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 theres good availability until close to departure, and its 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Posts from 2014 through 2016 have been archived, and may be read here.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 theres good availability until close to departure, and its 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
Feb 1, 2018, 1:45 pm
#181
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
Well, other than than the JFK/LAX route, I'm fairly reliably 1 or 2 on the upgrade list.
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.
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.
Sure, I can see that. CK's being in front is fair, just like EXP in front of PPRO is fair. I just find the whole thing interesting.
Feb 1, 2018, 2:23 pm
#182
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
Feb 2, 2018, 8:32 am
#183
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 148
I flew JFK-SFO on Monday last week @ 4:20pm flight and was upgraded on Saturday (56 hours before the flight). I think 5+ people got upgraded on this flight, my seatmate was upgraded and I heard 2 people at the gate. This flight has a larger plane with more BC seats.
Feb 2, 2018, 1:58 pm
#184
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
Recent data point: AA1 (8am) last Sunday. Made it to #1 on the list as PLAT by boarding time, but ended up taking off in coach (MCE). Flight avaliability was showing J5 up till day prior.
Pro: got close to first JFK-LAX u/g--Hope!
Con: example was an early morning flight in January (off-peak+leisure heavy).
I'm finding MCE quite comfortable on this route-often have an empty seat next to me. Had 2 seats empty next to me on this flight until another pax moved (self u/g'd?). With catering in J being what it is nowadays, I don't really feel like I'm missing much in MCE (I avoid red-eye though).
Pro: got close to first JFK-LAX u/g--Hope!
Con: example was an early morning flight in January (off-peak+leisure heavy).
I'm finding MCE quite comfortable on this route-often have an empty seat next to me. Had 2 seats empty next to me on this flight until another pax moved (self u/g'd?). With catering in J being what it is nowadays, I don't really feel like I'm missing much in MCE (I avoid red-eye though).
Last edited by NYC Flyer; Feb 2, 2018 at 1:59 pm Reason: grammar
Feb 6, 2018, 5:17 pm
#186
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, UA Platinum, Alaksa MVP 75K, Air Berlin Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,389
Recent data point: AA1 (8am) last Sunday. Made it to #1 on the list as PLAT by boarding time, but ended up taking off in coach (MCE). Flight avaliability was showing J5 up till day prior.
Pro: got close to first JFK-LAX u/g--Hope!
Con: example was an early morning flight in January (off-peak+leisure heavy).
I'm finding MCE quite comfortable on this route-often have an empty seat next to me. Had 2 seats empty next to me on this flight until another pax moved (self u/g'd?). With catering in J being what it is nowadays, I don't really feel like I'm missing much in MCE (I avoid red-eye though).
Pro: got close to first JFK-LAX u/g--Hope!
Con: example was an early morning flight in January (off-peak+leisure heavy).
I'm finding MCE quite comfortable on this route-often have an empty seat next to me. Had 2 seats empty next to me on this flight until another pax moved (self u/g'd?). With catering in J being what it is nowadays, I don't really feel like I'm missing much in MCE (I avoid red-eye though).
Feb 13, 2018, 5:09 pm
#187
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: AA, Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 501
Looking to use a BXP1 cert for an SFO-> JFK redeye. There's a weekday 10 PM -> 7 AM flight and 11:30 PM -> 8:30 AM flight. Any idea which flight will have a higher likelihood of clearing? I'm still 3 months out and all the seats are ope.
Feb 14, 2018, 4:37 pm
#188
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AA Plat, National EE, Marriott Plat, HH Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 401
Call or check expertflyer?
Feb 14, 2018, 5:08 pm
#189
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,246
I am eyeing JFK-SFO next Monday. AA 1056, 177 and 85 are all F7, J7.. cabins seems pretty wide open.
Y seems quite full by the seatmap too. All are C0. Thoughts on an EXP upgrade chances?
Y seems quite full by the seatmap too. All are C0. Thoughts on an EXP upgrade chances?
Feb 16, 2018, 7:46 am
#190
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SFO, formerly BOS
Programs: AS Gold 75K and Delta PM, former AA EXP
Posts: 68
Upgraded at 36 hours for JFK-SFO flight 85 tonight. I'd say I'm consistently at about 80% upgrade success westbound and 65% eastbound in the last twelve months with $16k rolling EQD
Feb 21, 2018, 2:25 pm
#191
Moderator, Amtrak & Spirit Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: EWR :rolleyes:
Programs: AC 50K, AS MVP, AA Plat Pro, DL Plat, UA Silver, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 9,620
EXP ~18k rolling EQD cleared 47 hours out JFK-LAX on Friday flight 171.
First time I gambled on a CPU for this route. Glad it worked out.
Paid for J on the Sunday night red eye back because I knew that would be almost an impossible upgrade.
First time I gambled on a CPU for this route. Glad it worked out.
Paid for J on the Sunday night red eye back because I knew that would be almost an impossible upgrade.
Feb 21, 2018, 3:00 pm
#192
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SBA
Programs: UA & AA 1 million miler
Posts: 1,134
Midday LAX-JFK on Saturday
I'm trying upgrade my seat Y -> J for AA256 LAX-JFK 12:45PM departure on Saturday by BXP1 cert.
In general how hard is it to upgrade the flight on Saturday?
What is the priority for the BXP1 cert?
In general how hard is it to upgrade the flight on Saturday?
What is the priority for the BXP1 cert?
Feb 21, 2018, 3:38 pm
#193
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Vail, CO
Programs: AA EXP/1mm, Marriott Titanium/LT Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 626
Feb 21, 2018, 8:42 pm
#195
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SFO, SJC
Programs: AA - EXP 2MM+, Marriott PLT, UA, National Exec
Posts: 495