Operational Upgrades (op up) - all about and "I got one" (consolidated)
Aug 18, 2015, 8:46 pm
#16
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
My colleague and his GF were returning from vacation in Spain last weekend. Although he is PLT and GF no status, he seemed to forget that they could check in at the "premium" counter. He asked at that counter anyway, and the agent asked if he were Spanish (my colleague said 'yes, and American too'), then the agent type-type-typed and said, "Here's your boarding passes for Business class".
Needless to say, my colleague and GF were astonished and grateful indeed!
Needless to say, my colleague and GF were astonished and grateful indeed!
Aug 19, 2015, 11:21 am
#17
Join Date: Mar 2008
Programs: AA Platinum, HHonors Gold, Alamo Insiders, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 191
MAD OpUp
Got an OpUp on US as a Platinum 7/30 MAD-PHL to Envoy. Went to counter and asked for it and they said "sure", handed me a new boarding pass, and wrote out for me how to get to the lounge 
Though I had access anyways as PLT
Though I had access anyways as PLT
Aug 19, 2015, 12:49 pm
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dog House
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, AA EXP, WN A-List, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,245
Does anyone know if OpUps happen from J to F on LAX-JFK?
I'm flying on an I ticket (I'm an EXP), and biz is almost sold out. Looks like plenty of availability in F.
I'm flying on an I ticket (I'm an EXP), and biz is almost sold out. Looks like plenty of availability in F.
Aug 19, 2015, 12:54 pm
#19
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
It's great to hear some are getting op ups.
Of course, it's not at all predictable when one might get op-upped, because passenger loads can change unpredictably. LAX-JFK, e.g., IMO has a higher percentage of passengers with flexible ticketing, I'd imagine, so a near sold out J can change very quickly. And F availability can evaporate quickly with AirPass, flexible fares, etc.
Never count on an operational upgrade so you'll never feel your expectations have been trashed.
Of course, it's not at all predictable when one might get op-upped, because passenger loads can change unpredictably. LAX-JFK, e.g., IMO has a higher percentage of passengers with flexible ticketing, I'd imagine, so a near sold out J can change very quickly. And F availability can evaporate quickly with AirPass, flexible fares, etc.
Never count on an operational upgrade so you'll never feel your expectations have been trashed.
Sep 11, 2015, 11:06 am
#21
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Sep 19, 2015, 9:55 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC, ORD
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 280
Did I almost just get a double op up?
I'm currently on AA 995, with pax still boarding. There was an equipment change to a 772. Spoke to nice agent in Admirals Club, got an op up to business. As I showed my boarding pass at the gate, I saw another with my name on it for 4A - First. And then at least one other with 4A on it. When I commented, the agent said, "oh, that's not for you." What happened? What should I have done to secure that pass with my name on it?
Sep 19, 2015, 10:56 pm
#24
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I'm currently on AA 995, with pax still boarding. There was an equipment change to a 772. Spoke to nice agent in Admirals Club, got an op up to business. As I showed my boarding pass at the gate, I saw another with my name on it for 4A - First. And then at least one other with 4A on it. When I commented, the agent said, "oh, that's not for you." What happened? What should I have done to secure that pass with my name on it?
Sep 21, 2015, 12:28 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 141
Sep 22, 2015, 12:02 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: MIA
Programs: AA GLD for life, HH Gold, SPG gold, Hyatt Plat, Avis Select, TSA pfd
Posts: 99
I did get offered to pay $500 for UG from J to F on EZE-MIA while doing online check-in. First time I was offered that.
Sep 22, 2015, 11:49 pm
#28
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SFO, LON
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Bonvoy Tit, Hilton Dia etc etc
Posts: 2,354
Sep 23, 2015, 8:42 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,666
Btw, when you "ask" and get an upgrade, these are not op-ups (unless it is a rare coincidence with an overbooked plane, and even then they are supposed to follow specific upgrade criteria, I assume).
Oct 17, 2015, 7:26 pm
#30
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: UA 1K, WN AP, AS MVPG
Posts: 30
Out of curiousity. How do you get op ups? Just random coincidence that they ask you, do you talk to a gate agent or someone, do you 'ask' for and op-up? Been trying to read up on this. Free upgrades are always nice.