I’m the guy with no status who was first on the upgrade list
Jun 1, 22, 8:57 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,606
I’m the guy with no status who was first on the upgrade list
Dear all,
So I was on a paid business class ticket Stl-dfw-lax today. I have no AA status. Dfw weather went down, and our Stl-dfw flight was cancelled.
the Stl team rebooked me via Phoenix all that was available was Y, but they coded it so I was top priority if F opened.
I remained at the top for both flights, and in both cases was the only one who cleared at the gate.
Without context, others might peek at my boarding pass and wonder how I skipped the queue. I was grateful to AA.
A couple of additional random thoughts:
1. I hadn’t been through STL since 1996. The airport is truly a shadow of the TWA days. The main lobby is architecturally so interesting. But the rest of the airport truly needs updating. I had a nostalgic lump in my soul as I ascended the steps to the Ambassadors (I mean Admirals) Club.
2. I really liked the service from STL-PHX. The pretzel croissant with cheese and tomato was perfect for this vegetarian! and the cookie/brownie was yummy. I didn’t expect a full dinner on the flight.
3. The AA app works well. Still not on par with DL or UA, but better than it used to be.
So I was on a paid business class ticket Stl-dfw-lax today. I have no AA status. Dfw weather went down, and our Stl-dfw flight was cancelled.
the Stl team rebooked me via Phoenix all that was available was Y, but they coded it so I was top priority if F opened.
I remained at the top for both flights, and in both cases was the only one who cleared at the gate.
Without context, others might peek at my boarding pass and wonder how I skipped the queue. I was grateful to AA.
A couple of additional random thoughts:
1. I hadn’t been through STL since 1996. The airport is truly a shadow of the TWA days. The main lobby is architecturally so interesting. But the rest of the airport truly needs updating. I had a nostalgic lump in my soul as I ascended the steps to the Ambassadors (I mean Admirals) Club.
2. I really liked the service from STL-PHX. The pretzel croissant with cheese and tomato was perfect for this vegetarian! and the cookie/brownie was yummy. I didn’t expect a full dinner on the flight.
3. The AA app works well. Still not on par with DL or UA, but better than it used to be.
Jun 1, 22, 9:05 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 34,088
Originally Posted by zrs70
Dear all,
So I was on a paid business class ticket Stl-dfw-lax today. I have no AA status. Dfw weather went down, and our Stl-dfw flight was cancelled.
the Stl team rebooked me via Phoenix all that was available was Y, but they coded it so I was top priority if F opened.
I remained at the top for both flights, and in both cases was the only one who cleared at the gate.
Without context, others might peek at my boarding pass and wonder how I skipped the queue. I was grateful to AA.
A couple of additional random thoughts:
1. I hadn’t been through STL since 1996. The airport is truly a shadow of the TWA days. The main lobby is architecturally so interesting. But the rest of the airport truly needs updating. I had a nostalgic lump in my soul as I ascended the steps to the Ambassadors (I mean Admirals) Club.
2. I really liked the service from STL-PHX. The pretzel croissant with cheese and tomato was perfect for this vegetarian! and the cookie/brownie was yummy. I didn’t expect a full dinner on the flight.
3. The AA app works well. Still not on par with DL or UA, but better than it used to be.
So I was on a paid business class ticket Stl-dfw-lax today. I have no AA status. Dfw weather went down, and our Stl-dfw flight was cancelled.
the Stl team rebooked me via Phoenix all that was available was Y, but they coded it so I was top priority if F opened.
I remained at the top for both flights, and in both cases was the only one who cleared at the gate.
Without context, others might peek at my boarding pass and wonder how I skipped the queue. I was grateful to AA.
A couple of additional random thoughts:
1. I hadn’t been through STL since 1996. The airport is truly a shadow of the TWA days. The main lobby is architecturally so interesting. But the rest of the airport truly needs updating. I had a nostalgic lump in my soul as I ascended the steps to the Ambassadors (I mean Admirals) Club.
2. I really liked the service from STL-PHX. The pretzel croissant with cheese and tomato was perfect for this vegetarian! and the cookie/brownie was yummy. I didn’t expect a full dinner on the flight.
3. The AA app works well. Still not on par with DL or UA, but better than it used to be.
Jun 2, 22, 1:56 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, accidental DL FO, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,938
Originally Posted by zrs70
Dear all,
So I was on a paid business class ticket Stl-dfw-lax today. I have no AA status. Dfw weather went down, and our Stl-dfw flight was cancelled.
the Stl team rebooked me via Phoenix all that was available was Y, but they coded it so I was top priority if F opened.
I remained at the top for both flights, and in both cases was the only one who cleared at the gate.
Without context, others might peek at my boarding pass and wonder how I skipped the queue. I was grateful to AA.
A couple of additional random thoughts:
1. I hadn’t been through STL since 1996. The airport is truly a shadow of the TWA days. The main lobby is architecturally so interesting. But the rest of the airport truly needs updating. I had a nostalgic lump in my soul as I ascended the steps to the Ambassadors (I mean Admirals) Club.
2. I really liked the service from STL-PHX. The pretzel croissant with cheese and tomato was perfect for this vegetarian! and the cookie/brownie was yummy. I didn’t expect a full dinner on the flight.
3. The AA app works well. Still not on par with DL or UA, but better than it used to be.
So I was on a paid business class ticket Stl-dfw-lax today. I have no AA status. Dfw weather went down, and our Stl-dfw flight was cancelled.
the Stl team rebooked me via Phoenix all that was available was Y, but they coded it so I was top priority if F opened.
I remained at the top for both flights, and in both cases was the only one who cleared at the gate.
Without context, others might peek at my boarding pass and wonder how I skipped the queue. I was grateful to AA.
A couple of additional random thoughts:
1. I hadn’t been through STL since 1996. The airport is truly a shadow of the TWA days. The main lobby is architecturally so interesting. But the rest of the airport truly needs updating. I had a nostalgic lump in my soul as I ascended the steps to the Ambassadors (I mean Admirals) Club.
2. I really liked the service from STL-PHX. The pretzel croissant with cheese and tomato was perfect for this vegetarian! and the cookie/brownie was yummy. I didn’t expect a full dinner on the flight.
3. The AA app works well. Still not on par with DL or UA, but better than it used to be.
There is still a good amount of service to all AA hubs, many on mainline jets. I'm assuming you ended up on the A319 to PHX, which is a fairly nice ride up front (usually good service with just 8 J seats). Food service is coming back, and they're doing not doing a bad job compared to their other U.S. competition.
With respect to the airport, the issue at STL is that WN is the largest carrier, and many of the improvements have gone into T2 (where WN is located) vs. T1 (where most other airlines, including AA are located). However, STL recently announced plans to become a single terminal airport - it would seemingly be a big overhaul and will apparently take a decade to complete.
Jun 2, 22, 8:19 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: DSM
Posts: 49
I've been in the same situation with no status after being downgraded because of IRROPS. I'd think somebody who was paid J/F and downgraded would trump status on the upgrade list for the new flight every time.
Last edited by F16wannabe; Jun 2, 22 at 9:41 am Reason: fat finger correction
Jun 2, 22, 8:25 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Stilllwater OK (SWO)
Programs: AAdvantage ExecPlat, World of Hyatt Globalist, plain "member" of Marriott, IHG, enterprise, etc.
Posts: 1,591
Congratulations on the upgrade.
Back in 2016 (or something) before I had status, there was some weather IRROPs, I got reticketed on a different connecting flight, and when I made my connection the boarding pass I had wouldn't scan and they handed one for F they had waiting for me. My two work colleagues I was travelling with didn't have an aadvantage account and ended up walking to some middle seats in the back. They both signed up for an account right after that.
Back in 2016 (or something) before I had status, there was some weather IRROPs, I got reticketed on a different connecting flight, and when I made my connection the boarding pass I had wouldn't scan and they handed one for F they had waiting for me. My two work colleagues I was travelling with didn't have an aadvantage account and ended up walking to some middle seats in the back. They both signed up for an account right after that.
Jun 2, 22, 8:25 am
#7
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 27,637
This has happened to me a few times--being ousted as #1 on the list but then having the agent tell me it's for a connecting paid F customer. I'm glad to see AA accommodate as they should a paid F passenger.
Jun 2, 22, 8:39 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Silver
Posts: 3,780
Originally Posted by F16wannabe
I've been in the same situation with no status after being downgraded because or IRROPS. I'd think somebody who was paid J/F and downgraded would trump status on the upgrade list for the new flight every time.
Jun 2, 22, 12:50 pm
#11
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
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You paid for the front cabin, and AA’s list prioritizes this as designed (and when applied correctly by agents). Sounds like everything worked as it should. If you ever find yourself not on the list, or much lower than the very top, you should ask them to confirm you are listed as DSR.
Jun 2, 22, 1:33 pm
#13
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
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Posts: 16,019
Originally Posted by BlooJoo
What does DSR stand for?
- DSR# = Standby First Class passenger, confirmed in Economy. Usually used for involuntary downgrades of paid First passengers.
Jun 2, 22, 1:40 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,231
Originally Posted by javabytes
It's one of the priority codes used on the airport list (only visible internally):
- DSR# = Standby First Class passenger, confirmed in Economy. Usually used for involuntary downgrades of paid First passengers.
