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)
Aug 5, 2014, 7:55 pm
#91
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central Mass
Programs: Independent
Posts: 4,829
You might want to read this thread, which is about upgrade reciprocity with AA and US, and how it is developing:
1st stage of reciprocal upgrades US<->AA [11 Jun 2014]
1st stage of reciprocal upgrades US<->AA [11 Jun 2014]
Aug 5, 2014, 10:27 pm
#92
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
The only airlines AAdvantage miles seem to be usable for upgrades are American, British and Iberia. See here.
Last edited by JDiver; Aug 5, 2014 at 10:33 pm
Aug 6, 2014, 4:11 pm
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
I suspect that's what current state of the art is, then.
The only airlines AAdvantage miles seem to be usable for upgrades are American, British and Iberia. See here.
The only airlines AAdvantage miles seem to be usable for upgrades are American, British and Iberia. See here.
Aug 6, 2014, 6:21 pm
#94
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,859
I'd like to see some sort of transfer system like UA and CO had during the early days. You could move miles freely between the two programs, though it might take a day or two for the miles to show up. It made for easier redemptions by combining miles and allowing for mileage upgrades until the programs merged.
To the OP - No, there is currently no way to upgrade on AA flights with US miles.
Sep 10, 2014, 5:40 am
#95
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver
Posts: 70
Business Class Upgrade on AA, Credit Miles to US
Would appreciate some insight to the following: Would like to know if it's even possible to upgrade an AA international segment (Y->C) using AA Miles + $$$ but ultimately credit mileage to my US DM account? Have done research here but can't find the answer. It would appear that I need my AA number in the record to get on the upgrade waitlist, but if and when the upgrade does clear, can I then change my number back to US Dividend Miles (or for that matter any partner) and retain the upgrade? Thx...
Sep 11, 2014, 6:40 pm
#96
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,859
Would appreciate some insight to the following: Would like to know if it's even possible to upgrade an AA international segment (Y->C) using AA Miles + $$$ but ultimately credit mileage to my US DM account? Have done research here but can't find the answer. It would appear that I need my AA number in the record to get on the upgrade waitlist, but if and when the upgrade does clear, can I then change my number back to US Dividend Miles (or for that matter any partner) and retain the upgrade? Thx...
Oct 15, 2014, 5:51 pm
#97
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 15
AA Upgrades on US (TA)
So American has changed or dropped most of its flights to Europe forcing us to fly to Philly and catching a US Air flight. Next to no flights to Madrid anymore, flights to Heathrow now leave so late, there are few connections available (I fly out of DFW). Plenty of choices out of Philly, but on UA Air. No upgrades, system-wide or with points available for AA flyers. I'm AA EP and can't even get priority seating on US Air flights! When will this all be over?
Oct 15, 2014, 6:12 pm
#98
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EP, UA Gold-MM, UA 1K (former), GS (former),SPG LT Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,299
Oct 15, 2014, 8:20 pm
#99
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Welcome to FlyerTalk.
You might want to read the existing thread on AA - US reciprocal upgrades:http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...un-2014-a.html
You might want to read the existing thread on AA - US reciprocal upgrades:http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...un-2014-a.html
Oct 15, 2014, 8:30 pm
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
AA elites are eligible to reserve preferred seats on US, not Choice seats. It's the same for US elites. If the agent failed to explain that to you, their bad.
Quite some hyperbole there. No, AA has not (permanently, nor seasonally) dropped most of its AA-operated flights to Europe.
Quite some hyperbole there. No, AA has not (permanently, nor seasonally) dropped most of its AA-operated flights to Europe.
Oct 16, 2014, 7:15 am
#102
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 15
Everything on-line routes you thru Philly. If I try to force it thru Heathrow, I get there so late, there on few connections - use to leave at 3:30, now leaves at 6:30. Madrid use to be a big European hub, now the only way to get to Madrid is thru ORD or JFK, no direct flights anymore. This is all from Dallas.
Last edited by Jmk55; Oct 16, 2014 at 7:23 am
Oct 16, 2014, 10:41 am
#105
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170