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)
Feb 13, 2018, 1:19 pm
#106
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Programs: AAdvantage PLT-Pro, Priority Club Plt, Hilton Gold, Hyatt
Posts: 130
If "C" class is available a Miles+Copay will be immediately upgraded regardless of whomever else is on a standby list.
Feb 13, 2018, 11:13 pm
#107
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: U.S. (sometimes)
Programs: UA 1k 1MM, AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Accor ?????
Posts: 1,398
Wrong forum! Yikes. Google really is making me stupid.
Last edited by BigE; Feb 14, 2018 at 10:29 pm Reason: wrong forum
Feb 14, 2018, 8:28 am
#108
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,456
Has anyone noticed seasonal effects in the ease of clearing flights to/from HKG? Looking at the last few days, it's been very easy to clear from SFO/ORD (numerous empty seats, according to the seat map). It could be a Feb thing (relatively cold in HKG), or I suppose it could also reflect something else (fewer 1k/GS this year, fewer buy-ups, or the appearance of LAX-SIN and disappearance of HKG-SIN on UA).
It's common knowledge that it's easier to clear mid-week than on the weekends, and the HKG flights are easier to clear than the SIN flights. But I don't recall much discussion of seasonal effects.
Can I hope that Apr/May (when I'm traveling) will look like Feb? (and, no, I can't find any R space)
It's common knowledge that it's easier to clear mid-week than on the weekends, and the HKG flights are easier to clear than the SIN flights. But I don't recall much discussion of seasonal effects.
Can I hope that Apr/May (when I'm traveling) will look like Feb? (and, no, I can't find any R space)
Feb 15, 2018, 9:29 am
#109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
I thought this year would be easier for EXP's to clear with qualification being harder. But it's the worst since my husband became EXP ~10 years ago. 10 flights so far, only 2 upgrades.
Feb 15, 2018, 10:00 am
#110
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,252
Feb 15, 2018, 10:06 am
#111
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SNA
Posts: 18,240
I should add that. But it has become depressing to track! He keeps asking me his odds on flights (he just flies, I do all the management of FF stuff) and I just keep shrugging and saying it is all bad.
They are:
Saturday (cleared)
Friday
Monday
Monday
Tuesday
Tuesday
Monday
Tuesday (cleared)
Tuesday
Tuesday
They are:
Saturday (cleared)
Friday
Monday
Monday
Tuesday
Tuesday
Monday
Tuesday (cleared)
Tuesday
Tuesday
Feb 15, 2018, 12:39 pm
#112
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,252
I should add that. But it has become depressing to track! He keeps asking me his odds on flights (he just flies, I do all the management of FF stuff) and I just keep shrugging and saying it is all bad.
They are:
Saturday (cleared)
Friday
Monday
Monday
Tuesday
Tuesday
Monday
Tuesday (cleared)
Tuesday
Tuesday
They are:
Saturday (cleared)
Friday
Monday
Monday
Tuesday
Tuesday
Monday
Tuesday (cleared)
Tuesday
Tuesday
I have cleared all but one (DFW-DEN booked at the last minute.. cabin was J1 or J0 when booked, so didn't expect an UG).
Cleared so far in 2018
AUA-CLT (mileage ticket) - Day after NY
CLT-IAH (mileage ticket) - Day after NY
HOU-DFW - Sunday
COS-DFW - Saturday
DFW-IAH - Saturday
HOU-DFW - Friday
DFW-ORD - Friday
ORD-PEK (SWU) - Friday
PVG-DFW (SWU) - Tuesday
Feb 15, 2018, 3:23 pm
#113
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: AA-EXP
Posts: 617
Are the rolling EQD's on the low side?
Feb 15, 2018, 4:44 pm
#114
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Kansas City, USA
Programs: AA Gold, Delta Platinum, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, AVIS Preferred, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,066
My luck as a PLAT PRO has been pretty good this year. I'm currently 11/14 (79%) traveling mostly M-TH. travel. The three segments I've missed are:
ATL-CLT (Th night)
DFW-BNA (Mon Afternoon)
DFW-LIT (Tuesday Late Afternoon)
ATL-CLT (Th night)
DFW-BNA (Mon Afternoon)
DFW-LIT (Tuesday Late Afternoon)
Feb 16, 2018, 12:08 pm
#115
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 732
SWU request missing from AA systems
As EXP with 4 shinny SWU, I had called the AA Advantage desk last month to request a SWU applied on a trip JFK-LHR-JFK from Y to J (as usual, they asked for Credit Card details for the 'luxury taxes' out of LHR).
I kept checking for "C" inventory on ExpertFlyer and saved alerts. Nada until getting to the airport.
Then I noticed the upgrade list on the AA mobile app. My name was not even on the upgrade list!
I called the AA Advantage desk and asked if they had my request for SWU. They did not have any record of such request.
Eventually, only 1 customer cleared the upgrade JFK-LHR so my chances were probably small.
However, it is a bit frustrating that my SWU request was not even processed.
Has anyone had such issue?
What is the trick to insure the SWU is requested for international segments?
Check the AA web-site for the "Upgrade Your Trip" section as per screenshot above?
[Note that I requested -again- the upgrade for the return after finding out the problem]
I kept checking for "C" inventory on ExpertFlyer and saved alerts. Nada until getting to the airport.
Then I noticed the upgrade list on the AA mobile app. My name was not even on the upgrade list!
I called the AA Advantage desk and asked if they had my request for SWU. They did not have any record of such request.
Eventually, only 1 customer cleared the upgrade JFK-LHR so my chances were probably small.
However, it is a bit frustrating that my SWU request was not even processed.
Has anyone had such issue?
What is the trick to insure the SWU is requested for international segments?
Check the AA web-site for the "Upgrade Your Trip" section as per screenshot above?
[Note that I requested -again- the upgrade for the return after finding out the problem]
Feb 16, 2018, 6:12 pm
#116
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ORD, LAS
Programs: AA-EXP, BAEC Silver, Hyatt-Globalist, Hilton-gold, SPG-gold
Posts: 855
I had that happen once last year DFW to PVG. I called in the morning when I saw that I was not on the upgrade list. They were able to add me then and I never did find out what happened. I was the last one to clear at the gate. I would have been furious otherwise.
Feb 16, 2018, 11:28 pm
#117
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Boston area, US
Programs: FB (platinum for life), AAdvantage (exec platinum), Aeroflot Bonus (gold)
Posts: 258
about the subject: i learned the lesson last year not to fly on mondays and thursdays domestically because these are the travel days for consultants why fill up (paid) 1st class. this year i had one round-trip: BOS-PHX-TUS-PHX-BOS. cleared 4/4; all flights were full. the outbound BOS-PHX was the last moment upgrade when group 1 had already boarded but on the way back it cleared a couple of days in advance (the flight was also 100% full)
Feb 17, 2018, 8:16 am
#118
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
The UK charges a higher APD (tax) for business/first class, often called the luxury tax, so for any SWU requests on ex-LHR itineraries AA will take your credit card info and charge the higher taxes if the upgrade clears.
This tax isn't due if you're just connecting through LHR.
Feb 17, 2018, 9:53 am
#119
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
As EXP with 4 shinny SWU, I had called the AA Advantage desk last month to request a SWU applied on a trip JFK-LHR-JFK from Y to J (as usual, they asked for Credit Card details for the 'luxury taxes' out of LHR).
I kept checking for "C" inventory on ExpertFlyer and saved alerts. Nada until getting to the airport.
Then I noticed the upgrade list on the AA mobile app. My name was not even on the upgrade list!
I called the AA Advantage desk and asked if they had my request for SWU. They did not have any record of such request.
Eventually, only 1 customer cleared the upgrade JFK-LHR so my chances were probably small.
However, it is a bit frustrating that my SWU request was not even processed.
Has anyone had such issue?
What is the trick to insure the SWU is requested for international segments?
Check the AA web-site for the "Upgrade Your Trip" section as per screenshot above?
[Note that I requested -again- the upgrade for the return after finding out the problem]
I kept checking for "C" inventory on ExpertFlyer and saved alerts. Nada until getting to the airport.
Then I noticed the upgrade list on the AA mobile app. My name was not even on the upgrade list!
I called the AA Advantage desk and asked if they had my request for SWU. They did not have any record of such request.
Eventually, only 1 customer cleared the upgrade JFK-LHR so my chances were probably small.
However, it is a bit frustrating that my SWU request was not even processed.
Has anyone had such issue?
What is the trick to insure the SWU is requested for international segments?
Check the AA web-site for the "Upgrade Your Trip" section as per screenshot above?
[Note that I requested -again- the upgrade for the return after finding out the problem]
Feb 17, 2018, 11:48 am
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,252
The IT system is so jacked. It could easily show REQUESTED and not have you on the list. This has happened to me several times with stickers in the past.
How else do you confirm?