Mar 11, 2014, 7:48 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Systemwide Upgrades / SWU Reflected on AAdvantage Account Online
(formerly eVIP, VIP) as of 2013
(formerly eVIP, VIP) as of 2013
System wide upgrade (SWU) availability is shown when booking flights on AA.com. If available, the words "Systemwide Upgrade" will appear below the flight number of the first leg of an itinerary. For an example of the notation, please see post #5.
False positives: Reports argue, however, that there are reasons why SWU may not actually be applicable for a given flight even if listed:
- SWU availability will appear if any possibilities are applicable: two-class economy to first upgrades (A inventory), three-class economy to business upgrades (C inventory), three-class business to first upgrades (A inventory). This creates on confusion on three-class international flights because C inventory is often desired, but A inventory is more available.
- With connecting flights, if any segment has SWU availability, the complete itinerary will be flagged as having SWU availability. This creates confusion as the desired (long) segment may not have availability.
False negatives:
- The person searching must be logged into the AAdvantage account and have a valid SWU for availability to show.
SWU Availability Showing on AA.com! (2013 onward; consolidated)
May 17, 2014, 2:11 am
#121
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 12,002
How frustrating that you can't tell if it is Y to J or J to F? I have a Y ticket and am hoping I am seeing J SWU availability but am overseas and don't have EF. Can anyone see what the availability is for June 17 DFW-NRT and June 24/25 ICN-DFW? Thanks in advance!
May 17, 2014, 3:42 am
#123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 12,002
Yes, I'm EXP. So does that mean it's only business to first availability? Learn it. The website is confusing. What are my chances of wait listing for the upgrade from Y to business eventually opening up? Does it often open up at the last minute? Or are you saying there is economy upgrade space to business? Thanks for checking!
Jul 28, 2014, 11:34 am
#125
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: DFW -
Programs: AA EXP 5MM, DL DM, Bonvoy Titanium, Avis CHM, National VIP
Posts: 556
Lesson learned for me this week. Booking a LAX-JFK flight (don't usually fly transcon) and was hoping to upgrade Y to C on the new A321. Flights showed "Systemwide Upgrade", but when I called to apply the EVIP, no business upgrades available - only A upgrades to First. Wasn't thinking of that and of course, the website doesn't distinguish. I should have checked EF - and should have been suspicious that almost every flight showed upgrades available. Will hope it clears off the waitlist.
Jul 28, 2014, 11:42 am
#126
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: JFK > LGA >> EWR
Programs: AA EXP 1.2mm, Kimpton IC, Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,180
Lesson learned for me this week. Booking a LAX-JFK flight (don't usually fly transcon) and was hoping to upgrade Y to C on the new A321. Flights showed "Systemwide Upgrade", but when I called to apply the EVIP, no business upgrades available - only A upgrades to First. Wasn't thinking of that and of course, the website doesn't distinguish. I should have checked EF - and should have been suspicious that almost every flight showed upgrades available. Will hope it clears off the waitlist.
Sep 8, 2014, 8:54 am
#127
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP, SPG PLT
Posts: 174
Is it just me or has there been a TOTAL lack of C inventory for quite some time now? Is this the new approach to inventory control / revenue management? I am looking at flights three months out with one J ticket booked on a 772 and there is no C. Flights six weeks out with 6 J booked and still, no C. Is SWU even worth anything anymore? I mean, I'll keep my EXP this year, but moving to SEA makes it really hard to fly AA. Throw on total lack of planned SWU usage and I may as well fly less and just buy J for leisure on carriers with better service.
Sep 8, 2014, 12:23 pm
#128
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Think I'd have to have a couple international flights in a row in coach before making that decision, and that just hasn't happened. Just because they're not clearing months out doesn't mean they won't clear by departure. My two last month cleared 1 and 4 days out, closer than I'd like, but all that matters is that I still cleared. Compared to UA's product, which requires purchase of higher international fares and then no guarantee of clearing, AA systemwides still have a lot of value.
Dec 16, 2014, 10:09 am
#129
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
Think I'd have to have a couple international flights in a row in coach before making that decision, and that just hasn't happened. Just because they're not clearing months out doesn't mean they won't clear by departure. My two last month cleared 1 and 4 days out, closer than I'd like, but all that matters is that I still cleared. Compared to UA's product, which requires purchase of higher international fares and then no guarantee of clearing, AA systemwides still have a lot of value.
Dec 16, 2014, 6:35 pm
#130
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,859
Not sure thats a fair comparison either. There are some flights on which you can confirm AA C space at time of booking. Really depends on routes & dates.
Dec 16, 2014, 8:39 pm
#131
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
Here were my choices...AA Coach fare was $1897 and SWU not available for the dates I needed. UA W fare was $1515 and GPU cleared on the spot. I know it is only one datapoint, but my point is that AA availability has been so poor in advance that for some, paying more to lock in the upgrade would look tempting.
Dec 16, 2014, 9:28 pm
#132
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Sounds like the UA fare makes sense if you have the systemwides to go with it.
Last edited by tom911; Dec 16, 2014 at 9:37 pm Reason: added a few lines
Dec 16, 2014, 10:42 pm
#133
Join Date: Mar 2011
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Exploralist, Marriot Silver
Posts: 2,065
Dec 17, 2014, 8:25 am
#134
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
It is amazing how different experiences can be from one EXP to another. I have never been able to access the "hidden EXP inventory" and I have asked plenty of times...
Dec 17, 2014, 8:30 am
#135
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,822
For awards, you need a good agent who knows what they are doing to find it. For upgrades (and some awards too), there is a particular way to do it and then request them. It's idiot proof and even the clueless agents will be able to see it. If you don't do it this particular way, clueless agents (which is 99% of them these days) will not see the hidden availability.