AA elite traveling on AS Companion Fare - first class upgrade?
Jul 30, 22, 3:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 8
I am OW Emerald (AA PP) and I am traveling with my wife who is AS MVP (OW Ruby), and I am booked under an AS Companion Fare for travel this coming week. I know there are still kinks to be worked out between AS/AA, but it seems like things are going well so far. It is nice to be able to combine on our two common airlines under one umbrella.
I know that upgrades to F are officially noted on the AA website as currently only for the AA status member, and later this will extend to a companion. The same restriction (later this year for companion) is noted on the AA website for access to Premium Class, but we were able to select seats in Premium Class (after booking as stated on the AA website) even though our fares were booked in K (MVP should not be able to select Premium Class seats with this fare) and MVP should not be able to upgrade a companion to Premium Class. This leads me to believe that the feature is in operation for AA elites.
I got an Expert Flyer notification that 2 U fares were available a couple days ago, and we waited until after 120 hours and before 72 hours before departure to see if we would be upgraded into F (when according to AA we should be upgraded after 100K and 75K and before Gold). When it was closing in on the 72 hour mark and 2 U fares still showing up, we called AS and inquired if we were on the list. They said no because I was traveling on a companion fare. According to the Alaska Companion Fare FAQ: "When traveling on a companion fare, you are eligible for all upgrades we offer. You can upgrade using miles, elite + companion upgrades, guest upgrades, or paid upgrades that may be offered at check-in." I am guessing they maybe don't extend this ability to upgrade to OW elites? We wanted to go ahead and lock in the seats for the transcontinental flight so we used her miles.
My question is: will AA elites be considered for the upgrade window between 100K/75K and Gold when traveling on a companion fare, either should they now or later? I wanted to see if anyone had any data points to confirm if they have the same experience or not or if they are able to confirm this is how it should work. We have our return flight in a couple weeks (booked round trip on Companion Fare), so I wanted to check to see if anyone knows what we should expect. I'll give AS a call to see if I can get clarity as well as I didn't think to clarify with the agent at the time.
I know that upgrades to F are officially noted on the AA website as currently only for the AA status member, and later this will extend to a companion. The same restriction (later this year for companion) is noted on the AA website for access to Premium Class, but we were able to select seats in Premium Class (after booking as stated on the AA website) even though our fares were booked in K (MVP should not be able to select Premium Class seats with this fare) and MVP should not be able to upgrade a companion to Premium Class. This leads me to believe that the feature is in operation for AA elites.
I got an Expert Flyer notification that 2 U fares were available a couple days ago, and we waited until after 120 hours and before 72 hours before departure to see if we would be upgraded into F (when according to AA we should be upgraded after 100K and 75K and before Gold). When it was closing in on the 72 hour mark and 2 U fares still showing up, we called AS and inquired if we were on the list. They said no because I was traveling on a companion fare. According to the Alaska Companion Fare FAQ: "When traveling on a companion fare, you are eligible for all upgrades we offer. You can upgrade using miles, elite + companion upgrades, guest upgrades, or paid upgrades that may be offered at check-in." I am guessing they maybe don't extend this ability to upgrade to OW elites? We wanted to go ahead and lock in the seats for the transcontinental flight so we used her miles.
My question is: will AA elites be considered for the upgrade window between 100K/75K and Gold when traveling on a companion fare, either should they now or later? I wanted to see if anyone had any data points to confirm if they have the same experience or not or if they are able to confirm this is how it should work. We have our return flight in a couple weeks (booked round trip on Companion Fare), so I wanted to check to see if anyone knows what we should expect. I'll give AS a call to see if I can get clarity as well as I didn't think to clarify with the agent at the time.
Last edited by Microwave; Aug 3, 22 at 8:17 am Reason: Merged cross-posted OPs, and removed reference to cross posting
Jul 30, 22, 5:20 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,817
An AS companion fare makes absolutely no difference on the upgrade status (or mileage earned) for the passengers. The only difference is that the companion's ticket cannot be separated into a separate PNR (which may be necessary to be upgraded in your situation, if you're being upgraded on the basis of your AA status and she's being upgraded on the basis of her AS status – I do not know). The primary traveler can travel without the companion, but then the $99 fare paid for the companion is forfeit. So I'm 98% sure that the fact that you are traveling on a companion ticket makes no difference; the situation would be the same if you had two normal fare tickets on the same PNR (except that in that situation you might split the record to each get upgraded on your own merits).
I don't know what the upgrade situation is for an AS MVP and an AA PPro on one reservation on AS, but I think that, not the companion fare, is the relevant question.
I don't know what the upgrade situation is for an AS MVP and an AA PPro on one reservation on AS, but I think that, not the companion fare, is the relevant question.
Jul 30, 22, 5:59 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA ExecPlat
Posts: 93
Last week I was told via text that "You are on a companion certificate so you are ineligible for upgrades" when I inquired about something similar. However, my companion has no status other than AA Gold, which does not qualify for upgrades on AS.
I did not bother responding since I've never had any upgrades process on AS, even with space available, when booked with a companion (even not on a companion pass).
I did not bother responding since I've never had any upgrades process on AS, even with space available, when booked with a companion (even not on a companion pass).
Jul 30, 22, 8:58 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,817
Last week I was told via text that "You are on a companion certificate so you are ineligible for upgrades" when I inquired about something similar. However, my companion has no status other than AA Gold, which does not qualify for upgrades on AS.
I did not bother responding since I've never had any upgrades process on AS, even with space available, when booked with a companion (even not on a companion pass).
I did not bother responding since I've never had any upgrades process on AS, even with space available, when booked with a companion (even not on a companion pass).
Companion fare passengers are treated as full fare passengers in all ways and always have been except that they just fly with the primary ticket holder. This includes frequent flyer earning, both on AS and partners, and benefits for AS elites. Now its always possible theyll change the rules, but given that theres nothing written indicating that they have changed those long-standing rules and there are other written reasons these upgrades arent processing, I think the Occams razor explanation is that companion fares are treated like any other companion, as they always have been. (The companion fare is a great benefit, easily worth the annual fee for an Alaska credit card for anyone who flies Alaska at least once a year with a companion even if you dont otherwise use the card or credit anything to your Mileage Plan account, FWIW.)
Jul 30, 22, 9:38 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,804
American/OW Emerald traveling on companion fare - first class upgrade?
If both were exp, then this might work. However, with one MVP, this might clear at T-48 hours assuming there is still space in F. Are you currently waitlisted? Can check alaskaair.com/status/0000/YYYY-MM-DD if close enough to departure to have an idea where you are on the WL (subject to change of course)
Jul 31, 22, 6:13 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 8
If both were exp, then this might work. However, with one MVP, this might clear at T-48 hours assuming there is still space in F. Are you currently waitlisted? Can check alaskaair.com/status/0000/YYYY-MM-DD if close enough to departure to have an idea where you are on the WL (subject to change of course)
An AS companion fare makes absolutely no difference on the upgrade status (or mileage earned) for the passengers. The only difference is that the companion's ticket cannot be separated into a separate PNR (which may be necessary to be upgraded in your situation, if you're being upgraded on the basis of your AA status and she's being upgraded on the basis of her AS status I do not know). The primary traveler can travel without the companion, but then the $99 fare paid for the companion is forfeit. So I'm 98% sure that the fact that you are traveling on a companion ticket makes no difference; the situation would be the same if you had two normal fare tickets on the same PNR (except that in that situation you might split the record to each get upgraded on your own merits).
I don't know what the upgrade situation is for an AS MVP and an AA PPro on one reservation on AS, but I think that, not the companion fare, is the relevant question.
I don't know what the upgrade situation is for an AS MVP and an AA PPro on one reservation on AS, but I think that, not the companion fare, is the relevant question.
Given that aa.com explicitly says no companion upgrades for AA elites on AS (yet), Id put my money on that being the issue and the companion fare note being a human mistake.
Companion fare passengers are treated as full fare passengers in all ways and always have been except that they just fly with the primary ticket holder. This includes frequent flyer earning, both on AS and partners, and benefits for AS elites. Now its always possible theyll change the rules, but given that theres nothing written indicating that they have changed those long-standing rules and there are other written reasons these upgrades arent processing, I think the Occams razor explanation is that companion fares are treated like any other companion, as they always have been. (The companion fare is a great benefit, easily worth the annual fee for an Alaska credit card for anyone who flies Alaska at least once a year with a companion even if you dont otherwise use the card or credit anything to your Mileage Plan account, FWIW.)
Companion fare passengers are treated as full fare passengers in all ways and always have been except that they just fly with the primary ticket holder. This includes frequent flyer earning, both on AS and partners, and benefits for AS elites. Now its always possible theyll change the rules, but given that theres nothing written indicating that they have changed those long-standing rules and there are other written reasons these upgrades arent processing, I think the Occams razor explanation is that companion fares are treated like any other companion, as they always have been. (The companion fare is a great benefit, easily worth the annual fee for an Alaska credit card for anyone who flies Alaska at least once a year with a companion even if you dont otherwise use the card or credit anything to your Mileage Plan account, FWIW.)
Last edited by Microwave; Aug 3, 22 at 8:19 am Reason: Merged consecutive posts for readability
Aug 1, 22, 9:42 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 8
I messaged AS today, and they said that as of now companions should be able to receive complimentary upgrades with an AA OW Emerald passenger (up to 5 days prior space permitting). So Ill see what happens when we cross that threshold for our return flight if there are U fares available. They said hopefully AA will update their site soon to reflect this and remove the later this year clause. Fingers crossed, but Im not holding my breath because it didnt work as of a couple days ago.
Aug 3, 22, 8:20 am
#9
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Cross posting is not permitted by FlyerTalk Rules. As a result, the twin threads on this identical topic have been consolidated here.
In future, post the topic in one forum, and if it needs to be moved later a moderator can assist.
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In future, post the topic in one forum, and if it needs to be moved later a moderator can assist.
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Aug 3, 22, 7:34 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 8
Aug 9, 22, 8:02 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: USA
Programs: AA-EXP; UA-Silver; Bonvoy-Titanium
Posts: 454
I messaged AS today, and they said that as of now companions should be able to receive complimentary upgrades with an AA OW Emerald passenger (up to 5 days prior space permitting). So I’ll see what happens when we cross that threshold for our return flight if there are U fares available. They said hopefully AA will update their site soon to reflect this and remove the “later this year” clause. Fingers crossed, but I’m not holding my breath because it didn’t work as of a couple days ago.
Aug 10, 22, 1:41 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 8
My return is coming up in a little under 36 hours. No upgrade yet. 5 seats available in first (5 according to the AS seat map and Expert Flyer and 6 according to flight status webpage). No U fares have come available since I started watching a couple weeks ago.
I have contacted AS several times over the last week (text and phone), and I seem to get alternating answers as to whether the Companion Fare will mess with the upgrade process or not. One person says it works just like any normal fare, another says there is a difference when on Companion Fare, and then someone else says it works like normal, etc.
One person said they checked with a supervisor to confirm that with a Companion Fare you can only upgrade with miles (with or without Emerald status) and that as an Emerald we are not eligible to upgrade with a companion. They went on to say that if it was a revenue fare then we could both upgrade based on my Emerald status. Another person said it doesn't matter if I am booked as a Companion Fare, and we should be able to be upgraded. They went on to say it will go off of status level, booking classing and then booking date. Also, they confirmed that it would be based off of my status and not my wife's (MVP).
So there seems to be a lot of confusion with the AS staff as to how things are supposed to be handled since they all don't say the same thing.
Currently our names do not show up on the upgrade list on the flight status webpage. The AS agents confirm that we are on the list though, but I'm not feeling too sure about it. Everyone seems to say it could not be accurate until you get <24 hours. It definitely doesn't seem accurate as the number of seats available in the seat map don't line up with the number marked as available in first class. Also, the names in the list keep flip flopping with flight with the same flight number that goes the reverse direction later in the day. So, it does seem to confirm that it is not accurate >24 hours out.
Unfortunately, if we do or don't get upgraded it will be hard to know if we do or don't get upgraded based on my status or not because now we are inside the upgrade window for every AS status. Since there haven't been any U fares released for weeks it would be hard to know if we don't get upgraded because there are multiple 100K/75K above us on the list (impossible to know) or if we are somehow pushed to the bottom due to Companion Fare upgrade issues (oneworld issue?) or if they released single U fares at a time and since we are a party of two (also the ticket cannot be separated due to Companion Fare) that would prevent us from upgrading. I do have Expert Flyer notifications turned on for U fares, but with it being inside the upgrade window for every status level I imagine those would automatically process for whoever is on top without even giving the alert a chance to fire.
We'll see what happens, and I will report back.
I have contacted AS several times over the last week (text and phone), and I seem to get alternating answers as to whether the Companion Fare will mess with the upgrade process or not. One person says it works just like any normal fare, another says there is a difference when on Companion Fare, and then someone else says it works like normal, etc.
One person said they checked with a supervisor to confirm that with a Companion Fare you can only upgrade with miles (with or without Emerald status) and that as an Emerald we are not eligible to upgrade with a companion. They went on to say that if it was a revenue fare then we could both upgrade based on my Emerald status. Another person said it doesn't matter if I am booked as a Companion Fare, and we should be able to be upgraded. They went on to say it will go off of status level, booking classing and then booking date. Also, they confirmed that it would be based off of my status and not my wife's (MVP).
So there seems to be a lot of confusion with the AS staff as to how things are supposed to be handled since they all don't say the same thing.
Currently our names do not show up on the upgrade list on the flight status webpage. The AS agents confirm that we are on the list though, but I'm not feeling too sure about it. Everyone seems to say it could not be accurate until you get <24 hours. It definitely doesn't seem accurate as the number of seats available in the seat map don't line up with the number marked as available in first class. Also, the names in the list keep flip flopping with flight with the same flight number that goes the reverse direction later in the day. So, it does seem to confirm that it is not accurate >24 hours out.
Unfortunately, if we do or don't get upgraded it will be hard to know if we do or don't get upgraded based on my status or not because now we are inside the upgrade window for every AS status. Since there haven't been any U fares released for weeks it would be hard to know if we don't get upgraded because there are multiple 100K/75K above us on the list (impossible to know) or if we are somehow pushed to the bottom due to Companion Fare upgrade issues (oneworld issue?) or if they released single U fares at a time and since we are a party of two (also the ticket cannot be separated due to Companion Fare) that would prevent us from upgrading. I do have Expert Flyer notifications turned on for U fares, but with it being inside the upgrade window for every status level I imagine those would automatically process for whoever is on top without even giving the alert a chance to fire.
We'll see what happens, and I will report back.
Aug 10, 22, 11:58 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 8
OK, so I think I finally have some clarity now that we are <24 hours from departure. The latest AS agent I spoke with gave the best response and the response I believe to be the most plausible. Essentially it boils down to this: oneworld Emeralds are not able to complimentary upgrade a companion at this time. Full stop, it doesn't mater what type of fare you are on. Upgrades using miles are possible (as I did on my outbound flight), but no complimentary upgrades for companions of Emeralds and that means if you are on a linked reservation no upgrades for the Emerald either.
So this means that since I am on a linked reservation (that can't be unlinked due to Companion Fare) even if multiple U fares became available at once I (we) would be passed over since I am not able to upgrade my companion. They said this is why my (our) name(s) did not show up in the upgrade list. This tracks with why my wife's name was not on the list either as she is just MVP and also unable to upgrade a companion, but she would be able to upgrade herself if she was on a solo ticket. So this seems to make sense and explain everything.
The agent said that ones the companion upgrades go into effect (AA says later this year) then it should place my name on the list and have a "(2)" with the reservation and be able to upgrade us both if the right amount of U fares become available. They said it would not matter if fare had a Companion Fare or whether the Emerald was booked as the primary passenger or under the Companion Fare.
Unfortunately, in this case we couldn't use miles to upgrade this flight as the U fares only became available after check-in, and they were automatically matched to 2x 1M milers and 2x 100/75K. This left 1 seat left open and 20 names on the list below that. I guess this is the way it should work, and we should be happy that their AS loyalty is being rewarded instead of someone else sneaking in and nabbing the upgrade with some miles. The agent said I would have been 5th on the list if I didn't have a companion.
Anyway, I think we finally have some clarity and closure to the situation as it stands currently. Hopefully we'll see the "later this year" clause dropped soon and the ability to upgrade companions be rolled out. Good luck to others, and I look forward to hearing a success story before my next planned trip on AS around Christmas!
So this means that since I am on a linked reservation (that can't be unlinked due to Companion Fare) even if multiple U fares became available at once I (we) would be passed over since I am not able to upgrade my companion. They said this is why my (our) name(s) did not show up in the upgrade list. This tracks with why my wife's name was not on the list either as she is just MVP and also unable to upgrade a companion, but she would be able to upgrade herself if she was on a solo ticket. So this seems to make sense and explain everything.
The agent said that ones the companion upgrades go into effect (AA says later this year) then it should place my name on the list and have a "(2)" with the reservation and be able to upgrade us both if the right amount of U fares become available. They said it would not matter if fare had a Companion Fare or whether the Emerald was booked as the primary passenger or under the Companion Fare.
Unfortunately, in this case we couldn't use miles to upgrade this flight as the U fares only became available after check-in, and they were automatically matched to 2x 1M milers and 2x 100/75K. This left 1 seat left open and 20 names on the list below that. I guess this is the way it should work, and we should be happy that their AS loyalty is being rewarded instead of someone else sneaking in and nabbing the upgrade with some miles. The agent said I would have been 5th on the list if I didn't have a companion.
Anyway, I think we finally have some clarity and closure to the situation as it stands currently. Hopefully we'll see the "later this year" clause dropped soon and the ability to upgrade companions be rolled out. Good luck to others, and I look forward to hearing a success story before my next planned trip on AS around Christmas!
Sep 20, 23, 12:13 am
#15
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: United MileagePlus
Posts: 154
