Upgrade Possible? JFK-LAX paid Business (I) to First, for Free (not using SWU)?
Feb 10, 2019, 6:28 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EP, HH Diamond, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 417
Upgrade Possible? JFK-LAX paid Business (I) to First, for Free (not using SWU)?
Regarding 3 class JFK - LAX (or LAX - LAX) direct flights: if I buy a business class ticket (fare code "I", paid by $), am a eligible for a free upgrade to the first class (I am EXP)? In other words, is there an upgrade list from business class to first class, similar like economy to business/first (1 class) upgrade?
On my travel date, all first class seats are available, and SWU is available from business to first. But, of course, I am not going to use SWU for JFK - LAX - JFK trips. So I am wondering if automatic free upgrade is offered to CX/EXP. If not, what happens to the empty seats in the first class?
On my travel date, all first class seats are available, and SWU is available from business to first. But, of course, I am not going to use SWU for JFK - LAX - JFK trips. So I am wondering if automatic free upgrade is offered to CX/EXP. If not, what happens to the empty seats in the first class?
Feb 10, 2019, 6:40 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: WAS/NYC/LON
Programs: AA EXP, HH DIA, Hyatt DIA
Posts: 286
You are not eligible for free upgrades. You potentially could get bumped if J is oversold, but not sure how common that is.
The F cabin either goes out with some empty seats or filled with nonrevs.
Feb 10, 2019, 6:44 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EP, HH Diamond, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 417
Thanks very much. Good information. AA should think about upgrading paid Business class pax to F if there are empty seats available. Oh! well! Let me see how it works for my flight. All F seats are empty now!
Feb 10, 2019, 7:03 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,060
I believe you can upgrade to F from discounted biz for 15,000 points and a $75 copay if there is A inventory open. If you have EF subscription you can check this.
Feb 10, 2019, 7:17 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 214
You could get upgraded if J is oversold, but it's much more common that Y is oversold and they need to roll J-F so they can accommodate Y-J upgrades to clear the backlog in Y. The J-F upgrade is rare, but it probably happens to me on 10% of my flights, so it's definitely possible.
Feb 10, 2019, 7:23 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,198
If they did that, likely no one would buy F, so I don't think that will ever happen.
Feb 10, 2019, 9:19 am
#7
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...olicy-faq.html
Feb 10, 2019, 9:46 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,222
And you certainly can upgrade from J into F.
But you can’t do it with stickers or complimentarily as EP/PPro.
Feb 10, 2019, 10:39 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
Stickers/e-upgrades are valid from Economy to the lowest premium cabin within "North America" (USA/CAN/MEX/BDA/Bahamas/Carib/CentAmer). In most 2-class services, that means First/Business (R class). In the case of 3-class services (select nonstop transcons), it means Business Class (R class). Stickers/e-upgrades cannot be used to move from Business to First on 3-class services. However, as already noted, you are welcome to use SWUs or miles+copay to upgrade IF inventory is available (A class). Otherwise, you can choose to pay the fare difference to pay up to First. (change fee is waived on up-fare transactions)
Feb 10, 2019, 11:33 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Upgrading from Full-Fare Business to First is 15,000 miles but no co-pay.
Feb 12, 2019, 8:58 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
I'm sure they have thought about it many times. Current policy is decades-old and pre-dates complimentary upgrades (I'd wager it even pre-dates the existence of "Executive" Platinum status).