Mar 6, 22, 2:17 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

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

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)

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Sep 25, 22, 10:18 pm

#571

Herb687

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2001

Location: Wanting First. Buying First.

Programs: Lifetime Executive Diamond Platinum VIP with Braniff, Eastern, Midway, National & Pan Am

Posts: 13,338

Quote:

Originally Posted by enichols22124

#1 3 times in a row RIC to DFW, 0 seats available. No upgrade. Exec Plat with 200,000+ Loyalty Points this far this year.

This year has been the worst for upgrades compared to previous. SFO, DFW, RIC, CDG , I'm sitting around 10% of time getting upgrades. Even when attempting to use SWU for the long legs.

DFW-RIC is one of my top WFBF routes over the past 5 years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by enviroian

I don't think I've ever seen 56 people on a wait list let alone a non hub to hub flight.

DFW>PHL pre-merger on a Monday AM. DFW>ATL on a Monday AM or ATL>DFW on a Thursday PM (flip those directions and you'll see the same thing on DL)

Sep 25, 22, 10:19 pm

#572

ryanbriar

Join Date: Nov 2011

Location: Boston, MA

Programs: AA EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K

Posts: 781

Quote:

Originally Posted by nineworldseries

Flying JFK-SFO 12/2 on 2652 (5:55pm friday depart) on an A321t. Paid ticket in N, will be EXP by flight date-- worth it at all to try to increase upgrade chances with miles plus cash, or is that just superfluous for an EXP?

No confirmable C space per EF, however the 15k+$75 is an easy way to lock it in early (if inventory opens up) given you’re 2+ months out.

Also check to see what the app is offering for buy-up’s. For my upcoming BOS-LAX trip, J and F have either been the same price or F $50 more.

nineworldseries likes this.

Sep 26, 22, 1:15 am

#573

Stripe

Join Date: Jun 2005

Location: AUS

Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Silver/MM, Hilton Diamond, Hertz 5* Gold

Posts: 6,638

Quote:

Originally Posted by enviroian

#2 for 1 seat out of 38 on today's late AM flight to DTW. I don't see myself getting pulled up front today.

Quote:

Originally Posted by enviroian

Today for dtw-Dfw I’m #4 out of 50 for 0 seats.

DFW-DTW and return used to be a pretty easy upgrade. My one miss this year was on a DTW-DFW.

Sep 26, 22, 2:54 am

#574

bbriscoe34

Join Date: Feb 2012

Location: DEN

Programs: Hilton Diamond Hyatt Globalist Marriott Gold AA EXP

Posts: 890

I'm flying DEN-DFW on Tuesday as a new EXP. I'm looking to do a SDC to increase my chances of upgrade as well as to meet up with some co-workers for dinner. One of the earlier flights shows C1 but J3 on expert flyer. Which fare is relevant for me to be upgraded? Or will more C's be added if the J's aren't sold for cash?

Sep 26, 22, 6:53 am

#575

JJeffrey

Join Date: Feb 2001

Location: RDU <|> MMX

Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS

Posts: 9,822

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbriscoe34

J is full fare business which is basically the total # of seats in business left for sale.

C is upgrade space but only if you're upgrading with miles/copay or SWU. C has no bearing on complementary upgrade space (that is R, the comp upgrade R space is not visible at EF).

Assuming you're trying to increase your odds of a comp upgrade, then this close in I would SDFC to whatever flight has the most J open, all else being equal.

Sep 26, 22, 8:55 am

#576

PHL

Join Date: Dec 2000

Location: PHL, NYC

Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA

Posts: 9,547

Quote:

Originally Posted by enviroian

Im now 4 out of 56. I don't think I've ever seen 56 people on a wait list let alone a non hub to hub flight.

I would think that's more the result of the move to automatically add everyone down to Gold to the upgrade list.

TheDudeAbides likes this.

Sep 26, 22, 9:08 am

#577

enviroian

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2003

Location: Dallas, TX

Programs: American Airlines

Posts: 27,151

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHL

I would think that's more the result of the move to automatically add everyone down to Gold to the upgrade list.

Well then all things being equal I don't or haven't seen lists like that anywhere else.

Anyway the boarding area at DTW was chaos. Group 1 must have been 50 people and I heard people talking to each other with sayings like "what is going on here? I'm #14! I used to always get an upgrade on this flight" and "No I didn't get an upgrade and I'm 6 on the upgrade list. First time for that, wow". Clearly elite members are seeing the app buy up in action.

Last edited by enviroian; Sep 26, 22 at 9:16 am

Sep 26, 22, 9:42 am

#578

nk15

Join Date: Aug 2014

Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances

Posts: 9,474

He is getting no respect, and now FL is paying the price...

enviroian likes this.

Sep 26, 22, 11:07 am

#579

PHL

Join Date: Dec 2000

Location: PHL, NYC

Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA

Posts: 9,547

Quote:

Originally Posted by enviroian

The new norm. I'm surprised it took AA so long. UA started doing this, much to their VFFs chagrin, like 10 years ago. <sigh>

Sep 26, 22, 2:45 pm

#580

Tbooth3

Join Date: Dec 2018

Location: Washington DC

Programs: American Airlines

Posts: 64

I have a flight to Italy in a couple of weeks that is J4 C4. I called to apply a miles and copay upgrade but they could only waitlist me. I’ve been able to confirm upgrades before over the phone where C space was available.

When I look on AA.com, I do not see the option to apply a SWU. Anyone else come across this issue recently? Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Sep 26, 22, 2:49 pm

#581

nk15

Join Date: Aug 2014

Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances

Posts: 9,474

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbooth3

Assuming there is true C availability (and no phantom one), it may depend on your status and the agent who answered the phone. I would call again, especially if you are EXP.

Sep 26, 22, 2:55 pm

#582

Tbooth3

Join Date: Dec 2018

Location: Washington DC

Programs: American Airlines

Posts: 64

Quote:

Originally Posted by nk15

Assuming there is true C availability (and no phantom one), it may depend on your status and the agent who answered the phone. I would call again, especially if you are EXP.

Thanks and I was wondering if I should just call again. It’s a direct segment on AA so I assumed there was no phantom C space sort of issue. The flight is actually for my mother in law who has no status but since the C space was open I didn’t think it would matter like it might if she’s waitlisted.