Dec 12, 2015, 8:55 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
FAQ: What's a Systemwide Upgrade SWU (ex-VIP / VIPOW / "eVIP") 2017 on
Please read this wiki for important information not documented elsewhere.
NOTE: CHANGES
NOTE: SWUs are no longer automatically awarded upon achieving Platinum Pro (PP) or Executive Platinum (EXP) status. Starting in the 2021 calendar year, AA switched to Elite Choice Awards. When a member achieves PP status, the member earns one Elite Choice Award. If the member goes on to achieve EXP status, the member earns two additional elite choice awards. Each elite choice award can be redeemed until 12/31 of the following year (example: a member who reaches PP in July 2021 has until December 31, 2022 to redeem the elite choice award). A PP elite choice award can be redeemed for one SWU or other choices; each EXP elite choice award can be redeemed for two SWUs or other choices. Therefore, a member who reaches EXP can choose from one to five SWUs. When an elite choice award is redeemed for one or two SWUs, the SWU(s) are immediately deposited, and expire one year from the day they are deposited.
NOTE: SWUs awarded in 2019 expiring 31 Jan 2021 have been extended through 31 July 2021; this is now reflected in online accounts.
NOTE: Upgrade waitlist priority is 1) Status, followed by 2) type of upgrade, 3)Rolling EQD earning for last 365 days as of 20 May 2017. Link to FT thread.
Remember: EQM earning will vary from 0 to 3.0 EQM per base mile, based on eligible fare class and marketing airline, on EQM earning fares.
As of January 2017
"The way your upgrade request is prioritized is you'll be listed according to your elite status level followed by (the type of upgrade - SWU and Upgrade Award, aka miles + copay), the number of EQD (Elite Qualifying Dollars) earned in the (rolling) last 12 months."
Upgrades are prioritized first by the following elite status levels:
Concierge Key SM (up to 120 hours out)
Executive Platinum (up to 100 hours out)
Platinum Pro (up to 72 hours out)
Platinum (up to 48 hours out)
Gold (up to 24 hours out)
After status tier, upgrades are prioritized by the type of upgrade (SWU and miles + copay before 500 Mile e-upgrades / UDU; your last 12 months' Elite Qualifying Dollar spend on AA. See FAQ: Earning EQD / Elite Qualifying Dollars on AA and partner airlines (2017 on) (EQD will include the EQD offset one might earn from spend on their Barclaycard Aviator Red or Silver card, as announced elsewhere in this forum.)
Date of request has no bearing on upgrade priority other than after all other priorities have been met and there’s a highly unlikely tie.
From AA.com... "Before you get to the airport, requests for systemwide and mileage award upgrades are processed independently from 500-mile upgrade requests.
At the airport, upgrades requested will be prioritized in this order:
See: https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...am-updates.jsp
Systemwide Upgrade FAQ:
Q. What are Systemwide Upgrades, exactly?
Electronic Systemwide Upgrades, abbreviated SWU, also previously referred to as eVIPs or VIPs, are electronic instruments earned as stated previously. SWU generally allow the owner to upgrade up to three segments, more or less in the same direction, on any flights AA flies with their own aircraft (not valid on partners or codeshares -- flights must be marketed and operated by AA), on most paid, published fares to the next class of service. (Successful upgrades on a single SWU include EZE-MIA-JFK-LHR, NRT-LAX-DFW-LHR.)
Q. When do SWU clear?
Upgrades can clear immediately if the appropriate inventory is available (e.g., Coach to Business (and domestic First on two class aircraft) requires "C" class to be available, Business to First requires "A" class to be available). Otherwise, SWU may be waitlisted in priority of AAdvantage status, followed by last 12 months EQD spend (and within those, by fare class if they are full fare Y).
Q. Can I use SWU on codeshares operated by AA?
No. (Though 001 AA ticketing is not a requirement), the flight must be marketed and operated by AA.
Q. Are any fare classes ineligible / invalid for SWU upgrades?
Some government and consolidator fares may not be upgraded. Award flights may not be upgraded with SWU. See post #683 by JonNYC:
Invalid (for SWU upgrade)
*The reason for not allowing SWU / eVIP upgrades to be used in conjunction with a military/government fare is not based on the fare level (although they are discounted), but rather it is based on the full flexibility those fares provide. Military/government fares provide a huge benefit to the customer already in that they can be booked at the last minute and canceled or changed with no advance notice and no penalties. As such, they are not allowed to be used in conjunction with a SWU.
Can I still make use of my SWU and credit the flight(s) to another airline?
You are not supposed to. If switching from AAdvantage to another scheme's FFN, please be aware: Benefitting from a privilege granted for your AAdvantage status and changing your FFN to earn on another airline is generally prohibited by AAdvantage Terms and Conditions. Doing so might risk that benefit (e.g. upgrade).
From the AAdvantage Terms and Conditions (link)
Q. Can I see SWU eligible flights on aa.com? If not, where?
aa.com will show if a flight has SWU availability, provided the member is logged in and has sufficient SWUs in their account. One can see required inventory (A or C) using ExpertFlyer Upgrade and Award query (not Flight Availability query) or other tools.
Q. What is the priority order for SWU wait list clearing?
Priority for wait listing is based first on AAdvantage status of requestor, then by rolling EQD earning during las 12 months; within those criteria, full fare (J or Y) trumps discounted fares.
NOTE: once the booking goes to airport control you may have to request your SWU request be reactivated. Those travel companions previously prioritized by the sponsor's status no longer revert to their own status at airport control.
Q. How do I know if my SWU request has been waitlisted?
The app as well as the web page shows requested and confirmed upgrades.
If my SWU clears on AA but the flights is cancelled or delayed, and I get put on another AA or partner flight, will my upgrade be preserved / honored?
On AA and Joint Business Venture partners (AY, BA, IB, JL, QF), AA will attempt to honor the upgrade. On other airline partners it is unlikely.
Q. Can I gift SWUs to others, and will my or their status apply?
You may certainly gift SWU to others. They will have to provide you their information, including PNR, and you will have to call it in. Your status can carry over to one traveling companion (on your itinerary) until the SWU passes to airport control; otherwise, SWU priority will depend on the user's AAdvantage status followed by date of upgrade request.
Q. What if I apply a SWU to a traveling companion?
They will “borrow” your status if they are flying as your single traveling companion on the same flights. Otherwise, their status will determine their position on the upgrade wait list. This "borrowed" status was previously lost once the flight has gone to airport control; it doesn’t now, but it pays to check and see if it has been mismanaged by software - it can be restored when it has passed to airport control.
Q. Can I sell or purchase SWUs to / from others (e.g. on eBay or CraigsList)?
While SWU may be gifted to others, AAdvantage rules prohibit selling / purchasing, trading or bartering various instruments, including SWU. A sold SWU will, if caught by AA Corporate Security AAdvantage Fraud (and they actively seek these out), cause SWU / upgrade cancellation at minimum and may even include closing the seller's account with forfeiture of miles, upgrade instruments and even elite status.
Further useful details about using SWU
● Members who achieve Platinum Pro (PP) status receive one Elite Choice Award, which may be redeemed for one SWU (among other choices). Members who achieve PP between 1/1/2021 and 2/28/2022 have until 12/31/2022 to redeem the Elite Choice Award. If an SWU is chosen, the SWU is immediately deposited and expires one year from the date deposited.
● Members who achieve Executive Platinum (EXP) status receive two Elite Choice Awards, each of which may be redeemed for two SWUs (among other choices). Members who achieve EXP between 1/1/2021 and 2/28/2022 have until 12/31/2022 to redeem their Elite Choice Awards. If two SWUs are chosen for an award, the SWUs are immediately deposited and expire one year from the date deposited.
● Members who reach 120,000, 160,000 or 200,000 EQMs between 1/1/2021 and 2/28/2022 may choose two SWUs (or additional redeemable miles or a gift of status) upon reaching 120,000, 160,000 and 200,000 EQMs.
● Two SWUs (more) are earned by Concierge Key members.
● Four SWUs are earned by those crossing Million Miler thresholds of 2MM and every Million Miles milestone thereafter.
● SWUs may be transferred or gifted (not bargained, bartered or sold) to anyone the owner chooses - the owner must authorize the transfer and provide at minimum the designated person's name, frequent flyer #, and PNR. Note fees and taxes may be due, such as APD / Air Passenger Duty due for flights originating in the UK (or with connections exceeding 23:59).
● AA tends to protect passengers granted upgrades with SWUs if IROPS move them to other oneworld flights, particularly JBV partners (AA, AY, BA, IB, JL, preserving already granted upgrades (not waitlisted).
● N.B. A customer may use an SWU to upgrade a flight that departs after the SWU's expiration date, provided the SWU clears (the upgrade is confirmed) and the ticket is (re)issued before the SWU expires. (Previously this had been allowed only for 'high value' customers). See for example:
https://thepointsguy.com/news/americ...wide-upgrades/
● N.B. In the good old days, if there were not sufficient C space (e.g., a party of three but only two upgrades available), agents could ask Revenue Management to release an additional seat, which revenue management sometimes would. This is no longer done, even for CK.
● If you don't want to wait list your SWU so that it automatically encumbered when a domestic segment becomes available for upgrade, but only want the domestic segments to clear if the international segment clears, ask the AA EP agent to waitlist the international portion but "DSR" the domestic segments; that way, the domestic segments will only clear if the international segment clears. Note: it's possible that the domestic segment has SWU upgrade inventory initially, but by the time the international flight becomes available to upgrade, availability is gone on the domestic flight.
● SWU application can include co-terminals: JonNYC, post #601: "This is the current list of MAC airports, and, as far as I understand it, are generally recognized for revenue tickets including SWU application to same:
● UK Air Passenger Duty / APD for LHR/UK departures: (Often incorrectly called "Luxury tax"): Departing from the UK (or on a layover of 24:00 or longer via the U.K.), you'll be charged the full APD (the lowest cabin class - usually economy - pays only half APD). This applies for upgrades to business only. Upgrading business to first doesn't incur this, (since your business ticket already included the full APD). This does not apply TO the U.K. or to connecting in under 24:00 in the U.K. Other airports may impose other taxes, e.g. HKG is USD $2.80.
● Through (two flights with the same flight number, or through flights with stops) flights pose challenges insofar as upgrade availability must exist on all sectors. You may have to call AA to use a SWU on through flights.
Suggested reading:
aa.com: SYSTEMWIDE UPGRADES AND FAQS
FlyerTalk: Upgrades / SWUs / eVIPs and UK APD / Air Passenger Duty questions
New *internal* changes will 90%+ eliminate post-expiration use of SWUs by JonNYC
This post in the thread entitled "Reversing Use of SWU. Is this possible?" (it is not. AA no longer allows cancelling a SWU and substituting "stickers".)
MODERATOR NOTE
Archived posts from 2017 may be read here.
Posts prior to 2016 may be read here: ARCHIVE: SWU / VIP / eVIP Systemwide Upgrade questions
NOTE: This thread is for the discussion of the mechanics of AA systemwide upgrades. For "chance of upgrade clearing" questions, please use this thread: 2015 Chances of Upgrade Clearing and Upgrade Availability Discussion (consolidated)
Please note there is a separate thread discussing lost / missing/ misappropriated SWUs:
Missing / someone else used / unauthorized use my SWU / VIP / eVIP (merged)
American AAdvantage Forum Moderator Team
FAQ: Internal IT changes eliminate 90+% of post-expiry SWU use 26 Jun 2014
Q. I've been able to encumber expiring SWU past their expiration date if I find the proper upgrade inventory available prior to that date. Is this feature still available to Executive Platinum members?
A. Not for most. The option was possible due to software limitations. New software, AAcoRN, put into place 26 June 2014, will prevent this from occurring for "unqualified" members; only "qualified" members will be allowed to encumber SWU past their expiry date in the future. (See post #1)
Q. How do I know if I am a "qualified" member?
A. You can try to call and encumber expiring SWU past their expiry. If you are not allowed to, you aren't.
Q. So, exactly who does AA consider "qualified"?
A. A very high value AAdvantage member, as measured by the internal "Helix" system, which assigns an "Eagles" ranking from 1 to 5 (the more, the better).
Q. I've never heard of this. When did it start?
A. AA's rating system was originally based on three colors, green, yellow and red, which changed to 1-3 Eagles and was later expanded to 1-5 Eagles.
Q. How are Eagles scores assigned? Are they static, or do they change?
A. It has been said spend and fare classes (think lots of annual travel in fare classes of D and above) may affect your Eagles score, as well as OSO and negative incidents you have experienced that might result in your moving your custom to another airline. It is also said your Helix score is updated periodically, perhaps even nightly.
Q. How can I find out my Helix score / how many Eagles I have?
A. You can't. AA employees are not empowered to discuss the Helix system with customers. If you normally get extra SWU once you've made EP, are allowed to extend SWU use and find EP desk agents are willing to bend rules for you often, speculative, you might have 4-5 Eagles rating.
Q. So, this is a hidden tier higher than Executive Platinum?
A. No, because it doesn't give you privileges beyond EP beyond those mentioned, e.g. courtesy Club membership or additional priority for boarding or upgrades, like Concierge Key may.
Q. Do others than Executive Platinum have Helix / Eagles scores?
A. It can be safely assumed all AAdvantage members have such scores.
Please read this wiki for important information not documented elsewhere.
NOTE: CHANGES
NOTE: SWUs are no longer automatically awarded upon achieving Platinum Pro (PP) or Executive Platinum (EXP) status. Starting in the 2021 calendar year, AA switched to Elite Choice Awards. When a member achieves PP status, the member earns one Elite Choice Award. If the member goes on to achieve EXP status, the member earns two additional elite choice awards. Each elite choice award can be redeemed until 12/31 of the following year (example: a member who reaches PP in July 2021 has until December 31, 2022 to redeem the elite choice award). A PP elite choice award can be redeemed for one SWU or other choices; each EXP elite choice award can be redeemed for two SWUs or other choices. Therefore, a member who reaches EXP can choose from one to five SWUs. When an elite choice award is redeemed for one or two SWUs, the SWU(s) are immediately deposited, and expire one year from the day they are deposited.
NOTE: SWUs awarded in 2019 expiring 31 Jan 2021 have been extended through 31 July 2021; this is now reflected in online accounts.
NOTE: Upgrade waitlist priority is 1) Status, followed by 2) type of upgrade, 3)Rolling EQD earning for last 365 days as of 20 May 2017. Link to FT thread.
- Executive Platinum members receive an additional two SWUs (or may choose bonus miles or to gift status) when they reach 120,000, 160,000 and 200,000 EQMs in 2021 (which includes January and February 2022).
Remember: EQM earning will vary from 0 to 3.0 EQM per base mile, based on eligible fare class and marketing airline, on EQM earning fares.
As of January 2017
"The way your upgrade request is prioritized is you'll be listed according to your elite status level followed by (the type of upgrade - SWU and Upgrade Award, aka miles + copay), the number of EQD (Elite Qualifying Dollars) earned in the (rolling) last 12 months."
Upgrades are prioritized first by the following elite status levels:
Concierge Key SM (up to 120 hours out)
Executive Platinum (up to 100 hours out)
Platinum Pro (up to 72 hours out)
Platinum (up to 48 hours out)
Gold (up to 24 hours out)
After status tier, upgrades are prioritized by the type of upgrade (SWU and miles + copay before 500 Mile e-upgrades / UDU; your last 12 months' Elite Qualifying Dollar spend on AA. See FAQ: Earning EQD / Elite Qualifying Dollars on AA and partner airlines (2017 on) (EQD will include the EQD offset one might earn from spend on their Barclaycard Aviator Red or Silver card, as announced elsewhere in this forum.)
Date of request has no bearing on upgrade priority other than after all other priorities have been met and there’s a highly unlikely tie.
From AA.com... "Before you get to the airport, requests for systemwide and mileage award upgrades are processed independently from 500-mile upgrade requests.
At the airport, upgrades requested will be prioritized in this order:
- Status tier (CK, EXP, PPRO, PLT, GLD, no status)
- Upgrade type
- Systemwide and mileage + copay upgrades
- 500-mile upgrades on purchased tickets
- 500-mile upgrades on award tickets for eligible status tiers
- Rolling last 12 month EQD spend
- Fare booking code (highest to lowest )
- Date/time of the request
- Load Factor Based Upgrades (after all other upgrade requests have been fulfilled)
See: https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...am-updates.jsp
Systemwide Upgrade FAQ:
Q. What are Systemwide Upgrades, exactly?
Electronic Systemwide Upgrades, abbreviated SWU, also previously referred to as eVIPs or VIPs, are electronic instruments earned as stated previously. SWU generally allow the owner to upgrade up to three segments, more or less in the same direction, on any flights AA flies with their own aircraft (not valid on partners or codeshares -- flights must be marketed and operated by AA), on most paid, published fares to the next class of service. (Successful upgrades on a single SWU include EZE-MIA-JFK-LHR, NRT-LAX-DFW-LHR.)
Q. When do SWU clear?
Upgrades can clear immediately if the appropriate inventory is available (e.g., Coach to Business (and domestic First on two class aircraft) requires "C" class to be available, Business to First requires "A" class to be available). Otherwise, SWU may be waitlisted in priority of AAdvantage status, followed by last 12 months EQD spend (and within those, by fare class if they are full fare Y).
Q. Can I use SWU on codeshares operated by AA?
No. (Though 001 AA ticketing is not a requirement), the flight must be marketed and operated by AA.
Q. Are any fare classes ineligible / invalid for SWU upgrades?
Some government and consolidator fares may not be upgraded. Award flights may not be upgraded with SWU. See post #683 by JonNYC:
Invalid (for SWU upgrade)
- Military fares*
- Government fares*
- Agency/industry discounts
- Employee travel booked in E
- AAdvantage/promotion free or companion tickets
- Ticket designators that require a certificate (CEN20, etc.) - contact MSD to verify
- MSD Site products (ticket designator SITE)
- CAT25/CAT25 Group Fares for MCLA
- Charter flights
- Infant tickets
- Purchased extra seats (one passenger)
- Opaque fares
- Award tickets
*The reason for not allowing SWU / eVIP upgrades to be used in conjunction with a military/government fare is not based on the fare level (although they are discounted), but rather it is based on the full flexibility those fares provide. Military/government fares provide a huge benefit to the customer already in that they can be booked at the last minute and canceled or changed with no advance notice and no penalties. As such, they are not allowed to be used in conjunction with a SWU.
Can I still make use of my SWU and credit the flight(s) to another airline?
You are not supposed to. If switching from AAdvantage to another scheme's FFN, please be aware: Benefitting from a privilege granted for your AAdvantage status and changing your FFN to earn on another airline is generally prohibited by AAdvantage Terms and Conditions. Doing so might risk that benefit (e.g. upgrade).
From the AAdvantage Terms and Conditions (link)
Q. Can I see SWU eligible flights on aa.com? If not, where?
aa.com will show if a flight has SWU availability, provided the member is logged in and has sufficient SWUs in their account. One can see required inventory (A or C) using ExpertFlyer Upgrade and Award query (not Flight Availability query) or other tools.
Q. What is the priority order for SWU wait list clearing?
Priority for wait listing is based first on AAdvantage status of requestor, then by rolling EQD earning during las 12 months; within those criteria, full fare (J or Y) trumps discounted fares.
NOTE: once the booking goes to airport control you may have to request your SWU request be reactivated. Those travel companions previously prioritized by the sponsor's status no longer revert to their own status at airport control.
Q. How do I know if my SWU request has been waitlisted?
The app as well as the web page shows requested and confirmed upgrades.
If my SWU clears on AA but the flights is cancelled or delayed, and I get put on another AA or partner flight, will my upgrade be preserved / honored?
On AA and Joint Business Venture partners (AY, BA, IB, JL, QF), AA will attempt to honor the upgrade. On other airline partners it is unlikely.
Q. Can I gift SWUs to others, and will my or their status apply?
You may certainly gift SWU to others. They will have to provide you their information, including PNR, and you will have to call it in. Your status can carry over to one traveling companion (on your itinerary) until the SWU passes to airport control; otherwise, SWU priority will depend on the user's AAdvantage status followed by date of upgrade request.
Q. What if I apply a SWU to a traveling companion?
They will “borrow” your status if they are flying as your single traveling companion on the same flights. Otherwise, their status will determine their position on the upgrade wait list. This "borrowed" status was previously lost once the flight has gone to airport control; it doesn’t now, but it pays to check and see if it has been mismanaged by software - it can be restored when it has passed to airport control.
Q. Can I sell or purchase SWUs to / from others (e.g. on eBay or CraigsList)?
While SWU may be gifted to others, AAdvantage rules prohibit selling / purchasing, trading or bartering various instruments, including SWU. A sold SWU will, if caught by AA Corporate Security AAdvantage Fraud (and they actively seek these out), cause SWU / upgrade cancellation at minimum and may even include closing the seller's account with forfeiture of miles, upgrade instruments and even elite status.
Further useful details about using SWU
● Members who achieve Platinum Pro (PP) status receive one Elite Choice Award, which may be redeemed for one SWU (among other choices). Members who achieve PP between 1/1/2021 and 2/28/2022 have until 12/31/2022 to redeem the Elite Choice Award. If an SWU is chosen, the SWU is immediately deposited and expires one year from the date deposited.
● Members who achieve Executive Platinum (EXP) status receive two Elite Choice Awards, each of which may be redeemed for two SWUs (among other choices). Members who achieve EXP between 1/1/2021 and 2/28/2022 have until 12/31/2022 to redeem their Elite Choice Awards. If two SWUs are chosen for an award, the SWUs are immediately deposited and expire one year from the date deposited.
● Members who reach 120,000, 160,000 or 200,000 EQMs between 1/1/2021 and 2/28/2022 may choose two SWUs (or additional redeemable miles or a gift of status) upon reaching 120,000, 160,000 and 200,000 EQMs.
● Two SWUs (more) are earned by Concierge Key members.
● Four SWUs are earned by those crossing Million Miler thresholds of 2MM and every Million Miles milestone thereafter.
● SWUs may be transferred or gifted (not bargained, bartered or sold) to anyone the owner chooses - the owner must authorize the transfer and provide at minimum the designated person's name, frequent flyer #, and PNR. Note fees and taxes may be due, such as APD / Air Passenger Duty due for flights originating in the UK (or with connections exceeding 23:59).
● AA tends to protect passengers granted upgrades with SWUs if IROPS move them to other oneworld flights, particularly JBV partners (AA, AY, BA, IB, JL, preserving already granted upgrades (not waitlisted).
● N.B. A customer may use an SWU to upgrade a flight that departs after the SWU's expiration date, provided the SWU clears (the upgrade is confirmed) and the ticket is (re)issued before the SWU expires. (Previously this had been allowed only for 'high value' customers). See for example:
https://thepointsguy.com/news/americ...wide-upgrades/
● N.B. In the good old days, if there were not sufficient C space (e.g., a party of three but only two upgrades available), agents could ask Revenue Management to release an additional seat, which revenue management sometimes would. This is no longer done, even for CK.
● If you don't want to wait list your SWU so that it automatically encumbered when a domestic segment becomes available for upgrade, but only want the domestic segments to clear if the international segment clears, ask the AA EP agent to waitlist the international portion but "DSR" the domestic segments; that way, the domestic segments will only clear if the international segment clears. Note: it's possible that the domestic segment has SWU upgrade inventory initially, but by the time the international flight becomes available to upgrade, availability is gone on the domestic flight.
● SWU application can include co-terminals: JonNYC, post #601: "This is the current list of MAC airports, and, as far as I understand it, are generally recognized for revenue tickets including SWU application to same:
- WAS (DCA, IAD)
- DFW (DFW, DAL)
- HOU (HOU, IAH)
- NYC (JFK, LGA) (I think there is a separate rule that says EWR is always part of NYC for this purpose as well)
- LON (LGW, LHR, STN)
- SLU (UVF, SLU)
- TYO (HND, NRT)
● UK Air Passenger Duty / APD for LHR/UK departures: (Often incorrectly called "Luxury tax"): Departing from the UK (or on a layover of 24:00 or longer via the U.K.), you'll be charged the full APD (the lowest cabin class - usually economy - pays only half APD). This applies for upgrades to business only. Upgrading business to first doesn't incur this, (since your business ticket already included the full APD). This does not apply TO the U.K. or to connecting in under 24:00 in the U.K. Other airports may impose other taxes, e.g. HKG is USD $2.80.
● Through (two flights with the same flight number, or through flights with stops) flights pose challenges insofar as upgrade availability must exist on all sectors. You may have to call AA to use a SWU on through flights.
Suggested reading:
aa.com: SYSTEMWIDE UPGRADES AND FAQS
FlyerTalk: Upgrades / SWUs / eVIPs and UK APD / Air Passenger Duty questions
New *internal* changes will 90%+ eliminate post-expiration use of SWUs by JonNYC
This post in the thread entitled "Reversing Use of SWU. Is this possible?" (it is not. AA no longer allows cancelling a SWU and substituting "stickers".)
MODERATOR NOTE
Archived posts from 2017 may be read here.
Posts prior to 2016 may be read here: ARCHIVE: SWU / VIP / eVIP Systemwide Upgrade questions
NOTE: This thread is for the discussion of the mechanics of AA systemwide upgrades. For "chance of upgrade clearing" questions, please use this thread: 2015 Chances of Upgrade Clearing and Upgrade Availability Discussion (consolidated)
Please note there is a separate thread discussing lost / missing/ misappropriated SWUs:
Missing / someone else used / unauthorized use my SWU / VIP / eVIP (merged)
American AAdvantage Forum Moderator Team
FAQ: Internal IT changes eliminate 90+% of post-expiry SWU use 26 Jun 2014
Q. I've been able to encumber expiring SWU past their expiration date if I find the proper upgrade inventory available prior to that date. Is this feature still available to Executive Platinum members?
A. Not for most. The option was possible due to software limitations. New software, AAcoRN, put into place 26 June 2014, will prevent this from occurring for "unqualified" members; only "qualified" members will be allowed to encumber SWU past their expiry date in the future. (See post #1)
Q. How do I know if I am a "qualified" member?
A. You can try to call and encumber expiring SWU past their expiry. If you are not allowed to, you aren't.
Q. So, exactly who does AA consider "qualified"?
A. A very high value AAdvantage member, as measured by the internal "Helix" system, which assigns an "Eagles" ranking from 1 to 5 (the more, the better).
Q. I've never heard of this. When did it start?
A. AA's rating system was originally based on three colors, green, yellow and red, which changed to 1-3 Eagles and was later expanded to 1-5 Eagles.
Q. How are Eagles scores assigned? Are they static, or do they change?
A. It has been said spend and fare classes (think lots of annual travel in fare classes of D and above) may affect your Eagles score, as well as OSO and negative incidents you have experienced that might result in your moving your custom to another airline. It is also said your Helix score is updated periodically, perhaps even nightly.
Q. How can I find out my Helix score / how many Eagles I have?
A. You can't. AA employees are not empowered to discuss the Helix system with customers. If you normally get extra SWU once you've made EP, are allowed to extend SWU use and find EP desk agents are willing to bend rules for you often, speculative, you might have 4-5 Eagles rating.
Q. So, this is a hidden tier higher than Executive Platinum?
A. No, because it doesn't give you privileges beyond EP beyond those mentioned, e.g. courtesy Club membership or additional priority for boarding or upgrades, like Concierge Key may.
Q. Do others than Executive Platinum have Helix / Eagles scores?
A. It can be safely assumed all AAdvantage members have such scores.
FAQ: What's a Systemwide Upgrade / SWU / VIP and how to use? (Master thread)
Jul 5, 2019, 11:54 am
#661
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
This is the way I request all my wailtlisted SWUs/long-haul upgrades - only on the long-haul segment - to prevent the possibility that the short-haul clears and the long-haul doesn't (thus burning a SWU on a short domestic). As an EXP, I let the complimentary sticker upgrade process take care of the short-hauls most of the time.
That said, I travel solo, and have never applied a SWU to an itinerary where there is a traveler that is not eligible for domestic complimentary upgrades.
Jul 5, 2019, 3:59 pm
#662
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 37
Flying from Buenos Aires EZE-JFK on 7/7 and the flight currently shows the following on ExpertFlyer J7 R7 D7 I6 W5 P5 Y0 and the rest of economy as 0. I currently have a SWU requested, however, it has not cleared and there is no C space open yet, surprisingly... Given that expertflyer is only showing biz class and premium economy available, would it be safe to assume that this flight is oversold and I would probably get an Op-Up to J and not have to burn a SWU? Don’t want to burn one if I likely will be upgraded due to capacity issues Any thoughts on this strategy?
Jul 5, 2019, 6:26 pm
#663
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: HH Lifetime Diamond, AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 586
Flying from Buenos Aires EZE-JFK on 7/7 and the flight currently shows the following on ExpertFlyer J7 R7 D7 I6 W5 P5 Y0 and the rest of economy as 0. I currently have a SWU requested, however, it has not cleared and there is no C space open yet, surprisingly... Given that expertflyer is only showing biz class and premium economy available, would it be safe to assume that this flight is oversold and I would probably get an Op-Up to J and not have to burn a SWU? Don’t want to burn one if I likely will be upgraded due to capacity issues Any thoughts on this strategy?
Jul 5, 2019, 6:36 pm
#664
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 735
Flying from Buenos Aires EZE-JFK on 7/7 and the flight currently shows the following on ExpertFlyer J7 R7 D7 I6 W5 P5 Y0 and the rest of economy as 0. I currently have a SWU requested, however, it has not cleared and there is no C space open yet, surprisingly... Given that expertflyer is only showing biz class and premium economy available, would it be safe to assume that this flight is oversold and I would probably get an Op-Up to J and not have to burn a SWU? Don’t want to burn one if I likely will be upgraded due to capacity issues Any thoughts on this strategy?
If you are in Y, it would be unlikely for you to get an op-up into J. If you call to upfare your segment to PE, then it is worth a gamble I guess (PE is shown as completely full now and AA is still willing to sell 5 P class seats)
Jul 5, 2019, 7:49 pm
#665
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
Jul 11, 2019, 3:13 am
#666
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EP, HH Diamond, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 417
SWU waitlist cleared. Should I must call to reissue ticket?
I have a JFK-LHR-JFK trip coming-up next week. EXP desk was able to issue an instant SWU for the JFK-LHR leg at the time of booking by using one available sticker (total number of available SWU stickers instantly dropped from 4 to 3). I was added in the waitlist for the LHR-JFK leg, which was cleared few days ago. I have been able to select seat for the upgraded LHR-JFK leg, but, no new ticket was automatically issued and my account still shows 3 available SWU stickers. In the past, I always called the EXP desk to apply a SWU sticker and reissue my new ticket as soon as the waitlist cleared. But is it absolutely necessary to call the EXP desk always to manually use a SWU sticker and obtain the new ticket number, or the process is automatic after clearance of the waitlist?
I know there is a Luxury tax has to be paid for the upgraded LHR-JFK leg. But the EXP agent asked my credit card information for the Luxury tax at the time of adding me in the waitlist. So I cannot think of anything else that might hold off issuing the new ticket automatically.
Obviously I can call to have this done (that's what I always did in the past), but I am wondering what happens if I don't call in advance. Any thought?
I know there is a Luxury tax has to be paid for the upgraded LHR-JFK leg. But the EXP agent asked my credit card information for the Luxury tax at the time of adding me in the waitlist. So I cannot think of anything else that might hold off issuing the new ticket automatically.
Obviously I can call to have this done (that's what I always did in the past), but I am wondering what happens if I don't call in advance. Any thought?
Jul 11, 2019, 6:52 pm
#667
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
In the past, I always called the EXP desk to apply a SWU sticker and reissue my new ticket as soon as the waitlist cleared. But is it absolutely necessary to call the EXP desk always to manually use a SWU sticker and obtain the new ticket number, or the process is automatic after clearance of the waitlist?
Jul 11, 2019, 7:38 pm
#668
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,036
Question somewhat related to the previous posts:
I have a TATL flight on an A330 upcoming in about 3 weeks and I applied SWUs to both the outbound and return legs. The outbound reservation recently changed on-line and I was allowed to select a seat in biz class. However, I never received an email about the upgrade clearing, and my reservation still shows "Systemwide Upgrade - Requested" for the outbound leg.
I'm assuming that the upgrade cleared but the ticket needs to be re-issued, right?
I have a TATL flight on an A330 upcoming in about 3 weeks and I applied SWUs to both the outbound and return legs. The outbound reservation recently changed on-line and I was allowed to select a seat in biz class. However, I never received an email about the upgrade clearing, and my reservation still shows "Systemwide Upgrade - Requested" for the outbound leg.
I'm assuming that the upgrade cleared but the ticket needs to be re-issued, right?
Jul 11, 2019, 8:18 pm
#669
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,481
Question somewhat related to the previous posts:
I have a TATL flight on an A330 upcoming in about 3 weeks and I applied SWUs to both the outbound and return legs. The outbound reservation recently changed on-line and I was allowed to select a seat in biz class. However, I never received an email about the upgrade clearing, and my reservation still shows "Systemwide Upgrade - Requested" for the outbound leg.
I'm assuming that the upgrade cleared but the ticket needs to be re-issued, right?
I have a TATL flight on an A330 upcoming in about 3 weeks and I applied SWUs to both the outbound and return legs. The outbound reservation recently changed on-line and I was allowed to select a seat in biz class. However, I never received an email about the upgrade clearing, and my reservation still shows "Systemwide Upgrade - Requested" for the outbound leg.
I'm assuming that the upgrade cleared but the ticket needs to be re-issued, right?
Jul 12, 2019, 2:47 am
#670
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EP, HH Diamond, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 417
If you do not call, normally what happens is your reservation remains with the confirmed upgraded segment, while your ticket remains with the old unupgraded segment. Thus your reservation and ticket won't match. That prevents doing online checkin. When you get to the airport to checkin, an agent will need to manually reissue your ticket and pull an SWU, or will issue you a BP without reissuing your ticket, using a process as for gate upgrades. That adds extra time to checkin. However, if there is a schedule change or delay, you're much less likely to be protected in the upgraded cabin, because AA normally protects you in your ticketed cabin, not the cabin of your reservation.
Anyway, here is my strange experience today: I have another trip JFK-CDG-JFK coming-up in August. SWU waitlist cleared for this trip (both legs) as well. So I called the EXP desk to reissue the tickets for both (1) next week's LHR-JFK leg (use 1 SWU), and (2) August's JFK-CDG-JFK trip (use 2 SWU). I felt the EXP agent wasn't well-experienced on the SWU upgrade process (!!!). She put me on hold for about 50+ minutes before charging me $119.20 as the Luxury tax for LHR-JFK leg and $45.40 for the CDG-JFK. She told me that the ticketing department insisted her to charge $119.20 for the CDG-JFK leg as well, but she remembered that Luxury tax of France is much less than UK, and it took about 50 minutes for them to figure out the correct amount, that is, $45.40. I was speechless! I am not sure if either of these amounts are correct.
Anyway, here is the next strange part. My reservations (both) went to the "Ticket Pending" cycle. After a while the tickets were issued. But I have not received the e-ticket e-mail. I see in aa.com (and in AA app) that the upgrades are confirmed, and the trips are ticketed. But, since I haven't received the e-ticket e-mail, I don't have the ticket numbers. I cannot download the receipt with ticket number from the aa.com. That link always disappear from the reservation webpage whenever a SWU is used to re-ticket an upgrade. In fact, that link is replaced by another link which just prints the reservation webpage without the ticket number. I am not sure why I haven't received the e-tickets via e-mail (never happened before). Now I am wondering if the agent made any mistake in upgrade process. Is there a place to find the ticket number in aa.com or in the AA app? Any other feedback on this?
I will call the EXP desk tomorrow. But, in these days, finding a well-trained or well-experienced EXP agent is a matter of luck.
Last edited by Tintin; Jul 12, 2019 at 2:53 am
Jul 12, 2019, 10:17 am
#672
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: AAdvantage EP 2.1MM; Bonvoy LT-Plat; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 148
Always been curious. Do SWUs automatically clear if you're already waitlisted (by status/EQDs pecking order) or is possible for someone to grab it once AA releases award inventory for upgrade?
Tks
Tks
Jul 12, 2019, 5:24 pm
#673
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EP, HH Diamond, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 417
Once you are on the waitlist, SWU clears automatically. You will see this in AA app. You can select seat (in app or web) and pre-order meal (web). But, as anabolism pointed out, you must have to call EXP desk to apply the SWU and have your ticket reissued. Until you call, your SWU sticker availability balance will not change. After you call, AA will issue you a new ticket (with new number) and your SWU balance will drop appropriately.
Jul 12, 2019, 9:42 pm
#674
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
Both of these happen. SWUs clear automatically when C space becomes available. But there is often some sort of lag or gap between opening of space and clearing, so it is possible to jump the queue.
Jul 13, 2019, 7:30 pm
#675
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
When I was added in the SWU waitlist, the EXP agent told me (assuming I understood her correctly) that there is no need to call when the waitlist clears. My credit card will be charged automatically for the Luxury tax and the upgrade will work similarly like the domestic EXP automatic upgrades. Clearly, it was a misinformation.
Anyway, here is my strange experience today: I have another trip JFK-CDG-JFK coming-up in August. SWU waitlist cleared for this trip (both legs) as well. So I called the EXP desk to reissue the tickets for both (1) next week's LHR-JFK leg (use 1 SWU), and (2) August's JFK-CDG-JFK trip (use 2 SWU). I felt the EXP agent wasn't well-experienced on the SWU upgrade process (!!!). She put me on hold for about 50+ minutes before charging me $119.20 as the Luxury tax for LHR-JFK leg and $45.40 for the CDG-JFK. She told me that the ticketing department insisted her to charge $119.20 for the CDG-JFK leg as well, but she remembered that Luxury tax of France is much less than UK, and it took about 50 minutes for them to figure out the correct amount, that is, $45.40. I was speechless! I am not sure if either of these amounts are correct.
Anyway, here is the next strange part. My reservations (both) went to the "Ticket Pending" cycle. After a while the tickets were issued. But I have not received the e-ticket e-mail. I see in aa.com (and in AA app) that the upgrades are confirmed, and the trips are ticketed. But, since I haven't received the e-ticket e-mail, I don't have the ticket numbers. I cannot download the receipt with ticket number from the aa.com. That link always disappear from the reservation webpage whenever a SWU is used to re-ticket an upgrade. In fact, that link is replaced by another link which just prints the reservation webpage without the ticket number. I am not sure why I haven't received the e-tickets via e-mail (never happened before). Now I am wondering if the agent made any mistake in upgrade process. Is there a place to find the ticket number in aa.com or in the AA app? Any other feedback on this?
It depends. The upgrade waitlist process is an old mechanism built long before there was any such thing as upgrades. It was designed for situations where a passenger desired a flight or cabin that was sold out. They'd be added to the waitlist, and if anyone cancelled their flight, the system would return the cancelled space to inventory and process the waitlist. For classic sold out flights, inventory becomes available when someone cancels. But with upgrades (and discount booking inventory), inventory can also become available when revenue management algorithms decide to release some. The waitlist isn't processed when space "magically" becomes available. SWU inventory (C and A) can become available when someone cancels a paid booking (e.g., in D, I, J, F, or A), and the waitlist will get automatically processed when this happens. But it can also become available based on how the flight is selling at specific points, and the waitlist will not get processed in those events. So, there are times when C (or A) space is sitting there for the taking and people are on the waitlist. I've seen instances of flights sitting with C space and seen that the waitlist wasn't processed for over 24 hours.