upgrade BA biz class fare to first DFW-LHR
May 25, 2023, 1:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: North Dallas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 494
upgrade BA biz class fare to first DFW-LHR
So I bought my ticket it's in the I fare class in business class on British Airways Metal, codeshare with AA. Can I upgrade to first if there is availability using SWU or miles+dollars?. This is a Business Class seat.
Of note I am Exec Platinum on AA, and no status on BA.
if anyone wants to point me to what to read to find out, I'm fine with that. I have been searching for the answer all morning.
Of note I am Exec Platinum on AA, and no status on BA.
if anyone wants to point me to what to read to find out, I'm fine with that. I have been searching for the answer all morning.
May 25, 2023, 2:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: GCM, formerly DFW
Programs: AA Exp
Posts: 271
You can't use the Miles+Copay option to upgrade a BA flight (only miles if you buy a full fare in C, J, D or R on BA), but you can use a SWU to upgrade if you see on AA there is award availability on a BA flight in F/first.
See the SWU Upgrades on BA are Live forum or AA's SWU page for some light reading
See the SWU Upgrades on BA are Live forum or AA's SWU page for some light reading
May 25, 2023, 2:17 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,466
So I bought my ticket it's in the I fare class in business class on British Airways Metal, codeshare with AA. Can I upgrade to first if there is availability using SWU or miles+dollars?. This is a Business Class seat.
Of note I am Exec Platinum on AA, and no status on BA.
if anyone wants to point me to what to read to find out, I'm fine with that. I have been searching for the answer all morning.
Of note I am Exec Platinum on AA, and no status on BA.
if anyone wants to point me to what to read to find out, I'm fine with that. I have been searching for the answer all morning.
SWU upgrades on BA are live
May 25, 2023, 2:49 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: North Dallas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 494
You can upgrade using a SWU, in order to see upgrade availability you just need to do a normal award search at aa.com for your flight. If there's availability to book a F award using miles, then you can use a SWU to upgrade from J>F.
SWU upgrades on BA are live
SWU upgrades on BA are live
on expertflyer do i look on AA or do I look on BA? or is that the same?
May 25, 2023, 2:52 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,040
Expertflyer no longer shows award availability for BA and since it's BA metal, that is what you need.
What JJeffrey means is look at award availability on AA.com for your BA flight and if that shows a bookable miles/award ticket for first on that flight, you should be able to upgrade with the SWU.
Regards
What JJeffrey means is look at award availability on AA.com for your BA flight and if that shows a bookable miles/award ticket for first on that flight, you should be able to upgrade with the SWU.
Regards
May 25, 2023, 8:11 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2023
Posts: 7
I have a booking for DFW-LHR via AA codeshare on BA metal (A380) at the end of June (bought through AA) in I. An agent took my info and processed an upgrade request , which shows as upgrade requested on the reservation.
She did say it was the first time she came across this and seemed somewhat confused, and also said if it cleared it would be miles plus $350 (as opposed to $550 on normal I upgrade on AA's webpage on AA metal), so not sure if I just ended up in a weird situation, but we will see. I'm guessing it is a mistake and it won't go through, but will be ecstatic if it does and for less than shown
Anyway, the moral is that it may not hurt to call and ask.
She did say it was the first time she came across this and seemed somewhat confused, and also said if it cleared it would be miles plus $350 (as opposed to $550 on normal I upgrade on AA's webpage on AA metal), so not sure if I just ended up in a weird situation, but we will see. I'm guessing it is a mistake and it won't go through, but will be ecstatic if it does and for less than shown
Anyway, the moral is that it may not hurt to call and ask.
May 26, 2023, 4:12 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,701
Something appear wrong here.
it is suppose to be SWUs only and there is no waitlisting allowed
I would call AA and work this out. You could be in a waitlist that will never clear or it it does, AA couldn’t ticket it.
it is suppose to be SWUs only and there is no waitlisting allowed
I would call AA and work this out. You could be in a waitlist that will never clear or it it does, AA couldn’t ticket it.
I have a booking for DFW-LHR via AA codeshare on BA metal (A380) at the end of June (bought through AA) in I. An agent took my info and processed an upgrade request , which shows as upgrade requested on the reservation.
She did say it was the first time she came across this and seemed somewhat confused, and also said if it cleared it would be miles plus $350 (as opposed to $550 on normal I upgrade on AA's webpage on AA metal), so not sure if I just ended up in a weird situation, but we will see. I'm guessing it is a mistake and it won't go through, but will be ecstatic if it does and for less than shown
Anyway, the moral is that it may not hurt to call and ask.
She did say it was the first time she came across this and seemed somewhat confused, and also said if it cleared it would be miles plus $350 (as opposed to $550 on normal I upgrade on AA's webpage on AA metal), so not sure if I just ended up in a weird situation, but we will see. I'm guessing it is a mistake and it won't go through, but will be ecstatic if it does and for less than shown
Anyway, the moral is that it may not hurt to call and ask.
May 26, 2023, 1:03 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
Related question:
I purchased a BA J fare LHR-DFW with no AA involvement (i.e., BA ticket on BA metal on BA.com). I see that an AA F award for my flight is available. Can I use an AA SWU to upgrade? Do I call BA or AA?
I purchased a BA J fare LHR-DFW with no AA involvement (i.e., BA ticket on BA metal on BA.com). I see that an AA F award for my flight is available. Can I use an AA SWU to upgrade? Do I call BA or AA?
May 26, 2023, 1:09 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX oriented World Digital Nomad
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Globalist, MLife/Cosmo Identity Gold, Other Vegas too...
Posts: 1,317
You can't use the Miles+Copay option to upgrade a BA flight (only miles if you buy a full fare in C, J, D or R on BA), but you can use a SWU to upgrade if you see on AA there is award availability on a BA flight in F/first.
See the SWU Upgrades on BA are Live forum or AA's SWU page for some light reading
See the SWU Upgrades on BA are Live forum or AA's SWU page for some light reading
May 26, 2023, 3:04 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: CLT
Posts: 1,899
"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."
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...e-upgrades.jsp
May 26, 2023, 3:15 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
Yes, that's correct.
"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."
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...e-upgrades.jsp
"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."
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...e-upgrades.jsp
May 26, 2023, 3:24 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: CLT
Posts: 1,899
Not sure you can add an AA flight to your booking for free after it has been ticketed, but yes.