June 19: JFK -> SFO, got a CPU from Y -> J. PP status, right at the 24-hr window. Really surprised, I didn't even know AA does CPUs on transcons but I'll enjoy the lieflat.

Lifetime AA Gold here. I've always wondered, if an upgrade request does not clear at T-24 does it make any difference to my upgrade chances if I were to just check in and add to the airport upgrade list at T-23:50? Or should I wait till later (say T-6) to check in on line?

I tried searching this forum and other websites but could not find anything to answer my question.

Thanks in advance.

It shouldn't affect your placement on the upgrade waitlist whether checked-in or not, nor when you check-in.. However, I believe that checked-in passengers no longer can see any in-app upgrade ("buy-up") offers. Which is a piece of information that may affect how you play the upgrade game.

J8 at T-90 and no upgrade?
 

Hi everyone,

Has anyone experienced a situation in a domestic route (LGA-ORD) where at T-90 hours, way within the EXP window, there are 8 seats open in J and none released for upgrades yet? So strange. I usually see that go down to J4 at this time, unless there’s no one waiting to upgrade but that’s not the case because at least I am one waiting Lol

It seems like many EXPs are finding recently that upgrades are not being processed within the window, notwithstanding ample J availability. Case in point, I flew LAX-DFW this past Tuesday. At T-100 J9, the app was selling upgrades at around $150. At T-24 I still hadn't been upgraded, it was down to J5 and the app was still selling upgrades at around $150. In the end, only 1 person cleared from the waitlist and I flew out in coach 3rd of 30 on the list.

The upgrade algorithm is on overdrive lately, keeping paid upgrade costs low at the expense of what would've normally been a reasonable complementary upgrade for an EXP.

Premium Economy upgrade on tatl
 

I’ve got a tatl flight coming up with waitlisted J upgrade requests that are unlikely to succeed. This flight does happen to have a ton of open PE space.

As an EP, do I have any avenues to get into PE outside of doing a fare-up, or do they leave them empty if they don’t sell?

Seriously? That is insane. I’m getting the same situation where $151 fare up is being offered and there is J8 with no one upgraded so far and clearly a ton of elites waiting for it (MCE is full) - that just seems like next level devaluation of comp upgrades. Ugh.

They will try to sell those seats up until departure time so you'll have to wait until boarding to see if you clear.

Yes, but it's a somewhat loosey goosey process.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...aded-y-pe.html

This appears to be happening to me this week. Out of four flights, only one has cleared at the EP window and most are wide open. I had two flights clear this morning at 2 am ET (for tomorrow and Tuesday). I checked the loads before and after the EP window and nothing budged so I figure they are holding out for buy-up’s. I can’t see most of them as I’m on refundable fares.

Same deal this past Saturday where they were offering $51 (then $64) upgrades up through T-20 despite being J6.

It seems to be route and load dependent. I cleared 1 of 4 segments at T100 and 2 at booking (which was within T100). Only one that hasn't cleared is J4 and was when booked.

Definitely looks like theyre monetizing more, however it isn't a blanket rule to hold open cabins.

Yes. Def monetizing. I’m EXP. T-100 was yesterday. EF lists J7 and seat map has 10 open seats in first. They upgraded my short leg (LAX-LAS) at T-100. But in the previous times flying the HNL-LAX route (or return) they won’t open up any seats or confirm until the last minute. In App upgrades being $273. I’ve only cleared once in about 5 tries this year and that was at T-6. 210K LPs last 12 months. Every other time I’ve been 2nd to 6th for 1 seat or less.

EP and #2 from DCA - DFW. No one cleared. #5 DFW - LAX. No one cleared.

it’s a bummer man

BA award on AA- cpu eligible?
 

I booked a bunch of AA domestic flights with BA Avios. I’m platinum pro in a few days when some miles post. Are any of these flights CPU eligible now that award flights can get upgraded? I already added my AA number to the flights and was able to select seats.

So confused. First time flying as an Exec Plat and it’s several hours past T-100 for my domestics flight with 6/16 seats still available up front. Do I call the EP line and inquire or what do you do in a case like this? Thanks for any help.