Paid and award tickets - upgrade opt out
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 120
Paid and award tickets - upgrade opt out
I'm about to book a family trip on AA. My preference is to book my own flight on a paid ticket to earn EQM/EQD, but book the other travelers as award tickets. I'm aware that this cannot be on the same PNR, but I've done this in the past separately and it worked out by reserving adjacent seats, asking the agent to enter a note to keep family together etc.
However, on this specific flight it's pretty likely that I'd get upgraded (I'm EXP) and it's months out, and I assume these upgrades clear automatically at which point a manual "note" would not have any effect. My fear is that I'd get potentially get upgraded, my economy seat given up and reserved by somebody else before I can call AA to get downgraded... if that makes sense.
Is there any way how I can opt out of the auto-upgrade after booking?
The alternatives I can see are to book me on the same award ticket (= no earning) or everyone else on the same paid ticket (= $$$).
However, on this specific flight it's pretty likely that I'd get upgraded (I'm EXP) and it's months out, and I assume these upgrades clear automatically at which point a manual "note" would not have any effect. My fear is that I'd get potentially get upgraded, my economy seat given up and reserved by somebody else before I can call AA to get downgraded... if that makes sense.
Is there any way how I can opt out of the auto-upgrade after booking?
The alternatives I can see are to book me on the same award ticket (= no earning) or everyone else on the same paid ticket (= $$$).
#2
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
Why not just let things go? If you get upgraded, give the upgraded seat to whoever ends up sitting in the seat you want. I can't imagine any coach passenger refusing to trade for a seat in F.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 120
It's probably correct that I could trade seat on board in case I'd get upgraded, but I just like to avoid having that hassle and risk. It's going to be my wife and small kids on the remaining seats in Y, and she would likely kill me if that trade didn't happen for any reason.
Thanks!
#5
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,263
I didn't know that's in fact possible. In that case, that's exactly what I need.
It's probably correct that I could trade seat on board in case I'd get upgraded, but I just like to avoid having that hassle and risk. It's going to be my wife and small kids on the remaining seats in Y, and she would likely kill me if that trade didn't happen for any reason.
Thanks!
It's probably correct that I could trade seat on board in case I'd get upgraded, but I just like to avoid having that hassle and risk. It's going to be my wife and small kids on the remaining seats in Y, and she would likely kill me if that trade didn't happen for any reason.
Thanks!
#6
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,159
#7
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
It would be even less likely if matt85 selects the middle seat for himself, as those are usually the last to go.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 120