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)
Mar 5, 2019, 1:50 pm
#286
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 72
Also, Expert Flyer just refreshed and shows an additional 2 biz seats opened up, so that's 4 open and the 1 block with roughly 43 hours before take off.
Mar 5, 2019, 2:03 pm
#287
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,465
Just curious if I should have just seen if AA upgraded me for "free" either before or at desk due to status and open seats, or is using miles and cash the best option for getting bumped. I've heard that sometimes they'll just give the last couple of business class seats to CK or EXP during pre-boarding, but then again sometimes they'll opt to give those to miles/copay because at least they're getting something $$ for that vs. just handing them to EXPs/CKs for nothing.
As mentioned above, if you want the upgrade, then you definitely need to waitlist a miles/co-pay or SWU as you've done.
What I figured, thanks. I have also seen at mobile check in offers from AA to upgrade for $550 straight up, which took advantage of a couple of times last year.
When do the mileage/copay requests usually get processed? Within a certain time prior to the flight, at or after check-in (T-24 hours), or at the gate? Can't recall a time I've used miles to upgrade for overseas flights via a wait list as I've always had 500-mile tickets for domestic (or complimentary domestic), or done the $550 cash offer at check in.
When do the mileage/copay requests usually get processed? Within a certain time prior to the flight, at or after check-in (T-24 hours), or at the gate? Can't recall a time I've used miles to upgrade for overseas flights via a wait list as I've always had 500-mile tickets for domestic (or complimentary domestic), or done the $550 cash offer at check in.
Also, forget about what the seatmap shows, PHL-MUC is J2 on 3/7, meaning there are only 2 business seats left for sale.
Mar 5, 2019, 2:19 pm
#288
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: United Premier Platinum
Posts: 638
Just curious if I should have just seen if AA upgraded me for "free" either before or at desk due to status and open seats, or is using miles and cash the best option for getting bumped. I've heard that sometimes they'll just give the last couple of business class seats to CK or EXP during pre-boarding, but then again sometimes they'll opt to give those to miles/copay because at least they're getting something $$ for that vs. just handing them to EXPs/CKs for nothing.
The reason AA and its competitors don’t hand out empty J/F seats for free on long-haul international flights has more to do with behavioral economics: if customers get the idea that the premium product could possibly be accessed for free, then it becomes less scarce and the airline will likely sell marginally fewer premium seats as a result.
Mar 5, 2019, 8:15 pm
#289
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
I had the same experience last week. PP on a very elite-light flight (Friday night redeye out of Vegas). Wasn't upgraded until T-27. At the airport there was even one person on the upgrade list showing as "cleared" - meaning they still hadn't filled all the F seats by the time they opened at the gate.
Mar 5, 2019, 9:17 pm
#290
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
EXP w/ ~$24k rolling EQD, 2 pax
Booked DCA-JFK-EZE (March 6) and EZE-MIA-DCA (March 12). At booking on January 26, only EZE-MIA had C availability, so confirmed that w/ 2 SWUs. DCA-JFK cleared (e500) at the 100-hour window. JFK-EZE has consistently been half-empty in both J and W, we have had 2 SWUs waitlisted since booking and EF alerts set but no C availability has popped up until today. I think Y sold out a couple days ago. Earlier today (34 hours pre-departure), we cleared into J and now the flight is showing completely sold out. I had an EF alert set for if our original Y seats became open (which went off around 11 a.m.) and another alert set for C (which didn't go off until nearly 8 p.m.). Setting the alert for my original seats was key to being able to choose seats together (we got row 4 center seats) in J.
MIA-DCA still hasn't cleared (8/16 occupied) but not worried about that. Mainly glad that we got use out of the SWUs, and that we'll have a 772 with B/E Super Diamond on the way down and 77W on the way back! (and that the upgrades cleared enough in advance to allow us to request special meals!)
Booked DCA-JFK-EZE (March 6) and EZE-MIA-DCA (March 12). At booking on January 26, only EZE-MIA had C availability, so confirmed that w/ 2 SWUs. DCA-JFK cleared (e500) at the 100-hour window. JFK-EZE has consistently been half-empty in both J and W, we have had 2 SWUs waitlisted since booking and EF alerts set but no C availability has popped up until today. I think Y sold out a couple days ago. Earlier today (34 hours pre-departure), we cleared into J and now the flight is showing completely sold out. I had an EF alert set for if our original Y seats became open (which went off around 11 a.m.) and another alert set for C (which didn't go off until nearly 8 p.m.). Setting the alert for my original seats was key to being able to choose seats together (we got row 4 center seats) in J.
MIA-DCA still hasn't cleared (8/16 occupied) but not worried about that. Mainly glad that we got use out of the SWUs, and that we'll have a 772 with B/E Super Diamond on the way down and 77W on the way back! (and that the upgrades cleared enough in advance to allow us to request special meals!)
Mar 6, 2019, 8:29 pm
#291
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 19
LOL, where have you heard this, because it is most assuredly not true at all. On long-haul flights AA does not just upgrade EXP or CK's into empty business seats or anything like that. If there happen to be empty seats up front, and no one on the upgrade list, then those seats will go out empty (or be given to non-rev AA employees).
As mentioned above, if you want the upgrade, then you definitely need to waitlist a miles/co-pay or SWU as you've done.
Miles/Co-pay upgrades are no different than SWU's, they come from the same inventory, and space can open up at any point between now and the time of the flight. For a TATL flight 2 days from now with only 3-4 open seats in business, they might release 1-2 seats for upgrades around 24 hrs. before with the remaining 1-2 seats released the afternoon of the flight (right up to the gate).
Also, forget about what the seatmap shows, PHL-MUC is J2 on 3/7, meaning there are only 2 business seats left for sale.
As mentioned above, if you want the upgrade, then you definitely need to waitlist a miles/co-pay or SWU as you've done.
Miles/Co-pay upgrades are no different than SWU's, they come from the same inventory, and space can open up at any point between now and the time of the flight. For a TATL flight 2 days from now with only 3-4 open seats in business, they might release 1-2 seats for upgrades around 24 hrs. before with the remaining 1-2 seats released the afternoon of the flight (right up to the gate).
Also, forget about what the seatmap shows, PHL-MUC is J2 on 3/7, meaning there are only 2 business seats left for sale.
Mar 7, 2019, 12:27 pm
#292
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: AA EXP. HH DIAMOND.
Posts: 224
Are CKs listed on the same upgrade list as the rest of us?
had a club agent tell me there was 3 "priority" that wouldn't be on the list but processed first. Just curious besides displaced passengers who would end up on that list.
had a club agent tell me there was 3 "priority" that wouldn't be on the list but processed first. Just curious besides displaced passengers who would end up on that list.
Mar 7, 2019, 1:48 pm
#293
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 394
Yes, they are listed as UPG1 or VIP1 whereas EXP is UPG2 or VIP2.
Mar 8, 2019, 11:42 am
#295
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,826
Struck by lightning. Upgraded at exactly t-24 on MSY-ORD-DAY as a Gold. Early Saturday in a leisure market,
Mar 8, 2019, 12:45 pm
#296
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,816
Mar 8, 2019, 8:35 pm
#297
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 66
Does anyone have any experience with upgrades on PHL > SFO on friday night?
I usually fly PHL > PHX and never get close to upgrading as a platinum. Should i assume the same for this leg?
Might book a 1st class ticket if chances are low?
I usually fly PHL > PHX and never get close to upgrading as a platinum. Should i assume the same for this leg?
Might book a 1st class ticket if chances are low?
Mar 9, 2019, 2:08 pm
#298
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AA Ex Platinum
Posts: 161
Newbie to SWU
For 2019, I achieved ExPlat for the first time (woo!...woo?). I want to use my four SWU's, and am interested in booking two longhaul Main Cabin seats on LAX-HND for my husband and I. However, I noticed that at the time of booking, it says that upgrades using SWU's are not available. I apologize in advance for the newbie questions, but I can't find definitive answers anywhere on a FlyerTalk wiki (or I skimmed too quickly and didn't notice if they are truly available). My questions are as follows:
1) If I book Main Cabin seats from SEA-LAX-HND, and only want to use SWU on the long haul leg, can I specificy so as not to waste two of them on the domestic segment?
2) At the time of booking, although it says upgrades using SWU's are not available, am I to understand that they MAY become available, and I am then added to the waitlist until they do, and then depending on where we are on the waitlist they will then clear?
3) On the LAX-HND flights If I book MC, on a flight where PE and Business are available, do we upgrade to the next class of service (meaning PE) or business class?
Again, apologies for my (probably) simple questions. Just want to make sure I understand completely.
Really appreciate any guidance.
1) If I book Main Cabin seats from SEA-LAX-HND, and only want to use SWU on the long haul leg, can I specificy so as not to waste two of them on the domestic segment?
2) At the time of booking, although it says upgrades using SWU's are not available, am I to understand that they MAY become available, and I am then added to the waitlist until they do, and then depending on where we are on the waitlist they will then clear?
3) On the LAX-HND flights If I book MC, on a flight where PE and Business are available, do we upgrade to the next class of service (meaning PE) or business class?
Again, apologies for my (probably) simple questions. Just want to make sure I understand completely.
Really appreciate any guidance.
Mar 9, 2019, 4:13 pm
#299
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: United Premier Platinum
Posts: 638
For 2019, I achieved ExPlat for the first time (woo!...woo?). I want to use my four SWU's, and am interested in booking two longhaul Main Cabin seats on LAX-HND for my husband and I. However, I noticed that at the time of booking, it says that upgrades using SWU's are not available. I apologize in advance for the newbie questions, but I can't find definitive answers anywhere on a FlyerTalk wiki (or I skimmed too quickly and didn't notice if they are truly available). My questions are as follows:
1) If I book Main Cabin seats from SEA-LAX-HND, and only want to use SWU on the long haul leg, can I specificy so as not to waste two of them on the domestic segment?
2) At the time of booking, although it says upgrades using SWU's are not available, am I to understand that they MAY become available, and I am then added to the waitlist until they do, and then depending on where we are on the waitlist they will then clear?
3) On the LAX-HND flights If I book MC, on a flight where PE and Business are available, do we upgrade to the next class of service (meaning PE) or business class?
Again, apologies for my (probably) simple questions. Just want to make sure I understand completely.
Really appreciate any guidance.
1) If I book Main Cabin seats from SEA-LAX-HND, and only want to use SWU on the long haul leg, can I specificy so as not to waste two of them on the domestic segment?
2) At the time of booking, although it says upgrades using SWU's are not available, am I to understand that they MAY become available, and I am then added to the waitlist until they do, and then depending on where we are on the waitlist they will then clear?
3) On the LAX-HND flights If I book MC, on a flight where PE and Business are available, do we upgrade to the next class of service (meaning PE) or business class?
Again, apologies for my (probably) simple questions. Just want to make sure I understand completely.
Really appreciate any guidance.
This should probably be moved to the SWU thread, but I will answer here.
1) Yes. The better agents will assume this and clarify it with you proactively, but you’ll want to make extra sure on the phone that only the long segment is waitlisted initially. Once that clears, you’ll need to call back to have the SWU extended to the shorter segments (either confirming those or waitlisting them depending on availability).
2) Yes. On the AA website, “available” means you can confirm an SWU at that moment, “not available” means you can waitlist, and “not offered” means you cannot use an SWU at all (e.g. basic economy or codeshares). If you put yourself on the waitlist for a segment it can clear any time between now and departure, and the SWU will only be pulled if/when it clears.
3) You upgrade to business for now. However, the terms of the upgrades say “next class of service,” and PE has been largely positioned as a separate class of service over the last two years, so there is much speculation that at some point in the future a SWU will no longer get you from Main Cabin to Business internationally. That remains speculation, though.
Mar 9, 2019, 4:23 pm
#300
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AA Ex Platinum
Posts: 161
Perfect, and great feedback, really appreciate it!