Operational Upgrades (op up) - all about and "I got one" (consolidated)
Jun 20, 2019, 12:15 pm
#121
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Kamuela, HI
Programs: AA-Plat
Posts: 462
June 19 - AA247 LAX/KOA. All buckets zeroed out but first class had 7 empty seats. At the AA lounge asked about a sticker upgrade but was told that we were already on the list for an op up as coach was oversold. Needless to say, it was a very nice surprise getting the op up at the gate. Only downside was the horrible meal selections of the red panang curry shrimp or the ravioli with the hot chili sauce. Requested the Zoe's turkey sandwich from the back. It was a bit strange having a PHX crew for a flight from ORD to LAX and LAX KOA. I think this was their first flight as our purser discussed a non-existent jet bridge in the Kona airport.
Jun 20, 2019, 5:15 pm
#122
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: DFW
Posts: 270
Very interesting experience receiving my first operational upgrade yesterday from SBA-DFW. I boarded the plane with my fiancee and we got to our seats and they were taken by another couple. The woman sitting in our seats had just had a major surgery on her leg so the FA allowed her to sit in our bulkhead main cabin extra seats. We asked the FA where we should sit and she said she would upgrade us to first class. I really appreciated it since it is about a three hour flight on a CRJ-900.
Jun 22, 2019, 2:05 pm
#123
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: 32.7758° N, 96.7967° W
Programs: AA EXP,SPG 75
Posts: 318
Recently had my entire party of 5 (same PNR) upgraded from MCE to “First” from Hawaii to DFW on a 777. Seems like a hi J 777 was swapped in for the scheduled low J 777. It was like winning the lottery.
Jul 5, 2019, 3:19 am
#124
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Ft Lauderdale, Florida (USA)
Programs: AA EXP DL Plat BONVOY LT Plat
Posts: 148
27 June 2019. Wife and I booked in Premium Economy AA160 ORD-ATHENS (W Fare) on same record. I’m Plat Pro, wife is Gold.
Approx 75 minutes prior to departure, received email from American that seats had been changed to 1L/4L.
Had not requested any upgrade
Wow!
made the 10 hour flight so much better!
Thank you travel gods
Approx 75 minutes prior to departure, received email from American that seats had been changed to 1L/4L.
Had not requested any upgrade
Wow!
made the 10 hour flight so much better!
Thank you travel gods
Last edited by FLL88; Jul 5, 2019 at 4:39 am Reason: spelling & update facts
Jul 5, 2019, 4:37 am
#125
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,668
27 June 2019. Wife and I booked in Premium Economy AA160 ORD-ATHENS one same record. I’m Plat Pro, wife is Gold.
Approx 75 minutes prior to departure, received email from American that seats had been changed to 1L/4L.
Had not requested any upgrade
Wow!
made the 10 hour flight so much better!
Thank you travel gods
Approx 75 minutes prior to departure, received email from American that seats had been changed to 1L/4L.
Had not requested any upgrade
Wow!
made the 10 hour flight so much better!
Thank you travel gods
Jul 5, 2019, 7:14 am
#126
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138
Aug 3, 2019, 1:18 pm
#127
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
I got one on 7/2 on BA from LGW-MCO using my EXP status. Went from World Traveler all the way to Club World which was a really welcome treat. Got the upgrade at T-24 when I went to do online check in.
Aug 4, 2019, 8:57 am
#128
Join Date: Oct 2015
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 89
Traveling BGR-ORD yesterday in MCE with a party of 4 (2 different PNR's).
PNR #1 --1 Plat, 1 Gold, plus one person with no status--2 of 3 tickets were $99 companion tix from Barclay's Aviator.
PNR #2 --no status, award ticket.
Shortly before boarding commenced, party of 3 on PNR #1 called up to gate agent and handed new boarding passes for Row 1. Asked politely what to do with our companion on PNR #2 and they upgraded him as well.
We had not requested upgrades (actually could not on the companion fare or award ticket).
Very surprised but obviously pleased. Maybe they needed our exit row tickets?
PNR #1 --1 Plat, 1 Gold, plus one person with no status--2 of 3 tickets were $99 companion tix from Barclay's Aviator.
PNR #2 --no status, award ticket.
Shortly before boarding commenced, party of 3 on PNR #1 called up to gate agent and handed new boarding passes for Row 1. Asked politely what to do with our companion on PNR #2 and they upgraded him as well.
We had not requested upgrades (actually could not on the companion fare or award ticket).
Very surprised but obviously pleased. Maybe they needed our exit row tickets?
Jun 29, 2021, 4:14 am
#129
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
Looks like AA’s scheduling woes continue. Ended up scoring an op-up from I to F on AA 171, which is great considering this flight leaves at 6:00am.
Jun 29, 2021, 4:51 am
#130
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,133
Last month on a 77W red-eye LAX-MIA, my wife and I were rolled from J to F. We were in the AC when we received notifications of new BPs. I’m assuming we were chosen due to my EXP status, but have no way of confirming. A pleasant and unexpected surprise.
Didn’t make that much of a difference to me as I fell asleep before we even left the gate, but it was a nice treat for my wife.
She concluded, as many do, that the difference between J and F on AA is nominal and not worth the price difference.
Didn’t make that much of a difference to me as I fell asleep before we even left the gate, but it was a nice treat for my wife.
She concluded, as many do, that the difference between J and F on AA is nominal and not worth the price difference.
Jun 29, 2021, 7:35 am
#131
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
Last month on a 77W red-eye LAX-MIA, my wife and I were rolled from J to F. We were in the AC when we received notifications of new BPs. I’m assuming we were chosen due to my EXP status, but have no way of confirming. A pleasant and unexpected surprise.
Didn’t make that much of a difference to me as I fell asleep before we even left the gate, but it was a nice treat for my wife.
She concluded, as many do, that the difference between J and F on AA is nominal and not worth the price difference.
Didn’t make that much of a difference to me as I fell asleep before we even left the gate, but it was a nice treat for my wife.
She concluded, as many do, that the difference between J and F on AA is nominal and not worth the price difference.
The meal was exactly the same right down to the FA giving my pre-reserved meal away to the person in 3F. 
Jun 29, 2021, 7:54 am
#132
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Choice Hotels
Posts: 762
I got exactly three sticker-free, unrequested operational upgrades during the covid era. All three were flights between Phoenix and Oklahoma City on skywest. In all three cases, the economy cabin was overbooked. I was gold at the time.
Jun 29, 2021, 8:23 am
#133
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OMA
Programs: AA PLT 1MM, HHonors Diamond, IHG Gold, National Exec, Hertz 5-Star
Posts: 120
I was traveling OMA-ORD on Envoy with my mother and wife. I'm Gold, they have no status but all traveling on the same PNR. All three of us got upgraded to First due to economy cabin being overbooked.
Also happened when flying with Mrs Havek on CLT-OMA.
Also happened when flying with Mrs Havek on CLT-OMA.
Aug 11, 2021, 5:56 pm
#134
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
I ended up with a double op-up (second time in as many weeks and first as a PRO) because the J seat they assigned me was occupied by someone else. Good thing I didn’t spend the $484 for this seat yesterday. I was kinda hoping for the VDB though.