Upgrading Business to First Transcon
Nov 1, 2021, 1:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 225
Upgrading Business to First Transcon
Hi! I've called AA twice now asking to be added to the sticker list for an upgrade LAX-JFK. I bought the ticket to via AMEX and am continuing onto Africa, but wanted to upgrade the AA segments. I am platinum (soon to be Platinum Pro), but two agents say I cannot use stickers to go from biz to first. Is this correct?
Nov 1, 2021, 1:21 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,244
Hi! I've called AA twice now asking to be added to the sticker list for an upgrade LAX-JFK. I bought the ticket to via AMEX and am continuing onto Africa, but wanted to upgrade the AA segments. I am platinum (soon to be Platinum Pro), but two agents say I cannot use stickers to go from biz to first. Is this correct?
AAdvantage® elite status members can upgrade from any eligible purchased, published fare in the Main Cabin or Premium Economy to the next class of service (Business or domestic First) for travel within North America on eligible American Airlines marketed and operated flights.
from: https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-program/miles/redeem/award-travel/500-mile-upgrades.jsp
Nov 1, 2021, 1:24 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, BAEC Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 319
In my experience I've only been able to use 500-mile (sticker) upgrades from Main cabin to business on the LAX-JFK route. Only when I purchase a business fare am I able to upgrade to Flagship First, but only through a systemwide upgrade. I've never been able to upgrade to flagship first even after having purchased a business fare through a sticker upgrade.
Nov 1, 2021, 1:29 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 225
Seems like a strange policy, but fair enough. I guess the alternative would be to 15K miles with $175 copay each way or try a BizExtra 650 point redemption. Would one clear easier than the other if A inventory is not available?
Nov 1, 2021, 1:33 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, BA Gold, UA 1K, DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,987
Hi! I've called AA twice now asking to be added to the sticker list for an upgrade LAX-JFK. I bought the ticket to via AMEX and am continuing onto Africa, but wanted to upgrade the AA segments. I am platinum (soon to be Platinum Pro), but two agents say I cannot use stickers to go from biz to first. Is this correct?
You'll need either a SWU or 15,000 miles + $175 if ticketed in fare class R,C,D,I or 15,000 miles alone if ticketed in J class.
You will also need 'A' class award inventory to be available to confirm the upgrade.
Nov 1, 2021, 1:47 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
Hi! I've called AA twice now asking to be added to the sticker list for an upgrade LAX-JFK. I bought the ticket to via AMEX and am continuing onto Africa, but wanted to upgrade the AA segments. I am platinum (soon to be Platinum Pro), but two agents say I cannot use stickers to go from biz to first. Is this correct?
As others mentioned, right now, both First and Business get the same soft product; First is supposed to get better amenity kits and alcoholic selections but often, the catering company doesn't load them so F gets the exact same goods as J.
Nov 1, 2021, 2:23 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,233
first is still better if, like me, you value a bit more privacy. but i do still find J more than comfy for tcons...and frankly find the seat in J to be a bit more comfortable when reclined/laying flat.
Nov 2, 2021, 9:54 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: So Cal
Posts: 937
Oddly, I find the J seat more comfortable in bed mode. You would think the F seat would offer a premium experience, but not in this case.
Nov 2, 2021, 11:33 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
Hi! I've called AA twice now asking to be added to the sticker list for an upgrade LAX-JFK. I bought the ticket to via AMEX and am continuing onto Africa, but wanted to upgrade the AA segments. I am platinum (soon to be Platinum Pro), but two agents say I cannot use stickers to go from biz to first. Is this correct?
Nov 2, 2021, 11:36 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP/OWE, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 880
Hi! I've called AA twice now asking to be added to the sticker list for an upgrade LAX-JFK. I bought the ticket to via AMEX and am continuing onto Africa, but wanted to upgrade the AA segments. I am platinum (soon to be Platinum Pro), but two agents say I cannot use stickers to go from biz to first. Is this correct?
Nov 2, 2021, 1:22 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
Since COVID, J and F always have identical food & drink. Even before COVID, they were starting to come into parity. But in the last two years, they're identical. So close in fact that, often I get a J menu in F.