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]
May 15, 2014, 8:22 am
#1111
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Ex Plat, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 54
I wonder if US Airways could take advantage of some of these AA planes that are just sitting around in Roswell. This satellite image from Mapfin is unbelievable!
http://mapfin.blogspot.com/2014/05/t...swell-row.html
http://mapfin.blogspot.com/2014/05/t...swell-row.html
May 15, 2014, 11:18 am
#1112
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: US Airways Chairman's Preferred, SPG Platinum, AMEX Platinum Card, Global Entry
Posts: 177
Anyone notice the hidden nugget of information regarding reciprocal upgrades in the WSJ article today?
http://online.wsj.com/articles/airfa...&mg=reno64-wsj
Looks like reciprocal upgrades are coming our way soon! ^
http://online.wsj.com/articles/airfa...&mg=reno64-wsj
American expects to be able to offer reciprocal upgrade benefits within a matter of weeks, spokesman Casey Norton said.
May 15, 2014, 11:21 am
#1113
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: US Airways Gold, Marriott Platinum, SW A List
Posts: 1,575
Still don't know how they do it. Unless they just put US elites behind AA elites, and vice versa.
I think it could be easy to do for AA elites on US, but not sure how they do it on AA.
I think it could be easy to do for AA elites on US, but not sure how they do it on AA.
May 15, 2014, 11:34 am
#1115
Join Date: May 2012
Location: NY
Programs: AA Plat Pro, KrisFlyer Elite Gold
Posts: 578
I wonder if US Airways could take advantage of some of these AA planes that are just sitting around in Roswell. This satellite image from Mapfin is unbelievable!
http://mapfin.blogspot.com/2014/05/t...swell-row.html
http://mapfin.blogspot.com/2014/05/t...swell-row.html
May 15, 2014, 3:52 pm
#1117
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: US Airways Chairman's Preferred, SPG Platinum, AMEX Platinum Card, Global Entry
Posts: 177
May 15, 2014, 7:18 pm
#1118
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 1
Data point on upgrades.
I have a TUS-ABQ through PHX day trip tomorrow. I am AA EXP with my AA number in my travel profile for US through my corporate travel site.
I checked in today and the PHX-ABQ flight was upgraded to First Class automatically. None of the others segments were upgraded, but the upgrade from PHX to ABQ was a nice surprise.
I have a TUS-ABQ through PHX day trip tomorrow. I am AA EXP with my AA number in my travel profile for US through my corporate travel site.
I checked in today and the PHX-ABQ flight was upgraded to First Class automatically. None of the others segments were upgraded, but the upgrade from PHX to ABQ was a nice surprise.
May 15, 2014, 7:23 pm
#1119
Join Date: May 2012
Location: NY
Programs: AA Plat Pro, KrisFlyer Elite Gold
Posts: 578
Data point on upgrades.
I have a TUS-ABQ through PHX day trip tomorrow. I am AA EXP with my AA number in my travel profile for US through my corporate travel site.
I checked in today and the PHX-ABQ flight was upgraded to First Class automatically. None of the others segments were upgraded, but the upgrade from PHX to ABQ was a nice surprise.
I have a TUS-ABQ through PHX day trip tomorrow. I am AA EXP with my AA number in my travel profile for US through my corporate travel site.
I checked in today and the PHX-ABQ flight was upgraded to First Class automatically. None of the others segments were upgraded, but the upgrade from PHX to ABQ was a nice surprise.
May 16, 2014, 11:06 am
#1121
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DCA, EGE, IAD
Programs: MR LTT, BA Gold, AA LTP, UA Silver
Posts: 6,078
Data point on upgrades.
I have a TUS-ABQ through PHX day trip tomorrow. I am AA EXP with my AA number in my travel profile for US through my corporate travel site.
I checked in today and the PHX-ABQ flight was upgraded to First Class automatically. None of the others segments were upgraded, but the upgrade from PHX to ABQ was a nice surprise.
I have a TUS-ABQ through PHX day trip tomorrow. I am AA EXP with my AA number in my travel profile for US through my corporate travel site.
I checked in today and the PHX-ABQ flight was upgraded to First Class automatically. None of the others segments were upgraded, but the upgrade from PHX to ABQ was a nice surprise.
May 16, 2014, 10:06 pm
#1122
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 7,017
Looking at a flight to/from BOS in late July. Fare on US via PHL much less than on AA via DFW. Should I take a chance and assume I'll be eligible for upgrades on US by then? If no, then I'll probably go with DL.
May 17, 2014, 9:47 am
#1123
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: High Point, NC
Programs: None
Posts: 9,171
Assuming it's not a TATL, that's only about 2 months from now. While no one can say for sure when reciprocal upgrades will be available or what the specifics will be when available - stickers ala AA, unlimited ala US, something else. If the upgrade is important enough to change carriers over I'd go ahead and plan on a carrier that you know will get you the best chance for an upgrade. So if DL is competitive with US fares I'd go ahead and book on them.
Keep in mind that no carrier is going to guarantee you a free upgrade. You weigh the chances, play the odds and hope for the best.
Jim
Keep in mind that no carrier is going to guarantee you a free upgrade. You weigh the chances, play the odds and hope for the best.
Jim
May 22, 2014, 7:59 am
#1124
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,554
Did anyone else catch the following nugget in the May 15 WSJ article describing the fare inconsistencies between the 2 websites?
...American expects to be able to offer reciprocal upgrade benefits within a matter of weeks, spokesman Casey Norton said...
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...467397870.html
If the link does not work, try searching for: Airfare Riddle: Same Flight, Different Prices.
...American expects to be able to offer reciprocal upgrade benefits within a matter of weeks, spokesman Casey Norton said...
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/...467397870.html
If the link does not work, try searching for: Airfare Riddle: Same Flight, Different Prices.
May 22, 2014, 9:10 am
#1125
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Programs: AA EXP & 3MM, SPG GLD
Posts: 1,215
It shouldn't be a secret - it's been happening since January and while it's been a pain in the neck sometimes, I for one am grateful everything hasn't moved up to US's pricing points!!!
Will be happy about the upgrades too
Will be happy about the upgrades too