ARCHIVE: 2016 Sticker" / 500-mile & EXP "UDU" Complimentary Upgrade Policy / FAQ
#121
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,747
The old days:
Elites can upgrade one non-status companion travelling with them on any economy fare
Non-elites travelling alone can upgrade on full fare economy fares when travelling without an elite
The new days:
Elites can upgrade one non-status companion travelling with them on any economy fare
Non-elites travelling alone can enjoy their free MCE seat when flying full fare economy and travelling without an elite
#122
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
I think you're conflating a couple of sticker upgrade avenues:
The old days:
Elites can upgrade one non-status companion travelling with them on any economy fare
Non-elites travelling alone can upgrade on full fare economy fares when travelling without an elite
The new days:
Elites can upgrade one non-status companion travelling with them on any economy fare
Non-elites travelling alone can enjoy their free MCE seat when flying full fare economy and travelling without an elite
The old days:
Elites can upgrade one non-status companion travelling with them on any economy fare
Non-elites travelling alone can upgrade on full fare economy fares when travelling without an elite
The new days:
Elites can upgrade one non-status companion travelling with them on any economy fare
Non-elites travelling alone can enjoy their free MCE seat when flying full fare economy and travelling without an elite
#123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,292
It looks like today (or at least starting March 1) a non-elite can not use their 500-mile upgrades unless travelling with an elite (see link in Wiki). I do believe the default is to pull the upgrade(s) from the elite, but you can request them to use the traveler's account.
#124
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: ORF
Programs: UA Silver, MR titanium
Posts: 2,017
The date you request the upgrade is only used to resolve a tie. The 500-mile upgrades process in specified time windows (up to 24 hours before flight for Gold). So unless your flight is March 1st, you will probably lose out. As a "no status" you must book a full-fare economy ticket (see Wiki) and not O.
Should your ticket maintain your Gold status, you might luck out, but if anything should happen to cause the ticket to be re-evaluated and your status changes, ooops.
Should your ticket maintain your Gold status, you might luck out, but if anything should happen to cause the ticket to be re-evaluated and your status changes, ooops.
Sounds logical, hopefully it works.
#127
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 642
Are 500 mile upgrades valid to MEX? Appears I am able to apply them to a held itinerary, but I know MEX is considered international for standby and lounge access purposes.
#128
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,747
It looks like today (or at least starting March 1) a non-elite can not use their 500-mile upgrades unless travelling with an elite (see link in Wiki). I do believe the default is to pull the upgrade(s) from the elite, but you can request them to use the traveler's account.
#129
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: DL Silver, Avis President's Club, Hertz President's Circle, Global Entry (Former AA Plt/Gold)
Posts: 4,417
Do I understand correctly, that if I reach gold (looking at a challenge), I could buy some 500mi upgrades and request to use them at booking time to go from Econ to First, but being only Gold, I'd be behind all the EXP and Plat who want to upgrade, so the $40 is far from a sure thing. At check-in time I could still grab a MCE seat if available.
#130
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Do I understand correctly, that if I reach gold (looking at a challenge), I could buy some 500mi upgrades and request to use them at booking time to go from Econ to First, but being only Gold, I'd be behind all the EXP and Plat who want to upgrade, so the $40 is far from a sure thing. At check-in time I could still grab a MCE seat if available.
Buying the 500-mile upgrades may be the worst cost wise, but the upside is they never expire, even if you loose status.
#131
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,747
You also don't have to buy 500 mile upgrades before waitlisting. Waitlist first, and if you've not cleared at time of check-in you can simply opt not to move onto the airport upgrade waitlist.
#132
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: D/FW, TX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 427
Mine took 2 solid weeks. I was starting to wonder if I had miscalculated!
Looks like I'm going to hit March 1 (when the counter resets) with about 4,000 miles to earn 4 more stickers. Is there any indication AA will pro-rate stickers based on how many miles we have left to go to earn more?
Looks like I'm going to hit March 1 (when the counter resets) with about 4,000 miles to earn 4 more stickers. Is there any indication AA will pro-rate stickers based on how many miles we have left to go to earn more?
Last edited by FlyingLaw; Feb 23, 2016 at 9:22 am Reason: Added question
#135
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Illinois
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 13
Mine took 2 solid weeks. I was starting to wonder if I had miscalculated!
Looks like I'm going to hit March 1 (when the counter resets) with about 4,000 miles to earn 4 more stickers. Is there any indication AA will pro-rate stickers based on how many miles we have left to go to earn more?
Looks like I'm going to hit March 1 (when the counter resets) with about 4,000 miles to earn 4 more stickers. Is there any indication AA will pro-rate stickers based on how many miles we have left to go to earn more?