Where is the SWU available? (Are SWU usable / useful?)
Feb 15, 2022, 8:28 am
#106
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,043
Feb 15, 2022, 8:53 am
#107
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 392
Agree 100%! With summer travel getting all the hype right now I'm not willing to gamble on an SWU waitlist clearing, so if I can'f confirm something to Europe I will start looking at alternate routes to use them on. With AUS and NZ supposedly opening up, would be great to try and use there but can that be trusted? South America could work... have to check on how 'open' Argentina and Chile are at the moment.
Feb 15, 2022, 1:45 pm
#108
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Stilllwater OK (SWO)
Programs: AAdvantage ExecPlat, World of Hyatt Globalist, plain "member" of Marriott, IHG, enterprise, etc.
Posts: 1,848
Honestly, I feel the same way. But, lots of people here report that they 'usually clear' at some point, and I can't diddle around with plans forever.
(And generally, I have found that the SWUs worth is overly-promised when it seems so tough to find availability. which is why I don't feel motivated to maintain 30 segments or reaching for the extra 75K LPs between PlatPro and Exec plat).
Still bummed that I had these exact SWUs in my account cleared at one time for DFW-HND, both there and back, for both my wife and I, back in early March 2020 for a trip that Sept. I've been trying to find use for them since that comes anywhere as close to being that good of a value.
(And generally, I have found that the SWUs worth is overly-promised when it seems so tough to find availability. which is why I don't feel motivated to maintain 30 segments or reaching for the extra 75K LPs between PlatPro and Exec plat).
Still bummed that I had these exact SWUs in my account cleared at one time for DFW-HND, both there and back, for both my wife and I, back in early March 2020 for a trip that Sept. I've been trying to find use for them since that comes anywhere as close to being that good of a value.
Mar 12, 2022, 6:24 am
#109
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Stilllwater OK (SWO)
Programs: AAdvantage ExecPlat, World of Hyatt Globalist, plain "member" of Marriott, IHG, enterprise, etc.
Posts: 1,848
Quite a bit of SWU space opened between CLT and MAD for July into August. Most days; both there and back. Still don't see hardly a thing from DFW to europe, but connecting through charlotte really doesn't look that bad, the fares aren't too bad, and I do want to visit Madrid. I think I may bite at this.
Mar 15, 2022, 4:49 pm
#113
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
My issue with SWUs is that economy fares on longhaul travel seem kind of high right now -- to the point where I would rather just book an award (which are surprisingly easy to come by, and are much more flexible due to the number of carriers available) than pay for economy and use a SWU. All 4 of mine will probably expire unless I come across a good economy fare in the next couple of months.
My problem is that I have 4 of them from 2019 which have been being extended, but finally expire in June. Since I only just started traveling again, I don't have the flexibility that I think is required to get good value out of them -- a couple of months is really not that long to find a good fare. But we'll see what turns up.
My problem is that I have 4 of them from 2019 which have been being extended, but finally expire in June. Since I only just started traveling again, I don't have the flexibility that I think is required to get good value out of them -- a couple of months is really not that long to find a good fare. But we'll see what turns up.
Last edited by VegasGambler; Mar 15, 2022 at 6:04 pm
Mar 15, 2022, 5:49 pm
#114
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: DC
Programs: AA PPRO, HH Diamond, National EE
Posts: 603
My issue with SWUs is that economy fares on longhaul travel seem kind of high right now -- to the point where I would rather just book an award (which are surprisingly easy to come by, and are much more flexible due to the bullet of carriers available) than pay for economy and use a SWU. All 4 of mine will probably expire unless I come across a good economy fare in the next couple of months.
My problem is that I have 4 of them from 2019 which have been being extended, but finally expire in June. Since I only just started traveling again, I don't have the flexibility that I think is required to get good value out of them -- a couple of months is really not that long to find a good fare. But we'll see what turns up.
My problem is that I have 4 of them from 2019 which have been being extended, but finally expire in June. Since I only just started traveling again, I don't have the flexibility that I think is required to get good value out of them -- a couple of months is really not that long to find a good fare. But we'll see what turns up.
I know flyer that wouldn't mind using them. ;-)
Mar 16, 2022, 1:08 pm
#115
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, UA *S, BA Fanboy
Posts: 414
Are SWUs currently unavailable?
I've noticed over the past few days (or really weeks) that I don't ever see the "systemwide upgrade" link pop up when I search flights anymore. I'm not just talking LAX-SYD on Christmas eve, I mean on any search I do, be it domestic or international. Generally, you'd see some flights have the "systemwide upgrade" link pop up and one of the segments would be confirmable. I've done a bunch of dummy searches with connections (AUS-MAD, CLT-TUS etc.) and it's not showing up for anything.
Is AA currently not confirming any SWU space at all, or do I just know how to search the bad routes?
Is AA currently not confirming any SWU space at all, or do I just know how to search the bad routes?
Mar 16, 2022, 1:33 pm
#117
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,502
I've noticed over the past few days (or really weeks) that I don't ever see the "systemwide upgrade" link pop up when I search flights anymore. I'm not just talking LAX-SYD on Christmas eve, I mean on any search I do, be it domestic or international. Generally, you'd see some flights have the "systemwide upgrade" link pop up and one of the segments would be confirmable. I've done a bunch of dummy searches with connections (AUS-MAD, CLT-TUS etc.) and it's not showing up for anything.
Is AA currently not confirming any SWU space at all, or do I just know how to search the bad routes?
Is AA currently not confirming any SWU space at all, or do I just know how to search the bad routes?
Mar 16, 2022, 1:47 pm
#118
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,268
That "feature" is also hit or miss on aa.com.
I just confirmed JFK-SFO 2 days ago (used a BXP, but the same C inventory), so can personally attest to SWU inventory being present. I used EF to check though.
I just confirmed JFK-SFO 2 days ago (used a BXP, but the same C inventory), so can personally attest to SWU inventory being present. I used EF to check though.
Mar 16, 2022, 1:48 pm
#119
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Also make sure that you have SWUs available to be used. The link will not show up if you don't have any.
Mar 16, 2022, 2:23 pm
#120
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, UA *S, BA Fanboy
Posts: 414