ARCHIVE: 2016 Sticker" / 500-mile & EXP "UDU" Complimentary Upgrade Policy / FAQ
Jan 1, 2016, 6:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: BDL, BOS, MHT
Programs: AAdvantage Gold
Posts: 13
ARCHIVE: 2016 Sticker" / 500-mile & EXP "UDU" Complimentary Upgrade Policy / FAQ
Today, I got very lucky as my upgrade cleared into business class from JFK to LAX. However, the upgrade cleared into the R bucket instead of the usual X bucket. Will AA deduct stickers if my upgrade was processed in the R bucket?
The current thread can be read and posted to here
Last edited by JDiver; Jan 2, 2019 at 3:27 pm Reason: Add moderator note
Jan 2, 2016, 10:39 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BOS, LAX
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 804
Can an upgrade clear if a passenger (PLT) doesn't have enough stickers? A bit more background: my companion (PLT) and I (EXP) are on the same reservation. The companion has only 4 stickers, when 6 stickers are required. I have plenty of stickers.
Let's assume that 2 seats are simultaneously available for complimentary/stickers upgrades. Does it mean that neither of us would be upgraded unless two extra stickers are purchased by the companion? Alternatively, can the upgrades be confirmed with the option to purchase the missing 2 stickers later?
Let's assume that 2 seats are simultaneously available for complimentary/stickers upgrades. Does it mean that neither of us would be upgraded unless two extra stickers are purchased by the companion? Alternatively, can the upgrades be confirmed with the option to purchase the missing 2 stickers later?
Jan 2, 2016, 10:57 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,220
Can an upgrade clear if a passenger (PLT) doesn't have enough stickers? A bit more background: my companion (PLT) and I (EXP) are on the same reservation. The companion has only 4 stickers, when 6 stickers are required. I have plenty of stickers.
Let's assume that 2 seats are simultaneously available for complimentary/stickers upgrades. Does it mean that neither of us would be upgraded unless two extra stickers are purchased by the companion? Alternatively, can the upgrades be confirmed with the option to purchase the missing 2 stickers later?
Let's assume that 2 seats are simultaneously available for complimentary/stickers upgrades. Does it mean that neither of us would be upgraded unless two extra stickers are purchased by the companion? Alternatively, can the upgrades be confirmed with the option to purchase the missing 2 stickers later?
Jan 4, 2016, 9:29 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: AA
Posts: 55
500mi upgrades and loss of status
I requested upgrades (via 500mi stickers) at booking on an itinerary for this spring. Turns out I will lose status in the interim (bummer). What happens in that scenario? My assumption is nothing (i.e., as if I had not requested the upgrades). Any reason I should un-request the upgrades? My only fear would be being pulled from the economy pool, then them realizing I am not eligible to upgrade and losing my economy seat selection (or seat entirely). Any advice?
Thanks.
(n.b. re-posting this unanswered question from a month or so back)
Thanks.
(n.b. re-posting this unanswered question from a month or so back)
Jan 4, 2016, 10:08 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,573
I requested upgrades (via 500mi stickers) at booking on an itinerary for this spring. Turns out I will lose status in the interim (bummer). What happens in that scenario? My assumption is nothing (i.e., as if I had not requested the upgrades). Any reason I should un-request the upgrades? My only fear would be being pulled from the economy pool, then them realizing I am not eligible to upgrade and losing my economy seat selection (or seat entirely). Any advice?
Thanks.
(n.b. re-posting this unanswered question from a month or so back)
Thanks.
(n.b. re-posting this unanswered question from a month or so back)
Jan 4, 2016, 10:13 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Trenton, NJ (PHL, EWR)
Programs: A3 Gold, BA Bronze
Posts: 1,633
Similar situation here, but no 500 miles upgrades on future reservations, just 12 in the bank and no domestic reservation to which to apply them. I have enough international travel to requalify by May, but what happens to the 12 I have banked?
Jan 4, 2016, 10:24 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: AA
Posts: 55
My advice is don't do anything. With the caveat that it has been a couple of years since I have experienced this firsthand, status on American "sticks" to your reservation. When I briefly moved to Delta a few years ago, I lost status on American, but I still got "Gold" printed on my boarding passes for reservations that I made while I had Gold status (and I got upgraded).
Jan 4, 2016, 10:31 am
#8
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: 9,765
I requested upgrades (via 500mi stickers) at booking on an itinerary for this spring. Turns out I will lose status in the interim (bummer). What happens in that scenario? My assumption is nothing (i.e., as if I had not requested the upgrades). Any reason I should un-request the upgrades? My only fear would be being pulled from the economy pool, then them realizing I am not eligible to upgrade and losing my economy seat selection (or seat entirely). Any advice?
Thanks.
(n.b. re-posting this unanswered question from a month or so back)
Thanks.
(n.b. re-posting this unanswered question from a month or so back)
I'll move this thread to the correct thread for this discussion.~Moderator
Jan 4, 2016, 11:24 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: AA
Posts: 773
I know that's not quite the same as the poster's question but I think it provides evidence of general status stickiness on reservations.
Jan 4, 2016, 6:50 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: SNA LAX
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 116
Too few stickers - Need to buy ahead of clearing?
Sorry if this has been answered before but wanted clarification. Regarding the following:
"Boarding passes must be issued by an airline representative, subject to applicable seat availability and operational restrictions, and only upon presentation of your AAdvantage card and verification of the required number of upgrades in your upgrade account. The appropriate number of upgrades will be deducted from your electronic upgrade account at the time of travel."
So, do I need to make sure the proper number of stickers is in my account before my upgrade is cleared? Or will the upgrade confirm and then I can buy the extra ones necessary to fulfill it? Don't want to buy unnecessary 500 mile upgrades if I'm not going to be cleared. Never had an issue with having too few in my account. This is the first instance. Thanks and apologies if this has been asked before.
"Boarding passes must be issued by an airline representative, subject to applicable seat availability and operational restrictions, and only upon presentation of your AAdvantage card and verification of the required number of upgrades in your upgrade account. The appropriate number of upgrades will be deducted from your electronic upgrade account at the time of travel."
So, do I need to make sure the proper number of stickers is in my account before my upgrade is cleared? Or will the upgrade confirm and then I can buy the extra ones necessary to fulfill it? Don't want to buy unnecessary 500 mile upgrades if I'm not going to be cleared. Never had an issue with having too few in my account. This is the first instance. Thanks and apologies if this has been asked before.
Jan 4, 2016, 8:24 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: LHR
Programs: AA
Posts: 773
Sorry if this has been answered before but wanted clarification. Regarding the following:
"Boarding passes must be issued by an airline representative, subject to applicable seat availability and operational restrictions, and only upon presentation of your AAdvantage card and verification of the required number of upgrades in your upgrade account. The appropriate number of upgrades will be deducted from your electronic upgrade account at the time of travel."
So, do I need to make sure the proper number of stickers is in my account before my upgrade is cleared? Or will the upgrade confirm and then I can buy the extra ones necessary to fulfill it? Don't want to buy unnecessary 500 mile upgrades if I'm not going to be cleared. Never had an issue with having too few in my account. This is the first instance. Thanks and apologies if this has been asked before.
"Boarding passes must be issued by an airline representative, subject to applicable seat availability and operational restrictions, and only upon presentation of your AAdvantage card and verification of the required number of upgrades in your upgrade account. The appropriate number of upgrades will be deducted from your electronic upgrade account at the time of travel."
So, do I need to make sure the proper number of stickers is in my account before my upgrade is cleared? Or will the upgrade confirm and then I can buy the extra ones necessary to fulfill it? Don't want to buy unnecessary 500 mile upgrades if I'm not going to be cleared. Never had an issue with having too few in my account. This is the first instance. Thanks and apologies if this has been asked before.
Jan 4, 2016, 8:48 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,774
companion upgrade on the same reservation... if my flight is 2000 miles, do i need 4 500-miles upgrade certificates or 8 in order to upgrade both of my companion and myself?
Jan 5, 2016, 6:12 am
#14
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
Jan 6, 2016, 8:45 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: JFK > LGA >> EWR
Programs: AA EXP 1.2mm, Kimpton IC, Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,180
R is the normal bucket for sticker upgrades on 3-class flights.