Upgrade Offer on App (and on website)
Jul 19, 2021, 7:37 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 313
Upgrade Offer on App (and on website)
Seeing an upgrade offer of $49 on AA App, while the difference between what I paid and the current first class fare is $250+
I was under the impression that these offers were just upsells of the difference between the price paid and current first class fare. Are these offers now a way to sell upgrades that would otherwise go to elite members (a la UA)? Thanks in advance.
I was under the impression that these offers were just upsells of the difference between the price paid and current first class fare. Are these offers now a way to sell upgrades that would otherwise go to elite members (a la UA)? Thanks in advance.
Jul 19, 2021, 11:07 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,273
Yes, there are newer kinds of upgrades sold now. Look for whatever terms or fine print it offers up, but this kind likely books into full J and earns 3x EQM but you don’t earn EQD on the upgrade fee.
Jul 19, 2021, 3:46 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: New Jersey. USA
Programs: DL, BA, AA Plat Pro, MLIfe Gold, HH Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 110
Silly question regarding upgrade offers here. On my flights purchased directly from AA, I will see upgrade offers when viewing the trip through the app. When I purchase AA flights using amextravel.com , I am never presented with upgrade offers using the same viewing process in the app. I am still granted the ability to pick preferred and MCE seats. I still clear upgrades at my window and at the gate. But, I just never see an upgrade offer. Is this one of the caveats to using an OTA when booking with AA? None of my fares are BE or award flights of that helps.
Jul 19, 2021, 4:02 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
I was a little pissed-and I know how upgrades work-I was being offered a paid upgrade inside my complimentary upgrade window BWI-CLT yesterday/today. Oh well short flight. I rolled the dice. Still waiting.
Jul 19, 2021, 4:17 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
Yea… rolling the dice here myself. Was offered upgrade in app ~$678. Passed.
offer went away once inside window until today now. Mere ~36 hrs before departure. Price now is $550.
offer went away once inside window until today now. Mere ~36 hrs before departure. Price now is $550.
Jul 20, 2021, 4:45 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
And the Revenue Management peeps are working it! Just peaked at reservations for tomorrow’s flight 29 hrs from now and the app is offering upgrade for $385 at the moment. Wonder what non-elites are being offered! lol
may have peaked to snatch it, but the “disclaimer” notice piqued my interest even more.
it indicates that “additional fees” may be needed to upgrade on additional flights. I have one connection outbound and a nonstop return. Hmmmm???!!!
Last edited by Zacnlinc; Aug 3, 2021 at 10:48 am
Jul 20, 2021, 7:29 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Not in my experience. I see the offers while I have an upgrade pending. Clearly AA wants to try to sell these seats first then give out upgrades (usually around T4 to T-24 or at the gate) to those seats that do not sell.
Jul 20, 2021, 7:38 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 313
Nope. Still waiting on EXP upgrade with a $49 offer to upgrade (the fare difference between what I paid and what F is currently selling for is $250+). I hope this is not the new normal. Offering the upsell (fare difference) was one thing and fine, but this is quite another.
Jul 20, 2021, 12:18 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
not true indeed. In fact since my post earlier today, I was upgraded on connection out of DFW on 787. But Revenue Management is still holding on to the same five seats that have been available for the past two days.
I opted to just check-in two hours ago and now I’m on the waitlist. Peaked at the flight into DFW via a dummy booking at F/J is no longer available.
Let’s see how this turns out now. T-18 hrs. lol