Jan 6, 2019, 6:09 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Chances of Upgrade Request Clearing
NOTE: Be aware of recent (20 May 2017) upgrade priority changes."New Upgrade Priority as of 20 May 2017
(Upgrades were prioritized by elite status and then time of request until 20 May 2017)
Elite status
- Concierge Key
- Executive Platinum
- Platinum Pro
- Platinum
- Gold
Upgrade type
- Miles and copay award upgrades and systemwide upgrades (SWU)
- 500 mile upgrades on purchased tickets
- 500 mile upgrades on upgrade eligible awards)
Then, by
- Elite qualifying dollars in the past 12 months (rolling)
- Booking class
- Time of request
See Upgrade Priority Changes to Status, Rolling 365 Day EQD Spend May 20 2017
Link to Gary Leff, View From the Wing 16 May 2017
ARCHIVE: Chances of Upgrade Clearing and Availability (2019 master thread)
Apr 3, 2019, 2:00 pm
#421
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,030
Something new for me this year.
EXP with nearly $20,000 EQDs from last year, already approaching 50,000 EQMs and $9,000 EQDs for 2019.
Booked a trip with wife to FCO back in January for Apr 7 returning Apr 21. Got us C upgrades at booking on flight out using SWUs, but was wait-listed for return (FCO-ORD) on 787-8. For two months Expert Flyer has shown plenty of availability in C, so I figured no problem on the 21st return for using two more SWUs. Then last week I did a quick check, and noticed a plane change to the 787-8 retrofit with Premium Economy, and that our seats had changed (MCE on original plane).
Now the plane change isn't what was new. It was that whomever reassigned passengers with the new layout decided to put my wife and I into the new PE section rather than back in the MCE part of economy. Not complaining, just found it interesting and wondered if anyone else has had the same experience.
Also as expected with changing to a plane with 8 less business class seats, the # of available seats nearly vanished. Now down to 5 open, so still good odds on that return to ORD, but not as good as the 15 that were available before!
EXP with nearly $20,000 EQDs from last year, already approaching 50,000 EQMs and $9,000 EQDs for 2019.
Booked a trip with wife to FCO back in January for Apr 7 returning Apr 21. Got us C upgrades at booking on flight out using SWUs, but was wait-listed for return (FCO-ORD) on 787-8. For two months Expert Flyer has shown plenty of availability in C, so I figured no problem on the 21st return for using two more SWUs. Then last week I did a quick check, and noticed a plane change to the 787-8 retrofit with Premium Economy, and that our seats had changed (MCE on original plane).
Now the plane change isn't what was new. It was that whomever reassigned passengers with the new layout decided to put my wife and I into the new PE section rather than back in the MCE part of economy. Not complaining, just found it interesting and wondered if anyone else has had the same experience.
Also as expected with changing to a plane with 8 less business class seats, the # of available seats nearly vanished. Now down to 5 open, so still good odds on that return to ORD, but not as good as the 15 that were available before!
That being said that new PE looks very nice.
Apr 3, 2019, 2:29 pm
#422
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Something new for me this year.
EXP with nearly $20,000 EQDs from last year, already approaching 50,000 EQMs and $9,000 EQDs for 2019.
Booked a trip with wife to FCO back in January for Apr 7 returning Apr 21. Got us C upgrades at booking on flight out using SWUs, but was wait-listed for return (FCO-ORD) on 787-8. For two months Expert Flyer has shown plenty of availability in C, so I figured no problem on the 21st return for using two more SWUs. Then last week I did a quick check, and noticed a plane change to the 787-8 retrofit with Premium Economy, and that our seats had changed (MCE on original plane).
Now the plane change isn't what was new. It was that whomever reassigned passengers with the new layout decided to put my wife and I into the new PE section rather than back in the MCE part of economy. Not complaining, just found it interesting and wondered if anyone else has had the same experience.
Also as expected with changing to a plane with 8 less business class seats, the # of available seats nearly vanished. Now down to 5 open, so still good odds on that return to ORD, but not as good as the 15 that were available before!
EXP with nearly $20,000 EQDs from last year, already approaching 50,000 EQMs and $9,000 EQDs for 2019.
Booked a trip with wife to FCO back in January for Apr 7 returning Apr 21. Got us C upgrades at booking on flight out using SWUs, but was wait-listed for return (FCO-ORD) on 787-8. For two months Expert Flyer has shown plenty of availability in C, so I figured no problem on the 21st return for using two more SWUs. Then last week I did a quick check, and noticed a plane change to the 787-8 retrofit with Premium Economy, and that our seats had changed (MCE on original plane).
Now the plane change isn't what was new. It was that whomever reassigned passengers with the new layout decided to put my wife and I into the new PE section rather than back in the MCE part of economy. Not complaining, just found it interesting and wondered if anyone else has had the same experience.
Also as expected with changing to a plane with 8 less business class seats, the # of available seats nearly vanished. Now down to 5 open, so still good odds on that return to ORD, but not as good as the 15 that were available before!
Apr 3, 2019, 2:59 pm
#423
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
Looking for some recent info regarding any experience being upgraded on these routes:
DFW-MIA (772)
MIA-STI
STI-MIA
MIA-DFW (772)
Of particular interest are the MIA-STI-MIA flight segments as the Y cabins (and F/J cabins) are wide open for my trip next month, Just wondering if the flights would be instead canceled.
DFW-MIA (772)
MIA-STI
STI-MIA
MIA-DFW (772)
Of particular interest are the MIA-STI-MIA flight segments as the Y cabins (and F/J cabins) are wide open for my trip next month, Just wondering if the flights would be instead canceled.
Last edited by Zacnlinc; Apr 3, 2019 at 3:07 pm
Apr 3, 2019, 3:00 pm
#424
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 72
Yea, this is standard AA protocol when they are updating their fleet like they are with the 788. AA isn't selling PE on that flight, so you still are getting Economy service just in a PE seat. AA offers the PE section as MCE in these scenarios, same thing happened with the 77W's, 772's, and 332's when they were getting updated with PE. It's a great little perk if you happen onto one of these flights, and takes the edge off of a possible SWU not clearing.
Any ideas on how AA determines who gets moved into those on a change to a retrofitted plane?
Apr 3, 2019, 3:10 pm
#425
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
AA's computers process equipment changes like this, and it can be all over the map. Sometimes you will keep the same seat number, i.e 8A stays 8A, sometimes you'll get an equivalent seat, i.e. aisle to aisle, and other times youll go from say a MCE aisle to row 100 middle. There's certainly no standard protocol, although if the same seat number is available you will usually end up there, although not always.
Apr 3, 2019, 3:17 pm
#426
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 72
AA's computers process equipment changes like this, and it can be all over the map. Sometimes you will keep the same seat number, i.e 8A stays 8A, sometimes you'll get an equivalent seat, i.e. aisle to aisle, and other times youll go from say a MCE aisle to row 100 middle. There's certainly no standard protocol, although if the same seat number is available you will usually end up there, although not always.
Makes sense, thanks for the reply.
Apr 3, 2019, 9:27 pm
#427
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,133
My friend is traveling this Saturday MIA-MAD as PLT. He requested miles+copay. If it doesn't clear, do GAs provide comp upgrades to W for elites? W looks like it has a lot of availability. Thanks!
Apr 5, 2019, 10:55 am
#428
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 75
The lack of icon was what worried me. Before I could call to check, though, I got an EF alert that there was 1 C seat available, and called to have the upgrade processed. Still not sure if I had been on the waitlist or not, but guess that doesn't matter as much now!
Apr 5, 2019, 11:28 am
#429
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,133
This is now a moot point. Flight was J7 I7 yesterday and J4 I3 this morning. Got an EF alert at lunch and saw it was C3. He called and had the upgrade processed right away (thankfully they didn’t give him the “you’re on the list - wait for it to process” nonsense)..Oddly, the W cabin filled up overnight which is weird.
Apr 5, 2019, 3:36 pm
#430
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Zurich / Europe / New York
Programs: LH, BA, AA
Posts: 1,309
The systemwide upgrade is shown available for my flight segment LHR-JFK from Business to First on aa.com with the icon and hyperlink. So I immediately called, but agent told me not available and can be waitlisted. Then checked immediately EF, my routing being BUD-LHR-JFK A3 but same date, time and flight if routing only LHR-JFK then A0 ... thought this is an issue only with EF, but didn’t know aa also gives incorrect info.
Last edited by LHSEN; Apr 6, 2019 at 2:35 am
Apr 6, 2019, 6:44 am
#431
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
The systemwide upgrade is shown available for my flight segment LHR-JFK from Business to First on aa.com with the icon and hyperlink. So I immediately called, but agent told me not available and can be waitlisted. Then checked immediately EF, my routing being BUD-LHR-JFK A3 but same date, time and flight if routing only LHR-JFK then A0 ... thought this is an issue only with EF, but didn’t know aa also gives incorrect info.
Apr 8, 2019, 10:58 am
#432
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
what's the time frame for upgrades been lately for LAX-HKG and reverse for an EXP?
Apr 8, 2019, 10:58 am
#433
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EP, AA AC
Posts: 4,268
Hey all,
So for my flights from CLT-GIG are wait listed for three SWUs on 4-10 (we are in PE), EF is showing J2 R2 D2 I2 W1 P1 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 G0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 E0. Seat map (which I know is not reliable) is showing 6-7 seats in B/C "available." How would folks interpret this data past the obvious that AA is willing to sell 2 seats in B/C, 1 seat in P/E and 0 seats in Coach? Trying to "read the tea leaves" on this!
Safe Travels and TYIA!
So for my flights from CLT-GIG are wait listed for three SWUs on 4-10 (we are in PE), EF is showing J2 R2 D2 I2 W1 P1 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 G0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 E0. Seat map (which I know is not reliable) is showing 6-7 seats in B/C "available." How would folks interpret this data past the obvious that AA is willing to sell 2 seats in B/C, 1 seat in P/E and 0 seats in Coach? Trying to "read the tea leaves" on this!
Safe Travels and TYIA!
Apr 8, 2019, 11:15 am
#434
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Austin, TX - AUS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott
Posts: 1,625
Hey all,
So for my flights from CLT-GIG are wait listed for three SWUs on 4-10 (we are in PE), EF is showing J2 R2 D2 I2 W1 P1 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 G0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 E0. Seat map (which I know is not reliable) is showing 6-7 seats in B/C "available." How would folks interpret this data past the obvious that AA is willing to sell 2 seats in B/C, 1 seat in P/E and 0 seats in Coach? Trying to "read the tea leaves" on this!
Safe Travels and TYIA!
So for my flights from CLT-GIG are wait listed for three SWUs on 4-10 (we are in PE), EF is showing J2 R2 D2 I2 W1 P1 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 L0 G0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 E0. Seat map (which I know is not reliable) is showing 6-7 seats in B/C "available." How would folks interpret this data past the obvious that AA is willing to sell 2 seats in B/C, 1 seat in P/E and 0 seats in Coach? Trying to "read the tea leaves" on this!
Safe Travels and TYIA!
Apr 8, 2019, 11:45 am
#435
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EP, AA AC
Posts: 4,268
