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)
#136
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 122
I had a flight last Saturday and I found this to be true. I was trying to burn a SWU but my upgrade cleared at 72 hours. Even though I had already cleared with my UDU I was still on the upgrade list at the airport with my SWU but I was number 7 on the list.
The day before this flight I had waitlisted my wife and son(both no status) with SWU's and they were at the bottom of the upgrade list.
The day before this flight I had waitlisted my wife and son(both no status) with SWU's and they were at the bottom of the upgrade list.
Info confirmed from analyst at AA through another member. He said that issues members are currently having are that they are putting multiple types of upgrades in the reservation trying to increase their chance for an upgrade.
Then they complain to AA after the fact that the wrong type of upgrade was used and want to change it. Since they can't look at what bucket was available after the fact to know if a particular upgrade could have been used rather than the one that was used, they can't change the upgrade type.
A few exceptions may occur if enough notes are in the PNR and they comp the upgrade back but moving forward if you have multiple types of upgrades in the PNR don't count on getting it changed once flown.
As usual, address all issues before you fly and make sure you have agent put notes in PNR- then ask for a print out of what PNR. I've don't it in the past when I've explained the hassle I've had to deal with.
#137
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ft Worth, TX
Programs: AA, HH
Posts: 451
Both mileage awards and SWU do not have companion benefit even if in the same pnr. Only 500 mile upgrade does.
Info confirmed from analyst at AA through another member. He said that issues members are currently having are that they are putting multiple types of upgrades in the reservation trying to increase their chance for an upgrade.
Then they complain to AA after the fact that the wrong type of upgrade was used and want to change it. Since they can't look at what bucket was available after the fact to know if a particular upgrade could have been used rather than the one that was used, they can't change the upgrade type.
A few exceptions may occur if enough notes are in the PNR and they comp the upgrade back but moving forward if you have multiple types of upgrades in the PNR don't count on getting it changed once flown.
As usual, address all issues before you fly and make sure you have agent put notes in PNR- then ask for a print out of what PNR. I've don't it in the past when I've explained the hassle I've had to deal with.
Info confirmed from analyst at AA through another member. He said that issues members are currently having are that they are putting multiple types of upgrades in the reservation trying to increase their chance for an upgrade.
Then they complain to AA after the fact that the wrong type of upgrade was used and want to change it. Since they can't look at what bucket was available after the fact to know if a particular upgrade could have been used rather than the one that was used, they can't change the upgrade type.
A few exceptions may occur if enough notes are in the PNR and they comp the upgrade back but moving forward if you have multiple types of upgrades in the PNR don't count on getting it changed once flown.
As usual, address all issues before you fly and make sure you have agent put notes in PNR- then ask for a print out of what PNR. I've don't it in the past when I've explained the hassle I've had to deal with.
I had no issues since my upgrade cleared 72 hours in advance. I could clearly see that my SWU was still waitlisted by looking at my flight on AA.com since it said 'system wide upgrade - requested'.
#138
When I had viewed my reservation online at AA.com before calling, it showed Upgrade Type "Complimentary" for the outbound and return requested, after the call in a few hours the outbound changed to "Systemwide", return still says "Complimentary".
Did I inadvertently screw up my UDU chances?
#139
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Hmm... when I called to inquire about if the SWU was applied properly, the EXP agent insisted that I was only on the SWU waitlist and not on the UDU waitlist at all, and that they could see both lists. Then the agent typed away at something to "make sure" or something.
When I had viewed my reservation online at AA.com before calling, it showed Upgrade Type "Complimentary" for the outbound and return requested, after the call in a few hours the outbound changed to "Systemwide", return still says "Complimentary".
Did I inadvertently screw up my UDU chances?
When I had viewed my reservation online at AA.com before calling, it showed Upgrade Type "Complimentary" for the outbound and return requested, after the call in a few hours the outbound changed to "Systemwide", return still says "Complimentary".
Did I inadvertently screw up my UDU chances?
This most likely means you will not clear in advance if R space opens up. Your best bet now is hope that C space opens up or AA does not process any upgrade until after T-24 hours.
Last edited by golfingboy; Feb 23, 2017 at 6:59 am
#140
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: COU
Programs: AA ExecPlat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10
Should I split a PNR for better upgrade chances
I'm sure this question has been asked before but I can't find the answer. I am EXP and my partner is GLD. We are always willing to split up so 1 of us gets the upgrade if only 1 is available. If we are booked on the same PNR, will an upgrade clear only if 2 seats are available at the same time? The odds of that seem pretty low as the seem to release seats 1 at a time. I'm worried that by being in the same PNR, we will get skipped and it will go to the next person behind us. Any advice on what we should do? Do we split the PNR so that he keeps my status in the priority queue?
#141
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: VA
Programs: AA EXP, DL Gold, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 293
I'm sure this question has been asked before but I can't find the answer. I am EXP and my partner is GLD. We are always willing to split up so 1 of us gets the upgrade if only 1 is available. If we are booked on the same PNR, will an upgrade clear only if 2 seats are available at the same time? The odds of that seem pretty low as the seem to release seats 1 at a time. I'm worried that by being in the same PNR, we will get skipped and it will go to the next person behind us. Any advice on what we should do? Do we split the PNR so that he keeps my status in the priority queue?
My experience as a Plat..
I've flown with my wife (no status) on one PNR with requests to upgrade both of us using 500 mile coupons. Several times when only one upgrade seat opened up, they'd page me at the gate and tell me, giving me the option to only upgrade one of us, or neither. Of course, I upgraded my wife..
#142
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: NYC
Posts: 108
Never used an SWU before, how does the timestamp and status work in this scenario?
2 people in PNR - I am PLT and wife has no status
- Booked 12/14 and requested sticker upgrades
- Was given SWU and applied to waitlist since there was no C inventory
So a few questions:
1. Does the SWU use my original timestamp or the time the SWU was applied?
2. It still is based on status and time of request right?
3. Sticker upgrades share the status in the PNR so my wife gets my status for sticker upgrades, but thats not true for SWU, correct?
4. Are my chances better to use SWU vs stickers because C inventory gets released ahead, and cause wife will take my status?
Thanks in advanced!
2 people in PNR - I am PLT and wife has no status
- Booked 12/14 and requested sticker upgrades
- Was given SWU and applied to waitlist since there was no C inventory
So a few questions:
1. Does the SWU use my original timestamp or the time the SWU was applied?
2. It still is based on status and time of request right?
3. Sticker upgrades share the status in the PNR so my wife gets my status for sticker upgrades, but thats not true for SWU, correct?
4. Are my chances better to use SWU vs stickers because C inventory gets released ahead, and cause wife will take my status?
Thanks in advanced!
#143
This is on LAX-JFK. Right now it's J6 D0 I0. Not looking too great for C or R in advance, but I think once in the check-in window, UDU might have a better chance?
On the outbound, apparently my SWU cleared about 24 hours in advance, but I'm not sure since I never got an EF alert (though I also didn't get an email from AA saying "You've been upgraded" as usual with UDUs).
#144
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 3,359
Interesting experience recently on LAX to HKG... Was 1st on upgrade wait list having used an SWU. The whole day before the flight I was #1 with about 4 seats open including 3J and 4J. Left lounge to go to the gate and checked on last time to see that #3 on the list had been upgraded. I assumed they got a J to F upgrade, however 3J was now shown as occupied (according to ExpertFlyer).
Got to the gate and asked if the agent was going to clear upgrades soon as boarding was about to start and I was #1. He said sure and offered me 4J, I specifically asked what happened to 3J as it was been open until just recently. He looked sheepish and said that it was just taken by another upgraded passenger. I asked him point blank if it was the person who was lower on the upgrade list and how was he able to jump the line?
The gate agent didn't answer that question but just said that if I wanted 3J he would take care of it and give him a moment. Sure enough he printed a new boarding pass and walked off and handed it to a guy who ended up being in 4J and came back and printed another boarding pass for me to be in 3J.
It was all a very strange situation. As a quick aside, 4J is closer to the galley so noise is an issue so I really didn't want 4J.
I'm curious if people have theories as to how/why someone lower on the upgrade list was able to sweet talk the agent to upgrade him early and initially give him that seat.
It is also an important lesson to continually monitor the upgrade list and seat map if you have a strong preference for seating!
Got to the gate and asked if the agent was going to clear upgrades soon as boarding was about to start and I was #1. He said sure and offered me 4J, I specifically asked what happened to 3J as it was been open until just recently. He looked sheepish and said that it was just taken by another upgraded passenger. I asked him point blank if it was the person who was lower on the upgrade list and how was he able to jump the line?
The gate agent didn't answer that question but just said that if I wanted 3J he would take care of it and give him a moment. Sure enough he printed a new boarding pass and walked off and handed it to a guy who ended up being in 4J and came back and printed another boarding pass for me to be in 3J.
It was all a very strange situation. As a quick aside, 4J is closer to the galley so noise is an issue so I really didn't want 4J.
I'm curious if people have theories as to how/why someone lower on the upgrade list was able to sweet talk the agent to upgrade him early and initially give him that seat.
It is also an important lesson to continually monitor the upgrade list and seat map if you have a strong preference for seating!
#146
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
can someone explain how this could happen. Last night I ended up as #7 on the UP list at the gate @ T-55 I was # 5, either way wasnt expecting to clear since there was only 1 unclaimed seat
What I cant understand is they called 2 people names both cleared they were #1 and #5 on the list, #1 no problem but with #s 2-3-4 having different last names why did #5 clear before 2-3 or 4? On board they moved up a few more to Biz
I understand people CXed last min or missed the flight, so I assume #s 2-3-4 might have been those UPed on board, but why did #5 clear have the green check mark next to their name as did #1 before boarding even started, and maybe 2-3-4 werent those that were UPed on board either. As #7 I wasnt going to clear, I was just dumbfounded trying to figure out why #5 cleared before boarding started and #5s name was cleed with #1s from the get go and never called 2-3-or 4s names
What I cant understand is they called 2 people names both cleared they were #1 and #5 on the list, #1 no problem but with #s 2-3-4 having different last names why did #5 clear before 2-3 or 4? On board they moved up a few more to Biz
I understand people CXed last min or missed the flight, so I assume #s 2-3-4 might have been those UPed on board, but why did #5 clear have the green check mark next to their name as did #1 before boarding even started, and maybe 2-3-4 werent those that were UPed on board either. As #7 I wasnt going to clear, I was just dumbfounded trying to figure out why #5 cleared before boarding started and #5s name was cleed with #1s from the get go and never called 2-3-or 4s names
#147
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
#148
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Boston, USA
Programs: AA EXP, TK Elite, HH Gold, SPG/Marriott Gold
Posts: 939
#3 ? Unless #2 was waiting for J to F and that was not available...
#149
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Stdby had over 20 on the list and Upgrade list was 16
Im not complaining as I wasnt gonna clear @ #7. Last I saw T-120 there was 1 Biz seat and 1 1st available for sale Y soldout. With a full flight I boarded ASAP so I dont know if any Stdbys cleared, I would think some did since they brought some folks up out of Y and resat them in Biz. . when they called 2 names I saw that the Up list then had 2 green check marks #1 and #5. so Its not like they called #1 and #2 and 2 said no and 3 and 4 said the same.From get go #1 and #5 were called
#150
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
AA 10 LAX-JFK 3 cabin
Stdby had over 20 on the list and Upgrade list was 16
Im not complaining as I wasnt gonna clear @ #7. Last I saw T-120 there was 1 Biz seat and 1 1st available for sale Y soldout. With a full flight I boarded ASAP so I dont know if any Stdbys cleared, I would think some did since they brought some folks up out of Y and resat them in Biz. . when they called 2 names I saw that the Up list then had 2 green check marks #1 and #5. so Its not like they called #1 and #2 and 2 said no and 3 and 4 said the same.From get go #1 and #5 were called
Stdby had over 20 on the list and Upgrade list was 16
Im not complaining as I wasnt gonna clear @ #7. Last I saw T-120 there was 1 Biz seat and 1 1st available for sale Y soldout. With a full flight I boarded ASAP so I dont know if any Stdbys cleared, I would think some did since they brought some folks up out of Y and resat them in Biz. . when they called 2 names I saw that the Up list then had 2 green check marks #1 and #5. so Its not like they called #1 and #2 and 2 said no and 3 and 4 said the same.From get go #1 and #5 were called