Last edit by: JDiver
Chances of Upgrade Request Clearing (Be aware of possible upgrade priority changes as of Loyalty Points becoming the qualifier for rewards)
(Upgrades were prioritized by elite status and then time of request until 20 May 2017)
Elite status
Upgrade type
Then, by
Link to 2020-2021 archived thread.
For previous changes, see Upgrade Priority Changes to Status, Rolling 365 Day EQD Spend May 20 2017
Link to Gary Leff, View From the Wing 16 May 2017
(Upgrades were prioritized by elite status and then time of request until 20 May 2017)
Elite status
- Concierge Key
- Executive Platinum
- Platinum Pro
- Platinum
- Gold
Upgrade type
- Miles and copay award upgrades and systemwide upgrades (SWU)
- 500 mile upgrades on purchased tickets
- 500 mile upgrades on upgrade eligible awards)
Then, by
- EQD earned, possibly changing to Loyalty Points earned, in the past 12 months (rolling) as far as we know today
- Booking class
- Time of request
Link to 2020-2021 archived thread.
For previous changes, see Upgrade Priority Changes to Status, Rolling 365 Day EQD Spend May 20 2017
Link to Gary Leff, View From the Wing 16 May 2017
Chances of Upgrade Clearing and Availability (2022 master thread)
#391
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: $9 Fare Club
Posts: 1,465
LGA-DCA: T-48 on the dot for the last flight out on Sunday,
Platinum with 71k LPs YTD
Platinum with 71k LPs YTD
#392
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K
Posts: 1,136
Are OWEs (outside of AS) eligible for complimentary upgrades? I didnt think that was the case. I know Sky Team has some sort of arrangement, but I dont think there is the same for OW.
#393
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: 4,546
I'm EXP flying LAS-LAX on AS four days from now. Have been upgraded, although F is wide open on the flight.
#394
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: CP-ASEL,AMEL,G-IA in Tucson, Arizona, United States
Posts: 1,124
Did TUS-PHX-EUG-PHX-TUS recently. Since EUG was hosting the national track and field championships there was an increased demand for air travel. Plat with only 7-8K LPs before the trip.
TUS-PHX upgraded 48 hours before the flight
PHX-EUG upgraded 12.5 hours before the flight
EUG-PHX upgraded 12 hours before the flight (I noticed just #1 on the standby list was upgraded-there were several)
PHX-TUS was #2 where 7 out of 9 were upgraded following an equipment change to an A321 with 20 F seats
TUS-PHX upgraded 48 hours before the flight
PHX-EUG upgraded 12.5 hours before the flight
EUG-PHX upgraded 12 hours before the flight (I noticed just #1 on the standby list was upgraded-there were several)
PHX-TUS was #2 where 7 out of 9 were upgraded following an equipment change to an A321 with 20 F seats
#395
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 717
JFK-LHR or LHR-JFK is still pretty easy to clear.
AA141 on Sunday 6/26: upgrade to J using SWU cleared at boarding (but missed the flight #anotherstory)
AA107 on Monday 6/27: upgrade cleared before boarding
AA 104 (JFK-LHR) on 8/17: received the notification on EF on 6/29, and the AA exp agent promptly handled it over the phone.
AA141 on Sunday 6/26: upgrade to J using SWU cleared at boarding (but missed the flight #anotherstory)
AA107 on Monday 6/27: upgrade cleared before boarding
AA 104 (JFK-LHR) on 8/17: received the notification on EF on 6/29, and the AA exp agent promptly handled it over the phone.
#396
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Between ORD and MKE
Programs: AA ExecPlat; UA 1K
Posts: 145
6/15: YYC to ORD: both upgraded T48, one Platinum with 110k LP and the other (Lifetime) Gold with <10k LP.
6/23: ORD to LAX: One upgraded at gate. By now was PPRO with 129K LP, 5th on list with no seats 2 hrs before, then third on list but somehow got last upgrade during boarding. Last flight of evening at 830pm.
3 for 3 in month of June.
6/23: ORD to LAX: One upgraded at gate. By now was PPRO with 129K LP, 5th on list with no seats 2 hrs before, then third on list but somehow got last upgrade during boarding. Last flight of evening at 830pm.
3 for 3 in month of June.
#397
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K
Posts: 1,136
BOS-ORD #4010 (E175) on 6/27: Cleared at the EP window with 14 on the list at pushback. #2 cleared / looked like a couple that split.
ORD-BOS #1172 (73M) on 6/29: Cleared at the EP window. 12 on the list with three clearing. That included one who was upgraded by the agent right before we closed up despite us being right up on pushback time.
I also cleared the 7:30 am ORD-LGA flight at the window on 6/29, but ended up calling an audible to the Boston flight.
ORD-BOS #1172 (73M) on 6/29: Cleared at the EP window. 12 on the list with three clearing. That included one who was upgraded by the agent right before we closed up despite us being right up on pushback time.
I also cleared the 7:30 am ORD-LGA flight at the window on 6/29, but ended up calling an audible to the Boston flight.
#398
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K
Posts: 1,136
BOS-ORD 7/1 2269 (evening 738) - cleared with an SWU at booking, but was pretty open up to 24 hours out and a few people on the list at pushback.
ORD-DUB 7/1 (788) - cleared an SWU at booking. 8 on the list with one clearing at the gate. Has been nearly sold out for about a month.
ORD-DUB 7/1 (788) - cleared an SWU at booking. 8 on the list with one clearing at the gate. Has been nearly sold out for about a month.
#399
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: PHL/LAX
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, AmEx Membership Rewards
Posts: 853
Platinum with 75141 LPs
Had to cancel these segments because the 1 day trip fell through but data points from 6/27:
-Phl-Ord 12:39 flight on 737-800. Was not going to clear when I cancelled at T-30.
-Ord-Clt 4:07 flight. Had not cleared yet but it was looking promising with several F seats open at cancellation.
-Clt-Fll 8:45pm flight. Cleared at T-48.
6/28:
Ord-Phl 4:26 flight on A321. Very light F load and cleared at T-48. Seems to consistently be a very light elite load seeing as there are only 4 people on the waitlist for today's flight.
Phl-bos 737 9:08pm flight. Cleared at T-48.
7/4:
Phl-Bos A321 9:41Am flight. Cleared at T-48. F cabin seat map showing 12 seats remaining so clearly a lighter elite load on the holiday
Had to cancel these segments because the 1 day trip fell through but data points from 6/27:
-Phl-Ord 12:39 flight on 737-800. Was not going to clear when I cancelled at T-30.
-Ord-Clt 4:07 flight. Had not cleared yet but it was looking promising with several F seats open at cancellation.
-Clt-Fll 8:45pm flight. Cleared at T-48.
6/28:
Ord-Phl 4:26 flight on A321. Very light F load and cleared at T-48. Seems to consistently be a very light elite load seeing as there are only 4 people on the waitlist for today's flight.
Phl-bos 737 9:08pm flight. Cleared at T-48.
7/4:
Phl-Bos A321 9:41Am flight. Cleared at T-48. F cabin seat map showing 12 seats remaining so clearly a lighter elite load on the holiday
Last edited by FlyFreakquently; Jul 2, 2022 at 8:10 am
#400
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 550
Well this is a first. I am EXP flying with two companions who are both Platinum using a Barclaycard companion certificate for each of them. All three of us were upgraded at 120 hours out on the PHX-ACV leg of our trip.
#401
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: AA-EXP
Posts: 606
Wow, I was under the impression that companion certificates were not eligible for complimentary upgrades, nice to know that it is possible!
#402
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Malibu, CA
Programs: AA CK / Marriott Worthless Ambassador
Posts: 1,158
Great success
Thought Id share a success story.
CK with wife and 3 kids and no status.
LHR to BOS - Purchased Basic Economy tickets
First call AA told me you cant use SWU on basic economy. Second call applied the certs but they had to reference some strange rule.
Months pass with no availability. Which is normal these days. Day before the flight they are no longer selling J and economy is overbooked and asking for volunteers. Oy. Economy seats.
LHR is a nightmare this weekend. BA wont allow us in their lounge. Kind AA rep at closed AA lounge says we are #s 1-5 on upgrade list.
We board late and at the gate all 5 of us are upgraded with SWU to J none of the PE nonsense Ive been hearing. I should have landed and bought lottery tickets.
CK with wife and 3 kids and no status.
LHR to BOS - Purchased Basic Economy tickets
First call AA told me you cant use SWU on basic economy. Second call applied the certs but they had to reference some strange rule.
Months pass with no availability. Which is normal these days. Day before the flight they are no longer selling J and economy is overbooked and asking for volunteers. Oy. Economy seats.
LHR is a nightmare this weekend. BA wont allow us in their lounge. Kind AA rep at closed AA lounge says we are #s 1-5 on upgrade list.
We board late and at the gate all 5 of us are upgraded with SWU to J none of the PE nonsense Ive been hearing. I should have landed and bought lottery tickets.
#403
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PP, DL PM
Posts: 2,085
Thought Id share a success story.
CK with wife and 3 kids and no status.
LHR to BOS - Purchased Basic Economy tickets
First call AA told me you cant use SWU on basic economy. Second call applied the certs but they had to reference some strange rule.
Months pass with no availability. Which is normal these days. Day before the flight they are no longer selling J and economy is overbooked and asking for volunteers. Oy. Economy seats.
LHR is a nightmare this weekend. BA wont allow us in their lounge. Kind AA rep at closed AA lounge says we are #s 1-5 on upgrade list.
We board late and at the gate all 5 of us are upgraded with SWU to J none of the PE nonsense Ive been hearing. I should have landed and bought lottery tickets.
CK with wife and 3 kids and no status.
LHR to BOS - Purchased Basic Economy tickets
First call AA told me you cant use SWU on basic economy. Second call applied the certs but they had to reference some strange rule.
Months pass with no availability. Which is normal these days. Day before the flight they are no longer selling J and economy is overbooked and asking for volunteers. Oy. Economy seats.
LHR is a nightmare this weekend. BA wont allow us in their lounge. Kind AA rep at closed AA lounge says we are #s 1-5 on upgrade list.
We board late and at the gate all 5 of us are upgraded with SWU to J none of the PE nonsense Ive been hearing. I should have landed and bought lottery tickets.
#405
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: SFO/LAX/SAN/LAS/DFW/JFK/LGA/EWR/MIA
Posts: 1,073
also, were you upgraded before checking in online? im wondering if check in time matters for AA in terms of upgrade priority. do many upgrades clear without checking in online?