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 31, 2014, 8:06 pm
#62
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
Apr 1, 2014, 4:50 am
#64
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Honolulu, HI
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 1,240
Apr 1, 2014, 7:45 am
#67
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
I've seen nothing to suggest they're on a tight timeline for this.
Apr 1, 2014, 8:31 am
#69
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
I asked about this at the US DCA club and they said it is coming soon for both airlines' elites……they didn't give me a definite date/timeframe though.
Apr 1, 2014, 10:33 am
#70
Join Date: May 2009
Location: IND || CMI
Programs: AA EXP 1M, Marriott LT Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hertz President Circle
Posts: 631
US Miles for upgrades will only work on US Metal, just as AA Miles for upgrades will only work on AA Metal. Now if you want to book a flight (i.e. all miles no cash) you can do US Miles with AA/US Codeshare ...
This came from the US CP line last week.
+-ADT
This came from the US CP line last week.
+-ADT
Apr 1, 2014, 8:24 pm
#71
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 148
I'm not even sure what codeshare even means in this "unified but separate" American. Most of the US flights don't show up on the AA side and vice versa. Both sides still appear to be "competing" for routes. So even if I wanted to book AA metal on the US side I have a limited options...
Apr 1, 2014, 9:53 pm
#72
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PHL
Programs: US CP/AA EXP, HHonors Diamond, Marriott PLT, National Exec Elite, Avis 1st
Posts: 490
Was on a AA operated flight last week, went out with 4 empty F seats. I know that there were at least 4 other CPs on the plane with me, and a standby list that hadn't cleared. So instead of upgrading 4 CPs to those seats, and processing 4 standbys, those seats just went out empty.
I've flown 9 AA operated flights in the past few weeks, and almost every time I politely ask about being upgraded. The answer is always "not yet", empty F seats or not.
Apr 2, 2014, 10:04 pm
#73
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Dallas
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,523
Was on a AA operated flight last week, went out with 4 empty F seats. I know that there were at least 4 other CPs on the plane with me, and a standby list that hadn't cleared. So instead of upgrading 4 CPs to those seats, and processing 4 standbys, those seats just went out empty.
I've flown 9 AA operated flights in the past few weeks, and almost every time I politely ask about being upgraded. The answer is always "not yet", empty F seats or not.
Jun 5, 2014, 10:12 am
#74
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SF BayArea
Programs: Nothing worth mentioning
Posts: 2,223
Not Yet
Was tempted to buy a great USAir E fare LAX-PHL-MAD this morning but called AA & asked if SWU's could be applied to US flights. Sadly answer was "No, not yet". AA fare was double what US was charging.
Jul 8, 2014, 7:24 am
#75
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 234
AAdvantage vs Dividend Miles automatic upgrades
From what I can gather, AAdvantage only offers complimentary automatic upgrades to business or first to EXP on any fare. Gold and Plat must be on full fare tickets to be eligible for a free upgrade.
Dividend Miles automatically upgrades any elite level at any fare level but prioritize by elite status.
Is that accurate? That's crazy that my co-workers who use Dividend Miles get upgraded to first pretty consistently but I won't because I'm AAdvantage. Just want to make sure I understand this right.
Dividend Miles automatically upgrades any elite level at any fare level but prioritize by elite status.
Is that accurate? That's crazy that my co-workers who use Dividend Miles get upgraded to first pretty consistently but I won't because I'm AAdvantage. Just want to make sure I understand this right.