Upgrade Priority Question - Bizarre Encounter at Gate
 

I’m trying to understand the weird scenario I just experienced getting the last F seat on JFK-AUS this morning.

I checked in and was #1 on the list with 1 seat available. Things were looking good. About 20 minutes before boarding, I’m suddenly #3. Both of the names ahead of me had the same three letters for the last name, I presumed they were traveling together. I also noticed one of the two names (2nd one so likely companion) also on the list at #12. It could be a coincidence with another passenger with a similar last name and first initial, but I question that with what happened next.

Moments before boarding, they call my name and tell me the seat is mine. Meanwhile Group 1 boarding is called. As that’s happening, a lady runs over from the Group 1 queue and somewhat aggressively asks why she isn’t getting a complementary upgrade. The agent said, “You didn’t want to split up your party!” The lady refuted that she’d be happy to split up. At this point, I’m feeling like I’m out of luck.

Then the agent said, “Well you have to pay $75 fee to reticket since it’s a mileage upgrade request.” The lady said, “I want the complementary upgrade”. The agent said it wasn’t possible because it’s a miles request not a complementary request.

The lady didn’t want to pay so she boarded with Group 1. I got the seat.

So I’m thinking maybe she saw she was 12 on the list and asked an agent to put her in for a mileage upgrade and that carries higher priority than any status comp upgrade? She boarded with Group 1 so presumably she’s EP, it’s hard for me to believe there’s 10+ EPs behind me in queue to get her on #12.

If she wasn’t boarding Group 1 with an economy seat, I’d assume it was strictly a miles request, but unless she snuck in the wrong group, I’m scratching my head a bit.

Does of this make sense?

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...01ed546468.png
#2 and #12 might be the same person?
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...34cb603f70.png
Scenario

SWUs and mileage award upgrades take priority over complementary upgrades. See https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...ades.jsp#order.

There could easily have been 10+ EPs on the standby list. This is more common at DFW and other major hubs, but I've seen it nonetheless at other stations.

I routinely see 20+ EPs board with Group 1 on routes out of AUS or major DFW routes, but typically not on JFK ones which you somewhat pointed out. I also didn’t see a swath of people beyond the first class cabin board like I do on those flights. I only hit 210k LP last year so I’m not exactly cream of the crop EP in those cases.

Thanks for the link, that’s just for complementary. I found this link: https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...with-miles.jsp which basically confirms someone can spend 15k + $75. I’m guessing that was what was in play, I think she would’ve done 30K + $150 for both, but didn’t want to split up the party and pay and was trying to take her position 1 priority and get the comp/status upgrade. I’m glad the gate agent was playing by the rules.

The link I sent has the priority for all upgrade types. Here it is cut and pasted for simplicity (emphasis added):

You'll automatically be added to the airport upgrade standby list when you check in with American. Your priority at the airport is based on:

• Status level (AAdvantage ConciergeKey® members are first, followed by AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum Pro®, AAdvantage Platinum® and then AAdvantage Gold® members)
• Upgrade type in this order: (1 - Systemwide and mileage award upgrades*, 2 - Upgrades on purchased tickets, 3 - Upgrades on award tickets)
• 12-month rolling Loyalty Points

If the upgrade type and 12-month rolling Loyalty Point value are the same we’ll look at the booking code then date/time of the request to determine prioritization.

What's somewhat strange is you inherit your companion's status and priority, so I don't know why she wouldn't have been with her companion from the outset, unless she too has status, albeit with less 12-month rolling LPs, which I think requires agent intervention to get her on the right place in the priority list.

Thanks, I missed the second bullet, appreciate the highlight. Well #1 and #2 were together on the list, however, #12 was not adjacent to the other party, so that could’ve been coincidental with another passenger. Maybe they were on different locators and both put individual mileage requests in, and only one comp request for the status member, but you’d think #1 would be #12 and not #2. Do you know if you put in a mileage request while you already have a complementary request, do you show up on the airport list twice?

I believe you can only have one upgrade type at a time on request for a given flight.

That was sort of my assumption, so I guess the #12 was coincidental initials of another passenger. Thanks for all the clarifications.

They don't show it on the web site bullet point, but despite coming out of the same upgrade bucket (C), BXP1/BXP3 upgrades fall in line after SWU and mileage upgrade when the flight goes to airport control.

What’s BXP1 and BXP3? Is there a BXP2?

See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html.

AA Business Extra awards
https://www.businessextra.com

There is a BXP2 that is for upgrading from full fare to next cabin.

I think she was either 1 or 2, an EXP with fewer LPs than you

You were 1.
They asked for a mileage upgrade at the airport which bumped them up to 1 and 2, but said they didn’t want to split up.
With only 1 seat you (#3) get the upgrade.

Only 1 companion can inherit status for upgrades so #12 is either a coincidence or someone else in the party who had their own status, probably a gold.

Wait. Can TAs and GAs waitlist you for mileage upgrades? On UA, I've had agents refuse to rebook mileage awards (different beast than above I know) since "they don't handle that." I've always been directed to call mileageplus. I can't imagine trying to ask an agent to upgrade a revenue fare with miles in person. Has anyone done that? What was the result?

These need to be requested in advance:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...vel.jsp#making

Contact Reservations or visit an American Airlines Travel Center to request a mileage upgrade award.
You may request an upgrade when you book your trip or at any time before check-in.

Side question: Do "American Airlines Travel Centers" exist any more? This makes me think of the off airport ticket offices in cities. I guess it could be a service desk in the airport too?