Expert Flyer Subscription to Jump Queue?
Apr 12, 2019 | 7:22 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 26
Expert Flyer Subscription to Jump Queue?
Noob here. So I already called AA to put myself down on the waitlist for a Saturday ORD>NRT flight and a Wednesday NRT>LAX flight. Does it help to pay for an EF subscription so I know when a C spot opens so I can call AA to get upgraded or does that all happen automatically? Would calling quickly allow me to jump the queue in front of other waitlisted folks?
Apr 12, 2019 | 7:30 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 4,238
Noob here. So I already called AA to put myself down on the waitlist for a Saturday ORD>NRT flight and a Wednesday NRT>LAX flight. Does it help to pay for an EF subscription so I know when a C spot opens so I can call AA to get upgraded or does that all happen automatically? Would calling quickly allow me to jump the queue in front of other waitlisted folks?
Apr 12, 2019 | 8:44 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,887
Right, it may or may not help, depending on the timing.
And if you do see upgrade inventory via EF, sometimes agents will refuse to process the upgrade if you're already on the waitlist, saying "the computer will do it based on the priority." The "solution" to that is to ask to be removed from the waitlist, then tell the agent (or call back and speak to someone else) you want to upgrade your flight into available "C" upgrade inventory. (Hoping that the computer doesn't process the other folks while this is all happening...)
And if you do see upgrade inventory via EF, sometimes agents will refuse to process the upgrade if you're already on the waitlist, saying "the computer will do it based on the priority." The "solution" to that is to ask to be removed from the waitlist, then tell the agent (or call back and speak to someone else) you want to upgrade your flight into available "C" upgrade inventory. (Hoping that the computer doesn't process the other folks while this is all happening...)
Apr 12, 2019 | 8:55 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold Royal Air Maroc OW Emerald Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 22,532
Noob here. So I already called AA to put myself down on the waitlist for a Saturday ORD>NRT flight and a Wednesday NRT>LAX flight. Does it help to pay for an EF subscription so I know when a C spot opens so I can call AA to get upgraded or does that all happen automatically? Would calling quickly allow me to jump the queue in front of other waitlisted folks?
Apr 13, 2019 | 1:55 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,318
Personally I find EF of great value and happily renew my subscription, that said if you're just looking for a 1 time alert for flights this upcoming Sat/Wed then you could always get the free 5 day pro trial and set C alerts w/o paying for a subscription if you cancel in time.
Apr 13, 2019 | 5:51 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,921
I personally have never seen the need to pay money for EF, and I've never missed an SWU request. (knock on wood).
Personally - it'd also be nice if we didn't encourage "jumping the queue" (and if AA systems didn't create the opportunity to do so).
YMMV
Personally - it'd also be nice if we didn't encourage "jumping the queue" (and if AA systems didn't create the opportunity to do so).
YMMV
Apr 13, 2019 | 3:41 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812