Jul 28, 2015, 12:06 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
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)
Mar 29, 2017, 1:04 pm
#241
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
Nope! Mostly I find it obnoxious how terrible AA's IT is. What would make sense in my mind at least is if they could clear the waitlist without making C publicly visible - so that way when C is visible we would all know that it's real, but it seems they aren't capable of doing that, which leads to this. I know very well how it works. I suspect my wife and I have jumped the queue on multiple occasions - back when C space was actually C space. But I still stand by my belief that they should not publish C space if it's not actually available to be claimed.
Mar 29, 2017, 2:23 pm
#242
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Nope! Mostly I find it obnoxious how terrible AA's IT is. What would make sense in my mind at least is if they could clear the waitlist without making C publicly visible - so that way when C is visible we would all know that it's real, but it seems they aren't capable of doing that, which leads to this. I know very well how it works. I suspect my wife and I have jumped the queue on multiple occasions - back when C space was actually C space. But I still stand by my belief that they should not publish C space if it's not actually available to be claimed.
Why do I somehow suspect you are in the minority on that.
Mar 29, 2017, 3:45 pm
#243
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
What I mean is I find it highly irritating that in the process of clearing upgrades, AA makes C space visible on EF - making it look like it's there for the taking (the way it always used to be?). At least this is what appears to be happening. Why can't AA clear upgrades without releasing C space? Obviously it follows that savvy flyers with EF alerts set will find the C space and ask for the upgrades to be processed. Clearly there's something amiss. AA has never (at least publicly) redefined "close in C space as non-confirmable" compared to C space that's miraculously made available further in advance. Upgrades are coveted enough that this process should be somewhat consistent and not dependent on which agent answers the phone. It's amazing that AA allows EF to display C - that's a massive advantage over DL or UA - and of course I don't want them to enhance this.
Mar 29, 2017, 4:13 pm
#244
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
If it's a new booking, it seems pretty asinine for an agent to have to not only check for C availability but also to check the status of any waitlist requests. Certainly diminishes the usefulness of ExpertFlyer (yes there's, C, but you can't have it), although I guess that's not AA's issue. :sigh:
Mar 29, 2017, 5:08 pm
#245
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: CX Diamond, AA CK (quit 2018), Starwood Platinum, National EXC Elite
Posts: 283
Forget ExpertFlyer, AA's own website indicates when there's C availability to EXPs. For someone booking a new ticket, it might be surprising to buy a ticket when the site says that there's SWU upgrade availability only to call in and be told there's actually a secret waitlist that the website doesn't know about.
Mar 29, 2017, 9:00 pm
#247
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
Mar 29, 2017, 9:05 pm
#248
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,231
For someone booking a new ticket, it might be surprising to buy a ticket when the site says that there's SWU upgrade availability only to call in and be told there's actually a secret waitlist that the website doesn't know about.
Mar 30, 2017, 9:21 am
#249
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
In my experience, I've had 100% success calling in these situations calling in and saying "I wanted to make sure I was actually waitlisted, because it looks like there's upgrade inventory but I still haven't been upgraded". Then again, maybe the EXP agents are nicer in this regard than the regular pool.
Mar 30, 2017, 2:22 pm
#250
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
Upgrade Help Please
I am flying out on AA 342 on 5/13. I called prior to booking to make sure that flight had upgrade availability via copay + miles, they said yes. Booked online called back, now all the sudden they had no more inventory, and the cost to upgrade both tickets is over $1,000. Really... Ok, so I thought to change my flight to another flight that day, but all the sudden no flights on 5/13 from ORD to MIA have the option to upgrade via copay + miles. I am guessing the agent I spoke to before booking was not paying attention and told me whatever he felt like.
I get that it is a short flight, but it is a special trip and was hoping to treat my travel companion to their first time in first class. I am hoping to find another way to upgrade without spending a fortune. I have 77K FFM at this point.
Does anyone know if upgrade inventory typically opens up closer to departure, I know its very hard to provide specifics, given the massive amount of variables. If so how often or close to departure should I check. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
I get that it is a short flight, but it is a special trip and was hoping to treat my travel companion to their first time in first class. I am hoping to find another way to upgrade without spending a fortune. I have 77K FFM at this point.
Does anyone know if upgrade inventory typically opens up closer to departure, I know its very hard to provide specifics, given the massive amount of variables. If so how often or close to departure should I check. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Mar 30, 2017, 2:34 pm
#251
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 130
I am flying out on AA 342 on 5/13. I called prior to booking to make sure that flight had upgrade availability via copay + miles, they said yes. Booked online called back, now all the sudden they had no more inventory, and the cost to upgrade both tickets is over $1,000. Really... Ok, so I thought to change my flight to another flight that day, but all the sudden no flights on 5/13 from ORD to MIA have the option to upgrade via copay + miles. I am guessing the agent I spoke to before booking was not paying attention and told me whatever he felt like.
I get that it is a short flight, but it is a special trip and was hoping to treat my travel companion to their first time in first class. I am hoping to find another way to upgrade without spending a fortune. I have 77K FFM at this point.
Does anyone know if upgrade inventory typically opens up closer to departure, I know its very hard to provide specifics, given the massive amount of variables. If so how often or close to departure should I check. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
I get that it is a short flight, but it is a special trip and was hoping to treat my travel companion to their first time in first class. I am hoping to find another way to upgrade without spending a fortune. I have 77K FFM at this point.
Does anyone know if upgrade inventory typically opens up closer to departure, I know its very hard to provide specifics, given the massive amount of variables. If so how often or close to departure should I check. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Mar 30, 2017, 2:37 pm
#252
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Hilton/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson GLD, IHG PLT
Posts: 4,608
I cant comment on the agent, but upgrade inventory is very dynamic, more between two big hubs such as ORD-MIA. My only suggestion is to check expertflyer alert and see if anything happens. Keep in mind, you are looking for 2 upgrade, which could be hard to get since mostly they release one seat at a time, if you are looking for 2 you get skipped in favor of the single upgrader.
The odds of confirming upgrade right at time of booking is very low. I myself check ahead of time. what I would have done in your case, is first hold the reservation that you want, call and confirm with an agent if there is upgradeable space at the spot, if so, then purchase the reservation from your own account, not through the agent, and then ask for the upgrade to be processed as you just purchased the reservation. Good luck.
The odds of confirming upgrade right at time of booking is very low. I myself check ahead of time. what I would have done in your case, is first hold the reservation that you want, call and confirm with an agent if there is upgradeable space at the spot, if so, then purchase the reservation from your own account, not through the agent, and then ask for the upgrade to be processed as you just purchased the reservation. Good luck.
Mar 30, 2017, 3:24 pm
#253
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I am flying out on AA 342 on 5/13. I called prior to booking to make sure that flight had upgrade availability via copay + miles, they said yes. Booked online called back, now all the sudden they had no more inventory, and the cost to upgrade both tickets is over $1,000. Really... Ok, so I thought to change my flight to another flight that day, but all the sudden no flights on 5/13 from ORD to MIA have the option to upgrade via copay + miles. I am guessing the agent I spoke to before booking was not paying attention and told me whatever he felt like.
I get that it is a short flight, but it is a special trip and was hoping to treat my travel companion to their first time in first class. I am hoping to find another way to upgrade without spending a fortune. I have 77K FFM at this point.
Does anyone know if upgrade inventory typically opens up closer to departure, I know its very hard to provide specifics, given the massive amount of variables. If so how often or close to departure should I check. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
I get that it is a short flight, but it is a special trip and was hoping to treat my travel companion to their first time in first class. I am hoping to find another way to upgrade without spending a fortune. I have 77K FFM at this point.
Does anyone know if upgrade inventory typically opens up closer to departure, I know its very hard to provide specifics, given the massive amount of variables. If so how often or close to departure should I check. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
/Moderator
Mar 30, 2017, 4:44 pm
#254
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
Mar 30, 2017, 6:22 pm
#255
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,586
AA has a change fee waiver for changing to a higher class of cabin. You should be able to pay the difference between the economy fare purchased and the business class fare without having to pay any additional fees