Flagship First Paid Upgrades (through app, kiosk, counter, etc.)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Newcastle/London & Worldwide
Programs: BAEC Gold, Virgin Flying Club Silver
Posts: 818
Flagship First Paid Upgrades (through app, kiosk, counter, etc.)
I don’t use AA often (normally BA or Virgin) - what’s the AA policy / approach on paid upgrades at check in ? I see on an upcoming flight there are seats available in F (currently im in J) on a 777-300 - do AA allow paid upgrade at check in similar to BA ?
#2
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 509
As a data point, I was offered a upgrade to F from J for Ł326 before online check-in, during and at the airport.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Newcastle/London & Worldwide
Programs: BAEC Gold, Virgin Flying Club Silver
Posts: 818
That’s great I wasn’t sure they offered it - there are multiple seats available in F so I will check at LHR before my flight
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
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#5
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal to the rest of the world...
Programs: AA EXP with lots of BA. UA 2MM Lifetime Plat - No longer chase hotel loyalty
Posts: 6,697
Unlike BA and VS where you can ask at check in for next cabin day of departure upgrades and pay accordingly - with AA you need to upgrade ahead of check in or if using a kiosk - at check in. Agents do not deal with these upgrades, they will only deal with upgrades with instruments (Systemwide, etc or miles)
#6
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
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They offer them either in the app or at check in on kiosks.
that said, unless you're connecting in JFK, DFW or MIA or LHR, and can redeem the benefit of CCR or FFD, it's not worth it at all.
Identical inflight service except for one tiny extra amouse Bouche and a seat that is spacious with no privacy and several of the seats themselves rock back and forth ever so slightly.
that said, unless you're connecting in JFK, DFW or MIA or LHR, and can redeem the benefit of CCR or FFD, it's not worth it at all.
Identical inflight service except for one tiny extra amouse Bouche and a seat that is spacious with no privacy and several of the seats themselves rock back and forth ever so slightly.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,379
Unlike BA and VS where you can ask at check in for next cabin day of departure upgrades and pay accordingly - with AA you need to upgrade ahead of check in or if using a kiosk - at check in. Agents do not deal with these upgrades, they will only deal with upgrades with instruments (Systemwide, etc or miles)
#8
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA ExecPlat; AF Gold; UA GS; Hyatt L. Globalist; Marriott Plat; Hilton Diamond; National EE
Posts: 6,117
I have an AA ticket (bought with cash) on BA 777 J. The route is JFK-LHR and LHR-JFK. I would like to upgrade to F on day of departure. Is this possible?
#10
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: AA
Posts: 331
That's right - BA F is a steal for Ł350, even without CCR, but AA F without FFD is almost equal to J. (OP usually flies BA)
#11
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#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
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Posts: 15,721
Airport Upgrades (AUP) promotion 2021/22 thread
#13
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,498
Rare AA flyer, have flown transcon J once-- nice experience.
I got the great NYC-CGK fare for $2500 minus a Trip Credit I have that was expiring, so it was a great deal. Was able to route for 840 BA TPs (6 flights x 140 TPs)
It's JFK- SFO on a Monday at 8:29PM, then JAL flights on the international sectors, returning for a 1pm SFO-JFK the next week.
Got a $350 J to F upgrade offer each way, JFK-SFO and return.... After doing about 30 min of research, and trying to figure out if info is from pre Covid etc-- I have a few comments/questions I'd love some feedback on. Based on my preliminary thoughts, I'd like to do the upgrade on the outbound just for fun and also to try out the FF Dining. I'll have several hours in the lounge after my positioning flight. On the return there is just a blah Admirals Club in SFO so I don't think it'd be worth it any way.
1) Food and drink is identical in F and J. Yes?
2) Seating on F is single seats vs. pairs on J
3) F boarding pass would all me into the Flagship First Dining, while J would not. It does look like fun, and I'll have lots of time at JFK.
4) I'm OW Sapphire and would get FF lounge access anyway (or maybe I would on J transcon anyway too?)
5) I'm a BA Silver (Sapphire)-- I have read that British Airways TPs are occasionally awarded 210 TPs for the upgraded F class (even though accrual should likely be the original fare class of R so 140 TPs) . Anyone with recent experience on this?
6) Is this $350 price normal/good/bad? Does the offer change/disappear much? Any other recent prices for this upgrade?
THANK YOU for any recent info!
I got the great NYC-CGK fare for $2500 minus a Trip Credit I have that was expiring, so it was a great deal. Was able to route for 840 BA TPs (6 flights x 140 TPs)
It's JFK- SFO on a Monday at 8:29PM, then JAL flights on the international sectors, returning for a 1pm SFO-JFK the next week.
Got a $350 J to F upgrade offer each way, JFK-SFO and return.... After doing about 30 min of research, and trying to figure out if info is from pre Covid etc-- I have a few comments/questions I'd love some feedback on. Based on my preliminary thoughts, I'd like to do the upgrade on the outbound just for fun and also to try out the FF Dining. I'll have several hours in the lounge after my positioning flight. On the return there is just a blah Admirals Club in SFO so I don't think it'd be worth it any way.
1) Food and drink is identical in F and J. Yes?
2) Seating on F is single seats vs. pairs on J
3) F boarding pass would all me into the Flagship First Dining, while J would not. It does look like fun, and I'll have lots of time at JFK.
4) I'm OW Sapphire and would get FF lounge access anyway (or maybe I would on J transcon anyway too?)
5) I'm a BA Silver (Sapphire)-- I have read that British Airways TPs are occasionally awarded 210 TPs for the upgraded F class (even though accrual should likely be the original fare class of R so 140 TPs) . Anyone with recent experience on this?
6) Is this $350 price normal/good/bad? Does the offer change/disappear much? Any other recent prices for this upgrade?
THANK YOU for any recent info!
#14
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K
Posts: 1,127
Please see answers in bold.
1) Food and drink is identical in F and J. Yes? They’re different. F has a soup course and potentially more personalized service. Choices are also a tad different for food and drink.
2) Seating on F is single seats vs. pairs on J Correct
3) F boarding pass would all me into the Flagship First Dining, while J would not. It does look like fun, and I'll have lots of time at JFK. Correct. Given your long layover and the need for TPs, this may make the instant upgrade worth it.
4) I'm OW Sapphire and would get FF lounge access anyway (or maybe I would on J transcon anyway too?) Correct.
5) I'm a BA Silver (Sapphire)-- I have read that British Airways TPs are occasionally awarded 210 TPs for the upgraded F class (even though accrual should likely be the original fare class of R so 140 TPs) . Anyone with recent experience on this? No direct experience for TPs, but in my experience, the instant upgrades re-ticket into full F. In the old EQM days, this would result in 3X EQMs. Applying this to TPs, the calculations would be based off F not R.
6) Is this $350 price normal/good/bad? Does the offer change/disappear much? Any other recent prices for this upgrade? That’s a solid price / going rate. They can disappear instantaneously and glitch out on the app or website.
THANK YOU for any recent info!
1) Food and drink is identical in F and J. Yes? They’re different. F has a soup course and potentially more personalized service. Choices are also a tad different for food and drink.
2) Seating on F is single seats vs. pairs on J Correct
3) F boarding pass would all me into the Flagship First Dining, while J would not. It does look like fun, and I'll have lots of time at JFK. Correct. Given your long layover and the need for TPs, this may make the instant upgrade worth it.
4) I'm OW Sapphire and would get FF lounge access anyway (or maybe I would on J transcon anyway too?) Correct.
5) I'm a BA Silver (Sapphire)-- I have read that British Airways TPs are occasionally awarded 210 TPs for the upgraded F class (even though accrual should likely be the original fare class of R so 140 TPs) . Anyone with recent experience on this? No direct experience for TPs, but in my experience, the instant upgrades re-ticket into full F. In the old EQM days, this would result in 3X EQMs. Applying this to TPs, the calculations would be based off F not R.
6) Is this $350 price normal/good/bad? Does the offer change/disappear much? Any other recent prices for this upgrade? That’s a solid price / going rate. They can disappear instantaneously and glitch out on the app or website.
THANK YOU for any recent info!
#15
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,498