CocoPops

There was space still left in F and a couple of spaces in the J mini cabin.
Currently sat on AA107 with around 1100miles to go until JFK... Then I get off, faff around with customs and entry to them get back onboard same plane to GRU

remedy

As a former UA flyer where TOD's were sold before elite upgrades, I was not aware that AA sells them too. Are they sold before or after SWU/mileage upgrades?

TIMOS

Hi All

My partner and I are flying LAX-LHR-LAX in August. I am EXP - he has zero status.

LAX-LHR we are both listed for an upgrade using my system wides

LHR-LAX I am cleared already with a system wide (booked a month ago, he just booked his flight today) he is waitlisted with my miles and copay (25k + $350)

Where will he fall on upgrade list?

For Systemwide he will be treated as no status/systewide - or will he get my EXP status. A

And for milescopay he will be zero status?

Is there a way to link our reservations so he has a better shot?

Thanks all!

hiima

The seat comfort isn't much of a difference, but the service will be for sure. I guess it depends on the person, but I would probably upgrade too if it were me.

hiima

How likely is a Y to J upgrade using miles and pay for LAX-LHR and back for a plat, gold, and no status? Requested weeks/months in advance?

chicagoflyer1976

36% + 2% for each week between booking date and travel date

Hengilas

Might be tough. People like to sleep in that direction...I have always bought J on that route, but have been 100% on getting SWUs to clear LHR-LAX.

hiima

So an early enough request would yield 106% success rate? I like those odds

gcsmith

Usually SWU are waitlisted on the international segment. I have one waitlisted for MIA-CDG this Sunday (7J, 20 open seats in business). I'm pretty sure it will clear. I am flying TUS-DFW-MIA as I strategically picked this flight based on business load and the more modern seats.

My connecting 767 DFW-MIA is now at F3/A3. I'm concerned that I may not clear the MIA-CDG in time to catch one of those 3 remaining seats. So I'm thinking of just having my SWU applied to the first two segments now. At least that is 5+ hours guaranteed in nice seats.

I know I'm risking burning an SWU on flights I'd get for free as I'm EXP (but they have to be available at the time). I'm mostly concerned if this would mess up the waitlist on MIA-CDG? Or is that still automatic (mostly automatic). I do have an Expertflyer alert set.

Anyone with experience upgrading the domestic segments first?

Stripe

I have done it several times. In my case it's usually a JFK-AUS segment after an international arrival. If availability got down to something like A3 I'd probably have them clear the domestic segment and continue to waitlist the overseas segment, especially if the overseas upgrade looked promising. If the overseas segment doesn't clear you would have "wasted" the SWU but in my view if I have just gotten off a long flight in Y I would be very happy to know that the remainder of my trip was up front.

It does depend on the length of the domestic segment. I would never do it on DFW-AUS.

nycflyerdude

Was wondering if anyone had any tips on flying to SE Asia and using SWUs (or miles) to upgrade. How likely is that 2 people can upgrade using SWUs ~2 months out? What day of the week has the best chance (and worst chance) ?

Thanks

neo_781

Hi,

Welcome to Flyertalk!

Unfortunately AA doesn't fly their own airplanes to Southeast Asia so you won't be able to use a SWU to upgrade to that region. They do have flights to other parts of Asia (but that is a very broad query) so I am sure if you post a bit more specifically which "connection" city you want to fly to and if you have a US gateway preference (use this link as a guide) you may get some specific advice.

A lot of people choose routing based on aircraft type, cabin layout, ratio of Economy to Business class seats amongst other criteria so any details you can provide is always helpful.

Good Luck!

nycflyerdude

would be DFW to HKG or some routing through NRT (I think ORD-NRT) (HKG seems closer to SE asia though).

gary_nj

Welcome to FlyerTalk. The specific DFW-HKG route is discussed in a whole lot of detail in its own thread on the topic, which can be found here

ckx2

The routes served with old 772 configurations are imho much easier to uprade with SWU. DFW-HKG and vice versa is considered to be a luckfest.