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)
Oct 16, 2019, 2:49 pm
#946
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
Oct 16, 2019, 3:21 pm
#947
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gatwick, UK
Programs: UA *G, BA Silver
Posts: 1,673
Huh? No you don't - not in the slightest.
I can tell you that in five years of being an EXP, I have used SDC precisely one time, nor do I buy last minute tickets (all my tickets are advanced purchase discount fares) so that is not about my particular use case.
One or two empty seats near departure gives far more possible utility and options to the airline and it's customers than filling those seats in advance with upgrades does. That's my opinion.
I can tell you that in five years of being an EXP, I have used SDC precisely one time, nor do I buy last minute tickets (all my tickets are advanced purchase discount fares) so that is not about my particular use case.
One or two empty seats near departure gives far more possible utility and options to the airline and it's customers than filling those seats in advance with upgrades does. That's my opinion.
In fact, nothing AA does in terms of how they prioritize upgrades, or when they give them out, has any real effect on the number of upgrades out there. Of course, it may affect your individual chance of an upgrade on a specific flight, and different mechanisms could increase or decrease your stress levels, but that isn't about the number of upgrades available.
My suspicion is that AA does keep 1-2 seats till T-30 in certain circumstances and doesn't in others, and I assume that this would be based on the long-term historical data they have about loads and the probability of people changing flights.
Oct 16, 2019, 3:26 pm
#948
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Portland, OR.
Programs: AA PPro
Posts: 607
Sorry said 4 earlier, now it says 2. On a euro amedeus site for booking.
Oct 16, 2019, 4:05 pm
#949
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
I suspect that many who are not clearing upgrades as it is would prefer to clear ahead of time where possible.
Regards
Oct 16, 2019, 5:46 pm
#950
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Oct 17, 2019, 10:34 am
#951
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
For tomorrow for example, J0 on the most of the morning flights.
Oct 17, 2019, 11:23 am
#952
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
Several flights were J6 or 7 before T+24, then everyone must have cleared. In particular I almost swapped to a flight that was J7 5 hours ago and is still J2. Debating if it's worth giving up 2 hours of sleep to SDC to that one and have more cushion in case of weather delays.
Oct 17, 2019, 11:39 am
#953
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Oct 17, 2019, 1:57 pm
#954
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
Oct 17, 2019, 6:51 pm
#955
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: SE Wisconsin
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond for Life
Posts: 337
Got my ‘upgrade confirmed’ email today for ORD->CLT next week... T99 hrs, 48 min.
Oct 18, 2019, 5:00 am
#956
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
I’ve started trying out EWR-ORD and that’s been working better for my UPG odds.
Oct 18, 2019, 6:01 am
#957
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Any idea what’s changed? I’ve noticed AA is pricing FC much more aggressively closer in to departure so if there are last minute bookings FC is only like $50 more than coach.....that’s my hunch but could be more people upfaring after booking too I guess (but not worth it for this flight length).
Last edited by JonNYC; Oct 18, 2019 at 6:12 am
Oct 18, 2019, 6:21 am
#958
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
Well, no chance this AM. Went to J0 yesterday and i’m 3 of 21 on the list. Lowest i’ve been on an UG list in 2019. Exit Row it is.
Oct 18, 2019, 11:43 am
#959
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT PRO
Posts: 34
Surprised to see my SWU request for AA46 ORD-LHR for next Friday (10/25) cleared this morning. Did not expect something so soon at all!
Oct 18, 2019, 12:27 pm
#960
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, BA Gold, UA 1K, DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,989
Likely just a sign that the Europe tourist season is dying down for this year, so you're competing with fewer leisure travelers who are paying for J.