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Posts from 2014 through 2016 have been archived, and may be read here.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
Sep 1, 2018, 11:24 am
#226
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL DM, AA PlatPro, Hilton DM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 1,532
Flying JFK-LAX on a Wednesday. I strategically picked the 3:30PM departure as it was J7 and 9 seats showing as available on the seat map. There were only a few flights where J was more than a handful, so I hope I have a chance on this one.
Sep 2, 2018, 12:31 am
#227
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: NY
Programs: DL DM, Ex-AA EXP, HZ Pres, MRT AMB/LTP
Posts: 130
If you read earlier in this thread last year was a rough year for most folks for upgrades. Personally I've cleared at least 7/7 upgrade this year. I hit EXP in June so its been a busy year for me. I typically fly M/Thurs. However Tuesday and Friday has cleared for me as well. I'm currently halfway through my trip. My wife and I cleared on Monday. AA 0033 JFK/LAX. YMMV
Sep 2, 2018, 2:15 am
#228
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,672
Sep 6, 2018, 7:00 am
#230
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: London / Brighton
Programs: BAEC Gold / M-Life Gold / HH Diamond
Posts: 1,635
Hi all, apologies if this is the wrong place to post. I'm flying LAX-JFK this weekend on AA2201, I'm BAEC Gold (OW Emerald), and don't belong to AAdvantage. I'm travelling in Business at the moment, but wondered if there's any AA equivalent to a BA AUP, i.e. a cash upgrade on the day of travel? If so, can I buy an upgrade at any AA ticket desk (as I'm flying in to LAX from PDX and will have more time there), or will it need to be LAX, or even the gate?
Sep 6, 2018, 7:19 am
#231
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 735
Hi all, apologies if this is the wrong place to post. I'm flying LAX-JFK this weekend on AA2201, I'm BAEC Gold (OW Emerald), and don't belong to AAdvantage. I'm travelling in Business at the moment, but wondered if there's any AA equivalent to a BA AUP, i.e. a cash upgrade on the day of travel? If so, can I buy an upgrade at any AA ticket desk (as I'm flying in to LAX from PDX and will have more time there), or will it need to be LAX, or even the gate?
If you are booked in J, D or I, you can also buy some miles on AA and do a mileage upgrade.
Sep 20, 2018, 4:55 pm
#236
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: NY
Programs: DL DM, Ex-AA EXP, HZ Pres, MRT AMB/LTP
Posts: 130
AA2201
Cleared on my return LAX-JFK. T-24. Currently delayed stuck at the gate. Not sure what the hold up is however captain has reassured we will be leaving shortly. My Sunday trip looks full. I’m going to try making a SDFC.
Oct 10, 2018, 8:19 am
#237
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Platinum, Avis Preferred
Posts: 22
Full Business empty first
How do I go about trying to get offered a load based upgrade? i am only PLT with a high EQD flying with a companion this time. I am willing to pay for an upgrade, but not the full reticketing price of ~$1900 each I have been offered so far.
Oct 10, 2018, 9:34 am
#238
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Platinum, Avis Preferred
Posts: 22
Full business, full coach, empty first
Checking again T-30 hours it shows full business, coach full except 2 seats, likely already sold to basic economy folks as only full fare economy available and 8 avail for purchase first class seats... any chance some business folks get rolled up at the gate or on the plane? or will those seats fly empty? Please help. I just want to know if I should expect to see an empty first class. It upsets me a lot.
Oct 10, 2018, 10:20 am
#239
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 214
Checking again T-30 hours it shows full business, coach full except 2 seats, likely already sold to basic economy folks as only full fare economy available and 8 avail for purchase first class seats... any chance some business folks get rolled up at the gate or on the plane? or will those seats fly empty? Please help. I just want to know if I should expect to see an empty first class. It upsets me a lot.
Oct 10, 2018, 11:25 am
#240
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: NY
Programs: DL DM, Ex-AA EXP, HZ Pres, MRT AMB/LTP
Posts: 130
Checking again T-30 hours it shows full business, coach full except 2 seats, likely already sold to basic economy folks as only full fare economy available and 8 avail for purchase first class seats... any chance some business folks get rolled up at the gate or on the plane? or will those seats fly empty? Please help. I just want to know if I should expect to see an empty first class. It upsets me a lot.