Jul 28, 15, 12:06 pm
Last edit by: united 1k flyer
Mileage and copayment upgrades on American Airlines
As of May 20, 2017 upgrade prioritization is:
Enjoy a higher cabin of service Link.
Use your AAdvantage miles to upgrade on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle for yourself or anyone you designate.
Upgrades are valid to the next cabin of service* and are valid for a single one-way trip with a maximum of three segments. Upgrades are subject to capacity controls. Excluding award tickets, the following eligible fare types can be upgraded:
*E.g. Economy to Business, Business to three class First. At this time Premium Economy is treated as Economy for upgrade purposes.
See the chart here for cost in miles and dollars.
NOTE: The most expensive fare classes, full fare Economy Y, full fare Premium Economy W, and full fare Business J, may be upgraded without copay and at a lower cost in miles. See here.
Taxes and carrier-imposed fees:
Co-payment is non-refundable and inclusive of U.S. excise tax where applicable.
Mileage upgrade award tickets are subject to applicable taxes and security fees and may incur additional taxes as a result of upgrading to a higher class cabin (includes higher U.K. Air Passenger Duty If Flight originates in the UK or is a connecting flight with a connection time of 24:00 or more)..)
NOTE:
Miles and copay upgrades are to the next available cabin of service, are based on inventory being available, usable on AA marketed and operated flights (not codeshares operated by other airlines, not on other airlines' prime flights - BA and IB allow miles upgrades with AA miles but are very different and therefore not treated here).
See AA Participating Airline Upgrade Award - BA, IB, including codeshares (master thd), and note “one class of service” means Y to PE, PE to J, J to F where available on BA.
If the required inventory exists, they can be booked positively (i.e. upgraded immediately); if not, the request is wait listed. Wait list clearance is by status (EXP highest, no status lowest), and within status priority is by rolling 12 month EQD spend. Elites can have one traveling companion on the same PNR "borrow" their status for upgrade wait list purposes, until the request goes to the airport list, where you may want to assure your travel companion continues to hold your “borrowed” status for upgrade purposes.
Copays are waived for CK on all flights.
Frequently Asked Questions / FAQ:
Q. It says the upgrade fees are nonrefundable. Do I lose my miles and money if I'm not upgraded?
If your upgrade request does not go through, miles and copay are in fact refunded.
Q. If I am waitlisted, in what priority order are upgrades processed?
Upgrades are processed first by AAdvantage status tier, secondarily by type of upgrade, thirdly by the previous rolling 12 month EQD spend.
Q. Which has higher priority if all other preceding factors are the same? An upgraded with miles + copay, or an upgraded with SWU?
They have equal priority. A few reports state copay + upgrade have been given priority at some overseas stations.
Q. How soon will I know if my upgrade came through?
It can happen anytime inventory opens, from the time you book until the time you board. (Your request, including date and time of request, should carry over automatically to the airport list.)
Q. How soon will I know if my upgrade came through?
It can happen anytime inventory opens, from the time you book until the time you board. (Your request, including date and time of request, should carry over automatically to the airport list.)
Q. What happens to my booked seat whilst I'm waitlisted? If my upgrade doesn't come through, do I lose my reserved seat?
You normally retain your booked seat until (if) your upgrade comes through.
Q. How many flights can I upgrade with a single miles plus copay upgrade?
You may (assuming available inventory) upgrade up to three segments on the same ticketed itinerary (e.g. LHR-ORD-MIA-EZE, as long as they are on the same PNR).
Q. Can I look at AAnytime or MileSAAver award space to determine upgrade availability?
No. MileSAAver availability may be a good indication upgrade space may become available, but SAAver and upgrade inventories are separate.
Q. What fare inventory do I need to upgrade?
You need available "C" inventory to upgrade to two class domestic First and three class Business, "A" to three class First. These are not shown on aa.com, but some services (e.g. ExpertFlyer) do show them. The only way to reliably search for upgrade space on Expertflyer or other services is segment by segment. The reason for this is that by rule if C is available on the stand alone segment then the upgrade is allowed.
Q. I'm Executive Platinum. If I purchase an upgrade for someone without status, will they "borrow" my status for upgrade purposes?
They will if they are flying as your single traveling companion on the same flights. Otherwise, their status will determine their position on the upgrade wait list. This "borrowed" status was previously lost once the flight has gone to airport control; it doesn’t now, but it pays to check and see if it has been mismanaged by software - it can be restored when it has passed to airport control.
Q. Which miles earning and fare conditions will apply to my upgraded flights?
You will earn miles (award miles -- RDM -- and EQM) and EQ Dollars credit as determined by your originally purchased fare, and the applicable fare rules will also be determined by your originally purchased fare.
Older posts can be read in ARCHIVE: FAQ: Miles + Copay Upgrade / Upgrades (consolidated)
As of May 20, 2017 upgrade prioritization is:
- Elite status
- Concierge Key
- Executive Platinum
- Platinum Pro
- Platinum
- Gold
- Platinum
- Platinum Pro
- Executive Platinum
- Upgrade type
- Miles and copay award upgrades and systemwide upgrades (SWU)
- 500 mile upgrades on purchased tickets (including EXP complimentary UDU)
- 500 mile upgrades on upgrade eligible awards (including EXP complimentary UDU)
- 500 mile upgrades on purchased tickets (including EXP complimentary UDU)
- Elite qualifying dollars* in the past 12 months
- Booking class (in order, J, D, I, W, P, Y, H, K, M, L, V, G, S, N, Q, O, T)
- Time of request
- Booking class (in order, J, D, I, W, P, Y, H, K, M, L, V, G, S, N, Q, O, T)
- Miles and copay award upgrades and systemwide upgrades (SWU)
- Concierge Key
Enjoy a higher cabin of service Link.
Use your AAdvantage miles to upgrade on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle for yourself or anyone you designate.
Upgrades are valid to the next cabin of service* and are valid for a single one-way trip with a maximum of three segments. Upgrades are subject to capacity controls. Excluding award tickets, the following eligible fare types can be upgraded:
- Discount Economy with published fares booked in H,K,M,L,W,V,G,Q,N,O,S and
- Military or Government fares booked in Y
- Full-Fare Economy with published fares booked in Y
- Discount Premium Economy with published fares booked in P
- Full-Fare Premium Economy with published fares booked in W
- Discount Business with published fares booked in I
- Full-Fare Business with published fares booked in J, D or R
- Basic Economy fares booked in B are not upgradable
- Full-Fare Business with published fares booked in J, D or R
- Discount Business with published fares booked in I
- Full-Fare Premium Economy with published fares booked in W
- Discount Premium Economy with published fares booked in P
- Full-Fare Economy with published fares booked in Y
- Military or Government fares booked in Y
*E.g. Economy to Business, Business to three class First. At this time Premium Economy is treated as Economy for upgrade purposes.
See the chart here for cost in miles and dollars.
NOTE: The most expensive fare classes, full fare Economy Y, full fare Premium Economy W, and full fare Business J, may be upgraded without copay and at a lower cost in miles. See here.
Taxes and carrier-imposed fees:
Co-payment is non-refundable and inclusive of U.S. excise tax where applicable.
Mileage upgrade award tickets are subject to applicable taxes and security fees and may incur additional taxes as a result of upgrading to a higher class cabin (includes higher U.K. Air Passenger Duty If Flight originates in the UK or is a connecting flight with a connection time of 24:00 or more)..)
- Upgrading from Economy Class to Business Class or First Class may result in additional premium cabin taxes and carrier-imposed fees, including but not limited to flights originating in Great Britain and France.
- If the ticket is priced in USD, the additional taxes and carrier-imposed fees will be converted to USD at the time of ticketing.
- Please contact American Airlines Reservations to obtain applicable taxes and carrier-imposed fees for specific itineraries.
- If the ticket is priced in USD, the additional taxes and carrier-imposed fees will be converted to USD at the time of ticketing.
NOTE:
Miles and copay upgrades are to the next available cabin of service, are based on inventory being available, usable on AA marketed and operated flights (not codeshares operated by other airlines, not on other airlines' prime flights - BA and IB allow miles upgrades with AA miles but are very different and therefore not treated here).
See AA Participating Airline Upgrade Award - BA, IB, including codeshares (master thd), and note “one class of service” means Y to PE, PE to J, J to F where available on BA.
If the required inventory exists, they can be booked positively (i.e. upgraded immediately); if not, the request is wait listed. Wait list clearance is by status (EXP highest, no status lowest), and within status priority is by rolling 12 month EQD spend. Elites can have one traveling companion on the same PNR "borrow" their status for upgrade wait list purposes, until the request goes to the airport list, where you may want to assure your travel companion continues to hold your “borrowed” status for upgrade purposes.
Copays are waived for CK on all flights.
Frequently Asked Questions / FAQ:
Q. It says the upgrade fees are nonrefundable. Do I lose my miles and money if I'm not upgraded?
If your upgrade request does not go through, miles and copay are in fact refunded.
Q. If I am waitlisted, in what priority order are upgrades processed?
Upgrades are processed first by AAdvantage status tier, secondarily by type of upgrade, thirdly by the previous rolling 12 month EQD spend.
Q. Which has higher priority if all other preceding factors are the same? An upgraded with miles + copay, or an upgraded with SWU?
They have equal priority. A few reports state copay + upgrade have been given priority at some overseas stations.
Q. How soon will I know if my upgrade came through?
It can happen anytime inventory opens, from the time you book until the time you board. (Your request, including date and time of request, should carry over automatically to the airport list.)
Q. How soon will I know if my upgrade came through?
It can happen anytime inventory opens, from the time you book until the time you board. (Your request, including date and time of request, should carry over automatically to the airport list.)
Q. What happens to my booked seat whilst I'm waitlisted? If my upgrade doesn't come through, do I lose my reserved seat?
You normally retain your booked seat until (if) your upgrade comes through.
Q. How many flights can I upgrade with a single miles plus copay upgrade?
You may (assuming available inventory) upgrade up to three segments on the same ticketed itinerary (e.g. LHR-ORD-MIA-EZE, as long as they are on the same PNR).
Q. Can I look at AAnytime or MileSAAver award space to determine upgrade availability?
No. MileSAAver availability may be a good indication upgrade space may become available, but SAAver and upgrade inventories are separate.
Q. What fare inventory do I need to upgrade?
You need available "C" inventory to upgrade to two class domestic First and three class Business, "A" to three class First. These are not shown on aa.com, but some services (e.g. ExpertFlyer) do show them. The only way to reliably search for upgrade space on Expertflyer or other services is segment by segment. The reason for this is that by rule if C is available on the stand alone segment then the upgrade is allowed.
Q. I'm Executive Platinum. If I purchase an upgrade for someone without status, will they "borrow" my status for upgrade purposes?
They will if they are flying as your single traveling companion on the same flights. Otherwise, their status will determine their position on the upgrade wait list. This "borrowed" status was previously lost once the flight has gone to airport control; it doesn’t now, but it pays to check and see if it has been mismanaged by software - it can be restored when it has passed to airport control.
Q. Which miles earning and fare conditions will apply to my upgraded flights?
You will earn miles (award miles -- RDM -- and EQM) and EQ Dollars credit as determined by your originally purchased fare, and the applicable fare rules will also be determined by your originally purchased fare.
Older posts can be read in ARCHIVE: FAQ: Miles + Copay Upgrade / Upgrades (consolidated)
FAQ: Miles + Copay Upgrade / Upgrades (master thread)
Dec 11, 16, 3:35 pm
#151
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 47
I literally can't find anything either. And when you finally find inventory to allow an upgrade with miles, you go look on AA and the flight is sold as a non refundable economy at around $2200 for example, on a Miami to SFO/LAX route, etc., route. This has gotten really bad, not sure what i'm missing tbh.
Originally Posted by matinicus rock
Okay maybe I missed this question upthread, but ever since AA changed the upgrade code for domestic two-class from A to C (I guess it goes into effect after 1/1/2017?), has anyone noticed there's just no availability any more? I used to be able to upgrade using miles with ease on pretty much any flight to/from LAX and BOS if I did it far enough in advance, and now, ZIPPO! 
Dec 12, 16, 4:48 am
#152
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,476
Originally Posted by dkc192
1. Yes.
2. Yes, depending on loads. Based on my somewhat limited experience, AA will release C seats into inventory ahead of airport/gate control if revenue inventory is C7 and the J seatmap is less than 1/2 to 3/4 full. Otherwise, chances are all upgrades will be down to the gate. Granted, this is a very coarse assessment.
3. To my knowledge miles+copay and SWU have the same priority on waitlists, both ahead of airport/gate control and at the airport. As such, swapping out miles+copay for SWU may likely decrease your chances, since the time stamp on your upgrade request will be reset to the time you swapped and requested the SWU, thus putting you lower on the waitlist than others who have the same status. You'll have to weigh whether the potentially lower odds are worth saving the 25k miles + $350.
2. Yes, depending on loads. Based on my somewhat limited experience, AA will release C seats into inventory ahead of airport/gate control if revenue inventory is C7 and the J seatmap is less than 1/2 to 3/4 full. Otherwise, chances are all upgrades will be down to the gate. Granted, this is a very coarse assessment.
3. To my knowledge miles+copay and SWU have the same priority on waitlists, both ahead of airport/gate control and at the airport. As such, swapping out miles+copay for SWU may likely decrease your chances, since the time stamp on your upgrade request will be reset to the time you swapped and requested the SWU, thus putting you lower on the waitlist than others who have the same status. You'll have to weigh whether the potentially lower odds are worth saving the 25k miles + $350.
Dec 12, 16, 8:31 am
#153
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,662
Originally Posted by tphuang
... If I do the request 2 to 3 months out with EXP status, would I be close to the first one on their upgrade list?
Plans are to go to BCN from SFO in September. Hoping to use miles/co-pay to get into J and maybe I'll get the op-up as they start moving people from Y into J. But then again, I'm also thinking we'd like to go via IB too. They only have Y and J so my plan might not work for the TATL legs.
Dec 12, 16, 8:49 am
#154
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,476
Originally Posted by Zacnlinc
Don't forget that "later" in 2017 EQD will be used in the pecking order too. I'm sort in the same boat as you though...
Plans are to go to BCN from SFO in September. Hoping to use miles/co-pay to get into J and maybe I'll get the op-up as they start moving people from Y into J. But then again, I'm also thinking we'd like to go via IB too. They only have Y and J so my plan might not work for the TATL legs.
Plans are to go to BCN from SFO in September. Hoping to use miles/co-pay to get into J and maybe I'll get the op-up as they start moving people from Y into J. But then again, I'm also thinking we'd like to go via IB too. They only have Y and J so my plan might not work for the TATL legs.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...with-miles.jsp
so IB wouldn't work
Dec 12, 16, 9:10 am
#155
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,662
@tphuang Thanks... Mrs. Zac is being the tour director on this one and just decided this weekend that I need to use mile and co-pay for us to go to BCN for her BDay and we should fly IB. The details of making it happen are up to me to work out!! LOL
Thanks for the link as my goal this week was to start looking into it as well. So, half the battle is done. Can't do it as planned. Will have to either book awards for just purchase and "white lie" that it was miles and co-pay... LOL
Thanks for the link as my goal this week was to start looking into it as well. So, half the battle is done. Can't do it as planned. Will have to either book awards for just purchase and "white lie" that it was miles and co-pay... LOL
Dec 12, 16, 9:12 am
#156
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,662
Wait... I found this though... Might be possible. I know Mrs. Zac... Best I cover all my basis... LOL
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...r-airlines.jsp
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...r-airlines.jsp
Dec 12, 16, 12:04 pm
#157
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Ambassador, Hertz Gold
Posts: 2,154
Originally Posted by Zacnlinc
Wait... I found this though... Might be possible. I know Mrs. Zac... Best I cover all my basis... LOL
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...r-airlines.jsp
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...r-airlines.jsp
Dec 12, 16, 2:01 pm
#158
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,662
Originally Posted by Madison Guy
Yeah, but that requires a FULL-FARE (Y) econ purchase. With those fare, I'd be looking at a direct discount business purchase as well.
I just peeked at flight prices and it would be indeed a discount J purchase that makes more sense indeed. The costs different is just over 2K to buy full fare Y to upgrade with miles to J.
Dec 26, 16, 4:05 pm
#159
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL SM/MM, AA Gold, HH Dia, PC Plat, ALL Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 4,477
I'm flying LAX-HKG in a few days in purchased business class. I didn't request an upgrade to first but looking at my itinerary on aa.com, it shows Mileage Upgrade Requested. It doesn't show anything about upgrade waitlisted on TripCase. Does anyone know if this is an aa.com glitch? They're still selling Y/J/F tickets so think it's unlikely they're oversold.
Dec 26, 16, 5:49 pm
#160
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
Originally Posted by FlytheTail
I'm flying LAX-HKG in a few days in purchased business class. I didn't request an upgrade to first but looking at my itinerary on aa.com, it shows Mileage Upgrade Requested. It doesn't show anything about upgrade waitlisted on TripCase. Does anyone know if this is an aa.com glitch? They're still selling Y/J/F tickets so think it's unlikely they're oversold.
Jan 3, 17, 8:31 pm
#161
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 26
Upgrading to business with AA MILES
My husband and I want to fly to IAD this summer but don't have enough AA miles accrued to buy 2 business class tickets. I think we could buy economy tickets and then upgrade using the miles we have but I don't know how to do that. I also have Avios on BA and would love to use them to upgrade one of the tickets, but also don't know how? Any advice?
Jan 3, 17, 8:46 pm
#162
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,778
The procedure doesn't vary much but are dependent upon the rules of the program
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...r-airlines.jsp
http://www.britishairways.com/en-us/...ing-with-avios
Requesting a MOD move this to the AA or OneWorld forum.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...r-airlines.jsp
http://www.britishairways.com/en-us/...ing-with-avios
Requesting a MOD move this to the AA or OneWorld forum.
Jan 4, 17, 1:45 am
#163
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+), now an Elite Peon
Posts: 23,003
Originally Posted by pbahab
My husband and I want to fly to IAD this summer but don't have enough AA miles accrued to buy 2 business class tickets. I think we could buy economy tickets and then upgrade using the miles we have but I don't know how to do that. I also have Avios on BA and would love to use them to upgrade one of the tickets, but also don't know how? Any advice?
jackal
Moderator, Information Desk
Jan 4, 17, 1:47 am
#164
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Everywhere you wanna be
Programs: AA EP | UA 1K
Posts: 1,657
you're flying to IAD from where exactly?
Any AA fare can be upgraded with miles. here's a chart showing how much it'll cost. https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...with-miles.jsp
However if there isn't any upgrade space (there typically isn't) then you have to wait until there is, which means going on a waitlist, which probably won't clear til closer to departure.
Any AA fare can be upgraded with miles. here's a chart showing how much it'll cost. https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...with-miles.jsp
However if there isn't any upgrade space (there typically isn't) then you have to wait until there is, which means going on a waitlist, which probably won't clear til closer to departure.
Jan 5, 17, 7:27 am
#165
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 26
Originally Posted by Col Ronson
you're flying to IAD from where exactly?
Any AA fare can be upgraded with miles. here's a chart showing how much it'll cost. https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...with-miles.jsp
However if there isn't any upgrade space (there typically isn't) then you have to wait until there is, which means going on a waitlist, which probably won't clear til closer to departure.
Any AA fare can be upgraded with miles. here's a chart showing how much it'll cost. https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...with-miles.jsp
However if there isn't any upgrade space (there typically isn't) then you have to wait until there is, which means going on a waitlist, which probably won't clear til closer to departure.
