Crazy rule about removing a systemwide upgrade
Apr 10, 2019, 9:10 am
#1
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Crazy rule about removing a systemwide upgrade
I used a systemwide upgrade on a transcon from J to F. I tried to remove it to use for a different flight. I was told that since my original J class fare was unavailable I would have to pay more to go back to J. Is this crazy or HUCA ?
The representative checked with someone to confirm this.
The representative checked with someone to confirm this.
Apr 10, 2019, 9:41 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 474
I used a systemwide upgrade on a transcon from J to F. I tried to remove it to use for a different flight. I was told that since my original J class fare was unavailable I would have to pay more to go back to J. Is this crazy or HUCA ?
The representative checked with someone to confirm this.
The representative checked with someone to confirm this.
Apr 10, 2019, 9:56 am
#3
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I don't know the exact rule here but from what I understand of the OP, the SWU is confirmed, not just requested. It is easy to "un-request" an upgrade for which you're standing by, but once your upgrade is confirmed, it's not possible to "un-upgrade". Once your ticket is re-issued you are an F passenger, not a J passenger who happens to be upgraded to F (and correctly you will be treated like an F passenger in the event of IRROPS, etc). Un-upgrading means another ticket change and of course requires the desired inventory to be available.
A different perspective: once your SWU clears you into F, that opens up the J inventory, which AA can sell to someone else. If you come back later and decide you don't want the upgrade, what are they supposed to do if that inventory is now long gone (which is what it sounds like has happened)? In the extreme, should they oversell J so that you can have your SWU back? If I was in AA's position I wouldn't let you do this.
Agree with ShortDog's advice as something you could try but if they don't let you do this, I would seriously move on.
A different perspective: once your SWU clears you into F, that opens up the J inventory, which AA can sell to someone else. If you come back later and decide you don't want the upgrade, what are they supposed to do if that inventory is now long gone (which is what it sounds like has happened)? In the extreme, should they oversell J so that you can have your SWU back? If I was in AA's position I wouldn't let you do this.
Agree with ShortDog's advice as something you could try but if they don't let you do this, I would seriously move on.
Apr 10, 2019, 11:40 am
#4
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I don't know the exact rule here but from what I understand of the OP, the SWU is confirmed, not just requested. It is easy to "un-request" an upgrade for which you're standing by, but once your upgrade is confirmed, it's not possible to "un-upgrade". Once your ticket is re-issued you are an F passenger, not a J passenger who happens to be upgraded to F (and correctly you will be treated like an F passenger in the event of IRROPS, etc). Un-upgrading means another ticket change and of course requires the desired inventory to be available.
A different perspective: once your SWU clears you into F, that opens up the J inventory, which AA can sell to someone else. If you come back later and decide you don't want the upgrade, what are they supposed to do if that inventory is now long gone (which is what it sounds like has happened)? In the extreme, should they oversell J so that you can have your SWU back? If I was in AA's position I wouldn't let you do this.
Agree with ShortDog's advice as something you could try but if they don't let you do this, I would seriously move on.
A different perspective: once your SWU clears you into F, that opens up the J inventory, which AA can sell to someone else. If you come back later and decide you don't want the upgrade, what are they supposed to do if that inventory is now long gone (which is what it sounds like has happened)? In the extreme, should they oversell J so that you can have your SWU back? If I was in AA's position I wouldn't let you do this.
Agree with ShortDog's advice as something you could try but if they don't let you do this, I would seriously move on.
Apr 10, 2019, 12:27 pm
#5
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Apr 10, 2019, 1:33 pm
#6
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While AA generally advises that its front line agents do not have the capability to call RM, I would nonetheless refine my next call. If the agent processes the downgrade, all the better. But, if she does not due to J fare bucket considerations, ask whether she can make the request that AA free up a J seat in the required fare bucket.
Not something I would expect to take place during a call, but worth the effort.
Not something I would expect to take place during a call, but worth the effort.
Apr 10, 2019, 1:47 pm
#7
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Apr 10, 2019, 2:36 pm
#8
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No, as far as I can remember, this rule has been around for a long time. (Though it might not have been strictly enforced.) Perhaps all the other times you did it, your original fare class was available?
Apr 10, 2019, 2:41 pm
#9
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+1, I've encountered this rule a few times, even 3 or 4 years ago. I do agree that enforcement might be more strict now -- AA management seems to be hell-bent on making sure even top customers aren't treated nicely once in a while...
Apr 10, 2019, 3:10 pm
#10
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I used a systemwide upgrade on a transcon from J to F. I tried to remove it to use for a different flight. I was told that since my original J class fare was unavailable I would have to pay more to go back to J. Is this crazy or HUCA ?
The representative checked with someone to confirm this.
The representative checked with someone to confirm this.
Perhaps in the previous cases, the booking class has been available, so no reason for the agent to say anything
Apr 10, 2019, 3:40 pm
#13
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I used a systemwide upgrade on a transcon from J to F. I tried to remove it to use for a different flight. I was told that since my original J class fare was unavailable I would have to pay more to go back to J. Is this crazy or HUCA ?
The representative checked with someone to confirm this.
The representative checked with someone to confirm this.
Could part of the problem be that your original fare class has an advanced purchase requirement that you cannot meet now? That would explain why the J cabin is wide open but your fare class isn't available. I'm not sure whether this could make it harder for an agent to override the requirement and reissue your ticket in business class.
Apr 10, 2019, 3:42 pm
#14
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There have definitely been reports of this over the years.
The difference is that you can clear a 500-mile upgrade request in advance without having the stickers in your account. If you then refuse to purchase the stickers, and your original fare class isn't available, it kind of puts AA between a rock and a hard place. Either they force the downgrade, or they IDB you. I believe the former requires either a supervisor or a call to revenue management, but 99% sure that's what they'll do.
AA downgrades people from time to time, it's probably fair to say that not all those times is the original booking class available, yet they make it happen. It's just a matter of whether they want to or not...
The difference is that you can clear a 500-mile upgrade request in advance without having the stickers in your account. If you then refuse to purchase the stickers, and your original fare class isn't available, it kind of puts AA between a rock and a hard place. Either they force the downgrade, or they IDB you. I believe the former requires either a supervisor or a call to revenue management, but 99% sure that's what they'll do.
AA downgrades people from time to time, it's probably fair to say that not all those times is the original booking class available, yet they make it happen. It's just a matter of whether they want to or not...
Apr 10, 2019, 3:45 pm
#15
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Could part of the problem be that your original fare class has an advanced purchase requirement that you cannot meet now? That would explain why the J cabin is wide open but your fare class isn't available. I'm not sure whether this could make it harder for an agent to override the requirement and reissue your ticket in business class.
That said, AA certainly zeros out (or limits the sale of) "I" inventory on near-empty transcons in advance; it would certainly be easy enough to check. I also think there are probably some pretty expensive I fares out there with minimal advance purchase requirements on these routes.