Change from SWU waitlist to 500 mile / sticker upgrade request? (consolidated)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: AA MM PP, MR LT Plat, Globalist
Posts: 1,004
Use SWU or 500-mile sticker within 100 hr upgrade window?
Shortly after ticketing, I requested complimentary EXP (sticker) upgrade on my transcon flight. I then called in to waitlist for a SWU upgrade on the transcon.
Once inside the 100 hour complimentary upgrade window, should I remove my SWU request and try to get the complimentary upgrade?
AA agent said I would have higher chances by remaining on the SWU waitlist. She said my sticker upgrade would be prioritized lower since I requested it at a later date. I pointed out to her that I requested the sticker upgrade and then waitlisted for the SWU. She checked and confirmed that I'm on waitlists for both the SWU and sticker upgrades.
I would think that stickers and SWUs get the same priority if they ticket into the same inventory. If I'm inside the 100 hr mark, how can I ensure that I don't lose priority by switching to the sticker upgrade?
Once inside the 100 hour complimentary upgrade window, should I remove my SWU request and try to get the complimentary upgrade?
AA agent said I would have higher chances by remaining on the SWU waitlist. She said my sticker upgrade would be prioritized lower since I requested it at a later date. I pointed out to her that I requested the sticker upgrade and then waitlisted for the SWU. She checked and confirmed that I'm on waitlists for both the SWU and sticker upgrades.
I would think that stickers and SWUs get the same priority if they ticket into the same inventory. If I'm inside the 100 hr mark, how can I ensure that I don't lose priority by switching to the sticker upgrade?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
A little time in the Upgrade section of the FAQ would provide some of this basic information about the program and prove helpful in understanding how upgrades work. Alternatively, there's always the Newbie Lounge thread for basic questions.
Cheers.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 71
Change from SWU waitlist to 500 mile / sticker upgrade request? (consolidated)
I'm on a MIA-LAX 772 flight with 4 J and 5 F seats available with about 6 days to go to a flight.
I'm an executive plat member and there is availability for SWU, but I would rather not use it.
If I confirm the SWU, can I later downgrade back to Y if I see I will have a good change of upgrading with regular unlimited stickers?
I'm an executive plat member and there is availability for SWU, but I would rather not use it.
If I confirm the SWU, can I later downgrade back to Y if I see I will have a good change of upgrading with regular unlimited stickers?
#5
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP 3MM; LH FT (*A Silver); Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite; Starwood Corporate Preferred
Posts: 782
Not a good chance. If you upgrade and then want to downgrade, the flight will have to have the same coach inventory available. I believe there may also be change fees applicable.
For only 4 J seats I think you are playing with fire thinking of doing an EXP upgrade. I'd use the eVIP as on that flight, depending on when you bought your ticket the chance of being in the "top 4" is probably petty slim. YMMV
For only 4 J seats I think you are playing with fire thinking of doing an EXP upgrade. I'd use the eVIP as on that flight, depending on when you bought your ticket the chance of being in the "top 4" is probably petty slim. YMMV
#6
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 71
Not a good chance. If you upgrade and then want to downgrade, the flight will have to have the same coach inventory available. I believe there may also be change fees applicable.
For only 4 J seats I think you are playing with fire thinking of doing an EXP upgrade. I'd use the eVIP as on that flight, depending on when you bought your ticket the chance of being in the "top 4" is probably petty slim. YMMV
For only 4 J seats I think you are playing with fire thinking of doing an EXP upgrade. I'd use the eVIP as on that flight, depending on when you bought your ticket the chance of being in the "top 4" is probably petty slim. YMMV
I just bought the ticket, so I don't think the chances are good either!
#7
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP 3MM; LH FT (*A Silver); Marriott Rewards Platinum Elite; Starwood Corporate Preferred
Posts: 782
They will only get upgrades to F if they use eVIPs themselves. The free upgrades do not apply domestically on 3-cabin service from J to F. They only ever apply from Y to the next cabin up.
Those F seats will go out with non-revs or empty. Your only option option is to hope for over sales requiring cabin roles. But I really haven't seen a lot of those in the past couple years. The AA RM team is really good. YMMV
Those F seats will go out with non-revs or empty. Your only option option is to hope for over sales requiring cabin roles. But I really haven't seen a lot of those in the past couple years. The AA RM team is really good. YMMV
#8
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
AA actually allows this- the rules around it limit it's effectiveness:
So he can request an SWU. Later he can ask to downgrade. AA will in fact downgrade him IF HIS ORIGINAL INVENTORY IS AVAILABLE. No change fees as it is only a cabin change and not one of the changes listed in the tariff as requiring a few.
He can they request an upgrade as an EXP. I believe the datestamp is when he requests that second upgrade.
So the official AA policy is "yes".
Just highly improbable it will work.
#9
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: AAdvantage, Hilton
Posts: 3,191
Really?
AA actually allows this- the rules around it limit it's effectiveness:
So he can request an SWU. Later he can ask to downgrade. AA will in fact downgrade him IF HIS ORIGINAL INVENTORY IS AVAILABLE. No change fees as it is only a cabin change and not one of the changes listed in the tariff as requiring a few.
He can they request an upgrade as an EXP. I believe the datestamp is when he requests that second upgrade.
So the official AA policy is "yes".
Just highly improbable it will work.
AA actually allows this- the rules around it limit it's effectiveness:
So he can request an SWU. Later he can ask to downgrade. AA will in fact downgrade him IF HIS ORIGINAL INVENTORY IS AVAILABLE. No change fees as it is only a cabin change and not one of the changes listed in the tariff as requiring a few.
He can they request an upgrade as an EXP. I believe the datestamp is when he requests that second upgrade.
So the official AA policy is "yes".
Just highly improbable it will work.
#10
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
They will only get upgrades to F if they use eVIPs themselves. The free upgrades do not apply domestically on 3-cabin service from J to F. They only ever apply from Y to the next cabin up.
Those F seats will go out with non-revs or empty. Your only option option is to hope for over sales requiring cabin roles. But I really haven't seen a lot of those in the past couple years. The AA RM team is really good. YMMV
Those F seats will go out with non-revs or empty. Your only option option is to hope for over sales requiring cabin roles. But I really haven't seen a lot of those in the past couple years. The AA RM team is really good. YMMV
Last edited by mvoight; Nov 23, 2014 at 4:39 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
500-mile upgrades allow you to upgrade from Economy Class to the next class of service for travel on American Airlines or American Eagle:
Within and between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Bermuda
Between the U.S. and Central America
500-mile upgrade requests are subject to capacity controls and seating limitations.
Within and between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Bermuda
Between the U.S. and Central America
500-mile upgrade requests are subject to capacity controls and seating limitations.
To the OP: It would be useful to know the exact date of your flight
Last edited by bdemaria; Nov 23, 2014 at 4:43 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Really?
AA actually allows this- the rules around it limit it's effectiveness:
So he can request an SWU. Later he can ask to downgrade. AA will in fact downgrade him IF HIS ORIGINAL INVENTORY IS AVAILABLE. No change fees as it is only a cabin change and not one of the changes listed in the tariff as requiring a few.
He can they request an upgrade as an EXP. I believe the datestamp is when he requests that second upgrade.
So the official AA policy is "yes".
Just highly improbable it will work.
AA actually allows this- the rules around it limit it's effectiveness:
So he can request an SWU. Later he can ask to downgrade. AA will in fact downgrade him IF HIS ORIGINAL INVENTORY IS AVAILABLE. No change fees as it is only a cabin change and not one of the changes listed in the tariff as requiring a few.
He can they request an upgrade as an EXP. I believe the datestamp is when he requests that second upgrade.
So the official AA policy is "yes".
Just highly improbable it will work.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
So what I and others describe is incorrect? It was confirmed that it can be done as I described... Strange. Do they prohibit the downgrade back to the original class of service, or do the prohibit the subsequent upgrade request?
The old loop hole was just "converting", which is not what OP nor I (and others) described....
The old loop hole was just "converting", which is not what OP nor I (and others) described....
#14
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,318
Whether or not it's allowed, the new date stamp will mean that, unless you are connecting, you will be down the list at the bottom of the EXPs.
4 seats with 6 days to go is not a lot on this flight unless it's clearly not a flight business folks would take.
4 seats with 6 days to go is not a lot on this flight unless it's clearly not a flight business folks would take.
#15
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
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