Simple upgrade question (how to get an op-up)
Dec 15, 2018, 2:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 71
Simple upgrade question (how to get an op-up)
I DID look around here a bit, didn't really find what I was looking for, in a nutshell:
Flying domestic, I don't fly that often anymore, have not flown AA in many years, but am on this trip.
I have read the things where you can go to the counter reasonably well-dressed they MIGHT
give you a free upgrade (or at least used to...) if you ask nicely (and it isn't sold out??)
I am signed up for AA Advantage, it's a short domestic flight to Texas (DFW and then on to BRO), second week of January,
plane with now is still 2/3rds empty (MD-80) and none of the first class seats are showing as booked as of today,
my main question is I was going to skip going to the main ticket counter since I am not checking any bags, I
have just a small suitcase and a normal 'carry on', both within both AA and TSA size limits.
If I was to try for an upgrade, do I have to try it at the main counter, or can I try it at the gate counter?
Flying domestic, I don't fly that often anymore, have not flown AA in many years, but am on this trip.
I have read the things where you can go to the counter reasonably well-dressed they MIGHT
give you a free upgrade (or at least used to...) if you ask nicely (and it isn't sold out??)
I am signed up for AA Advantage, it's a short domestic flight to Texas (DFW and then on to BRO), second week of January,
plane with now is still 2/3rds empty (MD-80) and none of the first class seats are showing as booked as of today,
my main question is I was going to skip going to the main ticket counter since I am not checking any bags, I
have just a small suitcase and a normal 'carry on', both within both AA and TSA size limits.
If I was to try for an upgrade, do I have to try it at the main counter, or can I try it at the gate counter?
Dec 15, 2018, 2:37 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Bay Area
Programs: WN A-List, AA good-riddance, Safeway Club Card Extraordinaire
Posts: 3,851
Long story short, if all elite frequent flyers are upgraded according to AA's published rules and there's still space left, you might be offered the chance to purchase an upgrade at check-in (going rate seems to be $50-75 per 500 miles). The fact that the seat map is empty right now doesn't mean much -- some passengers (e.g. connecting on international codeshares) don't select seats early, and elite upgrades start getting processed about 4 days from departure.
Much more detail available in this thread:
DOD / DODU (LFBU) Space-available, counter, kiosk, and online upgrade (master thd)
Dec 15, 2018, 2:39 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 71
This is one of those perennial falsehoods that simply won't die. Upgrades have been systematized and monetized for decades now.
Long story short, if all elite frequent flyers are upgraded according to AA's published rules and there's still space left, you might be offered the chance to purchase an upgrade at check-in (going rate seems to be $50-75 per 500 miles). The fact that the seat map is empty right now doesn't mean much -- some passengers (e.g. connecting on international codeshares) don't select seats early, and elite upgrades start getting processed about 4 days from departure.
Long story short, if all elite frequent flyers are upgraded according to AA's published rules and there's still space left, you might be offered the chance to purchase an upgrade at check-in (going rate seems to be $50-75 per 500 miles). The fact that the seat map is empty right now doesn't mean much -- some passengers (e.g. connecting on international codeshares) don't select seats early, and elite upgrades start getting processed about 4 days from departure.
I'm learning, asking is the best way...
Dec 15, 2018, 2:39 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,246
I DID look around here a bit, didn't really find what I was looking for, in a nutshell:
Flying domestic, I don't fly that often anymore, have not flown AA in many years, but am on this trip.
I have read the things where you can go to the counter reasonably well-dressed they MIGHT
give you a free upgrade (or at least used to...) if you ask nicely (and it isn't sold out??)
I am signed up for AA Advantage, it's a short domestic flight to Texas (DFW and then on to BRO), second week of January,
plane with now is still 2/3rds empty (MD-80) and none of the first class seats are showing as booked as of today,
my main question is I was going to skip going to the main ticket counter since I am not checking any bags, I
have just a small suitcase and a normal 'carry on', both within both AA and TSA size limits.
If I was to try for an upgrade, do I have to try it at the main counter, or can I try it at the gate counter?
Flying domestic, I don't fly that often anymore, have not flown AA in many years, but am on this trip.
I have read the things where you can go to the counter reasonably well-dressed they MIGHT
give you a free upgrade (or at least used to...) if you ask nicely (and it isn't sold out??)
I am signed up for AA Advantage, it's a short domestic flight to Texas (DFW and then on to BRO), second week of January,
plane with now is still 2/3rds empty (MD-80) and none of the first class seats are showing as booked as of today,
my main question is I was going to skip going to the main ticket counter since I am not checking any bags, I
have just a small suitcase and a normal 'carry on', both within both AA and TSA size limits.
If I was to try for an upgrade, do I have to try it at the main counter, or can I try it at the gate counter?
The days of dressing nice and sweet talking for an upgrade are looking gone, at least for revenue passengers on US airlines.
ETA Science Goy beat me to it
Last edited by justhere; Dec 15, 2018 at 2:52 pm Reason: ETA Science Goy beat me to it
Dec 15, 2018, 2:48 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Bay Area
Programs: WN A-List, AA good-riddance, Safeway Club Card Extraordinaire
Posts: 3,851
Apologies if I came off as hostile -- was just being blunt about your chances. Not to mention those (seemingly monthly) stories about dressing up to get free upgrades are a major source of eye-rolling around these forums 
Dec 15, 2018, 2:55 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
Or the notion that whispering ‘revenue management’ to an agent will magically open seats in premium cabins. You might as well incant a spell from Harry Potter. AA does it all the time on board - ‘barclayus maximus’ I believe it is, all in hopes that droves of eager passangers will happily apply for new cards.
Dec 15, 2018, 3:03 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Bay Area
Programs: WN A-List, AA good-riddance, Safeway Club Card Extraordinaire
Posts: 3,851
Dec 15, 2018, 4:03 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
OPUPs happen. However, not generally when Y is 2/3 empty. OpUps generally happen when the cabin is full and they still have more passengers checked in for that cabin. At that point, OpUps are generally going to first be determined by status, not by how well dressed you are or whether you tipped the gate agent or not. Because......if someone feels they have been denied an upgrade they should have received, it is relatively easy to find out who gave out an upgrade, and whether it should have been done or not.
If you want an upgrade, then you can buy it. If you have elite status, you can get in line with the rest of the elites and either pay (Gold, Plat) or get them free (PlT Pro or EXP)......
If you want an upgrade, then you can buy it. If you have elite status, you can get in line with the rest of the elites and either pay (Gold, Plat) or get them free (PlT Pro or EXP)......
Dec 15, 2018, 5:45 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Chicagoland
Programs: AA exp 3mm Hertz 5*
Posts: 334
Perpetuated by the likes of a frugal friend of mine... he’s embarrassed to admit he pays for J, so tells everyone that asks that he “dresses sharp and sweet talks the staff”. Let him know that I know that doesn’t work, and that’s when I found his wife thinks he pays for Econ coach. But all his buddies think he’s the free upgrade shmoozer.
Dec 15, 2018, 5:55 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
Back in the day front line employees had much more power, and it was hard for airlines like AA to offer discounted upgrades at scale like they do at the kiosks. Theres a very high likelihood you'll get offered a paid upgrade at the kiosk and it will probably cost $100. I am not sure it would be worth it given the flight time, and the fact that you may get 1-2 cocktails. It's an older bird so don't expect in fight entertainment, but folks do say the first class seats on that aircraft are quite comfy. The flight is just over 500 mi so the bottom 2/4 elite categories won't get auto-upgraded and will need to use 500mi upgrades, which I would imagine they would not since its not worth it given its just over 500 mi.
But if there's anything I've learned is that a little kindness at the gate goes a long way.
But if there's anything I've learned is that a little kindness at the gate goes a long way.
Dec 15, 2018, 6:42 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
The only way you will get upgraded is if you get an offer at the kiosk to buy up.
If the flight is oversold in coach they will give complimentary upgrades to lower-level elites. I've had that happen a couple of times in the last few years.
If they really need the coach seat and there aren't enough elites, or they need to push back and they've boarded and they don't want to upgrade someone already on the flight (this is covered in other threads) they might upgrade a random solo pax, but the odds of this are about equal to those of having schools close for a snow day in September in Phoenix.
However they will most definitely go out with F seats unoccupied rather than give them away like candy.
If the flight is oversold in coach they will give complimentary upgrades to lower-level elites. I've had that happen a couple of times in the last few years.
If they really need the coach seat and there aren't enough elites, or they need to push back and they've boarded and they don't want to upgrade someone already on the flight (this is covered in other threads) they might upgrade a random solo pax, but the odds of this are about equal to those of having schools close for a snow day in September in Phoenix.
However they will most definitely go out with F seats unoccupied rather than give them away like candy.
Last edited by JDiver; Dec 15, 2018 at 8:10 pm Reason: Edited OMNI/PR content
Dec 15, 2018, 8:20 pm
#13
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
We have had a number of threads over the years discussing the possibility of operational upgrades for those
declaring they’re flying on their honeymoon or birthday
dressing up and politely asking the Gate Agent
The consensus has been it doesn’t ever work; they’re ”flurban myths” that people can do that.
The LFBU is pretty much your hope - cash upgrade upon checking in, at the ticket counter or kiosk.
Upgrades on domestic and certain regional flights are complimentary if available to Concierge Key, Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro. They may be available to Platinum and Gold members with 500 mile upgrade instruments. Upgrades may also be available to CK and EXP and others using Systemwide Upgrades , or anyone using miles and miles upgrades.
Those upgrades are essentially prioritized by status tier, and within status tier by 12 month spend. Someone with no status is at the end of a normally very long wait list queue.
declaring they’re flying on their honeymoon or birthday
dressing up and politely asking the Gate Agent
The consensus has been it doesn’t ever work; they’re ”flurban myths” that people can do that.
The LFBU is pretty much your hope - cash upgrade upon checking in, at the ticket counter or kiosk.
Upgrades on domestic and certain regional flights are complimentary if available to Concierge Key, Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro. They may be available to Platinum and Gold members with 500 mile upgrade instruments. Upgrades may also be available to CK and EXP and others using Systemwide Upgrades , or anyone using miles and miles upgrades.
Those upgrades are essentially prioritized by status tier, and within status tier by 12 month spend. Someone with no status is at the end of a normally very long wait list queue.