Oct 1, 2015, 9:14 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: Prospero

This thread is for the discussion of upgrades (using systemwide upgrades / SWUs or mileage+ copay) for the LAX-SYD-LAX route. This flight began with three class Boeing 777-300ER, but has changed to a two class Boeing 787-9.

Inaugural flights:

LAX-SYD: 17 Dec 2015 AA 73 Flight duration 15:05
Lv LAX 21:50 Dec 17 PST / 05:50 18 Dec GMT
Ar SYD 07:55 Dec 19 EADT / 20:55 18 Dec GMT (same day)

SYD-LAX: 19 Dec 2015 AA 72 Flight duration 13:50
Lv SYD 12:00 Dec 19 EADT / 01:00 19 Dec GMT
Ar LAX 06:50 Dec 19 PST / 14:50 19 Dec GMT

General discussion of the LAX-SYD-LAX route is at:
AA to operate LAX-SYD with 77W (inaugural 17 December 2015) archived
AA LAX-SYD-LAX 77W AA73 / AA72 (17 Dec 2015)

Was operated with Boeing 77W / 777-323ER to 8 Nov 2017
Changed to Boeing 787-9 in November 2017.

LAX-SYD AA 73 / 72 Upgrade & Waitlist Discussion

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Nov 27, 2018, 9:35 am

#571

C17PSGR

Join Date: Apr 2003

Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach

Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET

Posts: 5,234

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDCA

Concierge Keys using systemwide upgrades are VIP1. Executive Platinums using systemwide upgrades are VIP2.

thanks! That makes sense.

So, as a reference, on my flight back from SYD, they had upgraded at least 10 to 12 EXPs with SWUs, likely more than a week out. If they were upgraded closer in, then they would have had more than 35k in annual spend since I was on the list. I didnt see any VIP1s so they weren't any CKs.

Dec 12, 2018, 6:57 am

#572

hawkfan7314

Join Date: Jul 2016

Location: DC

Programs: AA PPRO, HH Diamond, National EE

Posts: 603

Trying to pull some data... Anyone waitlisted on the 8th of Jan? I know flyertalk is a small pool of people who actually fly but never know, might find someone else on the flight.

Dec 23, 2018, 12:30 am

#573

Adam P. Schneider

Join Date: Mar 2016

Location: LAX

Programs: AA - EXP Hyatt - Globalist

Posts: 5

I’m curious what the experts here think of my chances of getting cleared for upgrades on this route in late June/early July? I’m a new EXP and have requested the use of my SWU for me and one travel companion who has no status. Also, we are currently booked in regular economy and was curious if any EXP who haven’t received upgrades to biz if they’ve had any luck being bumped to Premium economy?

Feb 2, 2019, 11:24 am

#574

Aedion

Join Date: Jul 2017

Location: LAX, SNA, LGB

Programs: AS MVP, Marriott Platinum

Posts: 38

Im a new Plat and booked on LAX-SYD in Y on July 3rd this year. Called in to request being placed on upgrade list for miles + copay. Anyone have any data or anecdotes about upgrades or change in business travel over the July 4th holiday/weekend? I'll be crossing my fingers.

Feb 11, 2019, 11:03 pm

#575

mwk190

Join Date: Jan 2012

Programs: AA EP; HH Diamond; Marriott Plat; IHG Plat; National EE

Posts: 342

Looking at booking LAX-SYD-LAX in September. Any knowledge out there for this route on specific days of the week (in each direction) that are more lightly traveled and thus might have a higher chance of SWUs clearing?

Obviously domestic US it's Tues/Wed/Sat, but that varies significantly internationally depending on the route.

Feb 12, 2019, 9:28 am

#576

WiscAZ

Join Date: Sep 2012

Location: Sun Prairie, WI

Programs: AA Executive Platinum, HH Diamond, National Executive

Posts: 1,786

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwk190

In my experience - and this is more so when there was a 3 class cabin versus a 2 (although the days shouldn't change much - the following days are better than others:

US to AU - Tuesday and Wednesday are the best options with Sunday and Monday departures next best. The reason being is that arriving (due to the essentially 2 day difference) on Thursday or Friday are not huge business travel days. When I go for business (and purchase J) I typically arrive on Sunday or Monday to maximize a full week in AU.

AU to US - Given that your departure day is the day of arrival in the US you want to again look at arriving mid-week. Leaving on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday have typically been best.

There are quite a few variable to consider here but if I was booking purely on the chance to get an upgrade I'd look at leaving the US on a Tuesday and coming home the previous Wednesday - depending on how long you want to stay. Just a few thoughts.

Feb 12, 2019, 10:05 am

#577

3544quebec

Join Date: May 1998

Location: australia

Posts: 5,762

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiscAZ

I'd look at leaving the US on a Tuesday and coming home the previous Wednesday - depending on how long you want to stay.

Watch out for those Morlocks as you cross the International Week LIne- they are more dangerous even than drop bears

Feb 12, 2019, 11:47 am

#578

WiscAZ

Join Date: Sep 2012

Location: Sun Prairie, WI

Programs: AA Executive Platinum, HH Diamond, National Executive

Posts: 1,786

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3544quebec

Watch out for those Morlocks as you cross the International Week LIne- they are more dangerous even than drop bears

HAHA yeah not sure where I was going there. I even confused myself with all that time travel talk! Sounds like an episode of that show Manifest!

Feb 13, 2019, 7:00 am

#579

infinite97

Join Date: Jan 2015

Location: PDX

Programs: AA EXP, HHonors Diamond, Avis First

Posts: 99

Is this the only AA flight to Australia now? I thought they flew from DFW also, but can’t find anything. Looking at a work trip in a few months.

Feb 13, 2019, 7:04 am

#580

JJeffrey

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Feb 2001

Location: RDU <|> MMX

Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS

Posts: 12,457

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinite97

Is this the only AA flight to Australia now? I thought they flew from DFW also, but can’t find anything. Looking at a work trip in a few months.

LAX-SYD has always been the only AA metal flight to Australia (at least since 2015 when it started). DFW-SYD etc. is all on QF metal.

tfizzle and infinite97 like this.

Feb 19, 2019, 8:58 am

#581

wms1228

Join Date: Oct 2015

Posts: 1

Current Data Points

Hi All,

Lots of great info from EP folks here, thanks! Wondering if anyone with lower status has had any luck with cash+miles upgrades. I’m AA gold and booked round trip in PE with Sunday departure and Saturday return in late June. Asked for cash + miles upgrades at booking, flight currently shows 7+ seats both ways but I know it’s early. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Apr 1, 2019, 3:25 am

#582

Zacnlinc

Join Date: Aug 2008

Location: San Francisco

Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.

Posts: 1,717

Looking for some recent info for using SWU on the LAX-SYD-LAX for EXP.

Will be most likely traveling June-Aug time frame with flexibility being my friend for the moment. Thanks for any recent previous experiences.

Cheers!!

Apr 2, 2019, 8:59 am

#583

teemuflyer

Join Date: Nov 2009

Location: Austin

Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond

Posts: 6,086

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zacnlinc

Tue-Wed departure, Tue-Wed return my friend. Especially during low tourist season.

Zacnlinc and Antarius like this.

Apr 2, 2019, 9:47 am

#584

james318

Join Date: Aug 2006

Location: DFW

Programs: Non-Affiliated

Posts: 7,430

Quote:

Originally Posted by teemuflyer

Tue-Wed departure, Tue-Wed return my friend. Especially during low tourist season.

I have a Tue/Wed departure and a Tue/Wed return in mid/late May. As a PPRO I am not at all confident I'll pull a miles + copay upgrade. But a boy can hope.

Apr 2, 2019, 10:21 am

#585

Antarius

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2012

Location: KHOU/KIAH

Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist

Posts: 11,235

Quote:

Originally Posted by teemuflyer

Tue-Wed departure, Tue-Wed return my friend. Especially during low tourist season.

I have this booked in May with SWU wait listed.

Any experience in how early these have cleared? EXP with ~20k rolling EQD, if that helps.