Last edit by: ExpatExp
From AA's "Systemwide upgrades" page as of 24 July 2023 (edited to remove references to mileage upgrades, which are not the topic of this thread):
From AA's "AAdvantage® FAQs" page as of 24 July 2023 (edited to remove references to mileage upgrades, which are not the topic of this thread):
Enjoy a confirmed upgrade from most Business fares to First, from Premium Economy to Business, or from Economy to Premium Economy when flying transatlantic on British Airways.
Systemwide upgrades can be used for one-way travel for up to 3 flight segments on British Airways marketed and operated flights or British Airways operated flights marketed by American. At least one American marketed flight must be in the itinerary to be eligible.
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*Systemwide upgrades are subject to upgrade seating availability.
Systemwide upgrades can be used for one-way travel for up to 3 flight segments on British Airways marketed and operated flights or British Airways operated flights marketed by American. At least one American marketed flight must be in the itinerary to be eligible.
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- Log in to aa.com and make sure you have systemwide upgrades available in your AAdvantage® account.
- Call your AAdvantage® status service desk to confirm your upgrade. If available, the required number of upgrades will be deducted from your balance.*
- If an upgrade isn’t available at the time of booking, you can check back with us. There is no option to waitlist for an upgrade on British Airways flights.
*Systemwide upgrades are subject to upgrade seating availability.
Upgrades on British Airways and Iberia
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- Can I upgrade on British Airways and Iberia flights? Yes, systemwide upgrades can be used for one-way travel for up to three segments on British Airways marketed and operated flights or British Airways operated flights marketed by American.
- Can I upgrade from a discount Main Cabin fare? Systemwide upgrades on British Airways are valid on all purchased, published fares.
- Why is my upgrade on British Airways not valid from Economy to Business? Systemwide and mileage upgrades are valid for a one cabin upgrade. On British Airways flights that offer Premium Economy, upgrades from Economy will be to Premium Economy. On flights where British Airways doesn’t offer Premium Economy, the upgrade will be to Business.
SWU upgrades on BA are live
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: AA
Posts: 343
SWU upgrades on BA are live
Mods - I think this deserves its own thread for now, but understand if you want to merge.
SWUs are now possible on BA, as confirmed by AA's website.
Called EXP desk and futher learned:
SWUs are now possible on BA, as confirmed by AA's website.
Called EXP desk and futher learned:
- upgrade inventory (seems to be) derived from Miles SAAver awards - so if you are booked in Club Suites / World, you can go to First if Z is available
- on short-haul segments you go from World Traveler (Economy) to Club Europe (Business), on long-haul you go from World Traveler to World Traveler Plus (PE), so for long-haul you need to buy PE if you want J
- can't waitlist upgrades, and you can't yet search on Expert Flyer, so the best way to find availability right now is searching for award tickets for one-way segments on AA's website then calling to confirm (unfortunately, the "Systemwide upgrades" link doesn't appear if you try to buy a ticket with cash)
#2
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Not bad. I'm impressed.
Now I'm debating whether to call and bump my BA segment to Club Europe or stay in the exit row where I actually can fit my legs properly.
Now I'm debating whether to call and bump my BA segment to Club Europe or stay in the exit row where I actually can fit my legs properly.
#4
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Club Europe is pretty weak and BA flies narrowbodies in a tight configuration even on longer 3+ European routes
#5
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,597
That isn't what the image posted says
It only indicates that upgrades are avaulable on BA transatlantic flights; there is nothing that indicates the ability to upgrade from Euro Traveller to Club Europe on that screen
The T&Cs also states "Upgrades are valid only on scheduled flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle offering a First or Business Class cabin for travel, or on British Airways marketed and operated transatlantic flights. Not valid on codeshare flights, except for flights marketed by American and operated by British Airways."
It only indicates that upgrades are avaulable on BA transatlantic flights; there is nothing that indicates the ability to upgrade from Euro Traveller to Club Europe on that screen
The T&Cs also states "Upgrades are valid only on scheduled flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle offering a First or Business Class cabin for travel, or on British Airways marketed and operated transatlantic flights. Not valid on codeshare flights, except for flights marketed by American and operated by British Airways."
Last edited by Dave Noble; Sep 12, 2022 at 6:01 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2011
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Big benefit bump and it seems less restrictive than what JonNYC and the blogs reported where a AA-operated segment is needed.
Some of the high-J cabins are probably going to be easier to upgrade especially when compared to a AA 788/9, provided space is released.
I believe BA’s equivalent for Golds was also rolled out today, though they will need to buy W to get into J.
Some of the high-J cabins are probably going to be easier to upgrade especially when compared to a AA 788/9, provided space is released.
I believe BA’s equivalent for Golds was also rolled out today, though they will need to buy W to get into J.
#8
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That isn't what the image posted says
It only indicates that upgrades are avaulable on BA transatlantic flights; there is nothing that indicates the ability to upgrade from Euro Traveller to Club Europe on that screen
The T&Cs also states "Upgrades are valid only on scheduled flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle offering a First or Business Class cabin for travel, or on British Airways marketed and operated transatlantic flights. Not valid on codeshare flights, except for flights marketed by American and operated by British Airways."
It only indicates that upgrades are avaulable on BA transatlantic flights; there is nothing that indicates the ability to upgrade from Euro Traveller to Club Europe on that screen
The T&Cs also states "Upgrades are valid only on scheduled flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle offering a First or Business Class cabin for travel, or on British Airways marketed and operated transatlantic flights. Not valid on codeshare flights, except for flights marketed by American and operated by British Airways."
Just read the webpage as well. I was going off the tweet from JonNYC earlier.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
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But then it says they are valid for up to three segments on BA. How could one reasonably get to three BA segments if it only includes the transatlantic leg?
#10
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So no C on intra Europe flights? Just coach to PE for transatlantic? Is that the bottom line? I don’t consider J to F a benefit. If one is already buying J the delta isn’t much. I can’t afford J trans Atlantic tickets. This is the true sole reason for 99% of travelers: the ability to upgrade from coach to transatlantic J.
#11
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So no C on intra Europe flights? Just coach to PE for transatlantic? Is that the bottom line? I don’t consider J to F a benefit. If one is already buying J the delta isn’t much. I can’t afford J trans Atlantic tickets. This is the true sole reason for 99% of travelers: the ability to upgrade from coach to transatlantic J.
Club Europe sucks. We're not missing much.
#12
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My guess is that it will be similar to how you apply GUCs on AF / KLM — short-haul flights under I want to say 1,500 miles attached to the long haul can have the GUC applied. Otherwise, can’t use the GUC on said short-haul flight.
#14
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#15
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