Talk about a CHEAP upgrade to Tokyo on 787!
Jul 21, 2016, 2:28 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: American AAdvantage
Posts: 6
Talk about a CHEAP upgrade to Tokyo on 787!
Flying LAX-HND on American. I was excited as it was my first time to fly on the 787 Dreamliner. Round trip ticket in coach was $896. What I realllllly wanted was those capsule sleepers in first class. I couldn't afford to buy it outright as it's like some insane $4,000 price tag.
Three days before take off I called and asked if I could buy an upgrade. They lay this bs on me that in addition to the fare difference, I have to pay a $250 change fee. What kind of joke is that? I'm buying more from you, why the heck should I pay a change fee. The agent on the phone put me on hold for 20 mins and comes back. Ok, change fee wavied! Now the price to upgrade... he quotes me something insane, which is what I was expecting. I asked if there were lots of seats up in first, and he says yes. I ask if he can talk to his supervisor again and he agrees, on hold for 10 mins and comes back. $375 each way to upgrade to first in the sleeping capsules! I thought I misunderstood him, but that was it! I was so excited.
When I boarded the plane, first was 80% empty, coach was 50% empty. I guess they were in serious need of $. Oh, and the best part was no upgrades were avail. Funny, the entire first was empty! What a joke.
So upgrade to first LAX-HND for $750rt! Can't beat that deal!
Three days before take off I called and asked if I could buy an upgrade. They lay this bs on me that in addition to the fare difference, I have to pay a $250 change fee. What kind of joke is that? I'm buying more from you, why the heck should I pay a change fee. The agent on the phone put me on hold for 20 mins and comes back. Ok, change fee wavied! Now the price to upgrade... he quotes me something insane, which is what I was expecting. I asked if there were lots of seats up in first, and he says yes. I ask if he can talk to his supervisor again and he agrees, on hold for 10 mins and comes back. $375 each way to upgrade to first in the sleeping capsules! I thought I misunderstood him, but that was it! I was so excited.
When I boarded the plane, first was 80% empty, coach was 50% empty. I guess they were in serious need of $. Oh, and the best part was no upgrades were avail. Funny, the entire first was empty! What a joke.
So upgrade to first LAX-HND for $750rt! Can't beat that deal!
Jul 21, 2016, 2:47 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
Flying LAX-HND on American. I was excited as it was my first time to fly on the 787 Dreamliner. Round trip ticket in coach was $896. What I realllllly wanted was those capsule sleepers in first class. I couldn't afford to buy it outright as it's like some insane $4,000 price tag.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...dreamliner.jsp
Jul 21, 2016, 5:24 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: World of Hyatt, Chase Ultimate Rewards
Posts: 200
That's AWESOME! Good for you!!! It's great to read posts like these. 
By the way, your excitement really comes through in your post. I recently had the opportunity (used miles) and 787 is a great plane.
ERQ
By the way, your excitement really comes through in your post. I recently had the opportunity (used miles) and 787 is a great plane.
ERQ
Last edited by ERQTraveler; Jul 21, 2016 at 5:28 am Reason: Added more...
Jul 21, 2016, 5:41 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
This sounds like a POUG but OP was prompted for a 'fare diff charge' of $250, does this mean there is a LAX-HND published J class fare for $1,6xx? I would prolly buy them right away if this price was offered....
Jul 21, 2016, 5:00 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
Can't be booked into revenue J that would require much more $. A CSr can't override the additional fare required. Possible miles and copay, if OP doesn't have enough miles, then maybe CSr took from another person's account on accident, happened to me. It sucked. Got my miles back though. Or PUG, very possible, probably would've been offed at airport but call triggered.
Jul 21, 2016, 6:16 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
Jul 21, 2016, 6:42 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
There's either more to it or it didn't happen. I'm open-minded as to which.
Jul 21, 2016, 7:33 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
That happened to me a number of years ago JFK-LHR. AAgent at the airport told me that she got me a really cheap cash upgrade. Only later did I find out that there was a mileage component to the cost, too. I wasn't happy.