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Posts from 2014 through 2016 have been archived, and may be read here.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
#362
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
#363
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
thought I got lucky! I think they were having a sale last fall when I got purchase it.
thanks to some suggestion up-thread...I gave in.
I purchased miles (with current bonus 11k plus 4k free at $386) and with $175 in cash I secured the upgrade.
gotta say, the phone experience was pretty bumpy but after 40 min or so they were able to sort through the ticket and confirm the upgrade
#365
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: LAX/MXP
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 560
I rarely think an upgrade is NOT worth it hehehe
Financially, not it doesn’t make any sense, just as much as any other luxurious item one might splurge once in a while.
But I flew this route in F before and I think it’s one of the best, the cabin feels so private and exclusive.
Financially, not it doesn’t make any sense, just as much as any other luxurious item one might splurge once in a while.
But I flew this route in F before and I think it’s one of the best, the cabin feels so private and exclusive.
#366
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: PWM/KBXM/BGR; Work: DCA/DFW/Everywhere; Play: LAS/MUC/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, mlife Noir, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,630
I rarely think an upgrade is NOT worth it hehehe
Financially, not it doesn’t make any sense, just as much as any other luxurious item one might splurge once in a while.
But I flew this route in F before and I think it’s one of the best, the cabin feels so private and exclusive.
btw $559 is the "normal" "sale" price for Saturday-only business class on this route -- see here, for example: https://www.google.com/flights/#flt=...;sd:1;t:f;tt:o
But you have to book way in advance. Same with the $659 weekday fares, they're available but only very sporadically. Getting those and upgrading to F is the best deal running. (Apart from positioning to Kathmandu etc.)
#367
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: LAX/MXP
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 560
Just make sure you get to LAX in time to drink a bottle of Krug (if that's your thing) and enjoy the dining. The bordeaux is nice too. Then sleep on the flight and enjoy a leisurely breakfast in JFK with a view of the skyline across the way.
btw $559 is the "normal" "sale" price for Saturday-only business class on this route -- see here, for example: https://www.google.com/flights/#flt=...;sd:1;t:f;tt:o
But you have to book way in advance. Same with the $659 weekday fares, they're available but only very sporadically. Getting those and upgrading to F is the best deal running. (Apart from positioning to Kathmandu etc.)
btw $559 is the "normal" "sale" price for Saturday-only business class on this route -- see here, for example: https://www.google.com/flights/#flt=...;sd:1;t:f;tt:o
But you have to book way in advance. Same with the $659 weekday fares, they're available but only very sporadically. Getting those and upgrading to F is the best deal running. (Apart from positioning to Kathmandu etc.)
thank you for the tips!
#368
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BNE/OOL temporarily-permanently at CAK/PIT
Programs: UA*1K & UA Club, National Ex. Elite, Hertz Pres. Circ., Amex Plat., CLEAR
Posts: 1,703
It looks like I may have to buy a J class ticket to earn enough EQMs to qualify for a promotion I signed up for... with that in mind, how difficult is upgrading from a full fare (J class, in this case) to a first class seat? I can't really figure out anything on the AA website.
I'm an AA Platinum with plenty of upgrade stickers and nothing else (no SWUs, etc.)
I'm an AA Platinum with plenty of upgrade stickers and nothing else (no SWUs, etc.)
#369
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: PWM/KBXM/BGR; Work: DCA/DFW/Everywhere; Play: LAS/MUC/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, mlife Noir, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,630
It looks like I may have to buy a J class ticket to earn enough EQMs to qualify for a promotion I signed up for... with that in mind, how difficult is upgrading from a full fare (J class, in this case) to a first class seat? I can't really figure out anything on the AA website.
I'm an AA Platinum with plenty of upgrade stickers and nothing else (no SWUs, etc.)
I'm an AA Platinum with plenty of upgrade stickers and nothing else (no SWUs, etc.)
#370
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: LAX/ONT
Programs: AS 100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott G, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 518
Not sure where to put this, I'm lucky enough to score 2 seats on JFK-LAX transcon in the saver miles, but it's a little early in the day 7 am, anyone know will/when/how AA open up same day award seat availability for same day change? Is it the same availability for upgrade inventory? I want to move it a little bit later in the day.
#371
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Not sure where to put this, I'm lucky enough to score 2 seats on JFK-LAX transcon in the saver miles, but it's a little early in the day 7 am, anyone know will/when/how AA open up same day award seat availability for same day change? Is it the same availability for upgrade inventory? I want to move it a little bit later in the day.
#372
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Gold
Posts: 181
Anyone have any thoughts on what might be going on with J inventory for the LAX-JFK flights on 5/7? Most flights are J1/J0, but have a reasonable number of seats showing open on the seatmap. Any reason they might be holding back inventory on that day? I'm booked in Y on AA32, which is J7, and am hoping some C space might open up.
#373
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NYC / MIA
Programs: AA Exec Plat
Posts: 21
Anyone have any thoughts on what might be going on with J inventory for the LAX-JFK flights on 5/7? Most flights are J1/J0, but have a reasonable number of seats showing open on the seatmap. Any reason they might be holding back inventory on that day? I'm booked in Y on AA32, which is J7, and am hoping some C space might open up.
#374
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Gold
Posts: 181
Anyone have any thoughts on what might be going on with J inventory for the LAX-JFK flights on 5/7? Most flights are J1/J0, but have a reasonable number of seats showing open on the seatmap. Any reason they might be holding back inventory on that day? I'm booked in Y on AA32, which is J7, and am hoping some C space might open up.
#375
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 67
Economy was oversold on today's AA166 so they rolled the cabins forward. Spouse and I were traveling together, but only one of us got the nod (4 people in total got upgraded, we were 4/5 on the list). Hopefully being honest about which one of us wanted the seat won't cause me to have 500-mile-upgrades deducted (since I would have gotten it complimentary); if not, I might try to complain half-heartedly...