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]
Mar 21, 2014, 3:08 pm
#1006
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PDX
Programs: AA Plat + SPG Plat
Posts: 235
FYI: We transited YUL from ORD on the way to ZRH yesterday - initially denied access to the Maple Leaf Lounge due to the fact they apparently already wiped US Airways Club Memberships out of their systems. Desk clerk had to manually check us in, and after all of that work (more painful to watch than actual effort exerted) he realized due to our class of travel on Swiss we should have been allowed in the lounge regardless. 
Mar 21, 2014, 5:12 pm
#1008
Join Date: May 2013
Location: LHR
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,035
Mar 23, 2014, 4:15 pm
#1011
Join Date: May 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, UA *S, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Exp, IHG Plat, National EE, Sixt Plat
Posts: 648
Is your *G status from another airline (UA, LH, etc.)? Then, officially no, you don't get any *A benefits because your flight is operated by AA, a OW carrier. But I could imagine this being a YMMV situation for the next week or so.
Mar 23, 2014, 11:31 pm
#1012
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SAN
Programs: AA-EXP; US-Silver; Marriott-Platinum; Starwood-Platinum; Hilton-Gold
Posts: 1,260
I was flying a direct from SAN to DCA and there were only choice seats and 37-toilet left for choice. Top tiers shouldn't have to pay for any coach seats - I know it sounds spoiled but there should be some loyalty. I dump enough money into the airline. I am no where near rich but I would have even paid for a first seat but it was sold out by the time I got the ticket. I understand if I buy a ticket 6 months out but when a lot of mine are last minute they aren't many choices.
Mar 24, 2014, 8:53 am
#1013
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA - EP, Marriott - PP
Posts: 227
I'm sure the answer to the question I'm about to ask is in this thread, but i've tried searching and all the answers are from 12/2013 which should be outdated.
Background - I'm US CP, and may be forced to fly AA metal out of DCA now that I'll be traveling to the midwest for work. Looking online to buy a ticket on AA metal from the US website, there doesn't seem to be a way for me to select seats on any of the AA flights. The US website just tells me I need to create an AA account and then select seats on the AA site.
Questions - Is there anything special I need to be sure to do when creating my AA profile to get access to AA MCE or Preferred seats? Do I even need to create a profile to select seats, can I just call the US CP line and have them book my seats on all my flights now?
Background - I'm US CP, and may be forced to fly AA metal out of DCA now that I'll be traveling to the midwest for work. Looking online to buy a ticket on AA metal from the US website, there doesn't seem to be a way for me to select seats on any of the AA flights. The US website just tells me I need to create an AA account and then select seats on the AA site.
Questions - Is there anything special I need to be sure to do when creating my AA profile to get access to AA MCE or Preferred seats? Do I even need to create a profile to select seats, can I just call the US CP line and have them book my seats on all my flights now?
Mar 24, 2014, 11:25 am
#1014
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: High Point, NC
Programs: None
Posts: 9,171
The work-around for US elites is to wait for the upgrade windows to start opening and grab either a preferred or exit row seat when they open up because the previous occupant got upgraded (assuming the elite doesn't get upgraded). Not sure how, or even if, that would work for you booking a day or two prior to departure.
Jim
Mar 25, 2014, 1:07 am
#1015
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SAN
Programs: AA-EXP; US-Silver; Marriott-Platinum; Starwood-Platinum; Hilton-Gold
Posts: 1,260
Keep your fingers crossed that DP doesn't carry that over to the combined airline. Frankly, US' preferred/choice/standard coach never made sense to me since they're all the same seats except for where they're located in the cabin.
The work-around for US elites is to wait for the upgrade windows to start opening and grab either a preferred or exit row seat when they open up because the previous occupant got upgraded (assuming the elite doesn't get upgraded). Not sure how, or even if, that would work for you booking a day or two prior to departure.
Jim
The work-around for US elites is to wait for the upgrade windows to start opening and grab either a preferred or exit row seat when they open up because the previous occupant got upgraded (assuming the elite doesn't get upgraded). Not sure how, or even if, that would work for you booking a day or two prior to departure.
Jim
Mar 25, 2014, 1:50 am
#1016
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,330
I actually don't think the Choice/Preferred seating matter is going to be an issue once MCE is added to the US fleet. Elites (50K and up) will get access to those at the time of purchase. I expect the current US process to go away; and I think the term "choice" interferes with the choice/choice plus ticket supplements at AA. Moreover, AA would be the only one of the Big Three which charges elites to reserve a seat assignment.
Mar 25, 2014, 3:44 am
#1017
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: High Point, NC
Programs: None
Posts: 9,171
They don't even offer you a free snack. They wouldn't even hang my suit on the bulkhead when I asked (I was flying last minute to a funeral!).
IOW, the standard US elite treatment if in your position.
Jim
Mar 25, 2014, 10:01 pm
#1018
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
Background - I'm US CP, and may be forced to fly AA metal out of DCA now that I'll be traveling to the midwest for work. Looking online to buy a ticket on AA metal from the US website, there doesn't seem to be a way for me to select seats on any of the AA flights. The US website just tells me I need to create an AA account and then select seats on the AA site.
Mar 26, 2014, 11:31 am
#1019
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA - EP, Marriott - PP
Posts: 227
But if I need to create an AA account anyway - might as well open one of the AA cards to for the additional points!
Mar 26, 2014, 2:51 pm
#1020
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: TUL
Programs: AA Plat, DL FO/1MM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, National Exec Elite
Posts: 2,102
Agent at checkin was able to add me to upgrade list with no issue and I was # 1 with 7 seats.