LovePrunes

As a Plat, on two recent domestic coach award flights i was asked by ticket agents if i wanted to use my 500 mile stickers to upgrade my coach award ticket.

I had inquired about volunteering if they were oversold, and the TA said while they were over, they'd end up moving elites up to first to accommodate everyone and they wouldn't have to issue any VDB vouchers. Since that would happen free if they needed me, and I had a good coach seat I picked, I opted not to use my 500's.

I even pointed out that I was on a coach award ticket and how could i upgrade it, and she said it wouldn't be a problem. I didn't take that to mean it's a new "policy" as much as just being lenient, but still it seems something has changed, even for non Exec Plats

sensei

Later this month, barring any unexpected issues. Agents are already being trained. There will be a new upgrade priority level for award tickets.

JonNYC

Yup, hearing the same from multiple sources this week ^

asf-07

Where will these fall in the priority order?

nk15

Does anyone know if these upgrades will be extended to (a) companions of EXPs flying with them, or (b) individuals booked with miles from the EXPs account, but not necessarily flying with them?

JonNYC

Certainly not the latter.

flyalways

Will these be available for international mile saver tickets on AA as well using
SWU ? I have a trip coming up in T class and wondering if I can request
an upgrade with SWU :-)

sensei

No chance.

oysterhead43

Big time perk. Thanks AA.

FlyForFun

I flew from DFW to SJC on May 14, 2017 on a milesaaver award. I was paged at the gate and the agent said that she noticed I was not on the upgrade list and did I want to be added. I asked if I had a chance and she handed me a new boarding pass for first. When I returned from SJC to DFW on May 15, 2017, I asked at the check-in counter and was told that I needed to call the Executive Platinum desk or ask at the gate. I noticed that no one on the airport upgrade list had cleared so I called the ExPlat number and asked. I was told that I could change my award ticket to a first class one or stay in coach. I said thank you and hung up. I checked at the gate and was told that I could not be added to the upgrade list because I was on an award ticket. I had a exit row window so I did not argue. Two passengers cleared the list. When boarding was announced, I was the only person in Group 2. My seat was fine and the middle seat stayed vacant. I had my complimentary drink and turkey sandwich; they were offered to me so I did not have to beg.

I may be flying tomorrow on an award ticket and am curious about what will happen when I ask about the upgrade. If I fly, I will post an update.

sensei

There will be a new upgrade priority code for award tickets that are UDU eligible. Upgrade priority below all paid tickets at the respective status level (CK or EP), I believe.

869

I don't see this as much of a perk...but the likelihood that I will use my miles AA miles on AA flights that are eligible for this benefit seems pretty small

jay_dubya

Is this limited to flights booked with AA miles? Any indication that a flight booked with avios wouldn't be eligible?

JDiver

I personally doubt Avios awards will be upgradable on AA.

JonNYC

I guess part of me wonders if the system would even know the difference (i.e. a CK or EP traveling on -T-, no flag as to how that ticket was issued,) but, I have zero reason to know either way.