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)
Jun 9, 2022, 10:49 am
#1516
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 89
Hi all,
Planning to book a flight to Israel in mid July, either MIA-TLV or JFK-TLV (whichever route that has a better chance of an SWU clearing into Business). If the SWU does not clear at the gate, do they offer you Premium Economy automatically if there is a seat available, or is that even an option at that time? (I am EXP)
Thanks in advance for any info.
Planning to book a flight to Israel in mid July, either MIA-TLV or JFK-TLV (whichever route that has a better chance of an SWU clearing into Business). If the SWU does not clear at the gate, do they offer you Premium Economy automatically if there is a seat available, or is that even an option at that time? (I am EXP)
Thanks in advance for any info.
PE had a bunch of open seats and they filled it in after boarding with some other passengers from coach (not us), which was a bit annoying but what can you do. We were #1 and #2 on the upgrade list.
Jun 9, 2022, 3:46 pm
#1517
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: LA/NY/CHI
Programs: AA EXP, AS 100K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,876
I got rejected when asking for this on a recent flight where I had used an SWU but there was no business availability (MXP-JFK). They said it's a different fare type and upgrades are only eligible into business.
PE had a bunch of open seats and they filled it in after boarding with some other passengers from coach (not us), which was a bit annoying but what can you do. We were #1 and #2 on the upgrade list.
PE had a bunch of open seats and they filled it in after boarding with some other passengers from coach (not us), which was a bit annoying but what can you do. We were #1 and #2 on the upgrade list.
Jun 9, 2022, 8:25 pm
#1518
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 14
I'm trying to use two SWUs from NYC-CDG in mid July. I'm open to routing through DFW and ORD but appears all of those with non-stops to CDG have 0 "C" upgrade availability on EF. Am I crazy for trying to go to Paris in summer expecting to use a SWU? Is there any Europe destination (LHR or FCO or ?) that is easier to use these on? They expire end of July thx in advance
Jun 9, 2022, 9:02 pm
#1519
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Alaska Gold 75K, AA EXP, United 1K
Posts: 472
Do you have a lot of flexibility on day of week and or able to book closer to the date or be open to shifting of date as trip nears and are willing to waitlist not clear at booking? If so I’d just keep an eye out for the direct JFK-CDG flights and if there are enough seats open on the seat map within a week of departure there’s a decent chance your upgrade will clear. Within a day or two of departure they will open up C class usually and clear upgrades. The 77W has a pretty big J cabin and if the cabin isn’t close to fully booked within a few days of departure I usually have good success rate on the SWU clearing. I’ve also found there are definitely patterns on which day of week in each direction tend to have more/less filled paid J cabin so if you check seat maps over a week you should be able to get a rough sense of which days tend to not sell out. Good luck!
btw on gateways if you are NY based I would generally recommend sticking to the JFK direct flight on 77W. Biggest J cabin and best hard product. Via DFW I think you have more O&D hub plus connecting traffic to compete with plus backtracking. Both DFW and ORD operated by 787 with smaller J cabins. If you’re willing to do LHR I’m virtually certain with some flexibility you’ll find some flights where SWU won’t be to hard to clear a few days out. With the flexible change policies it’s also possible to change flights as departure nears if you see certain flights that have more open J cabins. The likely issue will be that the Y cabins will probably be heavily booked so new fares on flights you change to might be expensive unless Y still has lots of open seats. And if Y has a lot of open seats you might even get lucky and see fares drop in the week before departure. AA seems to generally be selling only more expensive fare classes in advance and then releasing some cheap fare classes a week to a few days before if flight loads not filled.
btw on gateways if you are NY based I would generally recommend sticking to the JFK direct flight on 77W. Biggest J cabin and best hard product. Via DFW I think you have more O&D hub plus connecting traffic to compete with plus backtracking. Both DFW and ORD operated by 787 with smaller J cabins. If you’re willing to do LHR I’m virtually certain with some flexibility you’ll find some flights where SWU won’t be to hard to clear a few days out. With the flexible change policies it’s also possible to change flights as departure nears if you see certain flights that have more open J cabins. The likely issue will be that the Y cabins will probably be heavily booked so new fares on flights you change to might be expensive unless Y still has lots of open seats. And if Y has a lot of open seats you might even get lucky and see fares drop in the week before departure. AA seems to generally be selling only more expensive fare classes in advance and then releasing some cheap fare classes a week to a few days before if flight loads not filled.
Jun 9, 2022, 9:42 pm
#1520
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I'm trying to use two SWUs from NYC-CDG in mid July. I'm open to routing through DFW and ORD but appears all of those with non-stops to CDG have 0 "C" upgrade availability on EF. Am I crazy for trying to go to Paris in summer expecting to use a SWU? Is there any Europe destination (LHR or FCO or ?) that is easier to use these on? They expire end of July thx in advance
Jun 9, 2022, 9:46 pm
#1521
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 14
Do you have a lot of flexibility on day of week and or able to book closer to the date or be open to shifting of date as trip nears and are willing to waitlist not clear at booking? If so I’d just keep an eye out for the direct JFK-CDG flights and if there are enough seats open on the seat map within a week of departure there’s a decent chance your upgrade will clear. Within a day or two of departure they will open up C class usually and clear upgrades. The 77W has a pretty big J cabin and if the cabin isn’t close to fully booked within a few days of departure I usually have good success rate on the SWU clearing. I’ve also found there are definitely patterns on which day of week in each direction tend to have more/less filled paid J cabin so if you check seat maps over a week you should be able to get a rough sense of which days tend to not sell out. Good luck!
btw on gateways if you are NY based I would generally recommend sticking to the JFK direct flight on 77W. Biggest J cabin and best hard product. Via DFW I think you have more O&D hub plus connecting traffic to compete with plus backtracking. Both DFW and ORD operated by 787 with smaller J cabins. If you’re willing to do LHR I’m virtually certain with some flexibility you’ll find some flights where SWU won’t be to hard to clear a few days out. With the flexible change policies it’s also possible to change flights as departure nears if you see certain flights that have more open J cabins. The likely issue will be that the Y cabins will probably be heavily booked so new fares on flights you change to might be expensive unless Y still has lots of open seats. And if Y has a lot of open seats you might even get lucky and see fares drop in the week before departure. AA seems to generally be selling only more expensive fare classes in advance and then releasing some cheap fare classes a week to a few days before if flight loads not filled.
btw on gateways if you are NY based I would generally recommend sticking to the JFK direct flight on 77W. Biggest J cabin and best hard product. Via DFW I think you have more O&D hub plus connecting traffic to compete with plus backtracking. Both DFW and ORD operated by 787 with smaller J cabins. If you’re willing to do LHR I’m virtually certain with some flexibility you’ll find some flights where SWU won’t be to hard to clear a few days out. With the flexible change policies it’s also possible to change flights as departure nears if you see certain flights that have more open J cabins. The likely issue will be that the Y cabins will probably be heavily booked so new fares on flights you change to might be expensive unless Y still has lots of open seats. And if Y has a lot of open seats you might even get lucky and see fares drop in the week before departure. AA seems to generally be selling only more expensive fare classes in advance and then releasing some cheap fare classes a week to a few days before if flight loads not filled.
Jun 10, 2022, 5:49 am
#1523
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Dallas, TX, USA
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IC Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 961
I am looking to book an itinerary DFW-JFK-DEL for November travel and use my SWU that expires at the end of July 2022.
The first segment DFW-JFK has SWU availability but not the JFK-DEL segment
If I purchase the ticket now will I be wait listed for the JFK-DEL segment though the SWU will be expired by then but the first segment is cleared?
The first segment DFW-JFK has SWU availability but not the JFK-DEL segment
If I purchase the ticket now will I be wait listed for the JFK-DEL segment though the SWU will be expired by then but the first segment is cleared?
Last edited by aglp2k; Jun 10, 2022 at 6:01 am
Jun 10, 2022, 11:22 am
#1524
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I am looking to book an itinerary DFW-JFK-DEL for November travel and use my SWU that expires at the end of July 2022.
The first segment DFW-JFK has SWU availability but not the JFK-DEL segment
If I purchase the ticket now will I be wait listed for the JFK-DEL segment though the SWU will be expired by then but the first segment is cleared?
The first segment DFW-JFK has SWU availability but not the JFK-DEL segment
If I purchase the ticket now will I be wait listed for the JFK-DEL segment though the SWU will be expired by then but the first segment is cleared?
Jun 11, 2022, 2:18 am
#1525
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP.
Posts: 1,325
sorry if thats has been answered before I tried to look it up two questions about a waitlist on a SWU from LHR-LAX.
1) How much tax should I expect to pay?
2) I didn't have to leave a credit card number which I thought I did, how will they collect payment if the SWU goes through?
1) How much tax should I expect to pay?
2) I didn't have to leave a credit card number which I thought I did, how will they collect payment if the SWU goes through?
Jun 11, 2022, 2:24 am
#1526
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Alaska Gold 75K, AA EXP, United 1K
Posts: 472
sorry if thats has been answered before I tried to look it up two questions about a waitlist on a SWU from LHR-LAX.
1) How much tax should I expect to pay?
2) I didn't have to leave a credit card number which I thought I did, how will they collect payment if the SWU goes through?
1) How much tax should I expect to pay?
2) I didn't have to leave a credit card number which I thought I did, how will they collect payment if the SWU goes through?
Jun 11, 2022, 2:46 am
#1527
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
sorry if thats has been answered before I tried to look it up two questions about a waitlist on a SWU from LHR-LAX.
1) How much tax should I expect to pay?
2) I didn't have to leave a credit card number which I thought I did, how will they collect payment if the SWU goes through?
1) How much tax should I expect to pay?
2) I didn't have to leave a credit card number which I thought I did, how will they collect payment if the SWU goes through?
The only tax that varies by class is the APD. The APD is $105.20 for main cabin and $231.60 for premium economy and higher. So if you are currently in economy and upgrade to a higher cabin you would owe $125.40. If you are currently in premium economy or higher you would not owe anything for upgrading.
This is in USD of course and can change as the exchange rate changes. The actual amounts (from https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rates-an...passenger-duty) are £84 and £185, meaning that if you get upgraded you would owe £101 ($124.51 at today's exchange rate, which more or less matches)
Jun 11, 2022, 8:21 am
#1528
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Dallas, TX, USA
Programs: AA EXP, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IC Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 961
Jun 12, 2022, 12:40 pm
#1529
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,551
I've never actually used an SWU. In 2019 I made EXP and got four. I was going to use two for a trip to Italy in summer 2020 and we all know what happened to that; I wound up giving them away. I earned one choice reward in 2021 (qualified for PPRO based on activity but extended at EXP on a promo) and I will make the 200K EXP threshold in 2022, so I'll have four choice awards available.
I really don't fly internationally. My domestic travel is almost all between PHL and LAS, and I often buy F but not lately since the fares have spiked, but I get a decent number of upgrades. I like flying F although my most recent flights in carefully-selected MCE seats haven't been too bad. (I don't fly for the food and booze.) I had been buying F in significant part to get the EQM's/EQD's to make EXP, but I can back off a bit if I can keep getting LP's from gift cards.
The question is, how should I use my choice rewards? I can't see SWU availability on since I have no SWU's in my account. If I cash in the one choice award I have available now for an SWU, that will unlock the availability, right? How long will I have to use it? I should make PPRO for 2022 fairly soon and that would give me one more, and I'll requalify for EXP later this year or in early 2023.
Editing to reflect comments in post below, which raises some good points. I have almost a million RDM's, so I really don't need more. Both PHL and LAS have Amex Centurion Lounges, and I have an Amex Plat card, which in the aggregate gives me more than enough benefits to be worthwhile. I have two sets of noise-cancelling headphones, but I'm not sure that headphones are even a choice reward anymore.
What's my best stratgegy for these? I can of course get a $200 discount on flights for every choice reward, but that doesn't seem especially efficient.
I really don't fly internationally. My domestic travel is almost all between PHL and LAS, and I often buy F but not lately since the fares have spiked, but I get a decent number of upgrades. I like flying F although my most recent flights in carefully-selected MCE seats haven't been too bad. (I don't fly for the food and booze.) I had been buying F in significant part to get the EQM's/EQD's to make EXP, but I can back off a bit if I can keep getting LP's from gift cards.
The question is, how should I use my choice rewards? I can't see SWU availability on since I have no SWU's in my account. If I cash in the one choice award I have available now for an SWU, that will unlock the availability, right? How long will I have to use it? I should make PPRO for 2022 fairly soon and that would give me one more, and I'll requalify for EXP later this year or in early 2023.
Editing to reflect comments in post below, which raises some good points. I have almost a million RDM's, so I really don't need more. Both PHL and LAS have Amex Centurion Lounges, and I have an Amex Plat card, which in the aggregate gives me more than enough benefits to be worthwhile. I have two sets of noise-cancelling headphones, but I'm not sure that headphones are even a choice reward anymore.
What's my best stratgegy for these? I can of course get a $200 discount on flights for every choice reward, but that doesn't seem especially efficient.
Last edited by redtop43; Jun 12, 2022 at 1:31 pm
Jun 12, 2022, 1:09 pm
#1530
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I've never actually used an SWU. In 2019 I made EXP and got four. I was going to use two for a trip to Italy in summer 2020 and we all know what happened to that; I wound up giving them away. I earned one choice reward in 2021 (qualified for PPRO based on activity but extended at EXP on a promo) and I will make the 200K EXP threshold in 2022, so I'll have four choice awards available.
I really don't fly internationally. My domestic travel is almost all between PHL and LAS, and I often buy F but not lately since the fares have spiked, but I get a decent number of upgrades. I like flying F although my most recent flights in carefully-selected MCE seats haven't been too bad. (I don't fly for the food and booze.) I had been buying F in significant part to get the EQM's/EQD's to make EXP, but I can back off a bit if I can keep getting LP's from gift cards.
The question is, how should I use my choice rewards? I can't see SWU availability on since I have no SWU's in my account. If I cash in the one choice award I have available now for an SWU, that will unlock the availability, right? How long will I have to use it? I should make PPRO for 2022 fairly soon and that would give me one more, and I'll requalify for EXP later this year or in early 2023.
What's my best stratgegy for these? I can of course get a $200 discount on flights for every choice reward, but that doesn't seem especially efficient.
I really don't fly internationally. My domestic travel is almost all between PHL and LAS, and I often buy F but not lately since the fares have spiked, but I get a decent number of upgrades. I like flying F although my most recent flights in carefully-selected MCE seats haven't been too bad. (I don't fly for the food and booze.) I had been buying F in significant part to get the EQM's/EQD's to make EXP, but I can back off a bit if I can keep getting LP's from gift cards.
The question is, how should I use my choice rewards? I can't see SWU availability on since I have no SWU's in my account. If I cash in the one choice award I have available now for an SWU, that will unlock the availability, right? How long will I have to use it? I should make PPRO for 2022 fairly soon and that would give me one more, and I'll requalify for EXP later this year or in early 2023.
What's my best stratgegy for these? I can of course get a $200 discount on flights for every choice reward, but that doesn't seem especially efficient.