Feb 13, 2015, 11:53 am
Last edit by: JDiver
AA and US cross program and merged FFP upgrade questions
Upgrade peculiarities and anomalies through 16 Oct / prior to CSS / PSS merger
Please contribute summary information and links to key posts here in this wikipost!
Upgrade peculiarities and anomalies through 16 Oct / prior to CSS / PSS merger
Please contribute summary information and links to key posts here in this wikipost!
See Elite status benefits" on aa.com, in particular upgrade benefits on AA and US by status.
"Our combined loyalty program" on aa.com. In particular:
Upgrades
Now that we’ve combined loyalty programs, all complimentary upgrades on eligible flights will be auto-requested. However, elite upgrade policies will vary by airline until we combine reservation systems later in 2015 (17 October 2015).
Now that we’ve combined loyalty programs, all complimentary upgrades on eligible flights will be auto-requested. However, elite upgrade policies will vary by airline until we combine reservation systems later in 2015 (17 October 2015).
Learn more about elite upgrades
To make sure you’re eligible for elite upgrades, you should book flights that are marketed and operated by the same airline – either US Airways or American. If you’re booked on a codeshare flight, you’ll only be able to upgrade when you check in, and as always, upgrades are based on availability.
To summarize:
How to book flights marketed and operated by the same airline
Now that we’ve combined loyalty programs, all complimentary upgrades on eligible flights will be auto-requested. However, elite upgrade policies will vary by airline until we combine reservation systems later in 2015 (17 October 2015).
Now that we’ve combined loyalty programs, all complimentary upgrades on eligible flights will be auto-requested. However, elite upgrade policies will vary by airline until we combine reservation systems later in 2015 (17 October 2015).
Learn more about elite upgrades
To make sure you’re eligible for elite upgrades, you should book flights that are marketed and operated by the same airline – either US Airways or American. If you’re booked on a codeshare flight, you’ll only be able to upgrade when you check in, and as always, upgrades are based on availability.
To summarize:
- Purchase on AA.com or anywhere else + AA flight number + AA operated = OK
- Purchase on AA.com or anywhere else + AA flight number + US operated = Upgrade/waitlist at OLCI
- Purchase on AA.com or anywhere else + US flight number + US operated = OK
- Purchase on US.com or anywhere else + US flight number + US operated = OK
- Purchase on US.com or anywhere else + US flight number + AA operated = Upgrade/waitlist at OLCI
- Purchase on US.com + AA flight number + AA operated = Impossible, no AA-marketed flights sold on US.com
How to book flights marketed and operated by the same airline
See the Major Merger Updated >13 March thread for upgrades updates: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...dates-etc.html (full cross-airline upgrade compatibility will occur "later this year" when the SHARES PSS has been merged into Sabre. [/hl]Until then AA and US recommend not booking each other's codeshares with intent to upgrade.[/hl]
This is the merged, master thread about securing upgrades in the "merged AA but still operating as separate airlines" when flying with mixed ticketing, the "other" airline than the one with the flyer's frequent flyer program or status, etc. As it is a merged thread, there may be some thread discontinuity; we apologise for any difficulties.
The information below reflects the wiki in AA / US Reciprocal Elite Benefits [Master Thread]
Thanks to FT member ashill for valuable contributions to this wiki.
AA and US cross program and merged FFP upgrade questions (merged threads)
Mar 5, 2014, 1:38 pm
#46
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: UA, A3, TK, Marriott, IHG, Hertz
Posts: 280
Since you mentioned US, I'll fill that in.
US Business class has a very good hard product on the A330 - state of the art full lie-flat pod-type seats, AVOD, etc. Probably on a par with any of the domestic carriers. The 767 is a step down - lie-flat on a slant seats. Otherwise about on a par with most domestic carriers. The 757 is the worst - the old Business seats from the A330's (70 degree or so recline but not lie-flat), AVOD using portable units. Of course, the 757 is a narrow-body so not as much of a spacious feel.
Only top-tier elites (Chairman's) get any free upgrades - 2 per year for elite and companion). Otherwise you either upgrade with miles/dollars or dollars with what is called GoEnvoy if any seats are available at checkin.
Jim
US Business class has a very good hard product on the A330 - state of the art full lie-flat pod-type seats, AVOD, etc. Probably on a par with any of the domestic carriers. The 767 is a step down - lie-flat on a slant seats. Otherwise about on a par with most domestic carriers. The 757 is the worst - the old Business seats from the A330's (70 degree or so recline but not lie-flat), AVOD using portable units. Of course, the 757 is a narrow-body so not as much of a spacious feel.
Only top-tier elites (Chairman's) get any free upgrades - 2 per year for elite and companion). Otherwise you either upgrade with miles/dollars or dollars with what is called GoEnvoy if any seats are available at checkin.
Jim
Mar 5, 2014, 3:11 pm
#47
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ORD and RSW
Programs: Former long time AA EXP and CK - 4 MM; Now LTPL; Hilton Diamond; UA Platinum
Posts: 380
how big of a difference is it from business to first? DL and UA only offers businessfirst which i think they are more like a real good business.
I only travel internationally from work and it's about 60% so I don't spend the rest 40% traveling...
I really hope that when AA will take over US they will change the flight from philly TLV to NYC TLV or just add that lag.
I only travel internationally from work and it's about 60% so I don't spend the rest 40% traveling...
I really hope that when AA will take over US they will change the flight from philly TLV to NYC TLV or just add that lag.
J in the newer 773 is supposed to be better but I have not flown it yet since that plane is not yet used on any Asian routes.
Mar 12, 2014, 8:36 am
#48
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: London, Copenhagen
Programs: SK*G, BA Gold, IHG Plat AMB
Posts: 969
When do you travel? I believe we have one of the same US fares and I would also be very interested to hear any airport upgrade request experience!
Mar 12, 2014, 3:38 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,949
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 7_0_6 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/537.51.1 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/7.0 Mobile/11B651 Safari/9537.53)
Can't happen in advance. Airport agents can and will process Upgrades when you have booked the code share. Happens with all the partners who code share AA metal. AS, QR, IB, US ....
Can't happen in advance. Airport agents can and will process Upgrades when you have booked the code share. Happens with all the partners who code share AA metal. AS, QR, IB, US ....
Mar 14, 2014, 9:24 am
#54
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 282
Mar 14, 2014, 4:17 pm
#55
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dallas Area
Programs: AA EX PLT, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 149
AA metal booked via US.
EP desk says they can not put in the request due to different reservation systems.
Said I can get the upgrade when I check in at airport.
I will let you know Monday night
Mar 18, 2014, 2:12 am
#59
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
Not a chance, at least not before March 31. The US Air people at airport claim there is no way they can upgrade. AA will say the same, since they are different systems.
Mar 18, 2014, 8:43 pm
#60
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CMH
Programs: AA EXP, EBS GLD, A|Club PLT, CC Silver, HH GLD
Posts: 782
The only upgrades that I have heard working are: domestically - open seats on US Air and AA for Chairman's & EXP if there are no upgrades being requested.
I personally have had US ticket stock, US marketed, AA operated flights upgraded internationally at the airport using one of my SWUs.
I have not heard of any Chairman's successfully using their version of a SWU on AA ticket stock, AA marketed, US operated flights. Can anyone confirm this?
I personally have had US ticket stock, US marketed, AA operated flights upgraded internationally at the airport using one of my SWUs.
I have not heard of any Chairman's successfully using their version of a SWU on AA ticket stock, AA marketed, US operated flights. Can anyone confirm this?