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)
Jan 25, 2019, 6:08 pm
#151
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Smellington, NZ
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, UA 2P, Marriott LTPP
Posts: 1,453
duplicate
Last edited by bpauker; Jan 25, 2019 at 6:44 pm
Jan 26, 2019, 10:51 am
#152
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 238
Promo Gold with questions
I am sure you regular AA flyers are hating all of us promo gold folks but hopefully still willing to provide some advice.
Three of us are flying from RDU to MIA to SJU on 3/28/19 to catch a cruise. Our return will be from FCO to PHL and then to RDU on 4/19/19. The flights were ticketed by the cruise line and I presume are in the lowest category possible. These are ticketed on two reservations, mine and a separate one for my hubby and his mom. He and I are both promo gold until end of May and therefore have requested upgrades on the domestic flights using the ten 500 mile upgrade certs we each received. We have also requested upgrades on the FCO/PHL segment using 25K miles plus $350. Currently we have seat assignments on all segments in preferred economy (free) seats except I have purchased MCE for me on the long haul. So now my questions:
1. When I spoke with the AA rep to determine if our tickets were even eligible for the upgrades, she suggested checking on moving to MCE seats on the domestic legs prior to checkin - the presumption being that those higher on the food chain who get those seats for free now, might get upgraded to First and the MCE seats might become available for us to book at no charge. Recommendations on how long before our flight I should start checking for that would be appreciated.
2. If we get very (very) lucky and get all the domestic flights upgraded to First, I will end up using 5 of my certificates but hubby will be one short of enough to upgrade both he and his Mom. Is there a way AA would let me use one of mine to upgrade her? Should I try to change her reservation from being linked with his to being linked with mine after we finish the outbound legs? I presume AA won't let you do this after travel has started but thought you might have some suggestions. If not, does he have to buy the additional certificate prior to check in or will it give him the opportunity to do that once it is confirmed there is even a seat available?
3. If we again get lucky and our requested upgrade to Business goes through, I understand I will be refunded the cost of my MCE seat already purchased. Is this automatic or will I need to do anything to get it?
4. What am I forgetting to ask? Any recommendations on how to increase our chances for any or all of these upgrades will be most appreciated!
TIA,
Clay
Three of us are flying from RDU to MIA to SJU on 3/28/19 to catch a cruise. Our return will be from FCO to PHL and then to RDU on 4/19/19. The flights were ticketed by the cruise line and I presume are in the lowest category possible. These are ticketed on two reservations, mine and a separate one for my hubby and his mom. He and I are both promo gold until end of May and therefore have requested upgrades on the domestic flights using the ten 500 mile upgrade certs we each received. We have also requested upgrades on the FCO/PHL segment using 25K miles plus $350. Currently we have seat assignments on all segments in preferred economy (free) seats except I have purchased MCE for me on the long haul. So now my questions:
1. When I spoke with the AA rep to determine if our tickets were even eligible for the upgrades, she suggested checking on moving to MCE seats on the domestic legs prior to checkin - the presumption being that those higher on the food chain who get those seats for free now, might get upgraded to First and the MCE seats might become available for us to book at no charge. Recommendations on how long before our flight I should start checking for that would be appreciated.
2. If we get very (very) lucky and get all the domestic flights upgraded to First, I will end up using 5 of my certificates but hubby will be one short of enough to upgrade both he and his Mom. Is there a way AA would let me use one of mine to upgrade her? Should I try to change her reservation from being linked with his to being linked with mine after we finish the outbound legs? I presume AA won't let you do this after travel has started but thought you might have some suggestions. If not, does he have to buy the additional certificate prior to check in or will it give him the opportunity to do that once it is confirmed there is even a seat available?
3. If we again get lucky and our requested upgrade to Business goes through, I understand I will be refunded the cost of my MCE seat already purchased. Is this automatic or will I need to do anything to get it?
4. What am I forgetting to ask? Any recommendations on how to increase our chances for any or all of these upgrades will be most appreciated!
TIA,
Clay
Jan 26, 2019, 6:45 pm
#153
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Miami/Ft. Lauderdale
Programs: AA 2MM Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,349
Confirmed Mileage Upgrade
I used to like using mileage upgrades for some flights because, if inventory was available, they were always confirmed at time of ticketing. But I recently booked a MIA-YYZ trip for mid May and called AA to upgrade with miles. To my surprise I was told they’re not yet processing mileage upgrades and I was put on the upgrade list. Assuming it works differently now, how far out before flight time do they usually clear? I don’t travel nearly as much as before and am not nearly as AAdvantage savvy as I was years ago. Thanks.
Jan 26, 2019, 8:24 pm
#154
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
Striking out (0 for 2) so far this year on my first AA flights for upgrades (I live overseas and normally fly Malaysian, Qantas, or Cathay). I was 22 of about 40 on HKG-DFW and 2 of 13 on DFW-SJC. Exp with 19k rolling EQD. I am Troy surprised I couldn’t get the SJC one, but not as surprised about the HKG flight.
I'm often within the top 3-5 on the UG list at the gate myself. I recall at least twice the GA coming onboard to give me my new BP for the upgrade while having another passenger behind them to take my exit row seat. My EDQ is just just slightly ahead of yours by 2K.
Jan 29, 2019, 10:17 am
#155
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 24
Cleared a SWU on AA128 PVG-DFW for Monday Feb 4 about T-6 days. EXP, low EQD.
Jan 30, 2019, 8:14 am
#156
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 42
I often find U space for ORD-SJC and some DFW-SJC, so have spent lots of miles on that. As a new EXP with 19K EQD, I am 0/2 on the DFW-SJC this year. For a short regional I fly, I am 100% at T-100; Spouse with Plat can also always get that regional upgrade.
Jan 30, 2019, 4:02 pm
#157
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: AA Plat, MPC Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 116
Just in case anyone is looking for this info. I got the trail for EF and checked for this. (For AA193 on 21st Feb)
It is showing 0 for C. Does that basically mean no C space will be available? I assume that either all the available have been taken up or none were available. Is there a scenario where it might open up?
First - MileSAAver Award (for 3 cabin flights only)Z0
First - Upgrade (for 3 cabin flights only)
A0
Business - AAnytime Award (Including 2-Cabin Domestic First)J7
Business - MileSAAver Award (Including 2-Cabin Domestic First)U0
Business - Upgrade (Including 2-Cabin Domestic First)C0
Premium Economy - AAnytime AwardW3
Premium Economy - MileSAAver AwardX0
Coach - AAnytime AwardY7
Coach - Employee Travel and Confirmed Flight ChangesE0
First - Upgrade (for 3 cabin flights only)
A0Business - AAnytime Award (Including 2-Cabin Domestic First)J7
Business - MileSAAver Award (Including 2-Cabin Domestic First)U0
Business - Upgrade (Including 2-Cabin Domestic First)
C0Premium Economy - AAnytime AwardW3
Premium Economy - MileSAAver AwardX0
Coach - AAnytime AwardY7
Coach - Employee Travel and Confirmed Flight ChangesE0
Last edited by Nile_US; Jan 30, 2019 at 4:16 pm
Jan 30, 2019, 7:17 pm
#159
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 214
Just in case anyone is looking for this info. I got the trail for EF and checked for this. (For AA193 on 21st Feb)
It is showing 0 for C. Does that basically mean no C space will be available? I assume that either all the available have been taken up or none were available. Is there a scenario where it might open up?
It is showing 0 for C. Does that basically mean no C space will be available? I assume that either all the available have been taken up or none were available. Is there a scenario where it might open up?
Jan 30, 2019, 8:14 pm
#160
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 317
Just to share my experience for LAX-LHR-LAX.
Both flights were wide open in J (I've been told it's less than 50% sold) before they cleared the upgrades. C opened up at T-35 hours (had to call in to request the upgrade to be confirmed) although I suspect that I will clear if I didn't call anyway, but better be safe than sorry.
Seems like they are really waiting until the very last few hours to clear the upgrades (understandable for a route that might get sell a lot of J tickets, but both my flights were about 60-70% full in J after all upgrades + employees have cleared and mid-week January TATL travel).
IIRC, my upgrades cleared around T-7 days last year.
Both flights were wide open in J (I've been told it's less than 50% sold) before they cleared the upgrades. C opened up at T-35 hours (had to call in to request the upgrade to be confirmed) although I suspect that I will clear if I didn't call anyway, but better be safe than sorry.
Seems like they are really waiting until the very last few hours to clear the upgrades (understandable for a route that might get sell a lot of J tickets, but both my flights were about 60-70% full in J after all upgrades + employees have cleared and mid-week January TATL travel).
IIRC, my upgrades cleared around T-7 days last year.
Quick question...Are you using Expert Flyer to see if C opens up?
Thanks
Jan 30, 2019, 8:23 pm
#161
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFOSJCOAK
Programs: AA-EXP & 1MM+, AS, MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 7,581
OK I lied, one final final update. AA has actually formally reissued the ticket in W and the web supervisor, Diego, called me back to confirm. I guess this is a data point that you can get AA to honor the website vs. ticket issue if you try hard enough. Shoutout to Diego for his help and professionalism.
Hope they solved the glitch on their system: show W but book into P fiasco!
Jan 30, 2019, 8:53 pm
#162
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Data Point on LAX-HKG
Ticket purchased on 12.14.18, booked into Premium Economy. Hoping for upgrade to J.
Outbound 1.27.19, LAX-HKG #193 . SWU Waitlisted.
Return 1.29.19, HKG-LAX #192 . SWU Waitlisted.
Expert Flyer notifications set.
Outbound upgrade cleared 24 hours before flight. Mini-cabin available in J. ^
Return flight.......nothing. Was #3 on the upgrade list out of 6. As boarding commenced, #2 cleared. At least I had eaten at The Haven inside CX Wing lounge.
Twelve hours in Premium Economy not too bad. The overall seat comfort is fine, but my neck is killing me. Lack of storage at the seat and in overhead bins (compared to J) is significant. Very important to get on "the bus" early if you want your luggage to be near your seat during the flight. Saw lots of passengers "swimming upstream" as we deplaned. Never saw a line or significant wait for the toilet until 30 minutes before landing.
Outbound 1.27.19, LAX-HKG #193 . SWU Waitlisted.
Return 1.29.19, HKG-LAX #192 . SWU Waitlisted.
Expert Flyer notifications set.
Outbound upgrade cleared 24 hours before flight. Mini-cabin available in J. ^
Return flight.......nothing. Was #3 on the upgrade list out of 6. As boarding commenced, #2 cleared. At least I had eaten at The Haven inside CX Wing lounge.
Twelve hours in Premium Economy not too bad. The overall seat comfort is fine, but my neck is killing me. Lack of storage at the seat and in overhead bins (compared to J) is significant. Very important to get on "the bus" early if you want your luggage to be near your seat during the flight. Saw lots of passengers "swimming upstream" as we deplaned. Never saw a line or significant wait for the toilet until 30 minutes before landing.
Jan 31, 2019, 8:05 am
#163
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: WAS/NYC/LON
Programs: AA EXP, HH DIA, Hyatt DIA
Posts: 286
I had a few flights to South America (JFK//GRU, MIA//SCL) clear around 60-90 days out. Was a surprise for me and some of my 2018 SWU's were used instead of the 2019 ones, which was an additional bonus!
Feb 1, 2019, 2:46 am
#164
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The KUL city
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, TK Elite+
Posts: 2,663
Feb 1, 2019, 8:02 am
#165