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)
Jan 26, 2022, 3:54 am
#1306
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
The only way to potentially upgrade from Y to PE is with cash. Either just pay the fare difference (which is really an upfare, not upgrade), or see if you happen to luck out and AA offers you a buy-up / LFBU type upgrade. This would be offered when you pull up your reservation at aa.com or in the app, and also at potentially at check-in via a kiosk.
It's really just luck of the draw though on whether a LFBU might be offered, based on flight loads and a number of other factors, not something you can count on.
Jan 26, 2022, 6:09 am
#1307
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
-FlyerBeek
Jan 26, 2022, 5:49 pm
#1308
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Miami Beach FL, Philadelphia PA, and Oxfordshire UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA Executive Platinum, PriorityPass, Global Entry, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 737
Quick question regarding my recent SWU experience, and curious what the group think about this scenario.
Booked return tix in April 2021 to Quito UIO from MIA and used 4 SWU’s to upgrade 2 of us each way. Cleared immediately.
Sadly had to cancel this week due to unforeseen circumstances, and got trip credit for the flights and SWU’s returned. In the wallet they show an expiration date of Jan 31 2022. Next week! Gah!
So I called Aadvantage and talked to a lovely lady about it. I asked for an extension to March as I want to book the same trip for the same dates next year and would use the SWU’s again for the same trip - yes trying my luck, but expecting nothing.
She put me on hold and said she’d speak to someone and come back to me. She came back to me and said - don’t worry, these SWU’s now won’t expire until June 30th this year.
I said - but they say they will expire next week. She said - ignore that, they will show a new expiration date after the 31st Jan.
So I’m left wondering - do I risk waiting to after the expiration date to see if this happens, and she is right, or not risk it and try and book something I know I need to fly anyway later this year. If they disappear, will I have any comeback with Aadvantage, saying - well the agent said they would be extended? I have nothing in writing. Just the phone call.
Wondering if anyone has any experience of such things? Thanks.
Booked return tix in April 2021 to Quito UIO from MIA and used 4 SWU’s to upgrade 2 of us each way. Cleared immediately.
Sadly had to cancel this week due to unforeseen circumstances, and got trip credit for the flights and SWU’s returned. In the wallet they show an expiration date of Jan 31 2022. Next week! Gah!
So I called Aadvantage and talked to a lovely lady about it. I asked for an extension to March as I want to book the same trip for the same dates next year and would use the SWU’s again for the same trip - yes trying my luck, but expecting nothing.
She put me on hold and said she’d speak to someone and come back to me. She came back to me and said - don’t worry, these SWU’s now won’t expire until June 30th this year.
I said - but they say they will expire next week. She said - ignore that, they will show a new expiration date after the 31st Jan.
So I’m left wondering - do I risk waiting to after the expiration date to see if this happens, and she is right, or not risk it and try and book something I know I need to fly anyway later this year. If they disappear, will I have any comeback with Aadvantage, saying - well the agent said they would be extended? I have nothing in writing. Just the phone call.
Wondering if anyone has any experience of such things? Thanks.
Jan 26, 2022, 7:44 pm
#1309
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
-FlyerBeek
Jan 26, 2022, 8:08 pm
#1310
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
So I’m left wondering - do I risk waiting to after the expiration date to see if this happens, and she is right, or not risk it and try and book something I know I need to fly anyway later this year. If they disappear, will I have any comeback with Aadvantage, saying - well the agent said they would be extended? I have nothing in writing. Just the phone call.
Too late now, but you could have cancelled the flights and not refunded the ticket to a trip credit. Then the SWUs would stay attached to the ticket, along with the original value (what you now have as a trip credit). You could then rebook the trip for any dates you like that have SWU availability and paid any fare difference. The only difference is that the ticket validity is one year from original purchase date, so you wouldn't have been able to use it to book a new trip with dates beyond that.
Feb 10, 2022, 4:34 am
#1311
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: AA EXP and Marriott Titanium
Posts: 776
Quick question:
I'm trying to use a SWU on a flight for later in March. Flyertalk and AA.com both say that there is A availability but when I call, the EXP desk agent can see the availability but cannot confirm the upgrade - only waitlist me. Is this a HUCA situation or do I just need to hope the upgrade clears?
I'm trying to use a SWU on a flight for later in March. Flyertalk and AA.com both say that there is A availability but when I call, the EXP desk agent can see the availability but cannot confirm the upgrade - only waitlist me. Is this a HUCA situation or do I just need to hope the upgrade clears?
Feb 10, 2022, 4:39 am
#1312
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Quick question:
I'm trying to use a SWU on a flight for later in March. Flyertalk and AA.com both say that there is A availability but when I call, the EXP desk agent can see the availability but cannot confirm the upgrade - only waitlist me. Is this a HUCA situation or do I just need to hope the upgrade clears?
I'm trying to use a SWU on a flight for later in March. Flyertalk and AA.com both say that there is A availability but when I call, the EXP desk agent can see the availability but cannot confirm the upgrade - only waitlist me. Is this a HUCA situation or do I just need to hope the upgrade clears?
Feb 10, 2022, 4:45 am
#1313
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: AA EXP and Marriott Titanium
Posts: 776
Derp. Yep, Expertflyer. That's what I get for posting as soon as I wake up. It's only one segment and I did use the upgrade search; the flight is A6. I'll try to HUCA and see what happens.
Feb 10, 2022, 6:10 am
#1314
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: AA EXP and Marriott Titanium
Posts: 776
HUCA did the trick but only because I hit the jackpot with the agent I received. Called the EXP line and got an agent in Singapore (I asked and complimented her as the call was concluding). She took one look at the reservation and immediately said something was wrong. After about 5 mins on hold she comes back and says that while the inventory is loaded, the system wasn't recognizing that the aircraft was a 3-cabin aircraft (A321T) and she was working with the appropriate desk to get it fixed. Another 30 mins on hold, with her checking back every 4 or 5 mins to let me know she was still there, she said it was going to take a couple of hours behind the scenes but to fix the problem right now, she'd split the business class flight off my reservation and loaded a first class reservation and took my SWU. All-in-all I was on the phone for about 40 mins. Checked my reservation and it's just as she said and ticketed. Probably the single best experience with any service agent from any company I've ever had.
Feb 10, 2022, 8:24 am
#1315
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SNA
Posts: 928
HUCA did the trick but only because I hit the jackpot with the agent I received. Called the EXP line and got an agent in Singapore (I asked and complimented her as the call was concluding). She took one look at the reservation and immediately said something was wrong. After about 5 mins on hold she comes back and says that while the inventory is loaded, the system wasn't recognizing that the aircraft was a 3-cabin aircraft (A321T) and she was working with the appropriate desk to get it fixed. Another 30 mins on hold, with her checking back every 4 or 5 mins to let me know she was still there, she said it was going to take a couple of hours behind the scenes but to fix the problem right now, she'd split the business class flight off my reservation and loaded a first class reservation and took my SWU. All-in-all I was on the phone for about 40 mins. Checked my reservation and it's just as she said and ticketed. Probably the single best experience with any service agent from any company I've ever had.
Feb 10, 2022, 11:48 am
#1316
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 52
I wait-listed an international Y flight to J with a SWU a couple of months ago and got a flight cancellation email for that flight last week. As I hadn't cancelled my flight, I called to inquire what happened.
After investigating the situation, the agent informed me that my wait-listed SWU had cleared, but a technical error prevented it from being applied to my reservation so the system auto cancelled my flight reservation.. that's AA IT for you...
The agent was able to manually resurrected my reservation and apply the SWU.
I checked my upcoming reservations and the flight is shown as ticketed so everything is now good, but I might have gotten some additional unintended benefits due to the IT error.
1). My original flight was purchased with multiple flight credits. After the initial auto cancellation, the credits were refunded to my wallet. I think while manually reissuing my ticket, the agent only used 1 of the flight credit, as I still have the other flight credits.
2). My flight now has an option to upgrade into First Class via cash! I have other upcoming SWU confirmed flights and don't see that option on any of them. I presume a SWU upgrade shouldn't be able to be further upgraded. I might actually take AA up on the first class offer as I now have extra flight credits!
I presume a Y ticket upgraded to J with a SWU would earn EQM based on the underlying original Y fare bucket. Did the agent reissue me a normal C class ticket, which qualifies for 2.0x EQM bonus? If that is the case, I might actually try to take a short MR as that would leave me just a couple hundred EQM short of 200K EQM worth another choice award good for 2 more SWUs!
After investigating the situation, the agent informed me that my wait-listed SWU had cleared, but a technical error prevented it from being applied to my reservation so the system auto cancelled my flight reservation.. that's AA IT for you...
The agent was able to manually resurrected my reservation and apply the SWU.
I checked my upcoming reservations and the flight is shown as ticketed so everything is now good, but I might have gotten some additional unintended benefits due to the IT error.
1). My original flight was purchased with multiple flight credits. After the initial auto cancellation, the credits were refunded to my wallet. I think while manually reissuing my ticket, the agent only used 1 of the flight credit, as I still have the other flight credits.
2). My flight now has an option to upgrade into First Class via cash! I have other upcoming SWU confirmed flights and don't see that option on any of them. I presume a SWU upgrade shouldn't be able to be further upgraded. I might actually take AA up on the first class offer as I now have extra flight credits!
I presume a Y ticket upgraded to J with a SWU would earn EQM based on the underlying original Y fare bucket. Did the agent reissue me a normal C class ticket, which qualifies for 2.0x EQM bonus? If that is the case, I might actually try to take a short MR as that would leave me just a couple hundred EQM short of 200K EQM worth another choice award good for 2 more SWUs!
Feb 21, 2022, 1:47 pm
#1317
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AA
Posts: 10
Systemwide Upgrade Question
Hi Everyone,
I have EP status with American and am trying to plan a great honeymoon trip for November of this year. Ideally I would use the 4 systemwide upgrades that I have in my AA account as part of that trip, but after doing some research I have a question: It appears that when booking an international flight (or any flight), it is hard to get the upgrade confirmed at the time of booking. As I understand it, if you book an international flight for later in the year, AA is likely to just put you on the upgrade list and sometime before the flight leaves you will find out if you got upgraded or not (based on what fare class inventory is available). So I'm wondering if anyone knows of any ways to book an international flight far in advance and get the systemwide upgrade confirmed at time of booking? Or is that just nearly impossible to do?
Thanks!
Chris
I have EP status with American and am trying to plan a great honeymoon trip for November of this year. Ideally I would use the 4 systemwide upgrades that I have in my AA account as part of that trip, but after doing some research I have a question: It appears that when booking an international flight (or any flight), it is hard to get the upgrade confirmed at the time of booking. As I understand it, if you book an international flight for later in the year, AA is likely to just put you on the upgrade list and sometime before the flight leaves you will find out if you got upgraded or not (based on what fare class inventory is available). So I'm wondering if anyone knows of any ways to book an international flight far in advance and get the systemwide upgrade confirmed at time of booking? Or is that just nearly impossible to do?
Thanks!
Chris
Feb 21, 2022, 2:00 pm
#1318
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: LON, between FAB and EGTD
Programs: OWS - AA Lifetime Platinum, BA nobody (blue)
Posts: 864
If you have SWUs in your account then you will see SWU availability in the flight booking tool. If you find flights with SWUs listed, then book them, and immediately phone to apply the SWUs. It's not exactly "at the time of booking", but it is within the 24 hr grace period in which you can cancel free of charge.
This has worked for me this past year for 9 out of 9 SWUs, on the JFK/LHR route.
Now, if you can't find availability, then the only way is to book the flight, phone to put them on the SWU waiting list, and wait and see. I have about a 95% success rate on this since my first SWU batch in 2011 or so. Unfortunately for peace of mind, it's often at the gate that you achieve success, though it can be sometimes quite a bit earlier.
This has worked for me this past year for 9 out of 9 SWUs, on the JFK/LHR route.
Now, if you can't find availability, then the only way is to book the flight, phone to put them on the SWU waiting list, and wait and see. I have about a 95% success rate on this since my first SWU batch in 2011 or so. Unfortunately for peace of mind, it's often at the gate that you achieve success, though it can be sometimes quite a bit earlier.
Feb 21, 2022, 3:20 pm
#1320
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
If you have SWUs in your account, the flight search on AA will show "systemwide upgrade" beside the flights that have availability.
Alternatively you can use EF to search for upgrade availability (if you have an account, which is not free)
I understand that people complain about availability all the time, but whenever I check I see that there is a fair amount of availability further out, even to Europe in the summer, if you are willing to be flexible with your travel plans. If you are not flexible then they are going to be almost impossible to use (similar to using miles to book premium cabin awards)
Alternatively you can use EF to search for upgrade availability (if you have an account, which is not free)
I understand that people complain about availability all the time, but whenever I check I see that there is a fair amount of availability further out, even to Europe in the summer, if you are willing to be flexible with your travel plans. If you are not flexible then they are going to be almost impossible to use (similar to using miles to book premium cabin awards)