Dec 17, 2017, 12:15 pm
Last edit by: aztimm
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
- Platinum
- Platinum Pro
- Executive Platinum
- Upgrade type
- Miles and copay award upgrades and systemwide upgrades (SWU)
- 500 mile upgrades on purchased tickets
- 500 mile upgrades on upgrade eligible awards)
- 500 mile upgrades on purchased tickets
- Elite qualifying dollars in the past 12 months
- Booking class
- Time of request"
- Booking class
- Miles and copay award upgrades and systemwide upgrades (SWU)
- Concierge Key
See Upgrade Priority Changes to Status, Rolling 365 Day EQD Spend May 20 2017
Link to Gary Leff, View From the Wing 16 May 2017
Updated 17 Dec 2017 by aztimm
Chances of Upgrade Clearing and Availability (2018 master thread)
Jul 23, 2018 | 5:16 am
#421
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 15,204
Question about upgrades (I hope this is the right thread):
Suppose I am PlatPro and flying with a non-status companion on the same record on a non-award ticket. Is it true that we will both get upgraded based on my priority, and that if we do I'll have to pay for her upgrade with stickers?
What happens if I'm on a paid ticket and she's on an award ticket? I don't know if PP are even eligible for upgrades on award tix.
Suppose I am PlatPro and flying with a non-status companion on the same record on a non-award ticket. Is it true that we will both get upgraded based on my priority, and that if we do I'll have to pay for her upgrade with stickers?
What happens if I'm on a paid ticket and she's on an award ticket? I don't know if PP are even eligible for upgrades on award tix.
PLT Pro is not eligible for sticker upgrades on award tickets. So if you're on a paid ticket and she's on an award, you could only upgrade yourself.
Jul 23, 2018 | 11:32 am
#422
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 9,971
[QUOTE=Uzzar;30001570]
Domestic.
I learned that if you use miles/copay and then board because they said they'd get you, then your chances of upgrading are close to 100%. They got CKs and SWUs users but passed me over to a ExPlat lower on the list relying on complimentary upgrades because the said they didn't have time to process the copay if I've boarded. In spite of telling me they'd get me.
...
[/QUOTE
Was this international or domestic? Also, I don't understand why they cant process all upgrades before boarding apart from waiting for F pax that might have just landed.
...
[/QUOTE
Was this international or domestic? Also, I don't understand why they cant process all upgrades before boarding apart from waiting for F pax that might have just landed.
Jul 23, 2018 | 8:04 pm
#423
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Santa Barbara, CA, Park City, UT
Programs: AA EXP, Delta Silver, Marriott Plat,Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat, AF plat
Posts: 1,002
As a PLT and based in PHX upgrades are a dream, however, there are some sweet spots, Friday evening, Sat and Sunday mornings PHX-SAN have been upgraded about 80%. I might have found a unicorn PHX-SAF (Santa Fe NM) we have taken this trip 3 times, first time out no upgrade (Mondy flight) return was Sat both us upgraded) We have left Wed and returned Sat (upgraded both times) This is on CRJ-700 only one flight a day, leaves in the late afternoon and returns early evening. With PLT I like that I can choose MCE seats at booking which makes for a nicer ride.
Jul 23, 2018 | 8:07 pm
#424
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Santa Barbara, CA, Park City, UT
Programs: AA EXP, Delta Silver, Marriott Plat,Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat, AF plat
Posts: 1,002
Just recently noticed most my requests for upgrades on bookings have been partially wiped away. Some trips only one segment, others the whole trip. Even my upcoming Wednesday trip one segment gone that I should have already been upgraded on given the minimal seats taken.
Anyone having this happen? What is going on with AAs IT?
Anyone having this happen? What is going on with AAs IT?
Jul 24, 2018 | 1:15 pm
#425
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,927
And ended up clearing the DFW-IAD upgrade (MD80). Second time in the last month I've switched flights due to IROPs and still cleared a last-minute upgrade.
Hard to complain about the domestic upgrade program from where I stand. YMMV.
Jul 24, 2018 | 10:19 pm
#426
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott LT Plat | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 13,326
PSA: JFK-GIG, MIA-GIG and MIA-GRU has absurd amounts of C inventory open on a lot of days.
Jul 26, 2018 | 3:54 am
#427
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 4
No status, a family member requested mileage upgrades for me for a PEK-LAX-BOS flight three months ago. LAX-BOS cleared immediately, the PEK-LAX leg cleared now at about a week before for me. There are at least 15 seats still available in J, so I guess they decided I'd waited enough?
Jul 26, 2018 | 6:54 am
#428
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Platinum, Admirals Club Member, HHonors
Posts: 77
AA Gold, DCA->TPA, MIA, CLT, DFW and vice versa have never cleared. Probably a function of DCA elite load.
Jul 26, 2018 | 7:23 am
#429
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: WAS/NYC/LON
Programs: AA EXP, HH DIA, Hyatt DIA
Posts: 290
Recently, have pretty good luck on JFK<->SFO between 2-4 days out. No dice on JFK<->LAX though.
Jul 26, 2018 | 3:53 pm
#430
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Cornfields
Programs: AA PPRO, HH Diamond, National EE
Posts: 627
PLT-$1400 spend-Cleared BWI-CLT at 48 hrs.
Jul 26, 2018 | 8:43 pm
#431
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Miami
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 7
Again - still way too broad. As a relatively low EQD EXP (~$14K), I've been upgraded this year on 737s and A319-A321 on regular weekday daytime flights on: ORD-SEA, DEN-DFW (and the other way round), PHL-DEN, DEN-ORD, MCO-LGA, etc. All midsized/major airports, all during regular "business travel": times. I've missed upgrades on DEN-MIA, MIA-DEN, DCA-CLT, DFW-MCO, and a couple others I don't remember. I don't see much of a pattern there, nor is there enough data to draw any conclusions from.
That's my experience. It's no more indicative of a broad fact pattern that you looking at your most recent few flights. Upgrade experience and success rate is variable based on a host of factors.
That's my experience. It's no more indicative of a broad fact pattern that you looking at your most recent few flights. Upgrade experience and success rate is variable based on a host of factors.
YMMV for sure...I feel bad for the DFW folks who seem to clear few if any upgrades worth getting.
Jul 30, 2018 | 11:10 am
#432
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 292
I am flying DFW-MBJ on Wednesday, August 1st. I have not cleared, just yet. What are my odds of seats in Business?
Jul 30, 2018 | 11:46 am
#433
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,158
SNA-DFW 27 Jul 12:40p departure... #2 on the list.
I did confirmed stand by to this flight, however. And the EXP agent earlier that morning told me F was sold out.
Then the 11:40a to DFW went MX and was delayed 3 hours and AA bumped a lot of pax to our flight. Even a CK was sitting in the window 14A exit row in front of me. Had a nice Cadillac transfer awaiting him on arrival at DFW, however.
I did confirmed stand by to this flight, however. And the EXP agent earlier that morning told me F was sold out.
Then the 11:40a to DFW went MX and was delayed 3 hours and AA bumped a lot of pax to our flight. Even a CK was sitting in the window 14A exit row in front of me. Had a nice Cadillac transfer awaiting him on arrival at DFW, however.
Jul 30, 2018 | 12:28 pm
#434
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 214
Low probability unless you're a CK or maybe EXP - assuming you're on AA2726, ExpertFlyer is currently showing J1 Y1 which means it's nearly sold-out in both business and coach.
Jul 30, 2018 | 12:36 pm
#435
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
According to Expert Flyer, there are 6 open seats in F but C=0. In looking at the coach/MCE seatmap, there are some middles open, most aisle/window occupied. It is tough to say if any EXP or PRO's have already been upgraded (or PLAT).
I've sat in 10F on many flights and would argue that it might actually be better than sitting in F. Just grab something to eat at CLT and be prepared to settle in; that seems to be a sure way to get upgraded.
I've sat in 10F on many flights and would argue that it might actually be better than sitting in F. Just grab something to eat at CLT and be prepared to settle in; that seems to be a sure way to get upgraded.
