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Posts from 2014 through 2016 have been archived, and may be read here.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 22, 2018, 3:07 pm
#199
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
You can't see it on AA.com or through the app. I keep all my flights in a spreadsheet so I can calculate it manually. AA agents can't see it either by the way
Mar 2, 2018, 2:53 pm
#201
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: COU
Programs: AA EXP, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 499
Hi all,
I'm booked on AA12 2018-03-06 which is currently showing J6 D4 I0 on Expertflyer. I'm EXP with probably around 17k rolling EQD.
So first the obvious...thoughts on my chances?
Second, how much do you think it would improve my chances to try a miles+copay or SWU in this instance? Looking here my understanding is doing so would put me above all EXPs who are not using miles/SWU, but below CK. Do I have that right? Do you think it'll matter?
I'm booked on AA12 2018-03-06 which is currently showing J6 D4 I0 on Expertflyer. I'm EXP with probably around 17k rolling EQD.
So first the obvious...thoughts on my chances?
Second, how much do you think it would improve my chances to try a miles+copay or SWU in this instance? Looking here my understanding is doing so would put me above all EXPs who are not using miles/SWU, but below CK. Do I have that right? Do you think it'll matter?
Mar 3, 2018, 9:27 am
#202
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: COU
Programs: AA EXP, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 499
OK, that second question is now kinda moot; I went ahead and had them waitlist me with miles+copay. The more I thought about it the more 15k+$75 just seems like a steal for 2500 miles in lie-flat J. And I'll save my SWUs for international flights where the miles+copay isn't so attractive.
Mar 3, 2018, 3:01 pm
#204
Join Date: May 2017
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 369
Mar 3, 2018, 7:37 pm
#205
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SNA
Posts: 928
OK, that second question is now kinda moot; I went ahead and had them waitlist me with miles+copay. The more I thought about it the more 15k+$75 just seems like a steal for 2500 miles in lie-flat J. And I'll save my SWUs for international flights where the miles+copay isn't so attractive.
Mar 10, 2018, 3:52 pm
#207
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
Eh. The only real advantage to First on these flights is better privacy since the seating is 1-1 instead of 2-2. I often see discount First on this route selling for $100 or less as a premium to Business, so I wouldn't call a $250 upgrade a particularly good deal.
Mar 10, 2018, 5:42 pm
#208
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SNA
Posts: 928
I agree 100%. In my experience, F and J service and food on this route are near-identical. Only compelling reason for ANY paid upgrade would be Flagship First Dining, but certainly not worth $250.
Mar 10, 2018, 6:10 pm
#209
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,136
If OP has the cash and hasn't flown F it could be a nice treat, especially with flagship dining on both ends (though three meals in 7-8 hours is a lot).