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)
May 22, 2019, 3:45 pm
#571
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
As much as you would think a W fare would help your upgrade chances, it doesn't currently. (unless it's a very unusual circumstance) It's all about your rolling elite qualifying dollar spend and elite status.
But yeah, I've seen quite a few flights go J0 for a few weeks leading up to departure, then go J7 within 36-24 hours out. Strange.
May 22, 2019, 3:48 pm
#572
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: American Airlines EXP
Posts: 10
YW.
As much as you would think a W fare would help your upgrade chances, it doesn't currently. (unless it's a very unusual circumstance) It's all about your rolling elite qualifying dollar spend and elite status.
But yeah, I've seen quite a few flights go J0 for a few weeks leading up to departure, then go J7 within 36-24 hours out. Strange.
As much as you would think a W fare would help your upgrade chances, it doesn't currently. (unless it's a very unusual circumstance) It's all about your rolling elite qualifying dollar spend and elite status.
But yeah, I've seen quite a few flights go J0 for a few weeks leading up to departure, then go J7 within 36-24 hours out. Strange.
I am AA EXP with 15,100 EQD's . . not sure if thats low or not. . .
Thanks!
May 22, 2019, 3:51 pm
#573
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
$15K EQD is probably median range for EXP this year. However, that will be the lower end with the new $15K spend requirements. I think being at $20K+ puts you above average.
May 22, 2019, 3:55 pm
#574
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: American Airlines EXP
Posts: 10
Correct, basically. AA prioritizes you on the upgrade list by status level first (CK, EXP, PPRO, etc.) then by your 12-month rolling EQD spend. In your case, this will be your EQD amount from May 24, 2018 to May 24, 2019.
$15K EQD is probably median range for EXP this year. However, that will be the lower end with the new $15K spend requirements. I think being at $20K+ puts you above average.
$15K EQD is probably median range for EXP this year. However, that will be the lower end with the new $15K spend requirements. I think being at $20K+ puts you above average.
Thanks!
Jason
May 22, 2019, 4:11 pm
#576
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: American Airlines EXP
Posts: 10
I will hope for the best. . .
Thanks for all your help clarifying this process for me. You're fantastic!
May 22, 2019, 4:13 pm
#577
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
^ Write back and let us know if you clear the upgrade. I'm interested to see, as a sudden J0 with 9-10 open seats is sorta strange.
May 22, 2019, 6:00 pm
#578
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: DAY
Programs: Marriott Platinum, HHonors Diamond, AA ExPLT
Posts: 116
First try for using SWU on an international flight: DFW-ICN (AA 281) on 5/24. I’m starting to sweat it. Anyone have experience or insight on this flight?
Thanks!
Thanks!
May 22, 2019, 7:59 pm
#579
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Washington DC
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 66
Some data points over the last few weeks as a PP on domestic flights.
5/7- DCA-LGA: cleared at 72
5/8- LGA-DCA: cleared at 72 for original flight, SDFC and was #2, but didn’t clear.
5/13 - LGA-DFW-COS: #8 and #5 respectively.
5/17 - COS-ORD-DCA: #2 and cleared at the gate (regional aircraft) and did not clear as #6 from ORD (we had mechanical issues anyways and took another flight).
5/20 - DCA-CLT-GNV: #6 on first leg and cleared 2nd at 72 hours
5/22 - GNV-CLT-DCA: Changed this flight on 5/21. Confirmed on 1st leg about 3 hours after booking and on CLT-DCA at 4 hours from departure.
Upgrades continue to clear on regional flights that don’t involve DFW, and CLT-DCA at non-peak times.
5/7- DCA-LGA: cleared at 72
5/8- LGA-DCA: cleared at 72 for original flight, SDFC and was #2, but didn’t clear.
5/13 - LGA-DFW-COS: #8 and #5 respectively.
5/17 - COS-ORD-DCA: #2 and cleared at the gate (regional aircraft) and did not clear as #6 from ORD (we had mechanical issues anyways and took another flight).
5/20 - DCA-CLT-GNV: #6 on first leg and cleared 2nd at 72 hours
5/22 - GNV-CLT-DCA: Changed this flight on 5/21. Confirmed on 1st leg about 3 hours after booking and on CLT-DCA at 4 hours from departure.
Upgrades continue to clear on regional flights that don’t involve DFW, and CLT-DCA at non-peak times.
May 22, 2019, 8:12 pm
#580
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
So, not looking good right now. But that couple possibly change. Keep an eye on it.
May 22, 2019, 11:17 pm
#581
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The OC, DC, RIC
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Platinum, Hertz Presidential Circle
Posts: 136
Originally Posted by T. Sanderson 
First try for using SWU on an international flight: DFW-ICN (AA 281) on 5/24. I’m starting to sweat it. Anyone have experience or insight on this flight?
Thanks!
First try for using SWU on an international flight: DFW-ICN (AA 281) on 5/24. I’m starting to sweat it. Anyone have experience or insight on this flight?
Thanks!
Last edited by saleen22; May 22, 2019 at 11:18 pm Reason: Added quote
May 23, 2019, 8:28 am
#582
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, RC/Marriot Platinum, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 388
Had a question I couldn't find in searches, maybe issue is that I didn't know how to properly phrase the key words. On a 787 with Business, Premium Economy, and Main Cabin, if I purchase a revenue ticket in the Premium Economy cabin and put myself on the upgrade list using miles as a lowly Platinum, will I be ahead of Executive Platinums who are in Main Cabin since I purchased a Premium Economy seat?
May 23, 2019, 8:48 am
#583
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Had a question I couldn't find in searches, maybe issue is that I didn't know how to properly phrase the key words. On a 787 with Business, Premium Economy, and Main Cabin, if I purchase a revenue ticket in the Premium Economy cabin and put myself on the upgrade list using miles as a lowly Platinum, will I be ahead of Executive Platinums who are in Main Cabin since I purchased a Premium Economy seat?
May 23, 2019, 8:58 am
#584
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, RC/Marriot Platinum, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 388
May 23, 2019, 9:21 am
#585
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
I don’t expect the ability to upgrade from economy to business (i.e., skipping premium economy) will stick around. Additionally, even within economy, I am sure there are those who pay much more than others, but booking class is only used to break EQD ties. Ultimately, AA has chosen to reward long-time spend over immediate spend—although this is not the only option and is not what every airline does, I wouldn’t say it’s “crazy.”