Jan 14, 2024, 11:43 am
Last edit by: JY1024
When upgrade space becomes available, the available seats are given in order of tier, type of upgrade and rolling 12 month loyalty point count. In cases of a tie breaker, then the booking code and time of upgrade request are considered.
The process applies to flights eligible for complimentary upgrades (domestic, Caribbean, Mexico) as well as flights offering upgrades using only instruments.
Elite status
1. Loyalty Points earned in prior 12 months at the time the upgrade is processed.
2. Booking class
3. Time of request
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...y-upgrades.jsp
What order are upgrades confirmed?
As soon as your upgrade window opens, we'll attempt to confirm in this order:
General observations have been flights TO a hub, even with multiple seats open/for sale J7+, will not be upgraded until closer to T-27.
Link to 2020-2021 archived thread.
Link to the 2023 archived thread.
For previous changes, see Upgrade Priority Changes to Status, Rolling 365 Day EQD Spend May 20 2017
Link to Gary Leff, View From the Wing 16 May 2017
The process applies to flights eligible for complimentary upgrades (domestic, Caribbean, Mexico) as well as flights offering upgrades using only instruments.
Elite status
- Concierge Key
- Executive Platinum
- Platinum Pro
- Platinum
- Gold
- Instrument based upgrade: Mileage upgrade award(with or without copay), systemwide upgrade (SWU) and business Extra upgrades (BXP1/BXP3) available to any AA customer with or without elite status for any AA flight in the world based on availability
- Complimentary upgrades on purchased tickets within North America for AAdvantage elite members and one flying companion
- Complimentary upgrades on award tickets within North America for AAdvantage elite members and one flying companion
1. Loyalty Points earned in prior 12 months at the time the upgrade is processed.
2. Booking class
3. Time of request
https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...y-upgrades.jsp
What order are upgrades confirmed?
As soon as your upgrade window opens, we'll attempt to confirm in this order:
- AAdvantage® status level (ConciergeKey® members are first, followed by AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum Pro®, AAdvantage Platinum® and then AAdvantage Gold® members)
- Upgrades on purchased tickets first, followed by upgrades on award tickets
- 12-month rolling Loyalty Points
General observations have been flights TO a hub, even with multiple seats open/for sale J7+, will not be upgraded until closer to T-27.
Link to 2020-2021 archived thread.
Link to the 2023 archived thread.
For previous changes, see Upgrade Priority Changes to Status, Rolling 365 Day EQD Spend May 20 2017
Link to Gary Leff, View From the Wing 16 May 2017
Chance of Upgrade Clearing and Availability (2024 Master Thread)
Dec 26, 2023, 7:14 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS 75K, BW Plat, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 10,725
Chance of Upgrade Clearing and Availability (2024 Master Thread)
If I drop a status level in January do I get upgraded based on the higher status I held at booking or the status on the actual day of departure?
Dec 26, 2023, 7:22 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,494
By the book it's your status on the day of departure that counts, however with AA sometimes an old status can "stick" to a reservation if it changes from the time you book it to the time you fly. YMMV.
Dec 26, 2023, 7:25 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
If you old status holds in the reservation consider it a gift, but you should plan for/expect the lower status to be reflected and shouldn't be miffed if that is how it goes down.
Regards
Jan 4, 2024, 1:13 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 3
AA Gold
12/25/23
MDT-CLT #1525 A319 - cleared with companion around T-12 (overnight). Ended up not on the flight, as it had issues upon arrival to MDT and was delayed. They weren't sure they'd get a plane that day, so we drove to BWI to pick up:
BWI-CLT #2260 A319 - Agent at ticket counter at MDT rebooked us into row 1. This flight ended up delayed a few hours as well.
CLT-MSY #2615 A321 - cleared with companion around T-12. Ended up not on the flight, as my BWI-CLT flight that replaced the MDT-CLT flight was also delayed. Rebooked onto:
12/26
CLT-MSY #1526 A321 - cleared with companion a few minutes after rebooking the previous night's missed connection.
It was a stressful travel day, as we were leaving on a cruise on 12/26. Got comped a hotel stay in CLT and a meal voucher ($12/each). Waited in the check in line at the Courtyard by Marriott BG Parkway for about 90 minutes. Got a room around 2am.
12/25/23
MDT-CLT #1525 A319 - cleared with companion around T-12 (overnight). Ended up not on the flight, as it had issues upon arrival to MDT and was delayed. They weren't sure they'd get a plane that day, so we drove to BWI to pick up:
BWI-CLT #2260 A319 - Agent at ticket counter at MDT rebooked us into row 1. This flight ended up delayed a few hours as well.
CLT-MSY #2615 A321 - cleared with companion around T-12. Ended up not on the flight, as my BWI-CLT flight that replaced the MDT-CLT flight was also delayed. Rebooked onto:
12/26
CLT-MSY #1526 A321 - cleared with companion a few minutes after rebooking the previous night's missed connection.
It was a stressful travel day, as we were leaving on a cruise on 12/26. Got comped a hotel stay in CLT and a meal voucher ($12/each). Waited in the check in line at the Courtyard by Marriott BG Parkway for about 90 minutes. Got a room around 2am.
Jan 4, 2024, 1:35 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 539
Pretty low even as Platinum. I cleared as EXP on a recent PHX-PHL redeye, but the list was 35+ long. Hard to know how many were EXPs. I was fully expecting to be in my exit row seat, but was called to the podium about 15 minutes before boarding.
Jan 4, 2024, 2:55 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 786
Well where were you on the list and how many LPs do you have? that would give a pretty good idea as to how many EXPs were on the flight.
Jan 4, 2024, 10:04 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 786
I would guess maybe 5 of those were EXP. As PPRO I was consistently 1 or 2 on the list of 20 plus on PHL and EWR routes. Just made EXP so well see how it goes for 2024.
Jan 5, 2024, 11:24 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2021
Programs: AAdvantage PPro
Posts: 108
My mom gets upgraded regularly as a gold on the PHX-DCA red eye.
Jan 5, 2024, 11:30 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 539
I was traveling in mid-December and flights back east were impacted by storms on the East Coast, so that may have had something to do with it. Two friends that were on the same flight are Gold and were 12/13 on the list. So not many Plat Pro and Plats between me and them.