Apr 21, 2013, 7:01 pm
Last edit by: VFR
Airport Upgrade and Standby Order, Priority “PALL” List
Questions, Upgrade Anomalies, Issues, etc.
NOTE: Complimentary upgrades are now ordered based on (1) Status, (2) 12 month rolling Loyalty Points, (3) Time and date of upgrade request.Questions, Upgrade Anomalies, Issues, etc.
NOTE: As of 1 Jan 2017, your travel companion will "borrow" your PALL listing. Link.
Main PALL list codes. Passengers are ordered by code, then elite status, then other factors. Additional codes may be entered to designate other information, such as companions traveling together.
- OS# = Confirmed Economy passenger awaiting seat assignment.
- RF = Confirmed First Class passenger awaiting seat assignment.
- DSR# = Standby First Class passenger, confirmed in Economy. Usually used for involuntary downgrades of paid First passengers.
- VIP# = Passenger awaiting a SWU upgrade.
- MLG# = Passenger awaiting a mileage and copay upgrade. This may be the same priority as VIP, i.e. VIP1 = MLG1, VIP2 = MLG2, etc.
- UPG# = Confirmed Economy passenger awaiting a complimentary, or elite sticker upgrade. Within a status group, passengers are ordered by 12 month rolling loyalty points followed by time and date of upgrade request.
- RI# = Revenue involuntary standby passenger (bumped from another flight due to oversold condition or travel disruptions). Within a status group, passengers are ordered by check-in time.
- RV# = Revenue voluntary standby passenger. Within a status group, passengers are ordered by check-in time.
- RV = Non-status revenue passengers on voluntary standby, and certain staff travel.
- D% = Non-revenue standby passenger (AA employees, family, and friends), where % is an additional number code pertaining to the type of pass and not related to elite status. See the Staff Travel / Buddy Pass Thread.
- VOL = Volunteer for bump to a later flight. Passengers are ordered by time of volunteering (first come-first served).
- DG = Passenger with involuntary (or voluntary) downgrade in class-of-service.
- RL = "Flat Tire Rule" passenger missing a flight through no fault of their own or AA (L=Late, in this case). Note that in some circumstances, AA may offer a confirmed seat on a later flight instead.
- -T = Through passenger - Addition of this suffix gives priority over other passengers in the same status group, overriding normal time-based ranking. This suffix is supposed to be used for passengers connecting from another flight.
C/o sensei:
The following UPG priority levels are now in effect:
- UPG1/VIP1 Concierge Key
- UPG2/VIP2 Executive Platinum
- UPG3/VIP3 Platinum Pro
- UPG4/VIP4 Platinum
- UPG5/VIP5 Gold
- UPG/VIP No status
Revenue Standbys are cleared in the following order:
- RIT (involuntary, transit)
- RI (involuntary)
- RV (voluntary)
- RL (late)
All revenue standbys are cleared before any non-revenue standbys
Older posts have been archived to this thread.
Airport Upgrade and Standby Priority List (“PALL”) Order (master thread)
Oct 27, 2016, 9:44 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA
Posts: 384
Wow, now I know how jonnyc feels. "major changes are coming" - think early 2017. Obviously CK's aren't automatically recognized right now (other than the "key" designation on the PNR that is manually input upon checkin which shows up on the PALL list). There are some other such major changes coming, which I think will be very favorable to the most frequent fliers.
Oct 28, 2016, 7:18 am
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Wow, now I know how jonnyc feels. "major changes are coming" - think early 2017. Obviously CK's aren't automatically recognized right now (other than the "key" designation on the PNR that is manually input upon checkin which shows up on the PALL list). There are some other such major changes coming, which I think will be very favorable to the most frequent fliers.
Nov 7, 2016, 2:00 pm
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Wow, now I know how jonnyc feels. "major changes are coming" - think early 2017. Obviously CK's aren't automatically recognized right now (other than the "key" designation on the PNR that is manually input upon checkin which shows up on the PALL list). There are some other such major changes coming, which I think will be very favorable to the most frequent fliers.
Nov 7, 2016, 2:29 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
Posts: 2,213
Wow, now I know how jonnyc feels. "major changes are coming" - think early 2017. Obviously CK's aren't automatically recognized right now (other than the "key" designation on the PNR that is manually input upon checkin which shows up on the PALL list). There are some other such major changes coming, which I think will be very favorable to the most frequent fliers.
Nov 17, 2016, 7:27 am
#20
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 161
SWU over Complimentary Upgrade on International Flight
So AA Exec Plat Desk has been giving me some trouble lately and raising an eyebrow at what I'm trying to do, and I wanted to make sure my understanding is correct.
I have a flight coming up on the 27th of November. ORD-LAX-HKG. I had applied a SWU to my direction of travel, and they said the way they do it now automatically, is that if the international leg clears (LAX-HKG) then the SWU will be applied, otherwise, only the "EXEC PLAT complimentary" upgrade will be used on the ORD-LAX leg. Well that's all fine and dandy in theory assuming that the domestic leg has availability in First and there's no other Exec Plats waiting on a complimentary upgrade.
However, My understanding is that SWUs have a Higher Priority on the ol' "Upgrade List" than do regular complimentary upgrades, because they're seen as revenue. At least, that's how it USED to be. Is that still the case?
The AA Exec Plat desk basically thought I was being goofy when I asked them to just apply the SWU to both legs and not be dependent upon the LAX-HKG leg clearing. There's literally 1 seat available on the ORD-LAX flight as it stands which is currently blocked (and unavailable for purchase), and if/when it opens, i'd like to up my chances of being first on the list for it. I figured that by using a SWU over the complimentary, this changes my priority on the upgrade list.
Is that correct?
I have a flight coming up on the 27th of November. ORD-LAX-HKG. I had applied a SWU to my direction of travel, and they said the way they do it now automatically, is that if the international leg clears (LAX-HKG) then the SWU will be applied, otherwise, only the "EXEC PLAT complimentary" upgrade will be used on the ORD-LAX leg. Well that's all fine and dandy in theory assuming that the domestic leg has availability in First and there's no other Exec Plats waiting on a complimentary upgrade.
However, My understanding is that SWUs have a Higher Priority on the ol' "Upgrade List" than do regular complimentary upgrades, because they're seen as revenue. At least, that's how it USED to be. Is that still the case?
The AA Exec Plat desk basically thought I was being goofy when I asked them to just apply the SWU to both legs and not be dependent upon the LAX-HKG leg clearing. There's literally 1 seat available on the ORD-LAX flight as it stands which is currently blocked (and unavailable for purchase), and if/when it opens, i'd like to up my chances of being first on the list for it. I figured that by using a SWU over the complimentary, this changes my priority on the upgrade list.
Is that correct?
Nov 17, 2016, 7:44 am
#21
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
So AA Exec Plat Desk has been giving me some trouble lately and raising an eyebrow at what I'm trying to do, and I wanted to make sure my understanding is correct.
I have a flight coming up on the 27th of November. ORD-LAX-HKG. I had applied a SWU to my direction of travel, and they said the way they do it now automatically, is that if the international leg clears (LAX-HKG) then the SWU will be applied, otherwise, only the "EXEC PLAT complimentary" upgrade will be used on the ORD-LAX leg. Well that's all fine and dandy in theory assuming that the domestic leg has availability in First and there's no other Exec Plats waiting on a complimentary upgrade.
However, My understanding is that SWUs have a Higher Priority on the ol' "Upgrade List" than do regular complimentary upgrades, because they're seen as revenue. At least, that's how it USED to be. Is that still the case?
The AA Exec Plat desk basically thought I was being goofy when I asked them to just apply the SWU to both legs and not be dependent upon the LAX-HKG leg clearing. There's literally 1 seat available on the ORD-LAX flight as it stands which is currently blocked (and unavailable for purchase), and if/when it opens, i'd like to up my chances of being first on the list for it. I figured that by using a SWU over the complimentary, this changes my priority on the upgrade list.
Is that correct?
I have a flight coming up on the 27th of November. ORD-LAX-HKG. I had applied a SWU to my direction of travel, and they said the way they do it now automatically, is that if the international leg clears (LAX-HKG) then the SWU will be applied, otherwise, only the "EXEC PLAT complimentary" upgrade will be used on the ORD-LAX leg. Well that's all fine and dandy in theory assuming that the domestic leg has availability in First and there's no other Exec Plats waiting on a complimentary upgrade.
However, My understanding is that SWUs have a Higher Priority on the ol' "Upgrade List" than do regular complimentary upgrades, because they're seen as revenue. At least, that's how it USED to be. Is that still the case?
The AA Exec Plat desk basically thought I was being goofy when I asked them to just apply the SWU to both legs and not be dependent upon the LAX-HKG leg clearing. There's literally 1 seat available on the ORD-LAX flight as it stands which is currently blocked (and unavailable for purchase), and if/when it opens, i'd like to up my chances of being first on the list for it. I figured that by using a SWU over the complimentary, this changes my priority on the upgrade list.
Is that correct?
Nov 18, 2016, 7:18 am
#22
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 161
I used to use this method all the time if I had SWUs leftover if i found myself on the bottom of the upgrade list, and a quick way to shoot myself to the top of the list.
Can someone please confirm if this is still accurate?
Nov 19, 2016, 11:16 pm
#23
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 810
What's the current upgrade priority like?
1) SWUs and Miles and Copy by date of request
-segmented by status (EXP first, Plat second, and so on)
2) Complimentary EXP upgrades for EXPs
-sorted by date of booking
3) 500 mile upgrades
1) SWUs and Miles and Copy by date of request
-segmented by status (EXP first, Plat second, and so on)
2) Complimentary EXP upgrades for EXPs
-sorted by date of booking
3) 500 mile upgrades
Nov 21, 2016, 6:42 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 161
However, I think it's also important to note that apparently AA's EXP desk either doesn't understand this, or is confused about why someone would want to use a SWU over a complimentary on a domestic.
Dec 7, 2016, 9:03 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
If anyone with PALL list access or has other wisdom can shed some light on my experience upgrading in 12/5 in flight 1088 from LAX to MIA. The date stamp on my upgrade request was 5/13. Yet I was way down the upgrade list, #12. I had the AAngel at the Admirals club
Check those ahead of me. All but one had a date stamp in the request later than me. Something was wrong.
I had an SWU waitlisted put pulled it. I also had a flight change due to reschedule but PNR and date stamp stayed the same. (and this has happened often without issue). The AAngel said that I had "O4" next to my name, she never saw it before. I cleared anyway, but would be keen to know what caused it so I don't do it again.
I think the same may happen on the return, open seats went from 25 to 12 in the last 6 hours for tomorrow's return, 275 Mia-lax.
I think the AAngel would have said something if it was all SWUs ahead of me (they would have a VIP notation, right? (She did call her support desk and they couldn't figure it out either),
Anyone know what the issue was?
Check those ahead of me. All but one had a date stamp in the request later than me. Something was wrong.
I had an SWU waitlisted put pulled it. I also had a flight change due to reschedule but PNR and date stamp stayed the same. (and this has happened often without issue). The AAngel said that I had "O4" next to my name, she never saw it before. I cleared anyway, but would be keen to know what caused it so I don't do it again.
I think the same may happen on the return, open seats went from 25 to 12 in the last 6 hours for tomorrow's return, 275 Mia-lax.
I think the AAngel would have said something if it was all SWUs ahead of me (they would have a VIP notation, right? (She did call her support desk and they couldn't figure it out either),
Anyone know what the issue was?
Dec 7, 2016, 9:25 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
If anyone with PALL list access or has other wisdom can shed some light on my experience upgrading in 12/5 in flight 1088 from LAX to MIA. The date stamp on my upgrade request was 5/13. Yet I was way down the upgrade list, #12. I had the AAngel at the Admirals club
Check those ahead of me. All but one had a date stamp in the request later than me. Something was wrong.
I had an SWU waitlisted put pulled it. I also had a flight change due to reschedule but PNR and date stamp stayed the same. (and this has happened often without issue). The AAngel said that I had "O4" next to my name, she never saw it before. I cleared anyway, but would be keen to know what caused it so I don't do it again.
I think the same may happen on the return, open seats went from 25 to 12 in the last 6 hours for tomorrow's return, 275 Mia-lax.
I think the AAngel would have said something if it was all SWUs ahead of me (they would have a VIP notation, right? (She did call her support desk and they couldn't figure it out either),
Anyone know what the issue was?
Check those ahead of me. All but one had a date stamp in the request later than me. Something was wrong.
I had an SWU waitlisted put pulled it. I also had a flight change due to reschedule but PNR and date stamp stayed the same. (and this has happened often without issue). The AAngel said that I had "O4" next to my name, she never saw it before. I cleared anyway, but would be keen to know what caused it so I don't do it again.
I think the same may happen on the return, open seats went from 25 to 12 in the last 6 hours for tomorrow's return, 275 Mia-lax.
I think the AAngel would have said something if it was all SWUs ahead of me (they would have a VIP notation, right? (She did call her support desk and they couldn't figure it out either),
Anyone know what the issue was?
Dec 7, 2016, 9:44 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
Sorry I wasn't clear, I meant I withdrew my SWU request. It was just a 500 mile complimentary upgrade.
Given that the SWUs weren't clearing until the day off and the flight was wide open, I didn't want to waste a 2/18 exp SWU
Given that the SWUs weren't clearing until the day off and the flight was wide open, I didn't want to waste a 2/18 exp SWU
Dec 8, 2016, 7:10 am
#28
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
[QUOTE=beachfan;27581092]Sorry I wasn't clear, I meant I withdrew my SWU request. It was just a 500 mile complimentary upgrade.
Given that the SWUs weren't clearing until the day off and the flight was wide open, I didn't want to waste a 2/18 exp SWU[/QUOTE
Was there ever a request for a 500 miler upgrade BEFORE requesting the SWU?
Given that the SWUs weren't clearing until the day off and the flight was wide open, I didn't want to waste a 2/18 exp SWU[/QUOTE
Was there ever a request for a 500 miler upgrade BEFORE requesting the SWU?
Dec 8, 2016, 12:23 pm
#29
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
[QUOTE=AAExecPlatFlier;27582336]
Yes, may 13, two months prior to SWu request. I'm thinking if you cancel a SWU request it doesn't pick up the upgrade request, I'm 20 on the list.
PS it's a bummer to have to do so, but I did miles plus copay which just opened up. 2 hours before flight.
Sorry I wasn't clear, I meant I withdrew my SWU request. It was just a 500 mile complimentary upgrade.
Given that the SWUs weren't clearing until the day off and the flight was wide open, I didn't want to waste a 2/18 exp SWU[/QUOTE
Was there ever a request for a 500 miler upgrade BEFORE requesting the SWU?
Given that the SWUs weren't clearing until the day off and the flight was wide open, I didn't want to waste a 2/18 exp SWU[/QUOTE
Was there ever a request for a 500 miler upgrade BEFORE requesting the SWU?
PS it's a bummer to have to do so, but I did miles plus copay which just opened up. 2 hours before flight.
Last edited by beachfan; Dec 8, 2016 at 1:12 pm