Last edit by: Prospero
A321T / 321T / Transcontinental JFK to/from LAX & SFO: Upgrade Success & Assistance
American flies the transcontinental A321T with three classes including solo First and Business pairs that fully recline horizontally. (Note the "32B" designation applies to all Airbus A321-100 and -200 - aircraft with "Sharklets" blended winglets in accord with ICAO standards, including two and three class A321s used by AA.)
It appears demand in J is high, supply less so, making this a tricky upgrade from coach to business. First sometimes looks like there’s good availability until close to departure, and it’s common that this cabin is filled deadheading.
Upgrading is challenging, and Y to J SWU or miles + copay always trumps 500 mile or DODU / courtesy upgrades within an elite tier. (500 mile and courtesy upgrades from Business to First is not allowed).
Remember, upgrade priority for these flights is:
*Y to C/J only; C to F not allowed
Cabins will generally not be “rolled” forward (e.g. J to F) to accommodate upgrades.
Those confirmed in Flagship First on these (between JFK and LAX or SFO) can access Flagship Lounges as well as Flagship First Dining at JFK or LAX, or the Admirals Club at SFO (or the LAX TBIT Qantas First lounge).
Related threads:
Aircraft guide: Which Airbus A321? (including “321”, “32B”, A321neo)
A321 Transcon / A321T / "32B" 3 class began service Jan 2014 (consolidated)
Best Business / First seat on AA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / "32B" (consolidated)
Best Economy / MCE seat on AA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / 32B (consolidated)
Posts from 2014 through 2016 have been archived, and may be read here.
Signed in members with 90 days / 90 posts can edit this Wikipost; wiki contents may be printed by using the (lower right wiki corner)
American flies the transcontinental A321T with three classes including solo First and Business pairs that fully recline horizontally. (Note the "32B" designation applies to all Airbus A321-100 and -200 - aircraft with "Sharklets" blended winglets in accord with ICAO standards, including two and three class A321s used by AA.)
It appears demand in J is high, supply less so, making this a tricky upgrade from coach to business. First sometimes looks like there’s good availability until close to departure, and it’s common that this cabin is filled deadheading.
Upgrading is challenging, and Y to J SWU or miles + copay always trumps 500 mile or DODU / courtesy upgrades within an elite tier. (500 mile and courtesy upgrades from Business to First is not allowed).
Remember, upgrade priority for these flights is:
- Elite status tier
- SWU & miles and copay
- Business Extra and “special corporate agency upgrade certificates”
- 500 mile (“stickers”) and complimentary / DODU upgrades*
- Award upgrades (CK, EXP, PRO)*
- Last 12 months’ rolling EQD spend
- Etc.
*Y to C/J only; C to F not allowed
Cabins will generally not be “rolled” forward (e.g. J to F) to accommodate upgrades.
Those confirmed in Flagship First on these (between JFK and LAX or SFO) can access Flagship Lounges as well as Flagship First Dining at JFK or LAX, or the Admirals Club at SFO (or the LAX TBIT Qantas First lounge).
Related threads:
Aircraft guide: Which Airbus A321? (including “321”, “32B”, A321neo)
A321 Transcon / A321T / "32B" 3 class began service Jan 2014 (consolidated)
Best Business / First seat on AA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / "32B" (consolidated)
Best Economy / MCE seat on AA transcon Airbus A321 / A321T / 32B (consolidated)
Posts from 2014 through 2016 have been archived, and may be read here.
Signed in members with 90 days / 90 posts can edit this Wikipost; wiki contents may be printed by using the (lower right wiki corner)
Airbus A321T / 321T “32B” Transcon JFK <--> LAX / SFO Upgrade Success / Help
#301
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#302
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#305
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last time I flew LAX-JFK in F, I was the only rev pax... and the only seat allocated on the seat map in F despite reasonably full Y and J cabins. 9 nonrevs (confirmed by FAs) filled the cabin and proceeded to take galleries full of selfies. I promptly put the bed down and slept so it didn't bother me a bit.
#306
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Timing seems a bit too coincidental, but I guess it's possible someone else got the same kind of alert and called in and snagged it seconds before the agent tried for me.
#307
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There can be a lag between timing C inventory is released and when waitlists are cleared--pretty high chance a waitlisted pax was upgraded or another expert flyer user snagged the seat.
#308
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So if I didn't have the 13-18 minute wait for a call back, I could have conceivably jumped the queue if there were previously waitlisted mileage upgraders?
#309
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It's also conceivable that in the time I called and waited for a phone rep, a waitlist check could have been run by the system, and the seat would have been gone.
#310
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I think so. I have been waitlisted, on way to the airport, and checked inventory to see there is C1 available. Then called meeting services to check on my waitlist status and have them grab the C seat manually. Other passengers, potentially with higher waitlist priority, could be jumped over when this happens.
It's also conceivable that in the time I called and waited for a phone rep, a waitlist check could have been run by the system, and the seat would have been gone.
It's also conceivable that in the time I called and waited for a phone rep, a waitlist check could have been run by the system, and the seat would have been gone.
#311
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#312
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I never got an EF alert, but I did get an AA email with a $75 receipt for the copay. So I logged into my AA account and saw that I was upgraded. .
Anyone at the LAX flagship lounge tonight, PM me.
#315
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When I received an EF alert, I Tweeted AA if they could HOLD that C space for me due to EXP desk phone would be able to return call more than 60 minutes (during bad weather). AA Tweet team did and I got UG'd. You have to give them Record Locator of course.