Notification of upgrades?
Aug 9, 2025 | 9:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 62
Notification of upgrades?
Hi,
I logged into my AA account yesterday to check if there have been any timing changes in several upcoming international flights. I noticed that my seats were no longer selected for two of my flights, one around 45 days out, and the other 200+ days out. Then I realized that I had been upgraded to business (SWU) at some point for both of those flights and so I re-selected my seats.
My question is, shouldn't I have received an email about the upgrades? Or is this something I just need to check on periodically now? (I've received emails about the upgrades in the past.)
Thank you in advance for your insight.
I logged into my AA account yesterday to check if there have been any timing changes in several upcoming international flights. I noticed that my seats were no longer selected for two of my flights, one around 45 days out, and the other 200+ days out. Then I realized that I had been upgraded to business (SWU) at some point for both of those flights and so I re-selected my seats.
My question is, shouldn't I have received an email about the upgrades? Or is this something I just need to check on periodically now? (I've received emails about the upgrades in the past.)
Thank you in advance for your insight.
Aug 9, 2025 | 9:11 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, AY Gold, QR Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,713
Hi,
I logged into my AA account yesterday to check if there have been any timing changes in several upcoming international flights. I noticed that my seats were no longer selected for two of my flights, one around 45 days out, and the other 200+ days out. Then I realized that I had been upgraded to business (SWU) at some point for both of those flights and so I re-selected my seats.
My question is, shouldn't I have received an email about the upgrades? Or is this something I just need to check on periodically now? (I've received emails about the upgrades in the past.)
Thank you in advance for your insight.
I logged into my AA account yesterday to check if there have been any timing changes in several upcoming international flights. I noticed that my seats were no longer selected for two of my flights, one around 45 days out, and the other 200+ days out. Then I realized that I had been upgraded to business (SWU) at some point for both of those flights and so I re-selected my seats.
My question is, shouldn't I have received an email about the upgrades? Or is this something I just need to check on periodically now? (I've received emails about the upgrades in the past.)
Thank you in advance for your insight.
Aug 9, 2025 | 10:35 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott LT Plat | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 13,291
Make sure that your cleared upgrade is actually ticketed. It is possible for the upgrade to "clear" and give you a J seat and everything and still not be reticketed in the appropriate cabin.
Worth calling AA to make sure.
Worth calling AA to make sure.
Aug 9, 2025 | 11:39 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Department of Homeland Sincerity
Programs: WN Platinum, UA 1k, AA EP, Marriott Plat
Posts: 12,319
Is the only way to check that it's ticketed by calling? Or are there other ways to check?
Aug 9, 2025 | 12:19 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM CK, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,659
For example, I have an upcoming flight where I used miles to upgrade from Y->J. The app upgrade status showed confirmed, I have a seat and the PNR page showed ticketed. I texted in to apply the confirmed upgrade to my first segment. The X team said theyd need to re-pull the miles. I called in and it turns out that they never re-issued the ticket (or pulled the miles) when clearing the upgrade. The re-issued ticket email for segments upgraded came through while I was on the phone.
Aug 9, 2025 | 1:20 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVPG75K, CX Green
Posts: 823
Definitely worth calling in to ensure the ticket is reissued. If the ticket has been reissued and there's a schedule change, your upgrade is (normally) preserved during rebooking; otherwise it's a uphill battle
Aug 13, 2025 | 9:28 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: Former AA EXP,Former UA Gold,Marriott PP,Hilton Diamond, National EX, Hertz PC
Posts: 120
This happened to me, in two weeks I have flight where I cleared with miles but they were never pulled. I was feeling lucky but also scared that I would not have a seat, guess I better call in and make sure it was reticketed.
Called AA and it was not reticketed, very happy I saw this thread, would have hated showing up at airport and not have a ticket.
Called AA and it was not reticketed, very happy I saw this thread, would have hated showing up at airport and not have a ticket.
Last edited by jm62; Aug 14, 2025 at 6:22 am
Aug 14, 2025 | 4:29 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM CK, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,659
Good idea, particularly given that the legacy miles upgrades went away earlier in the week.
Aug 18, 2025 | 12:30 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 62
I just wanted to update. I finally had time today to call and confirm that everything was okay, and you were right - I was upgraded but not re-ticketed. She did that on the phone and my SWUs were then deducted, and I received the email I was supposed to get before.
I'm so glad I asked about this. Thank you, again!
I'm so glad I asked about this. Thank you, again!
Aug 18, 2025 | 3:07 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Silver, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 7,493
This has been a problem for many years. It used to be that you got an error when retrieving your reservation. As you saw, now the reservation comes up but there are no seats assigned. You can assign yourself seats online but you need to call and get the ticket reissued. Then you'll get an email. The whole process seems a bit loose for my taste.
Aug 18, 2025 | 3:38 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 62
This has been a problem for many years. It used to be that you got an error when retrieving your reservation. As you saw, now the reservation comes up but there are no seats assigned. You can assign yourself seats online but you need to call and get the ticket reissued. Then you'll get an email. The whole process seems a bit loose for my taste.