Chances of Op-Up on AA Operated, BA Marketed Flight as EXP?
Dec 29, 2017, 4:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
Chances of Op-Up on AA Operated, BA Marketed Flight as EXP?
I'm booked in PE on an AA operated, BA marketed flight where PE is close to having all seats assigned, whereas J seems wide open from a seat assignment perspective (and J7 on EF).
I wonder if there where a need for AA to Op-Up folks from PE to J, would it matter if the ticket was marketed by BA, given the JV, and EXPs would be given priority regardless, or would they look at AA marketed folks with any status first?
I wonder if there where a need for AA to Op-Up folks from PE to J, would it matter if the ticket was marketed by BA, given the JV, and EXPs would be given priority regardless, or would they look at AA marketed folks with any status first?
Dec 29, 2017, 7:31 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,811
Dont think the marketing would matter as much as the route and who else is flying. If they needed space in Y they would likely put employees that are traveling as I believe they get best cabin available (I think their contract calls for that, right?) and if they needed to do an OpUp then CK likely first and then you would be fending against other EXP's. I would plan on being in the seat assigned.
Dec 29, 2017, 9:32 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
Op ups happen, statistically speaking, zero percent of the time. It's not worth the effort trying to figure out how or when they happen.
But if you must, what you want to look for is a premium cabin that is showing more unassigned seats than seats available for sale (suggesting that maybe seats are being held back to roll people forward) and a Y cabin (or PE in this case) showing zero seats available for sale and zero seats available for assignment. Beyond that, I have never seen reliable reports of how op ups are prioritized.
But if you must, what you want to look for is a premium cabin that is showing more unassigned seats than seats available for sale (suggesting that maybe seats are being held back to roll people forward) and a Y cabin (or PE in this case) showing zero seats available for sale and zero seats available for assignment. Beyond that, I have never seen reliable reports of how op ups are prioritized.
Dec 29, 2017, 10:37 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,235
Op ups happen, statistically speaking, zero percent of the time. It's not worth the effort trying to figure out how or when they happen.
But if you must, what you want to look for is a premium cabin that is showing more unassigned seats than seats available for sale (suggesting that maybe seats are being held back to roll people forward) and a Y cabin (or PE in this case) showing zero seats available for sale and zero seats available for assignment. Beyond that, I have never seen reliable reports of how op ups are prioritized.
But if you must, what you want to look for is a premium cabin that is showing more unassigned seats than seats available for sale (suggesting that maybe seats are being held back to roll people forward) and a Y cabin (or PE in this case) showing zero seats available for sale and zero seats available for assignment. Beyond that, I have never seen reliable reports of how op ups are prioritized.
I have gotten an Op up as a non status passenger multiple times.. mainly because they needed the exit row seats I was sitting in. Operational Upgrade means they do what they need operationally... so there isn't a set formula.
Dec 29, 2017, 10:52 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
And just as an FYI, I have gotten many op-ups on AA and partner airlines over the last 12 or so years I've been an EXP, so it does happen, although it can never be counted on obviously.
Dec 29, 2017, 2:55 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,235
I guess I should be more specific. If there is a cabin rollup to the next cabin on an AA operated flight due to overselling, would an EXP, but ticketed on a partner marketed flight, be treated the same as an EXP with an AA issued ticket, or even be relegated behind an AA GLD with an AA issued ticket?
That said, I don't think the average GA knows what ticket stock you were booked on. Only if they have to go digging or make changes does the issue arise. My totally uneducated speculation would be that as an EXP you'd be top of the list (well, behind CK) for an op up.
Dec 29, 2017, 7:45 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
I guess I should be more specific. If there is a cabin rollup to the next cabin on an AA operated flight due to overselling, would an EXP, but ticketed on a partner marketed flight, be treated the same as an EXP with an AA issued ticket, or even be relegated behind an AA GLD with an AA issued ticket?
And just as an FYI, I have gotten many op-ups on AA and partner airlines over the last 12 or so years I've been an EXP, so it does happen, although it can never be counted on obviously.
And just as an FYI, I have gotten many op-ups on AA and partner airlines over the last 12 or so years I've been an EXP, so it does happen, although it can never be counted on obviously.
Dec 29, 2017, 7:50 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
Some EXPs have had success with requesting SWUs at the airport on AA-operated, BA-marketed flights. I have no experience with this myself, but they may be able to add you to the upgrade list there.
Not to be harsh, but I seriously doubt an op-up will be granted. Honestly, it's best not to anticipate an op-up at all. It's like expecting to win the lottery.
Not to be harsh, but I seriously doubt an op-up will be granted. Honestly, it's best not to anticipate an op-up at all. It's like expecting to win the lottery.
Dec 29, 2017, 7:56 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
Dec 29, 2017, 8:14 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
Would it be true that op-ups occur more commonly on BA than AA?