Last edit by: JDiver
Chances of Upgrade Request Clearing
NOTE: Be aware of recent (20 May 2017) upgrade priority changes.
"New Upgrade Priority as of 20 May 2017
(Upgrades were prioritized by elite status and then time of request until 20 May 2017)
- 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"
See Upgrade Priority Changes to Status, Rolling 365 Day EQD Spend May 20 2017
U]Link[/U] to Gary Leff, View From the Wing 16 May 2017
Updated 22 May 2017 by JDiver
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2017 Chances of Upgrade Clearing and Availability (consolidated)
#736
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,465
I'm on AA193 LAX-HKG on 11/16. I'm Exec Plat using 2 SWU for myself and my SO. Expertflyer shows Business cabin as (J5 R3 D1) but seatmap shows 25 seats available. MCE is completely full. Even Economy shows (Y3 B0 H3 K0 M0 L0 G0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 E0). I have a bad feeling in my gut that's telling me that we aren't going to clear.
#737
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Alaska Gold 75K, AA EXP, United 1K
Posts: 472
I'm on AA193 LAX-HKG on 11/16. I'm Exec Plat using 2 SWU for myself and my SO. Expertflyer shows Business cabin as (J5 R3 D1) but seatmap shows 25 seats available. MCE is completely full. Even Economy shows (Y3 B0 H3 K0 M0 L0 G0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 E0). I have a bad feeling in my gut that's telling me that we aren't going to clear.
seems like a heavy Y oversell although I'm surprised they would oversell Y by that much and not leave some more J open this far out. My guess is you will get upgraded...heck even a small chance for an op up.
#738
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Just a random observation regarding SWUs... From my recent experience it looks like AA has gotten better at clearing SWUs automatically and well in advance. I cleared LAX-PEK on Sunday for December and just cleared a Thursday evening ORD-LAX (overnighting prior to LAX-PEK) flight which is nice on a hub to hub route with decent business travel.
Not sure if I got lucky here or they are making some strides in making SWUs somewhat more valuable. In the past, international sectors only cleared 2-3 days in advance if I waitlist even when the J cabin wasn't selling.
Not sure if I got lucky here or they are making some strides in making SWUs somewhat more valuable. In the past, international sectors only cleared 2-3 days in advance if I waitlist even when the J cabin wasn't selling.
#739
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt LT Global Elitist, Bonvyoed LT Titanium, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 479
ORD-PEK is not showing C class inventory on EF, but when I search SJC-ORD-PEK the ORD-PEK is showing C inventory, but SJC-ORD is not.
EXP desk is telling me they can't confirm the space unless BOTH segments have C available... is this true???
#740
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gatwick, UK
Programs: UA *G, BA Silver
Posts: 1,673
I'm traveling SJC-ORD-PEK in a few days.
ORD-PEK is not showing C class inventory on EF, but when I search SJC-ORD-PEK the ORD-PEK is showing C inventory, but SJC-ORD is not.
EXP desk is telling me they can't confirm the space unless BOTH segments have C available... is this true???
ORD-PEK is not showing C class inventory on EF, but when I search SJC-ORD-PEK the ORD-PEK is showing C inventory, but SJC-ORD is not.
EXP desk is telling me they can't confirm the space unless BOTH segments have C available... is this true???
However, EF can be unreliable in showing C availability for single versus multiple segments and it sounds like C is available on ORD-PEK only when married with SJC-ORD, where it isn't available.
#741
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: United Premier Platinum
Posts: 638
Is J0 on DFW-NRT on a Saturday pretty much the kiss of death for clearing a mileage upgrade?
#742
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: HEL
Programs: AY GOLD, HH GOLD
Posts: 411
Got to use my last 2 SWUs on a AA38/39 LHR-MIA-LHR. Booked 3 days ahead for Thursday outbound - Monday inbound. C was wide open.
#744
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
If Y is wide open but it's J0, then yea, chances don't look great.
But if Y is Y0 or at least close, then you still have an ok chance, as AA will definitely reduce or zero out J when they anticipate an oversell in Y. Especially true if the J seatmap looks a little too open for a flight that's J0.
I've cleared several upgrades in this type of "J0" scenario over the years, as well an op-up or two.
#745
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Not necessarily, what does the business seatmap and Y look like?
If Y is wide open but it's J0, then yea, chances don't look great.
But if Y is Y0 or at least close, then you still have an ok chance, as AA will definitely reduce or zero out J when they anticipate an oversell in Y. Especially true if the J seatmap looks a little too open for a flight that's J0.
I've cleared several upgrades in this type of "J0" scenario over the years, as well an op-up or two.
If Y is wide open but it's J0, then yea, chances don't look great.
But if Y is Y0 or at least close, then you still have an ok chance, as AA will definitely reduce or zero out J when they anticipate an oversell in Y. Especially true if the J seatmap looks a little too open for a flight that's J0.
I've cleared several upgrades in this type of "J0" scenario over the years, as well an op-up or two.
I remember doing this flight on a Saturday last year and wound up #6 on the upgrade list as EXP... In my row there was another EXP and he was #8 . Tough route to upgrade.
#746
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: United Premier Platinum
Posts: 638
We'll see what happens. The only time I've had it upgraded so far was when there was a last minute equipment stop to the three-cabin 772 config.
#747
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 866
If you have any flexibility and are looking to upgrade that direction, Saturday is pretty much your worst bet- I'd not role the dice on it if given any options.
#748
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 375
We have upgraded our R/T flights ORD-SCL via MIA. The international segments show Business on our tickets, but the domestic segments still show Economy because no C inventory is available. Will we automatically get upgraded when/if C inventory appears, or do I have to do something to initiate it?
#749
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
In my experience my upgrade cleared automatically so it looks like they do run the waitlist in some cases before releasing C.
when you check your reservation if you see a duplicate sector with one in Y and one in C that means you cleared. Will need to call or tweet AA to have the ticket reissued.
when you check your reservation if you see a duplicate sector with one in Y and one in C that means you cleared. Will need to call or tweet AA to have the ticket reissued.
#750
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 732