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)
Oct 20, 2018 | 2:25 pm
#646
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, UA Plat, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 6,248
I don't have a source for it immediately handy, but my understanding is the EQD is calculated at every sweep. So if they open up C space a month in advance like they did for my LAX-AKL, they'll calculate it for the twelve months up to that moment. Then if they open up some more right before flight time, they'll do it again and your EQD number and thus place in line might well be significantly different.
Oct 21, 2018 | 9:18 pm
#648
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,793
Cleared: DFW-SCL at booking today. Waitlisted for SCL-DFW (one week latter).
My SFO-DFW-XXX-SFO legs look pretty solid at the moment with 1-2 seats available at booking. But that's ok... it's a relative "short" flight compared to the intl. legs of the journey. Have set up EF alerts for options on the SCL-XXX leg options.
Hoping for upgrade to J but am happy with Y seats at exit row.
My SFO-DFW-XXX-SFO legs look pretty solid at the moment with 1-2 seats available at booking. But that's ok... it's a relative "short" flight compared to the intl. legs of the journey. Have set up EF alerts for options on the SCL-XXX leg options.
Hoping for upgrade to J but am happy with Y seats at exit row.
Oct 22, 2018 | 8:24 am
#649
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: AA-EXP
Posts: 708
Since this thread applies to all types of upgrades, it would be helpful if posters include the type of upgrade they are referencing (SWU, Miles/Copay, Complimentary/500, etc).
Oct 22, 2018 | 11:37 am
#650
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: UA MM, AA EXP, VS (silver-for-life revoked), DL, WN, AS, Hilton diamond, Marriott gold
Posts: 388
DFW-OAK and back this week no upgrade for me. F cabin was zeroed out for days. I have to tell myself before this EQD ranking I would have cleared F days out. Generally speaking is AA selling cheaper F fares? FWIW the folks sitting down weren't biz folks at all and they all looked like they fly NK once a year to visit grandma in Melbourne Beach.
Oct 22, 2018 | 11:42 am
#651
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: UA MM, AA EXP, VS (silver-for-life revoked), DL, WN, AS, Hilton diamond, Marriott gold
Posts: 388
Since becoming EXP, the only domestic UG I've missed was MIA-MCO at 7am on a Tuesday morning (and most of my flights are Mondays and Thursday evenings). I'm guessing that one is full of premium-cabin connections from South America.
Oct 22, 2018 | 1:52 pm
#652
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott LT Plat | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 13,305
Missed SFO-JFK today. Was 1 on the list from Y to J and got bumped to 2 at the last minute by a CK.
I booked it last minute, so not too worried. ~3rd or 4th missed UG this year?
I booked it last minute, so not too worried. ~3rd or 4th missed UG this year?
Oct 22, 2018 | 2:42 pm
#653
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 3,087
Last friday (10/19) ORD-LHR 788 28J configuration, failed to clear as #2 on list. Well, J was overbooked by 3... 
Waitlisted for another ORD-LHR (cut down to 1x daily) early thanksgiving week. Saw alert for DFW-LHR from EF, bit and rerouted for an additional $600...guess that will be my onetime hefty divorce alimony with AA before moving to greener pastures next year
Waitlisted for another ORD-LHR (cut down to 1x daily) early thanksgiving week. Saw alert for DFW-LHR from EF, bit and rerouted for an additional $600...guess that will be my onetime hefty divorce alimony with AA before moving to greener pastures next year
Oct 22, 2018 | 5:41 pm
#654
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 31,464
Last friday (10/19) ORD-LHR 788 28J configuration, failed to clear as #2 on list. Well, J was overbooked by 3...
Waitlisted for another ORD-LHR (cut down to 1x daily) early thanksgiving week. Saw alert for DFW-LHR from EF, bit and rerouted for an additional $600...guess that will be my onetime hefty divorce alimony with AA before moving to greener pastures next year
Waitlisted for another ORD-LHR (cut down to 1x daily) early thanksgiving week. Saw alert for DFW-LHR from EF, bit and rerouted for an additional $600...guess that will be my onetime hefty divorce alimony with AA before moving to greener pastures next year
Oct 22, 2018 | 8:15 pm
#655
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SIN
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 26
Got an early (potential) Xmas gift from a good friend who is an EXP. MAD-DFW on DEC17 on 789. SWU applied, plenty of empty biz class seats available (according to the seat map which may not be an indicator) but SWU has not cleared.
What are the chances of clearing given this may not be such a popular route? If anyone could offer any insight, I would really appreciate it.
What are the chances of clearing given this may not be such a popular route? If anyone could offer any insight, I would really appreciate it.
Oct 23, 2018 | 4:55 am
#656
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Platinum, Admirals Club Member, HHonors
Posts: 77
Cleared DCA-PHL as gold; my first ex DCA - maybe Ill finish a drink before we land.
Oct 23, 2018 | 1:09 pm
#657
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 58
Hoping to get the group's opinion on the chance of my SWU clearing in two weeks (11/8) from LAX - HKG. Just qualified for EXP this past month, with roughly $25K in EQD to date. I have read the previous posts about how 1 - 3 weeks before is the prime booking window and it may be difficult, but I am still seeing 10 ish seats available in J on seat map. Thanks in advance for any input.
Oct 23, 2018 | 1:22 pm
#658
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 293
I am seeing "Not applicable" when I click Upgrades on the app - I had applied an SWU to be used for a flight leaving later tonight? Is this normal or do I have to callin and ask them to do something. I recently called to make other changes and am wondering if those changes caused the SWU's to fall of the reservation?
Oct 23, 2018 | 2:44 pm
#659
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,158
Data point...
Upgraded LHR-DFW on AA81 (12:25p) on Monday, 22 Oct at T48 with my daughter, using SWU. (About $18K EQD at time of upgrade).
7 people on the UG list at boarding, all 7 cleared.
Upgraded LHR-DFW on AA81 (12:25p) on Monday, 22 Oct at T48 with my daughter, using SWU. (About $18K EQD at time of upgrade).
7 people on the UG list at boarding, all 7 cleared.
Oct 23, 2018 | 2:46 pm
#660
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,481
Agreed value of SWUs is significantly lowered. To get C space now requires a gift from god or flying some less popular routes at random times.