Dec 9, 2013, 1:06 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
AA / US Reciprocal Elite Benefits [Master Thread]
Please contribute summary information and links to key posts here in this wikipost!
Soon after migration of US accounts to AA, SWUs will be usable on US by US flights. (JonNYC)
AA Press Release: US Airways to Join oneworld on March 31, 2014
As of Dec 15, signs appeared at some airports inviting elites of either airline to use the First Class ticket counter check in lines. See posts 82 & 83.
Update to aa.com as of January 7th detailing reciprocity of elite status benefits. Answers to many of the FAQs on this forum can be found here.
Elite/Preferred Seating, not Upgrades
For the purpose of seating on US, all AA elites are eligible for US Preferred Seating equally (no difference between the status levels).
US Preferred Seating is typically the front of coach and the exit rows. There is no MCE product so only some exit rows and bulkhead will have more space (depending on the aircraft). There are seats called ChoiceSeats that are not free for any US or AA elites. Pick a Preferred Seat for free.
For the purpose of seating on AA, US Silver will have the same as AA Gold. All other higher US Preferred will have full access to all AA reserved seating. including Main Cabin Extra.
AA Preferred Seating is in two parts, Main Cabin Extra and Preferred Seats.
Starting 3/18/14, US Silver/AA Gold only have free access within 24 hours of departure (based on availability). Preferred Seating does not have additional leg room as compared to MCE, but might be better than a normal seat depending on the aircraft. The only special seats for sale for any elite will be MCE for US Silver/AA Gold ahead of the 24 hours free access (50% off the normal price).
Upgrades
Please see: AA and US cross program and merged FFP upgrade questions (merged threads)
Starting 6/11/14, AA and US elite customers have the opportunity for reciprocal upgrades.
For AA elite members on US Airways-marketed (US flight number)/US operated flight:
-At 24 hours check-in, if a seat is available on a first-come, first-served basis, a complementary upgrade would be available for any AA elite. One non-status companion is also included in the benefit. If it is a mixed itinerary, you will likely need to ask a US agent to be considered if an AA flight was first.
For AA elite members on US Airways-marketed (US flight number)/AA operated flight:
-At 24 hour check-in, if a seat is available on a first-come, first-served basis, a sort of like 500 miles unit upgrade option will be available for AA Plat/Gold at $30 per unit. AA EXP will have a complementary option.
For both programs, it is very likely that elites who were eligible for normal upgrades on the flights before the 24-hours new program will have priority. Also, status in program does not indicate priority, it is first-come, first-served.
There are some other exceptions for AA elite members which you can find here.
For US elite members on AA marketed (AA flight number)/AA operated flight:
-At 24 hour check-in, if a seat is available on a first-come, first-served basis, a sort of like 500 miles unit upgrade option will be available for US Plat/Gold/Silver at $30 per unit. US CP will have a complementary option.
Non-US elite companions are not free nor discounted and may have a different priced option (LFBU).
For US elite members on AA marketed (AA flight number)/US operated flight:
Still no upgrade option.
There are some other exceptions for US elite members which you can find here.
Other features, such as (new AA) SWU use, etc. will come about when both AA and USDM FFPs are fully merged into the new AAdvantage FFP "some time during the second quarter".
AA / US Reciprocal Elite Benefits [Master Thread]
Feb 28, 2015, 6:39 pm
#1846
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Philadephia, PA
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 477
Not currently I believe. A cash upgrade called GoFirst/GoUpgrades is likely your best option. I think you can call, here is the link:
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/trave...oupgrades.html
Also:
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/FAQs/...irst_000000000
Interestingly, the second link says elite upgrades are processed before paid upgrades. We know this is not the case on US.
I know you were looking for miles upgrades though...
Rasheed
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/trave...oupgrades.html
Also:
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/FAQs/...irst_000000000
Interestingly, the second link says elite upgrades are processed before paid upgrades. We know this is not the case on US.
I know you were looking for miles upgrades though...
Rasheed
I assume he was looking to upgrade via this program: http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...eupgrades.html where the question is can he use AA miles. My gut feel is no especially since a cash payment is also needed, but I'd probably call in to AA to ask.
Feb 28, 2015, 8:56 pm
#1847
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SAN
Programs: AA-EXP; US-Silver; Marriott-Platinum; Starwood-Platinum; Hilton-Gold
Posts: 1,260
US' GoFirst is only offered during check-in if there are still F seats available once the check-in window is opened which generally means all the US elites have gotten their complimentary upgrades since US usually releases all seats for free elite upgrade before T-24. My understanding is that once T-24 hits with open F seats it's essentially a free-for-all where it'll go to the first AA (or US) elite to log in and ask for it or non-elite willing to pay the GoFirst cost.
I assume he was looking to upgrade via this program: http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...eupgrades.html where the question is can he use AA miles. My gut feel is no especially since a cash payment is also needed, but I'd probably call in to AA to ask.
I assume he was looking to upgrade via this program: http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...eupgrades.html where the question is can he use AA miles. My gut feel is no especially since a cash payment is also needed, but I'd probably call in to AA to ask.
Mar 1, 2015, 3:59 pm
#1848
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SOF
Programs: A3 Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 849
This is not a published benefit but I wanted to find out if anyone else has been in this situation and has had experience with this:
I was an AAdvantage Platinum until yesterday - 2/28/2015. As of this morning, I have no status on AA. I did credit all my OW travel to US last year and have US CP status. I do however have miles in my AA account and would prefer to book through AAdvantage because of one-way awards. I just attempted to do this on aa.com today but because of no status, it wants to charge me a close-in booking fee.
My question is the following - If I call AAdvantage and advise them of my US CP status, would they allow me to book awards from my AAdvantage account without charging me extra fees? Obviously, when programs combine, that will be a non-issue but recently at the ORD Flagship lounge I was given the AA EXP hotline and was told I can call and refer to my US CP status. I'm just afraid to get the very famous line both AA and US still use - "We are still separate carriers, so that won't be possible until the programs merge." Since Q2 can be end of June, that means I may have to wait up to 4 months until my AAdvantage account reflects my US CP status as AA EXP and I really don't want to pay any fees in the mean time that I'm not supposed to. If anyone has had experience with AA when dealing with this type of situation, I'd appreciate you sharing your experience. Thank you!
I was an AAdvantage Platinum until yesterday - 2/28/2015. As of this morning, I have no status on AA. I did credit all my OW travel to US last year and have US CP status. I do however have miles in my AA account and would prefer to book through AAdvantage because of one-way awards. I just attempted to do this on aa.com today but because of no status, it wants to charge me a close-in booking fee.
My question is the following - If I call AAdvantage and advise them of my US CP status, would they allow me to book awards from my AAdvantage account without charging me extra fees? Obviously, when programs combine, that will be a non-issue but recently at the ORD Flagship lounge I was given the AA EXP hotline and was told I can call and refer to my US CP status. I'm just afraid to get the very famous line both AA and US still use - "We are still separate carriers, so that won't be possible until the programs merge." Since Q2 can be end of June, that means I may have to wait up to 4 months until my AAdvantage account reflects my US CP status as AA EXP and I really don't want to pay any fees in the mean time that I'm not supposed to. If anyone has had experience with AA when dealing with this type of situation, I'd appreciate you sharing your experience. Thank you!
Mar 1, 2015, 4:25 pm
#1849
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,495
By the way, it is absolutely true the CP can use the EXP line for flight and booking issues, but a direct call won't work because the automated system will push you to a normal agent. Instead, you need to have the CP agent connect you to an agent on the EXP AA side (and vice versa).
I think we will get an email at the end of the month on the latest schedule plan for the Q2 conversion.
Rasheed
Mar 1, 2015, 6:37 pm
#1850
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: COS
Programs: AA EXP, MR Silver
Posts: 148
My father is an AA EXP who did about 60k on US and 50k on AA last year, so would technically only have US gold and AA plat until after the merger completed and his miles were combined. Upon verifying the combined travel, AA extended his EXP status to cover him this year prior to the merger, so he remains an EXP.
As a US CP and (recent) AA EXP, you've got a good shot at getting your EXP extended as he did - call and give it a shot.
Mar 2, 2015, 10:47 am
#1851
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Incline Village, NV, USA
Programs: AA EXP, AS MVPG, Priority Club PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton GLD
Posts: 121
I did a search for 'phone' in this thread and haven't seen it addressed:
As an AA exp, am I entitled to call the equivalent of the EXP line to US Airways? How do I find out what the number is?
I booked a reservation this morning and need to take advantage of the 24 hour cancellation window. As far as I can tell, I have to do this over the phone, but when I call the line for US Airways reservations, I get the message "Due to extreme weather at many of our airports, the system has more calls than it can handle. Please try back later." and then the line automatically disconnects.
I know I only have 24 hours to get this canceled - how can I do so if they won't answer the phone? Do I have any recourse?
As an AA exp, am I entitled to call the equivalent of the EXP line to US Airways? How do I find out what the number is?
I booked a reservation this morning and need to take advantage of the 24 hour cancellation window. As far as I can tell, I have to do this over the phone, but when I call the line for US Airways reservations, I get the message "Due to extreme weather at many of our airports, the system has more calls than it can handle. Please try back later." and then the line automatically disconnects.
I know I only have 24 hours to get this canceled - how can I do so if they won't answer the phone? Do I have any recourse?
Mar 2, 2015, 11:05 am
#1852
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,715
I did a search for 'phone' in this thread and haven't seen it addressed:
As an AA exp, am I entitled to call the equivalent of the EXP line to US Airways? How do I find out what the number is?
I booked a reservation this morning and need to take advantage of the 24 hour cancellation window. As far as I can tell, I have to do this over the phone, but when I call the line for US Airways reservations, I get the message "Due to extreme weather at many of our airports, the system has more calls than it can handle. Please try back later." and then the line automatically disconnects.
I know I only have 24 hours to get this canceled - how can I do so if they won't answer the phone? Do I have any recourse?
As an AA exp, am I entitled to call the equivalent of the EXP line to US Airways? How do I find out what the number is?
I booked a reservation this morning and need to take advantage of the 24 hour cancellation window. As far as I can tell, I have to do this over the phone, but when I call the line for US Airways reservations, I get the message "Due to extreme weather at many of our airports, the system has more calls than it can handle. Please try back later." and then the line automatically disconnects.
I know I only have 24 hours to get this canceled - how can I do so if they won't answer the phone? Do I have any recourse?
Call EXP and ask to be transferred to the CP desk at US. Once you reach a US agent, they'll give you the CP #. Goes straight to an agent, ime. Normal line almost always a wait..
Mar 2, 2015, 2:29 pm
#1853
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: FL35
Programs: DL DM, AS MVPG, AA PP, UA 1K, Bonvoy Plat, Hyatt Globalist, HH Gold, Avis PC, Hertz PC, Natl EE
Posts: 420
In some cases of current (now former as of yesterday) EXPs who have enough combined mileage between US and AA to requalify for EXP after the merger, AA has been extending their AA EXP status prior to the merger.
My father is an AA EXP who did about 60k on US and 50k on AA last year, so would technically only have US gold and AA plat until after the merger completed and his miles were combined. Upon verifying the combined travel, AA extended his EXP status to cover him this year prior to the merger, so he remains an EXP.
As a US CP and (recent) AA EXP, you've got a good shot at getting your EXP extended as he did - call and give it a shot.
My father is an AA EXP who did about 60k on US and 50k on AA last year, so would technically only have US gold and AA plat until after the merger completed and his miles were combined. Upon verifying the combined travel, AA extended his EXP status to cover him this year prior to the merger, so he remains an EXP.
As a US CP and (recent) AA EXP, you've got a good shot at getting your EXP extended as he did - call and give it a shot.
Mar 3, 2015, 10:10 am
#1854
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Philadephia, PA
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 477
As an AA exp, am I entitled to call the equivalent of the EXP line to US Airways? How do I find out what the number is?
I booked a reservation this morning and need to take advantage of the 24 hour cancellation window. As far as I can tell, I have to do this over the phone, but when I call the line for US Airways reservations, I get the message "Due to extreme weather at many of our airports, the system has more calls than it can handle. Please try back later." and then the line automatically disconnects.
I booked a reservation this morning and need to take advantage of the 24 hour cancellation window. As far as I can tell, I have to do this over the phone, but when I call the line for US Airways reservations, I get the message "Due to extreme weather at many of our airports, the system has more calls than it can handle. Please try back later." and then the line automatically disconnects.
Mar 3, 2015, 10:11 am
#1855
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 599
Another data point: I was Executive Platinum, expected to go "no status" on 2/28, but I was/am Chairman Preferred through 2016 on US.
My ExecPlat status was extended (and 8 Feb16 SWUs awarded) on 3/1. Looks like I won't have to suffer the "gap" period with AA, a nice surprise! ^
My ExecPlat status was extended (and 8 Feb16 SWUs awarded) on 3/1. Looks like I won't have to suffer the "gap" period with AA, a nice surprise! ^
Mar 3, 2015, 10:21 am
#1856
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Programs: AA ExP (former HP/US), Marriott (former SPG) Lifetime Platinum, and most other major hotel programs
Posts: 455
Call the ExPlat line and ask to be transferred to US's CP desk. I am CP and have been able to do that in reverse, with no problem, when I needed to talk to ExPlat agents about an AA reservation.
Mar 3, 2015, 4:27 pm
#1857
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,495
With all of the recent upgrade hiccups, I suspect something is happening soon on that issue too (which is really the main current program issue from what I can tell).
Rasheed
Mar 4, 2015, 5:55 am
#1858
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 314
My last 3 flights on US Airways I was able to select a first class seat. Afterwards nothing for the flight posts. I am having to call in 2 weeks later and request these flights to appear. Is anyone else having this problem? My non upgraded segments appear perfectly alright 1-2 days after flight.
Mar 4, 2015, 9:20 am
#1859
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: AA: PLT/US: Preferred Gold
Posts: 26
Hrm, different data point: I was PLT on AA last year; I only qualified for GLD on AA last year, but have US Gold Preferred (PLT on AA). My understanding is that I should've been dropped down to GLD on AA, but I still seem to be PLT.
I have some international flights in Y later this month, ticketed through AA; I put my US FF in for mileage bonus/lounge access, but now I'm wondering if I should switch it to AA... but who knows if this will still be the case by then.... argh, decisions!
I have some international flights in Y later this month, ticketed through AA; I put my US FF in for mileage bonus/lounge access, but now I'm wondering if I should switch it to AA... but who knows if this will still be the case by then.... argh, decisions!