Mar 5, 2015, 10:12 pm
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Posts from 2014 through 2016 have been archived, and may be read here.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
Jan 31, 2018, 11:41 am
#166
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NYC
Posts: 56
l8r
-doc
Feb 1, 2018, 10:01 am
#169
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
For free?
EXP to/from SFO 12.75%. EXP to/from LAX 15.43%.
PPro to/from SFO 9.13%. PPro to/from LAX 11.68%.
Add 22.5% for Saturday evening flights, or add 17.5% for Sunday morning flights ex-JFK.
Add 50% if using miles/copay or SWU.
And a blanket 95% chance for both for J-to-F upgrades.
EXP to/from SFO 12.75%. EXP to/from LAX 15.43%.
PPro to/from SFO 9.13%. PPro to/from LAX 11.68%.
Add 22.5% for Saturday evening flights, or add 17.5% for Sunday morning flights ex-JFK.
Add 50% if using miles/copay or SWU.
And a blanket 95% chance for both for J-to-F upgrades.
Feb 1, 2018, 10:16 am
#171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
After 5 pm is a bit more difficult too
Feb 1, 2018, 10:22 am
#172
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 178
I was looking at that too while doing my research. I thought the fare was too good to be true for a long weekend on the west coast and worst case I do have the exit row of 11 as a backup. I like the status incase I want to change flights. However, if I get upgrade then changing flights I wont care. As for EQDs very little $3,000 in the past 12 months. Be nice to see if one to two seats available somehow I can get an upgrade. Thursday night will be difficult though and last flights to the west coast.
Feb 1, 2018, 10:41 am
#173
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt LT Global Elitist, Bonvyoed LT Titanium, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 479
The super early (6AM) / super late (9PM) flights JFK-LAX usually are pretty light in J and have a good upgrade potential. As you move closer to normal times, it gets much, much harder. JFK-SFO is also more difficult due to more limited frequencies.
Feb 1, 2018, 10:47 am
#174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
Feb 1, 2018, 10:52 am
#175
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
Well as a fairly high spend EXP (30k), I was number 4 on last Sunday morning ....and sat in MCE.
On Thursday/Friday/Sunday afternoon, its usually not happening. Saturday morning ... 6 AM flights .... maybe.
Way too many people with contract fares and company policies allowing them to travel in paid biz.
On Thursday/Friday/Sunday afternoon, its usually not happening. Saturday morning ... 6 AM flights .... maybe.
Way too many people with contract fares and company policies allowing them to travel in paid biz.
Feb 1, 2018, 11:57 am
#177
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
I would venture to guess that now with the list being prioritized by EQD within each status level that there will be a lot of EXP's that may very rarely (or even never) see an upgrade on anything but the most leisurely of routes.
Feb 1, 2018, 12:04 pm
#178
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
That's the interesting detail to me. A $30k spend and you were 4th on the list. That being 2.5x the qualifying spend for EXP and still only 4th on the list, and on a Sunday morning.
I would venture to guess that now with the list being prioritized by EQD within each status level that there will be a lot of EXP's that may very rarely (or even never) see an upgrade on anything but the most leisurely of routes.
I would venture to guess that now with the list being prioritized by EQD within each status level that there will be a lot of EXP's that may very rarely (or even never) see an upgrade on anything but the most leisurely of routes.
But, for example, I was flying out of an medium size outstation where I frequent and some of the gate agents recognize me where I was no. 5. I asked what was up and they said two CK's with their wives. I'm not complaining as that seems fair to me.
Feb 1, 2018, 12:45 pm
#180
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,013
No way won't happen my friend. Unless you are a CK or EXP with very high 2017 EQD your in the back. Hell I'm sitting here at B4 at SAT waiting to get back to DFW and I'm #5 on the upgrade list out of 52. My 2017 EQD was only $18K though. This is the first time as an EXP i have not been upgraded to F on this route. This is the new AA -- it is what it is.