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 21, 2019, 12:58 pm
#977
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Wow, was J1 and I was #4 , people must have SDC because I scored a battlefield upgrade. 1-4 all cleared at the gate.
Oct 21, 2019, 2:50 pm
#978
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat
Posts: 36
anyone have experience trying to clear LAX to HKG (AA PremEcon ticket, but CX metal) using miles to upgrade to Business ? apparently one open, but travelling with fiance. . I'd book her in to Biz and take my chances but its our anniversary, and she prefers to stay together. So we're wait listing on 2. Flight shows biz at 1/2 full but it is 6 weeks out. I think we're using 25K + 350 to upgrade. so not sure if/when availability will loosen up on it, if at all.
Oct 21, 2019, 3:44 pm
#979
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,498
anyone have experience trying to clear LAX to HKG (AA PremEcon ticket, but CX metal) using miles to upgrade to Business ? apparently one open, but travelling with fiance. . I'd book her in to Biz and take my chances but its our anniversary, and she prefers to stay together. So we're wait listing on 2. Flight shows biz at 1/2 full but it is 6 weeks out. I think we're using 25K + 350 to upgrade. so not sure if/when availability will loosen up on it, if at all.
Oct 21, 2019, 6:33 pm
#980
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 4
Yes, plenty of people have cleared J to F upgrades on DFW-LHR.
It all depends on how many seats are left. With only 3 left for sale in F, then it's not uncommon at all for AA to hold back this space for upgrades until just before the flight. It will most likely open up around 24-36 hrs before.
It all depends on how many seats are left. With only 3 left for sale in F, then it's not uncommon at all for AA to hold back this space for upgrades until just before the flight. It will most likely open up around 24-36 hrs before.
Last edited by Smsgirl; Oct 21, 2019 at 9:18 pm
Oct 22, 2019, 6:34 am
#981
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP, 2 Million Miler
Posts: 821
Was able to apply SWUs to upgrade my wife and me, from J to F, both ways, on the new DFW<-->HND flight. My wife's flights are in June, mine goes out in May and return with her in June.
I wish my earlier Spring Tokyo trips got booked on this flight, but they weren't selling seats yet for these flights at the time of booking.
I wish my earlier Spring Tokyo trips got booked on this flight, but they weren't selling seats yet for these flights at the time of booking.
Oct 22, 2019, 10:32 am
#982
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat
Posts: 36
thats what I thought. And it looks like its actually aa metal and not CX. I think CX also runs that route which is where the confusion appears to be with the multiple overlapping code shares. its AA 193 from LAX to HKG
Oct 22, 2019, 11:24 am
#983
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,498
You will most likely clear, but AA typically doesn't release upgrade space until 24-48 hrs. before the flight. A lot will depend on what day of the week you're flying.
Oct 22, 2019, 12:33 pm
#984
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat
Posts: 36
taking the sunday evening 1150pm departure one next month (week of thanksgiving). Hoping no business people want to fly out that week lol.. .
Oct 22, 2019, 12:33 pm
#985
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,492
Wow, was J1 and I was #4 , people must have SDC because I scored a battlefield upgrade. 1-4 all cleared at the gate.
A battlefield upgrade is when the gate agent comes to your seat on the aircraft and moves you up to the next cabin.
Oct 22, 2019, 12:38 pm
#986
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP; BoNVoY Tit LTP
Posts: 1,923
Oct 22, 2019, 1:10 pm
#987
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
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Posts: 6,798
Oct 22, 2019, 2:12 pm
#988
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,492
Sorry, I should have been more specific. 1-2 cleared at the gate, as #3 was boarding they told him to hold back because they might have a seat for him. I had stowed my bags in 15A and gone to the lav when my phone rang. The gate agent called my cell and told me I cleared and to move up to 6A. So I was onboard, but not actually in my seat.
Oct 22, 2019, 2:27 pm
#989
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Oct 22, 2019, 3:05 pm
#990
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,038
Cleared on a 752 to phx today. 1st on the list for J1.
Agent pulled me out of 13B. I was in 8A on a 321 that was initially planned but changed earlier today.
Agent pulled me out of 13B. I was in 8A on a 321 that was initially planned but changed earlier today.