Jun 10, 2017, 4:53 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Priority List (“PALL”) Changes
Upgrade Priority Change to Status, Rolling 365 Day EQD Began 20 May 2017
Upgrade Priority Change to Status, Rolling 365 Day EQD Began 20 May 2017
Upgrade priority is now based on Status held first, then by rolling Elite Qualifying Dollar spend over the last 365 days within upgrade types; see below. See this thread.
"New Upgrade Priority Link to Gary Leff, View From the Wing 16 May 2017
Upgrades are currently prioritized by elite status and then time of request."
As of May 20 upgrade prioritization is:
- Elite status
- Concierge Key
- Executive Platinum
- Platinum Pro
- Platinum
- Gold
- Upgrade type
- Miles and copay award upgrades and systemwide upgrades (SWU)
- 500 mile upgrades on purchased tickets
- 500 mile upgrades on upgrade eligible awards)
- Elite qualifying dollars in the past 12 months
- Booking class
- Time of request"
No- or lower status companion and effect on upgrade position
WAIT LIST, SAME PNR: Prior to upgrade request going to airport list
- 500 mile / UDU: lower status passenger "borrows" higher status
- SWU, Miles & Copay, Business Extra: lower status passenger "borrows" higher status. (BX is unsure, stated as least of priorities, likely to up D-24 only)
- Award travel: lower status passenger "borrows" higher status
WAIT LIST, SEPARATE PNR: Prior to upgrade request going to airport list
- 500 mile / UDU: lower status passenger "borrows" higher status IF PNRs "linked"
- SWU, Miles & Copay, Business Extra: lower status passenger DOES NOT "borrow" higher status under any circumstance
- Award travel: lower status passenger "borrows" higher status IF PNRs "linked"
AIRPORT LIST, SAME PNR:
- 500 mile / UDU: lower status passenger "borrows" higher status
- SWU, Miles & Copay, Business Extra: lower status passenger "borrows" higher status. (BX is unsure, but is least of priorities, likely to up D-24 only)
- Award travel: lower status passenger "borrows" higher status
AIRPORT LIST, SEPARATE PNR:
- 500 mile / UDU: lower status passenger "borrows" higher status IF PNRs "linked"
- SWU, Miles & Copay, Business Extra: lower status passenger DOES NOT "borrow" higher status under any circumstance
- Award travel: lower status passenger "borrows" higher status IF PNRs "linked"
NOTES:
- Traveling companion 500 mile upgrades (even for those pax using UDU) "stickers" must pull from higher status passenger's account.
- Lower status passenger previously "borrowing" higher status may require human processing at the airport to re-establish "borrowed status" linkage
(Companion information thanks to DW)
Updated 8 June 2017 by JDiver
Elite companions inherit Priority List “PALL” upgrade sponsor status (Jan 2017)
Nov 12, 2016, 4:26 pm
#17
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
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Excellent break-down by Gary:
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....des-waitlists/
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....des-waitlists/
You might say, but that’s the way it works now and sometimes it is. Gate agents sometimes do this manually (processing lists out of order) and sometimes status is managed this way. But it’s not at all consistent.
In fact, American’s own website isn’t exactly consistent in how they describe the way this is supposed to work.
In fact, American’s own website isn’t exactly consistent in how they describe the way this is supposed to work.
Nov 12, 2016, 5:26 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: WAS, LAX
Programs: AS 100K
Posts: 1,330
The thing that will make this interesting is that a lot of "nobodys" have been able to confirm upgrades at booking with miles and money since the reservations integration. That's now coming to an end this weekend, so who knows? Maybe there will be more net space available (though anybody who chooses to roll the dice by waitlisting with miles and money will likely still have priority over EXP comp upgrades).
Or maybe not and we're seeing the end of free upgrades for EXPs. Quite a distance to fall in the last two years.
Or maybe not and we're seeing the end of free upgrades for EXPs. Quite a distance to fall in the last two years.
Nov 12, 2016, 7:26 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Gold 5*
Posts: 129
But EXP does not earn stickers. So does EXP need to buy stickers for these companion upgrades? Seems they should let EXP earn stickers too, now that there would a reason to have them......
Nov 12, 2016, 8:46 pm
#20
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
I'm surprised at the negative reactions. First of all, this "change" is how, in practice, companion upgrades have worked for me since I gained AA status around 2010. I'm guessing those complaining don't use companion upgrades often and just weren't aware of this happening before.
Second, on most flights, I don't want to be upgraded at the cost of leaving my companion behind. And if I did, there's always the option of splitting the reservation.
Overall a positive change if only for the guarantee of consistency, and for publishing a policy that was previously unclear.
Second, on most flights, I don't want to be upgraded at the cost of leaving my companion behind. And if I did, there's always the option of splitting the reservation.
Overall a positive change if only for the guarantee of consistency, and for publishing a policy that was previously unclear.
Last edited by _kurt; Nov 12, 2016 at 8:52 pm
Nov 12, 2016, 8:54 pm
#21
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Nov 12, 2016, 9:56 pm
#22
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Amb Elite & LT Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,230
What is not clear about the rule change is if this means your companion retains your status if you've been upgraded and they have not (i.e. no longer need two seats to open up for UG to process).
Still wonder if the spend priority applies to EVIP's.
Nov 13, 2016, 6:23 am
#24
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No, that's not an accurate picture. Trust me, I know a bit on the subject.
Nov 13, 2016, 7:13 am
#25
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 239
Daft
Sorry to ask such a basic question. Does this mean that if I (PLT) list with a companion (GLD), that companion floats freely on the list with my status (instead of theirs) so that if one seat opens in F, I get it, and if another opens they get it? Or does there still have to be two seats that open simultaneously? And whatever the answer, would this also apply to international UPG requests with miles?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Nov 13, 2016, 7:25 am
#26
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Sorry to ask such a basic question. Does this mean that if I (PLT) list with a companion (GLD), that companion floats freely on the list with my status (instead of theirs) so that if one seat opens in F, I get it, and if another opens they get it? Or does there still have to be two seats that open simultaneously? And whatever the answer, would this also apply to international UPG requests with miles?
First question is not, to my knowledge anyway, authoritatively answered/answerable yet.
Nov 13, 2016, 8:19 am
#27
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
My experience has been (EXP + Gold companion)
If Elite+Companion clears upgrade in advance - then stickers come out of EXP account.
Less than 24 hours, Companion changes automatically to their status on the list. Takes an agent at the AC to change that and make the Gold companion set at EXP for priority. Then stickers come out of companion account.
Also - issue has been that if only one upgrade available, then the record as to be split, which eliminates the pairing. Something needs done to fix that.
At the cost of stickers - it is almost as cheap to just by the F seat for the companion.
If Elite+Companion clears upgrade in advance - then stickers come out of EXP account.
Less than 24 hours, Companion changes automatically to their status on the list. Takes an agent at the AC to change that and make the Gold companion set at EXP for priority. Then stickers come out of companion account.
Also - issue has been that if only one upgrade available, then the record as to be split, which eliminates the pairing. Something needs done to fix that.
At the cost of stickers - it is almost as cheap to just by the F seat for the companion.
Nov 13, 2016, 8:24 am
#28
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
The thing that will make this interesting is that a lot of "nobodys" have been able to confirm upgrades at booking with miles and money since the reservations integration. That's now coming to an end this weekend, so who knows? Maybe there will be more net space available (though anybody who chooses to roll the dice by waitlisting with miles and money will likely still have priority over EXP comp upgrades).
Or maybe not and we're seeing the end of free upgrades for EXPs. Quite a distance to fall in the last two years.
Or maybe not and we're seeing the end of free upgrades for EXPs. Quite a distance to fall in the last two years.
I really think the A class upgrade for "nobodys" is what takes up a lot of F seats - with lost of paid F and Elite upgrades.
Nov 13, 2016, 8:54 am
#29
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: WAS, LAX
Programs: AS 100K
Posts: 1,330
That's correct, see the thread about all first class revenue fares moving over to J, D, I fares (biz fares). As a result, miles + co-pay upgrades will now be pulled out of C, which will make them much more difficult to confirm at booking. Gary Leff also wrote about this a few days ago.
Nov 13, 2016, 8:57 am
#30
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,037
So my question is whether the "companion" that inherits the status actually needs to be on the same PNR, or simply on the same flight (with a different PNR) as the higher level elite to receive the higher level elite's PALL list status?
(and Jon, I know you probably don't have an answer to this one yet)