Feb 28, 2022, 10:45 am
Last edit by: aztimm
Expanding complimentary upgrades
AAdvantage Gold® and AAdvantage Platinum® members now have more opportunities to upgrade from Main / Premium Economy to the next class of service. Starting with flights on March 2, 2022, we’re expanding complimentary upgrades to all purchased, published fares on American within North America.*All complimentary upgrades for existing reservations will be available by March 2.
Some reminders:
- We’ll automatically request the upgrade if everyone in your booking is eligible for a complimentary upgrade – no action needed from you.
- Your upgrade may be cleared as early as 24 hours before departure for AAdvantage Gold® and 48 hours for AAdvantage Platinum® members.
- Upgrades within North America remain complimentary for AAdvantage Executive Platinum® and AAdvantage Platinum Pro® members.
The future of companion and 500-mile upgrades
Later in 2022, all AAdvantage® status members will be able to enjoy a complimentary upgrade for 1 companion traveling on the same flight within North America. When that happens, we’ll convert all available 500-mile upgrades to 250 Loyalty Points each. This addition of Loyalty Points helps you reach AAdvantage® status faster.Simplifying your upgrade experience
You'll continue to be added to the airport upgrade list if your upgrade request hasn’t cleared before check-in. We’re beginning to roll out an enhanced upgrade experience in 2022 for status members at the airport: Upgrades will automatically clear 40 minutes before your flight departure if seats are available. This will apply to all airports within North America. Once your upgrade clears, you’ll be notified on the app or on the gate monitor.With automatic clearance, you'll have a more consistent experience and should know the status of your upgrade request sooner.
Be sure you’ve checked in early so you’re on the upgrade list. If you aren’t on the list before the automatic clearance, you’ll be prioritized after the airport upgrade list has cleared.
*You can use 500-mile upgrades to pay for travel companions who do not hold AAdvantage® status.
Complimentary Upgrades in NA for Platinum and Gold
Mar 10, 2022, 12:46 pm
#256
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Interesting. I tried this by just writing AAdvantage Customer Servicem and indicating I would accept a travel voucher if a full refund was not possible. Their reply was:
I may try your approach. Given how recently I had purchased some of these upgrades, it's hard to feel like AA is delivering on what I bought -- or doing much to develop goodwill.
I may try your approach. Given how recently I had purchased some of these upgrades, it's hard to feel like AA is delivering on what I bought -- or doing much to develop goodwill.
I am wondering now if AMEX will reverse their reimbursement as it was part of my $250 airline benefit for my Hilton Aspire AMEX. I am still confused they didn't charge me the $450 annual fee for the first year
Also confused that non of my mileage multipliers actually worked. The fees would be pending on my card, then they would drop......... and no mileage bonus was ever received
Mar 10, 2022, 3:39 pm
#257
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Loyalty Points are useful, as the help determine you position in lines for upgrades
Apr 4, 2022, 7:00 pm
#258
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,141
I'm lowly Gold from the Hyatt Globalist promotion last year, but I just wanted to say that this policy has majorly impacted my flying experience. Despite not living at an AA hub, I find myself flying them more often than not, and I have really been loving the first class upgrades. Even on domestic narrow-body planes, the extra space is nice, and it does make the flying experience feel like less of a slog. I'm glad that American decided to fill these seats with willing Elites. I'll likely continue to prioritize booking with them (as I also want to continue to keep Gold).
Apr 13, 2022, 4:33 pm
#259
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA/CLT/HKG
Programs: AA EXP (Former US CP)
Posts: 731
Data point with my refund experience:
- Submitted refund request/sent email to AAdvantage CS requesting a refund of the 5 certificates I purchased in January 2022 on March 1
- Received a refund for one of the certificates on March 2 ($40)
- AA CS got back to me via email on 3/30 saying they were not refundable and I would be getting loyalty points for each of my upgrades. I pushed back on the refund (and explained how I got a credit for one of them) and the agent agreed to submit a manual refund exception.
- An Executive Liaison called me yesterday to review the situation with me. I essentially said that if you were able to refund one, you should be able to refund all. He said he wasn't sure how that refund got approved, and it was probably a system error. He said he couldn't refund me, but he said he wanted to "make things right with me". I was expecting a voucher, but the agent offered me a whopping 5,000 miles each for all the certificates I had purchased (not those that I was awarded by flying EQMs), including for the one that was erroneously refunded.
Last edited by CLT; Apr 13, 2022 at 7:07 pm
Apr 13, 2022, 9:41 pm
#260
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319
Data point with my refund experience:
- Submitted refund request/sent email to AAdvantage CS requesting a refund of the 5 certificates I purchased in January 2022 on March 1
- Received a refund for one of the certificates on March 2 ($40)
- AA CS got back to me via email on 3/30 saying they were not refundable and I would be getting loyalty points for each of my upgrades. I pushed back on the refund (and explained how I got a credit for one of them) and the agent agreed to submit a manual refund exception.
- An Executive Liaison called me yesterday to review the situation with me. I essentially said that if you were able to refund one, you should be able to refund all. He said he wasn't sure how that refund got approved, and it was probably a system error. He said he couldn't refund me, but he said he wanted to "make things right with me". I was expecting a voucher, but the agent offered me a whopping 5,000 miles each for all the certificates I had purchased (not those that I was awarded by flying EQMs), including for the one that was erroneously refunded.
Apr 25, 2022, 11:59 am
#261
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: INT/GSO/CLT/RDU
Programs: AA EXP 1MM; HH Gold; Bonvoy Gold; Wynd Diamond
Posts: 228
Data point with my refund experience:
- Submitted refund request/sent email to AAdvantage CS requesting a refund of the 5 certificates I purchased in January 2022 on March 1
- Received a refund for one of the certificates on March 2 ($40)
- AA CS got back to me via email on 3/30 saying they were not refundable and I would be getting loyalty points for each of my upgrades. I pushed back on the refund (and explained how I got a credit for one of them) and the agent agreed to submit a manual refund exception.
- An Executive Liaison called me yesterday to review the situation with me. I essentially said that if you were able to refund one, you should be able to refund all. He said he wasn't sure how that refund got approved, and it was probably a system error. He said he couldn't refund me, but he said he wanted to "make things right with me". I was expecting a voucher, but the agent offered me a whopping 5,000 miles each for all the certificates I had purchased (not those that I was awarded by flying EQMs), including for the one that was erroneously refunded.
Jul 25, 2022, 3:23 am
#262
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,425
Is it possible to get on the upgrade list when part of a group on a single PNR? I know that the upgrade itself is only for the member plus one. But for example, if I am on a PNR with 5 non-status pax, could I get my name plus one on the upgrade list, leaving the other 4 in coach if it clears? I don’t want to split the PNR so as to keep MCE, free bags, etc for all.
Jul 26, 2022, 11:11 am
#263
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
My wife is PLT and she's actually doing pretty well so far under this. She's 4/6 on upgrades since the policy change.
Jul 26, 2022, 11:39 am
#264
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA Plat/2MM, DL Silver, UA Silver (via Marr), Marr LTT, HH Gold (via cc), Hyatt Disc
Posts: 1,039
To make this data point more meaningful, can you share her LPs? That'll help other Plats know whether they can expect similar or different success rates (realizing that location, destination, day of week and time of day impact upgrade rates as well). Thanks.
Jul 26, 2022, 12:43 pm
#265
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,546
Is it possible to get on the upgrade list when part of a group on a single PNR? I know that the upgrade itself is only for the member plus one. But for example, if I am on a PNR with 5 non-status pax, could I get my name plus one on the upgrade list, leaving the other 4 in coach if it clears? I don’t want to split the PNR so as to keep MCE, free bags, etc for all.
Jul 26, 2022, 12:55 pm
#266
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I believe if that happens you can call and get them moved back into MCE. It's not a published benefit (at least as far as I can tell -- the benefit specifies "on the same reservation") but certainly they will do it for EXP. I'm not sure about other status levels.
Jul 28, 2022, 11:05 am
#267
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Pretty low, I think in the 15-17K Range. I'm actually not sure she'll qualify again and may be GLD next year. We'll see.
Aug 21, 2022, 11:55 pm
#268
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,692
I've never actually booked in MC/hoped for upgrade but was looking at a MEX-LAX itinerary w/ a stop in MIA. I realize might be tough on the smaller plane to MIA but was hoping the 77W to LAX w/ so many J seats might be a good shot. Do I have to do anything to indicate in the res. that I would like a Plat upgrade should there be one available? I went through the booking process and wasnt asked anything so is it just an automatic thing? I booked with miles b/c 19K miles seemed quite good, especially when it was 97K for J. Any data points for a Plat getting an upgrade on the 77W?
Was thinking of booking a DL flight also and then if no upgrade I believe I can cancel the AA flight with no issues/get my miles put back in and then just take the DL non stop. Despite the stop in MIA I actually would get in 5 hours earlier to LA which is why I would prefer that option not to mention the flat bed.
Was thinking of booking a DL flight also and then if no upgrade I believe I can cancel the AA flight with no issues/get my miles put back in and then just take the DL non stop. Despite the stop in MIA I actually would get in 5 hours earlier to LA which is why I would prefer that option not to mention the flat bed.
Aug 22, 2022, 12:06 am
#269
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: DTW / SJC
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 764
Do I have to do anything to indicate in the res. that I would like a Plat upgrade should there be one available? I went through the booking process and wasnt asked anything so is it just an automatic thing? I booked with miles b/c 19K miles seemed quite good, especially when it was 97K for J.
Aug 22, 2022, 12:26 am
#270
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
I'm also not at all sure that you can get complimentary upgrades from Y to J. There are occasionally domestic widebody flights where the J cabin is sold as F (and the PE cabin is sold as MCE) and there you can definitely get a complimentary upgrade to a lie-flat seat as though it were a regular domestic F seat. But if the cabin is sold as "Flagship" I don't think even an EXP can get a compimentary upgrade.