Empty First Class Seats
Nov 8, 2018 | 10:50 am
#16
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Las Vegas since 11/2023
Programs: No status anywhere anymore, it was fun while it lasted
Posts: 4,648
I once had a situation where I got upgraded without asking, then found they had taken stickers from my account. They replaced them. Another time they were oversold in Y but undersold in F, so as a lowly gold I got a complimentary opup (domestic). In the LUS days they would backfill all the elites but still go out with F not full if there weren't enough elites on the flight.
Nov 8, 2018 | 11:08 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,614
I was OPUP in May as a Plat (3 month promotion with my employer), when they needed my Y seat for a family to be able to sit together. I just smiled and thanked the GA. She smiled back and thanked me for my business. I don't expect this to happen again for at least another decade.
Nov 8, 2018 | 11:08 am
#19
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 31,464
Nov 8, 2018 | 11:16 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,925
This is the sensible way that AA does it. Unlike United, which will sell upgrades at check in at constantly changing low prices (FT term is TODs - Tens of Dollars), when there is a long list on the upgrade list.
Nov 8, 2018 | 12:50 pm
#23
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin
Programs: AA Platinum Pro 4MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Diamond; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 365
The flight will go out with empty first class seats. I've flown a flight (obviously, over a decade ago) with 15 empty first class seats and my butt in the 16th. Needless to say, I got amazing service and had wonderful conversations with all of the FAs on the plane.
--woodstock
--woodstock
Nov 8, 2018 | 12:56 pm
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
The flight will go out with empty first class seats. I've flown a flight (obviously, over a decade ago) with 15 empty first class seats and my butt in the 16th. Needless to say, I got amazing service and had wonderful conversations with all of the FAs on the plane.
--woodstock
--woodstock
Nov 8, 2018 | 2:04 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EP, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 1,001
Nov 8, 2018 | 2:19 pm
#26
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Yes you can upgrade with a combination of cash and miles and will clear before any complimentary upgrades. I assume miles/co pay clear like elite upgrades-status and then rolling 12 month spend. IIRC it includes up to three segments. A good deal for transcons when you might not want to pay the upgrade lottery, particularly if you aren't EXP. I'm debating for a SFO/PHX/MIA trip I have in January.
Nov 8, 2018 | 4:15 pm
#29
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Kansas City, USA
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Delta Platinum, Marriott Gold, AVIS Preferred, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,076
I had been on domestic flights with empty F seats (but not lately). Best time to find a flight with empty F seats is last flight on a Saturday night. You might also get one on an RJ that has 12 F seats at off peak times.
With most flights full, non-rev'ers know the flights that are not going to be full (in coach or F) so they choose these flights.
With most flights full, non-rev'ers know the flights that are not going to be full (in coach or F) so they choose these flights.
Nov 8, 2018 | 5:13 pm
#30
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 700
Good Morning All,
If after the upgrade list has been exhausted and there are still empty seats in first class, will American typically upgrade elite members based on proper ranking order without having to burn 500 mile upgrades or will they simply let the flight go out with empty seats in F?
If after the upgrade list has been exhausted and there are still empty seats in first class, will American typically upgrade elite members based on proper ranking order without having to burn 500 mile upgrades or will they simply let the flight go out with empty seats in F?