rules* and plan accordingly.
*Or at least download them to your hard drive as a pdf at the time of reservation/purchase so that others might help decipher them when things go inverted. So often around here, people post questions where reading the fare rules is vital to an accurate answer, and they respond "who reads/saves those when buying a ticket?"
Back to the OP's question: How to find instant upgrade tickets? Nearly every domestic first class fare I've seen on aa.com is an instant upgrade ticket. Finding a domestic first class fare that isn't an instant upgrade fare is quite a chore. The OP can rest assured that if their fare books in P, A or F, they're going to earn their hoped-for tier points. As Microwave pointed out, the best/correct place for that discussion is in the British Airways forum where there are numerous BAEC members with experience in buying and flying on AA's instant upgrade F tickets.
ARCHIVE: AA "instant upgrade" (-UP, YUP) fare discount First (master thd)
Aug 24, 2015, 2:11 pm
#241
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: DTW
Programs: AA Exec Plt , Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 592
Not saying I disagree with you, but it does state before you purchase the ticket that you may have purchased an instant upgrade fare. The exact wording is "First/Business Fares may be an Instant Upgrade and therefore subject to restrictions." You then need to read the fare restrictions to see all of them.
Aug 24, 2015, 2:13 pm
#242
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,077
From the fare rules:
Rule Application and Other Conditions
NOTE - THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS INFORMATIONAL AND NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. ECONOMY FARE WITH AN INSTANT ONE-CLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE TO FIRST/BUSINESS. APPLICATION CLASS OF SERVICE THESE FARES APPLY FOR ECONOMY CLASS SERVICE. CAPACITY LIMITATIONS SEATS ARE LIMITED BOTH ECONOMY AND FIRST CLASS BOOKING INVENTORIES MUST BE AVAILABLE AT TIME OF BOOKING. THESE FARES PERMIT A ONE-CLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING.
Rule Application and Other Conditions
NOTE - THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS INFORMATIONAL AND NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. ECONOMY FARE WITH AN INSTANT ONE-CLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE TO FIRST/BUSINESS. APPLICATION CLASS OF SERVICE THESE FARES APPLY FOR ECONOMY CLASS SERVICE. CAPACITY LIMITATIONS SEATS ARE LIMITED BOTH ECONOMY AND FIRST CLASS BOOKING INVENTORIES MUST BE AVAILABLE AT TIME OF BOOKING. THESE FARES PERMIT A ONE-CLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING.
Aug 24, 2015, 2:18 pm
#243
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,159
I'd be fuming as well. If I were in your shoes, I'd ask to be rerouted to JFK, MIA, PHL, or ORD. Probably JFK/MIA to get a slightly elevated experience in F (sundaes/cheese plate for dessert, and possibly duvets/thick pillows).
If you were feeling adventurous enough, maybe I'd consider changing to DCA-JFK-LAX, or DCA-MIA-LAX, to get the flagship experience, and see if they could put you on the LAX-SAN segment in a timely manner. If not, I'd just terminate my trip at LAX, unless I had a return flight.
If you were feeling adventurous enough, maybe I'd consider changing to DCA-JFK-LAX, or DCA-MIA-LAX, to get the flagship experience, and see if they could put you on the LAX-SAN segment in a timely manner. If not, I'd just terminate my trip at LAX, unless I had a return flight.
Aug 24, 2015, 3:03 pm
#244
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CA USA
Programs: UA 1K 2.85MM // AS MVPG100K // TK Elite Plus // AA EXP // Bonvoy TE // Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 356
From the fare rules:
Rule Application and Other Conditions
NOTE - THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS INFORMATIONAL AND NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. ECONOMY FARE WITH AN INSTANT ONE-CLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE TO FIRST/BUSINESS. APPLICATION CLASS OF SERVICE THESE FARES APPLY FOR ECONOMY CLASS SERVICE. CAPACITY LIMITATIONS SEATS ARE LIMITED BOTH ECONOMY AND FIRST CLASS BOOKING INVENTORIES MUST BE AVAILABLE AT TIME OF BOOKING. THESE FARES PERMIT A ONE-CLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING.
Rule Application and Other Conditions
NOTE - THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS INFORMATIONAL AND NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING. ECONOMY FARE WITH AN INSTANT ONE-CLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE TO FIRST/BUSINESS. APPLICATION CLASS OF SERVICE THESE FARES APPLY FOR ECONOMY CLASS SERVICE. CAPACITY LIMITATIONS SEATS ARE LIMITED BOTH ECONOMY AND FIRST CLASS BOOKING INVENTORIES MUST BE AVAILABLE AT TIME OF BOOKING. THESE FARES PERMIT A ONE-CLASS UPGRADE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING.
Aug 24, 2015, 3:05 pm
#245
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CA USA
Programs: UA 1K 2.85MM // AS MVPG100K // TK Elite Plus // AA EXP // Bonvoy TE // Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 356
I'd be fuming as well. If I were in your shoes, I'd ask to be rerouted to JFK, MIA, PHL, or ORD. Probably JFK/MIA to get a slightly elevated experience in F (sundaes/cheese plate for dessert, and possibly duvets/thick pillows).
If you were feeling adventurous enough, maybe I'd consider changing to DCA-JFK-LAX, or DCA-MIA-LAX, to get the flagship experience, and see if they could put you on the LAX-SAN segment in a timely manner. If not, I'd just terminate my trip at LAX, unless I had a return flight.
If you were feeling adventurous enough, maybe I'd consider changing to DCA-JFK-LAX, or DCA-MIA-LAX, to get the flagship experience, and see if they could put you on the LAX-SAN segment in a timely manner. If not, I'd just terminate my trip at LAX, unless I had a return flight.
Aug 24, 2015, 3:06 pm
#246
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,730
Write in and request a refund of the difference between economy and first class. AA has a policy of at least a minimum of compensation on up-fares.
The gate agent wouldn't be the one to handle this though. This is a refunds department issue.
The gate agent wouldn't be the one to handle this though. This is a refunds department issue.
Aug 24, 2015, 3:08 pm
#247
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CA USA
Programs: UA 1K 2.85MM // AS MVPG100K // TK Elite Plus // AA EXP // Bonvoy TE // Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 356
Not saying I disagree with you, but it does state before you purchase the ticket that you may have purchased an instant upgrade fare. The exact wording is "First/Business Fares may be an Instant Upgrade and therefore subject to restrictions." You then need to read the fare restrictions to see all of them.
Aug 24, 2015, 3:10 pm
#248
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Missouri, AA EXP
Posts: 923
Instant Upgrade tickets are booked in the Main Cabin. However, Instant upgrade ticketholders who travel in the Main Cabin due to an involuntary seat change, equipment change, routing change, flight cancellation, or missed connection as a result of a late incoming flight may request a travel voucher. The voucher value shall be equal to $0.10 per mile, or $50, whichever is greater, for each flight segment flown in the downgraded cabin. Refunds will be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount, and can be requested at www.aa.com/refunds.
Aug 24, 2015, 3:11 pm
#249
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PBI/FLL/MIA
Programs: DL DM/2MM, MR Ambassador, National EE
Posts: 1,614
That is AWFULLY FAR DOWN in the VERY FINE PRINT that I would be willing to bet 99% of purchasers do not read nor even know how to find. I still think this is at best false advertising and very misleading. Even so, the class of service for the First Class seat WAS available at the time of booking and was confirmed. So to come back later after taking my money and say they don't owe me what I purchased is not right, nor is it a good way to do business with your loyal, premium fare-paying customers.
Last edited by krlcomm; Aug 25, 2015 at 5:46 am
Aug 24, 2015, 3:21 pm
#250
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: AA Gold, Delta DM Hilton Diamond SPG Gold, and Foodland premium.
Posts: 824
So, I want to make sure I understand what to do if this happens to me.
1) Call the ExP line right away
2) Try and get on another flight later that day
3) See if you can talk to a supervisor
If all else fails,
See about getting a refund.
Did I miss anything?
1) Call the ExP line right away
2) Try and get on another flight later that day
3) See if you can talk to a supervisor
If all else fails,
See about getting a refund.
Did I miss anything?
Aug 24, 2015, 3:21 pm
#251
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,590
I agree the way these are marketed is nonsense. My question would be whether or not any other flyers in the F cabin were booked in X inventory. If I pay more for instant upgrade at point of purchase, I should get seat before any other Y flyer who upgraded into X IMO.
Otherwise, AA will hear me argue they should refund the difference between what I paid and what I could have paid to fly in Y at the time I purchased.
Otherwise, AA will hear me argue they should refund the difference between what I paid and what I could have paid to fly in Y at the time I purchased.
Aug 24, 2015, 3:53 pm
#252
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 6,545
if it were me, i would refuse to board and tell them to find my checked luggage. the goal is to persuade the AA gate agent to move along the list of first class passengers to another passenger to inconvenience. if the plane leaves without me, i would return to ticketing to explain to fresh ears how i was just denied boarding, collect my compensation and handle the reroute. i'd mentally deal with it like any other irrops situation.
Aug 24, 2015, 4:04 pm
#253
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Not booking one of these in the first place-- if one can't/won't accept the very, very small chance of ending up flying in economy.
Aug 24, 2015, 4:15 pm
#254
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,230
The problem here is OP was downgraded on one segment of a 2-leg itinerary, so there really isn't a fare difference. You could try prorating based on mileage I suppose, but I think the downgrade comp referenced above ($0.10/mile) is the best bet in this situation (assuming that's still in force)
BTW - the language behind the fare grid about potentially being an instant-upgrade fare subject to "restrictions" - pretty sure a downgrade is not a "restriction."
Aug 24, 2015, 4:15 pm
#255
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: TPA/DFW/K15
Programs: AA EXP, Mar AMB, HH LT DIA
Posts: 1,650