Business to Flagship First Upgrade Instruments?
Sep 25, 2018, 9:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York, London, Sydney
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Business to Flagship First Upgrade Instruments?
I am sure this has been answered a million times already, but very difficult to search given lots of single characters, so apologies for asking again. As an EXP, what are the options for upgrading from paid J to F on the JFK-Cali Flagship routes? Do complimentary upgrades exist? Can you use stickers? Or are you stuck using a VIP or miles? Thank you.
Sep 25, 2018, 10:02 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
No comp / sticker upgrade.
You can: (1) hope for a cabin roll (if J or Y is oversold) which would be an Op Up; (2) upgrade with miles (15,000 with no copay for J,D,R and 15,000 with $175 copay for I fare class); (3) upfare by paying the fare difference; (4) use an SWU
You can: (1) hope for a cabin roll (if J or Y is oversold) which would be an Op Up; (2) upgrade with miles (15,000 with no copay for J,D,R and 15,000 with $175 copay for I fare class); (3) upfare by paying the fare difference; (4) use an SWU
Sep 25, 2018, 10:49 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Sep 25, 2018, 10:53 am
#6
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Location: South Bend, IN
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If you are departing from JFK, MIA or LAX, I think the use of a VIP to go from J to F on a transcon is worth it when you factor-in the enhanced ground amenities.
Sep 25, 2018, 11:51 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
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Posts: 1,913
500 mile upgrades or stickers can only be used on domestic and Central America routes (North America) for the next class of service from main cabin but not beyond so you can't upgrade a business ticket to first class with stickers on a three class service between JFK and SFO/LAX.
AAdvantage® elite status members can upgrade from any eligible purchased, published fare in the Main Cabin (excluding Basic Economy fares) to the next class of service for travel within North America on eligible American Airlines marketed and operated flights. Executive Platinum members can also upgrade on AAdvantage award tickets.
Last edited by enpremiere; Sep 25, 2018 at 11:52 am Reason: Already answered by Antarius https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30243750-post2.html
Sep 25, 2018, 3:41 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: HSV (formerly AUS)
Programs: AA MM (like it matters!) All of my flying was personal travel, and COVID-19 stopped that.
Posts: 223
OK, that raises the question.
Can Platinum upgrade from MCE to PE using stickers?
(Admittedly, currently, I'm only seeing PE on international flights, so it may be academic.)
Can Platinum upgrade from MCE to PE using stickers?
(Admittedly, currently, I'm only seeing PE on international flights, so it may be academic.)
Sep 25, 2018, 5:21 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 152
Sep 25, 2018, 8:14 pm
#11
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Sep 25, 2018, 11:24 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Huh, they do sell PE on that route. It doesn’t look clear to me, however, what the sticker upgrade is for - PE or First class. Of course the rules state that sticker upgrades are “from main cabin to the next class of service.” But yet, you get the same upgrade request screen when booking paid PE. So it seems AA hasn’t really updated its policies.
Sep 26, 2018, 7:47 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
In my experience, sticker upgrades on DFW/HNL are to first class, whether you're booked in PE or Y. Very much like SWUs and mileage upgrades on international routes with PE. This TPG blog post seems to corroborate.
Sep 26, 2018, 8:04 am
#14
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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Premium Econmy is available for purchase on those routes it’s available, but there’s to my knowledge no formal s heme to upgrade from Y to PE, or from PE to J other than the normal scheme for those in Y. Nor does AA make PE available as award seats.
It will be interesting how AA will handle Premium Economy when it’s fully integrated into the system. The common question that has been asked is if AA will handle PE like BA er al, where it fully becomes a separate class of service. There’s no substantive information about that at this time, just speculation, even if informed speculation.
It will be interesting how AA will handle Premium Economy when it’s fully integrated into the system. The common question that has been asked is if AA will handle PE like BA er al, where it fully becomes a separate class of service. There’s no substantive information about that at this time, just speculation, even if informed speculation.
Sep 26, 2018, 8:35 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP, SPG / Marriott GLD, HHonors GLD
Posts: 520
Premium Econmy is available for purchase on those routes it’s available, but there’s to my knowledge no formal s heme to upgrade from Y to PE, or from PE to J other than the normal scheme for those in Y. Nor does AA make PE available as award seats.
It will be interesting how AA will handle Premium Economy when it’s fully integrated into the system. The common question that has been asked is if AA will handle PE like BA er al, where it fully becomes a separate class of service. There’s no substantive information about that at this time, just speculation, even if informed speculation.
It will be interesting how AA will handle Premium Economy when it’s fully integrated into the system. The common question that has been asked is if AA will handle PE like BA er al, where it fully becomes a separate class of service. There’s no substantive information about that at this time, just speculation, even if informed speculation.