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?
Jan 24, 2017, 10:47 am
#1141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487
I moved back a row on my flight last night as both seats were vacant, then about 15mins into the flight the FA (same one who I asked permission to switch seats just as boarding ended) asked if the seat next to me was empty and brought some guy up from Y.
When he was getting off the aircraft I could hear him talking to another passenger who was across the aisle but they never chatted during the flight. Seemed they were having an "if you know the secret handshake" type chat. Didn't seem overly friendly with the FA that upgraded him though...
Jan 26, 2017, 1:18 pm
#1149
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,603
They usually send out an email informing you when the upgrade is processed (see above for a sample), though I find they don't always come through.
Jan 26, 2017, 1:22 pm
#1150
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
T105 for DFW-DEN. I usually the most luck with this flight, as well as the late night PHX-DEN flight if I ever fly it. I cleared into 4F which I assume means I was first person to clear.
Jan 27, 2017, 6:43 am
#1152
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP; BoNVoY Tit LTP
Posts: 1,923
Jan 27, 2017, 12:18 pm
#1153
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
DEN - ORD at the gate today.
But I was booked under a BA flight number and so wasn't on the upgrade list until I had the agent in the AC add me a couple hours prior to departure. So another reason to be glad some seats are held back until the gate.
But I was booked under a BA flight number and so wasn't on the upgrade list until I had the agent in the AC add me a couple hours prior to departure. So another reason to be glad some seats are held back until the gate.