Mar 30, 2017, 4:57 pm
Last edit by: jay_dubya
AA Upgrade Window for AAdvantage Elites
The "upgrade window" is the time during which an upgrade may be granted to statusholders. The "upgrade window" for AAdvantage Elites varies upon elite status held. In 2017:
- ConciergeKey - 120 hours
- Executive Platinum - 100 hours
- Platinum Pro - 72 hours
- Platinum - 48 hours
- Gold - 24 hours
- Non-elite - no upgrade window
Conversely, higher load factors, Revenue Management predictions and actions, flight route, season, demand, supply and other factors all affect the availability of upgrade seats and when any seats might be made available to upgrade. AA has tightened upgrade availability over the recent years, but planning leading to significantly higher load factors has been undoubtedly been a major factor in upgrade "tightness" to the point even upper tier elites who get upgraded may do so airside at the gate counter.
Has AA eliminated the upgrade window for elites?
May 26, 2015, 6:21 pm
#136
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: EWR
Programs: AA Exec Plat, United MM Gold, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Platinum, Packer Owner
Posts: 262
Second flight not upgraded
Friday I am flying EWR-DFW, DFW-SAN. The first flight cleared at T-100, the second flight has not, despite more seats being available in First than were empty on the first flight.
I am a (former) US Chairman who is just getting used to how AA handles Exec Platinum upgrades. Is this the norm?
I am a (former) US Chairman who is just getting used to how AA handles Exec Platinum upgrades. Is this the norm?
May 26, 2015, 6:35 pm
#137
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Friday I am flying EWR-DFW, DFW-SAN. The first flight cleared at T-100, the second flight has not, despite more seats being available in First than were empty on the first flight.
I am a (former) US Chairman who is just getting used to how AA handles Exec Platinum upgrades. Is this the norm?
I am a (former) US Chairman who is just getting used to how AA handles Exec Platinum upgrades. Is this the norm?
Frequently checking your rez and seeing what seats are presented and/or using the app to monitor the upgrade list is other actions you might want to consider.
May 26, 2015, 7:15 pm
#138
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: EWR
Programs: AA Exec Plat, United MM Gold, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Platinum, Packer Owner
Posts: 262
From what I've been reading that's the new norm. It used to be both segments would clear at T-100 of the first flight and those connecting had priority over those originating at DFW. Now it seems like AA is holding inventory until much later in the game hoping for last minute purchases. T-24 as OLCI occurs should be the next milestone that may get your upgrade processed. Then T-4 once the flight goes to airport control. Finally at boarding, the last of the upgrades possible should be processed. It has made traveling much more challenging than everything clearing at T-100.
Frequently checking your rez and seeing what seats are presented and/or using the app to monitor the upgrade list is other actions you might want to consider.
Frequently checking your rez and seeing what seats are presented and/or using the app to monitor the upgrade list is other actions you might want to consider.
May 27, 2015, 5:03 pm
#139
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
If AA is going to hold upgrades back later, it would be nice of selecting entrees could be done later too. As of now, if your upgrade clears after T-24 you can't select an entree. Maybe change it to T-12? T-6?
May 27, 2015, 5:22 pm
#140
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
3 times in the last 3 weeks, the husband(EXP) has been #1 on the upgrade list and had someone else come up as #1 in the last hour before departure. And only 1 person cleared. So frustrating. Used to be if he was #1 at 4 hours out and there was one seat for sale I was pretty sure he'd get it.
May 27, 2015, 5:32 pm
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
3 times in the last 3 weeks, the husband(EXP) has been #1 on the upgrade list and had someone else come up as #1 in the last hour before departure. And only 1 person cleared. So frustrating. Used to be if he was #1 at 4 hours out and there was one seat for sale I was pretty sure he'd get it.
May 27, 2015, 6:41 pm
#142
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
May 27, 2015, 7:04 pm
#143
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
Agreed, the rules are the same for AA elites (which everyone is now) on AA flights. However upgrade percentage is worse in 2015 for any year since I started tracking about 8 years ago. (72% on "sticker" upgrades)
May 27, 2015, 7:11 pm
#144
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
Cheers.
May 27, 2015, 10:05 pm
#145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
The funny thing for me is that clearing on US flights seems to be incredibly easy. GLD + companion cleared at the 48 hour window on a two segment trip. Return looks almost as easy too. Are there really that few elites flying US metal? If so, it's a great deal for GLD/PLT with no stickers involved and longer windows.
May 27, 2015, 10:21 pm
#146
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: ONT/FRA
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 878
I'm at 92% so far this year. Getting harder as we get into the summer travel season - I was 100% through the end of March.
May 28, 2015, 5:47 am
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: South Bend, IN
Programs: AA EXP 3 MM; Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 18,562
As a paid international J traveler, who often has trouble finding an F seat on the domestic leg if I change my plans last minute, I would prefer that upgrades not clear until just before boarding.
Nothing is more frustrating than having to ride in Y after a long flight when you are entitled to an F seat, but people have been upgraded.
Nothing is more frustrating than having to ride in Y after a long flight when you are entitled to an F seat, but people have been upgraded.
May 28, 2015, 6:13 am
#148
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: LHR, SAN
Programs: BA GGL, AA PLT, VS-curious
Posts: 1,487
May 28, 2015, 9:16 am
#149
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
May 28, 2015, 6:29 pm
#150
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
Cheers.