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)
Dec 9, 2019, 12:17 pm
#1096
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138
I'm not the only one who took the greater EQD requirement to heart! Probably at about $21k rolling EQD right now (though am missing about $500 that I'm waiting for Advantage customer service to fix) and still end up being the first loser more often than this time last year (when I had a lower EQD). This is DCA-MIA/DCA-PBI and vv on Mon/Thurs. F cabins seem fuller too at the window.
I definitely am surviving in aisle MCE seats and don't need the extra calories from the meals, but it's that "oh so close" feeling that gets to me from time to time. Though I'm still probably overall around a 75% success rate this year.
I definitely am surviving in aisle MCE seats and don't need the extra calories from the meals, but it's that "oh so close" feeling that gets to me from time to time. Though I'm still probably overall around a 75% success rate this year.
Dec 9, 2019, 12:34 pm
#1097
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Agreed. From the west side of Manhattan, EWR is actually probably the easiest of the three NYC airports to deal with in my opinion. EWR flights are certainly much easier to upgrade than LGA or JFK flights. Now, whenever I fly AA out of NYC, I appreciate the usually lower fares out of EWR, and I am particularly fond of the admirals club at EWR for some reason, even though I would get Flagship Lounge access if flying out of JFK.
Dec 9, 2019, 1:39 pm
#1098
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,033
I can’t even get an upgrade to TULSA lol
Dec 9, 2019, 3:51 pm
#1099
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Washington DC
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 66
Any thoughts on this one?
PPRO traveling with PLT fiancée from CUN-PHL-DCA. Cleared the second segment at T-72 but not the first at the same window or today at the PLT window. It has been J6 and C6 since yesterday and I know that 500 mile upgrades do not clear from C space, but still seems odd that we haven’t cleared with all of the award space open and it’s a 333.
PPRO traveling with PLT fiancée from CUN-PHL-DCA. Cleared the second segment at T-72 but not the first at the same window or today at the PLT window. It has been J6 and C6 since yesterday and I know that 500 mile upgrades do not clear from C space, but still seems odd that we haven’t cleared with all of the award space open and it’s a 333.
Dec 10, 2019, 7:28 am
#1100
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,193
12/09 DFW to LGW AA 1608
Upgrade list was 70, yes 70.. I have never seen it that long
Upgrade list was 70, yes 70.. I have never seen it that long
Dec 11, 2019, 7:50 pm
#1101
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
Recent domestic flights:
DEN-ORD, 738, Monday afternoon - cleared at 100 hours (connecting there to an overnight TATL which I did not deem worthy of burning a SWU on)
-----
DCA-ORD, 738, Wednesday noon - cleared at 100 hours
ORD-DEN, 738, Wednesday afternoon - cleared at ~36 hours
Slightly under $22K EQD
DEN-ORD, 738, Monday afternoon - cleared at 100 hours (connecting there to an overnight TATL which I did not deem worthy of burning a SWU on)
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DCA-ORD, 738, Wednesday noon - cleared at 100 hours
ORD-DEN, 738, Wednesday afternoon - cleared at ~36 hours
Slightly under $22K EQD
Dec 12, 2019, 11:58 am
#1102
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 31
Quick update: SWU cleared today on this flight. Currently, the website shows 4 available seats in business class. I'm pleasantly surprised because I was cleared on a flight from DFW to PVG an hour before departure last summer.
Dec 12, 2019, 2:36 pm
#1103
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SoCal
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors LTDia, Marriott Plat
Posts: 639
Dec 15, 2019, 7:55 pm
#1104
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: AAdvantage EXP
Posts: 152
Have a flight tomorrow night from LAX to HKG- Requested Copay Mileage upgrade approx 3 months ago when purchased. Lowly Plat Pro now.. A week ago was J40 tonight with just about 24 hours left only J6, still no upgrade- Oh well, at least I have row 20 haha.. This is my 1st year w/o ExPlat status, and 1st time im actually missing it. I doubt I will get upgrade- will report either way.. 
**Update cleared day of on my LAX to HKG flight- my return flight did not clear. Was #10 on the list
Dec 16, 2019, 3:34 pm
#1105
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 4
Historical flight schedule
Can someone direct me to the appropriate thread:
I'm looking to book a 5am PHL-ORD assuming it'll be cancelled and I'll be able to move to a later flight but I'd like to see what summer 2019's schedule was. Is historical flight data available or can anyone check for me: PHL-ORD Friday in July and the return on a Sunday?
Thank you!
I'm looking to book a 5am PHL-ORD assuming it'll be cancelled and I'll be able to move to a later flight but I'd like to see what summer 2019's schedule was. Is historical flight data available or can anyone check for me: PHL-ORD Friday in July and the return on a Sunday?
Thank you!
Dec 17, 2019, 11:29 am
#1106
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,372
How are flights on December 26 usually?
I am on JFK-CDG, still waitlisted with a SWU, ~$22K rolling, with flight showing J7R7D6. Only 9 days out, and looks like they've opened up C space on a couple of the LHR flights, so here's hoping.
I am on JFK-CDG, still waitlisted with a SWU, ~$22K rolling, with flight showing J7R7D6. Only 9 days out, and looks like they've opened up C space on a couple of the LHR flights, so here's hoping.
Dec 17, 2019, 11:42 am
#1107
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
The week around Xmas and New Years is typically a goldmine for upgrade space, shouldn't have any problem at all. Normal paid business travel is non-existent.
Dec 19, 2019, 2:44 pm
#1108
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 120
JFK-LAX transcon, J sold out, EF shows 2 available in F and it's 10 after boarding time.
None of the plenty folks on the upgrade list cleared. They can't all possibly be for Y to J upgrades??
If it's used for non-rev, shouldn't the F space be 0?
None of the plenty folks on the upgrade list cleared. They can't all possibly be for Y to J upgrades??
If it's used for non-rev, shouldn't the F space be 0?
Dec 19, 2019, 2:47 pm
#1109
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: DTW / SJC
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 764
Dec 19, 2019, 3:00 pm
#1110
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 120
That's interesting - I would've thought that's a similar rarity like C in this route. This would all be such less of a painful game if AA would just split their list by cabin. Can't be that hard ;-)