2017 and the Devaluation of SWU (nee eVIP, VIPOW) Upgrades
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Palm Beach/Hungary 3.9MM AA EXP, UA GOLD 1MM, DL PLT, MARR LIFE PLT
Posts: 237
2017 and the Devaluation of SWU (nee eVIP, VIPOW) Upgrades
As a longtime EXP I have been able to use my EVIP upgrades quite well. In 2016, as C inventory is basically never available, I really struggled and all I tried to use them for was Biz to First on flights to and from LHR mostly. AA summarily blocks A inventory which is awful for both EVIPs and round the world first tickets.
As I started looking for tickets in 2017 I do not even see systemwide upgrade availability on banal domestic flights at many differing times of year.
Routes I checked.
PBI-SMF
SMF-FLL
SMF-PBI
PBI-SFO
SFO-MIA
SFO-FLL
MIA-SFO
PBI-LAS
LAS-FLL
Is this final straw in AA basically making the utility of EVIPs a thing of the past. Since AA started coding domestic First as Biz this is a chronic problem. What have others experienced?
As I started looking for tickets in 2017 I do not even see systemwide upgrade availability on banal domestic flights at many differing times of year.
Routes I checked.
PBI-SMF
SMF-FLL
SMF-PBI
PBI-SFO
SFO-MIA
SFO-FLL
MIA-SFO
PBI-LAS
LAS-FLL
Is this final straw in AA basically making the utility of EVIPs a thing of the past. Since AA started coding domestic First as Biz this is a chronic problem. What have others experienced?
#2
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,935
As a longtime EXP I have been able to use my EVIP upgrades quite well. In 2016, as C inventory is basically never available, I really struggled and all I tried to use them for was Biz to First on flights to and from LHR mostly. AA summarily blocks A inventory which is awful for both EVIPs and round the world first tickets.
As I started looking for tickets in 2017 I do not even see systemwide upgrade availability on banal domestic flights at many differing times of year.
Routes I checked.
PBI-SMF
SMF-FLL
SMF-PBI
PBI-SFO
SFO-MIA
SFO-FLL
MIA-SFO
PBI-LAS
LAS-FLL
Is this final straw in AA basically making the utility of EVIPs a thing of the past. Since AA started coding domestic First as Biz this is a chronic problem. What have others experienced?
As I started looking for tickets in 2017 I do not even see systemwide upgrade availability on banal domestic flights at many differing times of year.
Routes I checked.
PBI-SMF
SMF-FLL
SMF-PBI
PBI-SFO
SFO-MIA
SFO-FLL
MIA-SFO
PBI-LAS
LAS-FLL
Is this final straw in AA basically making the utility of EVIPs a thing of the past. Since AA started coding domestic First as Biz this is a chronic problem. What have others experienced?
There's this "banal" refrain on FT that SWUs have no value unless confirmed space is available at booking. It's getting pretty tiresome...
The real devaluation is the cut from 8 to 4.
Last edited by bse118; Jan 3, 17 at 7:42 am Reason: typo
#3
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ORD
Posts: 980
I think I'm at 100% for (international) SWUs since they started hiding space in 2016. Ultimately, it seems like they're doing the same thing to SWUs that they did for 500 mile upgrades--moving them to day of departure only.
Now, having them not work for domestic is a pain, but with only 4, it matters a lot less to me--I'm not going to be sparing any on domestic anyway.
Now, having them not work for domestic is a pain, but with only 4, it matters a lot less to me--I'm not going to be sparing any on domestic anyway.
#4
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 9,364
I tried making a few "dummy" reservations JFK-LHR-JFK, a few J to F with SWU availability show up for dates in Feb and Mar; there was even Y to J--but an extremely small number.
In addition they cut the number of SWUs from 8 to 4 (upon EXP requalification) = fewer SWUs available for use, presumably it should now be easier to use them.

In addition they cut the number of SWUs from 8 to 4 (upon EXP requalification) = fewer SWUs available for use, presumably it should now be easier to use them.

#5
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,734
As a longtime EXP I have been able to use my EVIP upgrades quite well. In 2016, as C inventory is basically never available, I really struggled and all I tried to use them for was Biz to First on flights to and from LHR mostly. AA summarily blocks A inventory which is awful for both EVIPs and round the world first tickets.
As I started looking for tickets in 2017 I do not even see systemwide upgrade availability on banal domestic flights at many differing times of year.
Routes I checked.
PBI-SMF
SMF-FLL
SMF-PBI
PBI-SFO
SFO-MIA
SFO-FLL
MIA-SFO
PBI-LAS
LAS-FLL
Is this final straw in AA basically making the utility of EVIPs a thing of the past. Since AA started coding domestic First as Biz this is a chronic problem. What have others experienced?
As I started looking for tickets in 2017 I do not even see systemwide upgrade availability on banal domestic flights at many differing times of year.
Routes I checked.
PBI-SMF
SMF-FLL
SMF-PBI
PBI-SFO
SFO-MIA
SFO-FLL
MIA-SFO
PBI-LAS
LAS-FLL
Is this final straw in AA basically making the utility of EVIPs a thing of the past. Since AA started coding domestic First as Biz this is a chronic problem. What have others experienced?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27691841-post265.html
#6
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,549
In any case, like OP I've been burning SWUs on business-to-first upgrades where AA actually has three cabin service, and the occasional domestic trip just to get some value out of them. The fact that AA has basically killed off domestic upgrade availability at booking really is a flat-out devaluation of the SWUs since if AA is only clearing upgrades close-in domestically, I might as well just use complimentary upgrades instead of supporting it with an instrument. It means that one of the potential use cases for the benefit has been rendered basically obsolete.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,271
The fact that AA has basically killed off domestic upgrade availability at booking really is a flat-out devaluation of the SWUs since if AA is only clearing upgrades close-in domestically, I might as well just use complimentary upgrades instead of supporting it with an instrument. It means that one of the potential use cases for the benefit has been rendered basically obsolete.
#8
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DEN, SCL
Programs: Double OWE (AA EXP, QF Plat), FI Gold, UA 1K
Posts: 1,885
I agree that the utility of the SWUs/eVIPs has been diminished, as has been discussed quite a bit (I think this thread might be merged with another). I was unimpressed with the SWU benefit in my particular case last year, though I know that it's a YMMV thing. During 2016 I was never able to confirm a SWU at the time of booking (all Y to J), and all but one went down to the gate. I missed three. I'm currently wait-listed for two in Jan and Feb with the F cabin (3-class international) on both flights showing F7 Z0 A0, EF seat map showing 12 seats available for both flights.
I'll never say no to an upgrade at any time, but some of what was nice with clearing more than 24 hours out was being able to request a meal, and knowing that you'll be upfront before check-in, etc. I certainly haven't seen the same value in the SWU benefit over the last 12 months as I did for the years prior.
I'll never say no to an upgrade at any time, but some of what was nice with clearing more than 24 hours out was being able to request a meal, and knowing that you'll be upfront before check-in, etc. I certainly haven't seen the same value in the SWU benefit over the last 12 months as I did for the years prior.
Last edited by zpaul; Jan 3, 17 at 10:40 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DEN, SCL
Programs: Double OWE (AA EXP, QF Plat), FI Gold, UA 1K
Posts: 1,885
Given that it's a term still in circulation today, I would say that it is correct, although antiquated.
#10
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,194
I agree that the utility of the SWUs/eVIPs has been diminished, as has been discussed quite a bit (I think this thread might be merged with another). I was unimpressed with the SWU benefit in my particular case last year, though I know that it's a YMMV thing. During 2016 I was never able to confirm a SWU at the time of booking (all Y to J), and all but one went down to the gate. I missed three. I'm currently wait-listed for two in Jan and Feb with the F cabin (3-class international) on both flights showing F7 Z0 A0, EF seat map showing 12 seas available for both flights.
I'll never say no to an upgrade at any time, but some of what was nice with clearing more than 24 hours out was being able to request a meal, and knowing that you'll be upfront before check-in, etc. I certainly haven't seen the same value in the SWU benefit over the last 12 months as I did for the years prior.
I'll never say no to an upgrade at any time, but some of what was nice with clearing more than 24 hours out was being able to request a meal, and knowing that you'll be upfront before check-in, etc. I certainly haven't seen the same value in the SWU benefit over the last 12 months as I did for the years prior.
#12
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,271

#13
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LAS/DXB
Programs: AA CK, EK Platinum
Posts: 1,020
I have yet to miss an upgrade using SWU since I became EXP, and that was before CK was an official status. And no it wasn't only Business to First (three class), actually most of it was economy to business on private trips. As others have probably told you as well YMMV. I personally do not see a devaluation, especially this year I rather see an additional benefit.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,389
I called last night to use soon expiring SWUs (I have 7 expiring 2/28) for a MIA/ORD trip and was waitlisted both ways even though F is wide open. I guess I will clear right before complimentary upgrades around T-24 to T-5.
#15
Moderator: American AAdvantage, TAP, Mexico, Technical Support and Feedback, and The Suggestion Box
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,807
Point of information:
VIPOW is an obsolete term for previous one way systemwide upgrades
EVIP, eVIP or VIP are obsolescent terms
SWU or Systemwide Upgrade are current terms, in use now for several years
We strive to have thread titles that use current terminology for accuracy, search engine friendliness and the widest member use and recognition. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Thank you, Moderator
VIPOW is an obsolete term for previous one way systemwide upgrades
EVIP, eVIP or VIP are obsolescent terms
SWU or Systemwide Upgrade are current terms, in use now for several years
We strive to have thread titles that use current terminology for accuracy, search engine friendliness and the widest member use and recognition. Your cooperation is appreciated.
Thank you, Moderator