May 6, 2018, 9:17 pm
AA Adds New Companion Upgrades Policy 5 May 2018
Feb 25, 2019, 8:06 am
#76
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,669
PLT spouse is on a separate PNR. I called EXP line to have spouse inherit my status for upgrade using 500 mile upgrades. AAgent told me she had to remove my spouse's FF # from my spouse's PNR in order for my spouse to inherit my EXP status and that after the flight we would need to request mileage credit. Does this sound right?
Feb 25, 2019, 12:54 pm
#77
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,036
Where do Business Extraa upgrades fit in on the upgrade instrument priority list?
Are BXP1s BXP3s considered "systemwide" upgrades?
Are BXP1s BXP3s considered "systemwide" upgrades?
Feb 25, 2019, 1:46 pm
#78
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: TX
Programs: AA: EXP MR: Ti
Posts: 495
Feb 26, 2019, 1:46 pm
#79
Used to be 'g_leyser'
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Brandon Johnson International Airport (expect delays)
Programs: AA PlatPro, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold, IHG Plat, Reno Air MEGA Platinum
Posts: 10,036
Feb 26, 2019, 2:10 pm
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,227
Spoke to check-in agent and gate agent. Both equally clueless, and not particularly inclined to help. Spoke to a reservations agent (may have been OSO desk, as I called the number on a card the agent handed to me), who put me on hold for a while, and came back to tell me that I had to tell an airport (or AAdmirals' Club) agent to "re-link" upgrade request. Gate agent again looked at me like I had 2 heads. I made her ask a supervisor, and she came back and said "we used to do that but we don't do that anymore, the policy changed a few weeks or months ago".
By that point, first leg had boarded full in F and we were both far enough down the list it wouldn't have mattered anyway. But we have a connecting flight (too early to see upgrade list) and may not have enough time to sort this out at the layover.
I DM'd AA on twitter, who apologized for the inept agents at my origin and said I could speak to an agent at my connection city.
Really frustrated with AA now...
Feb 26, 2019, 2:16 pm
#81
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 135
Had a situation last week LIH to LAX, saw 2 seats up front on EF and I was listed on the upgrade list at 1 and wife as a gold was down at 7. At the gate asked the agent to link her as my companion so we could upgrade together, agent said that wasn't possible, so I declined the upgrade. It was fine, had an exit row seat, and great service in the back. But next day I sent a note through customer relations just trying to clarify the policy and they gave both me and my wife 10,000 miles, so not to terrible I guess.
Feb 26, 2019, 4:42 pm
#82
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,559
I've never used a BXP1 - was thinking of upgrading some family members on a future flight. I see there is "C" space on a domestic non-stop. Is this something that clears in advance when space is available or is it a wait until closer to departure? This is a for a flight in a couple of months.
Feb 26, 2019, 9:35 pm
#83
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Palm Springs, CA
Programs: AA EXP / Marriott AMB & LT Titanium
Posts: 377
Thanks for your input. Called in and the AAgent added the FF # back in and took a look to verify it is setup properly.
Feb 27, 2019, 9:05 am
#84
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: TX
Programs: AA: EXP MR: Ti
Posts: 495
I've never used a BXP1 - was thinking of upgrading some family members on a future flight. I see there is "C" space on a domestic non-stop. Is this something that clears in advance when space is available or is it a wait until closer to departure? This is a for a flight in a couple of months.
Feb 27, 2019, 9:35 am
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,227
So having a hell of a time with this as well.
Spoke to check-in agent and gate agent. Both equally clueless, and not particularly inclined to help. Spoke to a reservations agent (may have been OSO desk, as I called the number on a card the agent handed to me), who put me on hold for a while, and came back to tell me that I had to tell an airport (or AAdmirals' Club) agent to "re-link" upgrade request. Gate agent again looked at me like I had 2 heads. I made her ask a supervisor, and she came back and said "we used to do that but we don't do that anymore, the policy changed a few weeks or months ago".
By that point, first leg had boarded full in F and we were both far enough down the list it wouldn't have mattered anyway. But we have a connecting flight (too early to see upgrade list) and may not have enough time to sort this out at the layover.
I DM'd AA on twitter, who apologized for the inept agents at my origin and said I could speak to an agent at my connection city.
Really frustrated with AA now...
Spoke to check-in agent and gate agent. Both equally clueless, and not particularly inclined to help. Spoke to a reservations agent (may have been OSO desk, as I called the number on a card the agent handed to me), who put me on hold for a while, and came back to tell me that I had to tell an airport (or AAdmirals' Club) agent to "re-link" upgrade request. Gate agent again looked at me like I had 2 heads. I made her ask a supervisor, and she came back and said "we used to do that but we don't do that anymore, the policy changed a few weeks or months ago".
By that point, first leg had boarded full in F and we were both far enough down the list it wouldn't have mattered anyway. But we have a connecting flight (too early to see upgrade list) and may not have enough time to sort this out at the layover.
I DM'd AA on twitter, who apologized for the inept agents at my origin and said I could speak to an agent at my connection city.
Really frustrated with AA now...
So spoke to an agent at the customer service center who had no idea of the new policy either. I insisted he try to "relink" the upgrade requests, but all he could figure out how to do was to remove us both from the list and then re-add us. (And in the process he screwed up our EXST seat assignment which led to tears and screaming on board (kidding) as we tried to sort that out...)
That put us exactly back in the same place, with my Platinum companion listed as UPG3 and myself as Gold as UPG4.
Then I went to the gate agent who was basically disinclined to help, as we were #20 + on the upgrade list and "first has checked in full"*
There was another agent standing at the gate who overheard the exchange not (sure exactly what she was doing), who said she thought she knew what the issue was. The agent should have removed us both from the upgrade standby list, first added the Platinum back, and then added the Gold as the companion to the platinum. That should have allowed the Plat to sponsor the Gold with Plat priority, but would result in the stickers being pulled from the platinum's account (which was fine for us).
Maybe this will help someone in the future.
p.s., AA couldn't get 2 checked bags in DFW from C15 to C33 in the 1h15m connection time, and sent them on a later DFW-LGA flight instead (and has to pay for home delivery now). I think I'm done with this airline.
*Anyone else hugely offended at how GA's try to brush you off with this language? So patronizing, like I've never heard of a no-show or mis-connect.
May 6, 2019, 12:54 pm
#86
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Florida
Programs: US CP, MR Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 441
May 6, 2019, 1:01 pm
#87
Join Date: May 2017
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 369
If not already coded as being okay with a split, a good GA will ask 1 and 2 whether they're okay being split. If the GA doesn't ask or 1 and 2 decline to split, 3 will get upgraded.
May 6, 2019, 1:13 pm
#88
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Florida
Programs: US CP, MR Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 441
I was thinking more of the scenario of using SWUs that clear in advance. So if it's C1 at T-100, will #3 jump 1 and 2 because there aren't 2 upgrade seats available?
What I'm trying to understand is if the effect of this rule is to treat "linked" PNRs the same as two travelers on the same PNR - or if the Sponsoree just inherits the Sponsor's status/place on the upgrade waitlist without the burden of needing 2 seats to become available at the same time.
It seems that the latter would be more advantageous particularly on tough upgrade routes (e.g. DFW/HKG, LAX/SYD).
May 6, 2019, 1:32 pm
#89
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,996
So I want to buy a ticket for my friend and I to MEX. I buy our tickets together on one PNR. I usually score a comp upgrade on this route every time. In order for her to get upgraded I need miles or 500 milers to do it? Is that what I'm reading? How does an EXP get 500 milers? I haven't got them since I was a platinum level.
May 6, 2019, 1:41 pm
#90
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
So I want to buy a ticket for my friend and I to MEX. I buy our tickets together on one PNR. I usually score a comp upgrade on this route every time. In order for her to get upgraded I need miles or 500 milers to do it? Is that what I'm reading? How does an EXP get 500 milers? I haven't got them since I was a platinum level.