AA offers TOD “tens of dollars” First Class & Upgrades
Aug 8, 2019, 12:52 pm
#181
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,185
Horrifying Rates to Upgrade to First: Advance Upgrade
Similar to United, I have realized that American has also started offering online upgrades in advance and I have got the offer $636 for my MIA-DCA flight whereas purchasing a new First class ticket for the same flight is $720. Obviously, I am not taking this offer as I already have a MCE seat for free and all the perks stated except "Our largest, most comfortable seat".
And, ironically, BA generally offers a $639 upgrade rate for their east-coast transatlantic flights from Y to C.
Has anyone considered purchasing an upgrade similar to this on their own expense ( not billing to their company, etc... )?
I have removed the date info due to privacy reasons.
And, ironically, BA generally offers a $639 upgrade rate for their east-coast transatlantic flights from Y to C.
Has anyone considered purchasing an upgrade similar to this on their own expense ( not billing to their company, etc... )?
I have removed the date info due to privacy reasons.
Aug 8, 2019, 12:55 pm
#182
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
AA wanted over $700 for LGA-DTW with no FC seats sold. Needless to say I cleared right at the window and will be chilling in 1A 
Aug 8, 2019, 3:04 pm
#183
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,060
Similar to United, I have realized that American has also started offering online upgrades in advance and I have got the offer $636 for my MIA-DCA flight whereas purchasing a new First class ticket for the same flight is $720. Obviously, I am not taking this offer as I already have a MCE seat for free and all the perks stated except "Our largest, most comfortable seat".
And, ironically, BA generally offers a $639 upgrade rate for their east-coast transatlantic flights from Y to C.
Has anyone considered purchasing an upgrade similar to this on their own expense ( not billing to their company, etc... )?
And, ironically, BA generally offers a $639 upgrade rate for their east-coast transatlantic flights from Y to C.
Has anyone considered purchasing an upgrade similar to this on their own expense ( not billing to their company, etc... )?
Aug 10, 2019, 9:29 am
#184
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FSD
Programs: AA CK, DL SM, UA PS, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium , Hyatt Globalist, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 457
The direct dial number for the meetings and conference group (who can change a Concur or travel agent ticket with the $50 fee) is 800-433-1790 and they are open 7A-11P Central M-F and 7A-8P Central Saturdays and Sundays.
Aug 13, 2019, 9:16 pm
#185
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 50
The app and website are showing the offer to move to first class for my upcoming ORD-RDU flight this week. It's not an upgrade price, however. It's an upfare price. Currently, AA is requesting over $700 one way for the upfare. Yesterday is was $380. Only one first class seat is shown as occupied on the seat map. In total, 12 seats are occupied in coach. I'll probably end up with my own row of MCE.
Aug 14, 2019, 6:07 am
#186
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: CMH
Programs: BA Gold, AA Plat, NK $9 fare club
Posts: 666
Similar to United, I have realized that American has also started offering online upgrades in advance and I have got the offer $636 for my MIA-DCA flight whereas purchasing a new First class ticket for the same flight is $720. Obviously, I am not taking this offer as I already have a MCE seat for free and all the perks stated except "Our largest, most comfortable seat".
And, ironically, BA generally offers a $639 upgrade rate for their east-coast transatlantic flights from Y to C.
Has anyone considered purchasing an upgrade similar to this on their own expense ( not billing to their company, etc... )?
I have removed the date info due to privacy reasons.
And, ironically, BA generally offers a $639 upgrade rate for their east-coast transatlantic flights from Y to C.
Has anyone considered purchasing an upgrade similar to this on their own expense ( not billing to their company, etc... )?
I have removed the date info due to privacy reasons.
Aug 14, 2019, 6:47 am
#187
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: Once a somebody now a nobody
Posts: 514
I book a majority of my flights as one ways and all of my current upgrade offers are sky high. I could understand if it was the fare difference from my coach ticket to first class. But it's a huge mark up. One example is ORD-MCO I paid $180 and current first price is $445. The upgrade banner price is $739. On what planet would anyone pay $739 when they could just call up and up fare? Why go through the cost and effort of introducing technology to just make it completely unappealing to the consumer. Maybe AA thinks the T in TOD stands for thousands?
Aug 14, 2019, 8:24 am
#188
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 50
I book a majority of my flights as one ways and all of my current upgrade offers are sky high. I could understand if it was the fare difference from my coach ticket to first class. But it's a huge mark up. One example is ORD-MCO I paid $180 and current first price is $445. The upgrade banner price is $739. On what planet would anyone pay $739 when they could just call up and up fare? Why go through the cost and effort of introducing technology to just make it completely unappealing to the consumer. Maybe AA thinks the T in TOD stands for thousands?
I’m within 24 hours of my flight. 2 seats occupied in first. You’d think, with all elite upgrade windows passed, they’d start offering those seats for purchase. But the option has disappeared from the app and site.
Aug 23, 2019, 1:24 pm
#189
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 535
Interestingly, I have a BOS-PHX-BOS booked in October. The PHX-BOS return leg was only $250 to upgrade, so I upgraded that piece. The outbound BOS-PHX leg was $1698 to upgrade (while they are selling discounted F for $1075). I tweeted to AA to ask why an upgrade was $600+ more than just buying an F ticket. Got a BS reply about there being different levels of F fares. My Y ticket was Non-Refundable...why wouldn't the upgrade fee take the Non-Refundable F fare into consideration. Craziness.
Aug 23, 2019, 2:48 pm
#190
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Here and there
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,551
Interestingly, I have a BOS-PHX-BOS booked in October. The PHX-BOS return leg was only $250 to upgrade, so I upgraded that piece. The outbound BOS-PHX leg was $1698 to upgrade (while they are selling discounted F for $1075). I tweeted to AA to ask why an upgrade was $600+ more than just buying an F ticket. Got a BS reply about there being different levels of F fares. My Y ticket was Non-Refundable...why wouldn't the upgrade fee take the Non-Refundable F fare into consideration. Craziness.
Sep 10, 2019, 9:45 pm
#191
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,185
I have finally received a very good deal on an AA booking but I'm not the only passenger in the same PNR.
If I wish to upgrade that flight ( only for myself ) would the hotline be able to process it or would I need to upgrade all passengers at the same moment?
If I wish to upgrade that flight ( only for myself ) would the hotline be able to process it or would I need to upgrade all passengers at the same moment?
Sep 10, 2019, 10:04 pm
#192
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,214
Anecdotal, but my upgrade window has shrunk since this.
Upgrades are now within T24 and the last 3 have been at the gate where I was 1 on the list.
Upgrades are now within T24 and the last 3 have been at the gate where I was 1 on the list.
Sep 16, 2019, 4:17 am
#193
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,060
Traveling Thanksgiving morning PHL-CLT with my SO and teenager. We’re both Plat, though she just got it through a promo and has $0 EQD/0 EQM right now.
We’re on separate PNRs and both got offered a $58 upgrade for that segment and $308 for the Thanksgiving Sunday return. Since were flying on the A332 (to and from), we already snagged PE seats. So, while a little bit tempting to be in the lie flats, it’s only a 75 minute flight so spending $174 to upgrade us all for that short hop isn’t worth it, and definitely not worth $924 to upgrade us all on the return!
We may well get the comp upgrade on the way down anyway because it’s a slow travel day (hence, the cheap offer).
We’re on separate PNRs and both got offered a $58 upgrade for that segment and $308 for the Thanksgiving Sunday return. Since were flying on the A332 (to and from), we already snagged PE seats. So, while a little bit tempting to be in the lie flats, it’s only a 75 minute flight so spending $174 to upgrade us all for that short hop isn’t worth it, and definitely not worth $924 to upgrade us all on the return!
We may well get the comp upgrade on the way down anyway because it’s a slow travel day (hence, the cheap offer).
Sep 16, 2019, 12:05 pm
#195
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,457
Interestingly, I have a BOS-PHX-BOS booked in October. The PHX-BOS return leg was only $250 to upgrade, so I upgraded that piece. The outbound BOS-PHX leg was $1698 to upgrade (while they are selling discounted F for $1075). I tweeted to AA to ask why an upgrade was $600+ more than just buying an F ticket. Got a BS reply about there being different levels of F fares. My Y ticket was Non-Refundable...why wouldn't the upgrade fee take the Non-Refundable F fare into consideration. Craziness.