Dec 4, 2012, 5:40 pm
Last edit by: JY1024
The current version of this thread can be found here:
FAQ: What's a Systemwide Upgrade / SWU / eVIP / VIP? (Master thread)
FAQ: What's a Systemwide Upgrade / SWU / eVIP / VIP? (Master thread)
ARCHIVE: SWU / VIP / eVIP Systemwide Upgrade questions
Dec 19, 2012, 2:03 pm
#1516
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,049
***I'm leaving my post up just in case anyone has this happen to them in the future, but about 30 minutes after checking in, I checked my reservation again and the entire trip is upgraded. I wonder if there was some glitch in the processing of the upgrades that caused the reservation details to disappear for at least 6 hours??***
Once the queue processing begins and your upgrade is confirmed, the details of your flights will disappear and as soon as the upgrade finishes processing the details will reappear.
So if you are wait-listed and see this happen it is a good thing as it means you've cleared, but it can take a few hours sometimes before the details appear again.
Dec 20, 2012, 9:05 am
#1517
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SFO/OAK
Programs: AA EXP 3.4MM, BAEC, UAMP, Skyteam (<10k) HH Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz Gold, GE/TSA TT
Posts: 2,723
I am taking the SFO-MIA red eye on Feb. 28th (arriving MIA March 1st). I applied a SWU for that flight, which was confirmed. I have 4 SWUs expiring on Feb. 28th, 2013 and all 8 that expire on Feb. 28th, 2014. Which lot will they pull from? I checked my balance after confirming the SWU and it has not changed for either bucket yet.
Note this language from the aa.com SWU FAQs:
Q: How long are my systemwide upgrades valid?
A: Upgrades that were earned based on your 2011 flight activity are valid through February 28, 2013. Upgrades earned based on your 2012 flight activity are valid through February 28, 2014. So, the earlier in the year that you qualify or requalify for Executive Platinum membership, the longer you will have to use your systemwide upgrades. All travel using a systemwide upgrade must be completed by the expiration date. Upgrades will expire at 12:00 midnight (CT) on the date shown.
Based on the last two sentances, they could pull it from my new SWUs since my travel is technically not complete until March 1st.
Any experience with this? I would hate to be using a new one, when I have plenty of SWUs that are valid through Feb. 28th, 2013.
Note this language from the aa.com SWU FAQs:
Q: How long are my systemwide upgrades valid?
A: Upgrades that were earned based on your 2011 flight activity are valid through February 28, 2013. Upgrades earned based on your 2012 flight activity are valid through February 28, 2014. So, the earlier in the year that you qualify or requalify for Executive Platinum membership, the longer you will have to use your systemwide upgrades. All travel using a systemwide upgrade must be completed by the expiration date. Upgrades will expire at 12:00 midnight (CT) on the date shown.
Based on the last two sentances, they could pull it from my new SWUs since my travel is technically not complete until March 1st.
Any experience with this? I would hate to be using a new one, when I have plenty of SWUs that are valid through Feb. 28th, 2013.
It's been my experience that AA always pulls the oldest SWUs first, so in a normal situation with a Feb.28th departure, I wouldn't worry that they will invalidate your 2013 SWUs and use 2014 ones instead.
Dec 20, 2012, 9:12 am
#1518
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL, AA 1MM LT GLD, SPG PLAT, National Exec Selc, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 8,278
Do SWUs waitlsited get removed from your aa.com SWU balance?
Dec 20, 2012, 9:15 am
#1519
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SFO/OAK
Programs: AA EXP 3.4MM, BAEC, UAMP, Skyteam (<10k) HH Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz Gold, GE/TSA TT
Posts: 2,723
Dec 20, 2012, 9:19 am
#1520
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL, AA 1MM LT GLD, SPG PLAT, National Exec Selc, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 8,278
Dec 26, 2012, 3:12 am
#1521
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: BOS/NYC
Programs: AA exp, UA 1p, DL gold, HH diamond
Posts: 45
SWU versus exp regular comp upgrade priority
I purchased PHL-MIA-SAL for me (EXP) and a companion (no status) in Y. At the time of purchase I asked to apply SWUs for the two of us (I know it’s a complimentary upgrade eligible route (is UDU the term?), but I have extra SWUs that will expire without use and I figured I’d save the few bucks on buying the stickers for my companion).
Fast forward to today, day of travel. It seemed that the upgrade on the MIA-SAL leg had cleared, but when I checked in at the airport they said that the SWUs did NOT clear, but the regular upgrade did. They refused to allow me to use the SWUs, and forced me to pay the $35/sticker fee for the 2 stickers I needed for my companion.
TL,DR: Applied for SWUs on a UDU eligible route – the UDU cleared ahead of the SWU.
SO my question is – am I in the right that an SWU should clear before a UDU? Can I call the exp desk and ask them to refund me the stickers and debit an SWU from my account? I know its only $70 bucks, but its annoying (and troubling on general basis) that my SWU is not clearing before a UDU.
Fast forward to today, day of travel. It seemed that the upgrade on the MIA-SAL leg had cleared, but when I checked in at the airport they said that the SWUs did NOT clear, but the regular upgrade did. They refused to allow me to use the SWUs, and forced me to pay the $35/sticker fee for the 2 stickers I needed for my companion.
TL,DR: Applied for SWUs on a UDU eligible route – the UDU cleared ahead of the SWU.
SO my question is – am I in the right that an SWU should clear before a UDU? Can I call the exp desk and ask them to refund me the stickers and debit an SWU from my account? I know its only $70 bucks, but its annoying (and troubling on general basis) that my SWU is not clearing before a UDU.
Dec 26, 2012, 10:56 am
#1522
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA EXP, AA LT Gold, SPG Plat 75
Posts: 890
I purchased PHL-MIA-SAL for me (EXP) and a companion (no status) in Y. At the time of purchase I asked to apply SWUs for the two of us (I know it’s a complimentary upgrade eligible route (is UDU the term?), but I have extra SWUs that will expire without use and I figured I’d save the few bucks on buying the stickers for my companion).
Fast forward to today, day of travel. It seemed that the upgrade on the MIA-SAL leg had cleared, but when I checked in at the airport they said that the SWUs did NOT clear, but the regular upgrade did. They refused to allow me to use the SWUs, and forced me to pay the $35/sticker fee for the 2 stickers I needed for my companion.
TL,DR: Applied for SWUs on a UDU eligible route – the UDU cleared ahead of the SWU.
SO my question is – am I in the right that an SWU should clear before a UDU? Can I call the exp desk and ask them to refund me the stickers and debit an SWU from my account? I know its only $70 bucks, but its annoying (and troubling on general basis) that my SWU is not clearing before a UDU.
Fast forward to today, day of travel. It seemed that the upgrade on the MIA-SAL leg had cleared, but when I checked in at the airport they said that the SWUs did NOT clear, but the regular upgrade did. They refused to allow me to use the SWUs, and forced me to pay the $35/sticker fee for the 2 stickers I needed for my companion.
TL,DR: Applied for SWUs on a UDU eligible route – the UDU cleared ahead of the SWU.
SO my question is – am I in the right that an SWU should clear before a UDU? Can I call the exp desk and ask them to refund me the stickers and debit an SWU from my account? I know its only $70 bucks, but its annoying (and troubling on general basis) that my SWU is not clearing before a UDU.
I think you are correct, and it is worth a call.
Dec 27, 2012, 4:58 pm
#1523
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: HNL
Programs: AA EXP, Global Entry
Posts: 217
rdl27, did you contact AA yet? I'd be curious how they answer this, as I'm trying to upgrade my parents using my SWUs on a comp EXP upgrade route (DFW-HNL). When I requested the upgrade I assumed they would go ahead of any EXP's not using their own system wides....
Dec 27, 2012, 6:16 pm
#1524
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Ex Platinum & 1MM, DL PLT, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,490
A question re: waitlist priority for a SWU (I have read all posts in this forum as well as the FAQ).
Am trying to gift 2 friends w/SWU's for an upcoming DTW-OKA trip (really, it's only the ORD-NRT flights that are upgradeable since NRT-OKA is on JAL). I am EXP & the SWU's are coming from my account but my friends have no status w/AA-where will they be on the SWU waitlist? Is it based on my status, since it is my account that is providing the SWU's, or their status?
Many thanks!
Am trying to gift 2 friends w/SWU's for an upcoming DTW-OKA trip (really, it's only the ORD-NRT flights that are upgradeable since NRT-OKA is on JAL). I am EXP & the SWU's are coming from my account but my friends have no status w/AA-where will they be on the SWU waitlist? Is it based on my status, since it is my account that is providing the SWU's, or their status?
Many thanks!
Dec 27, 2012, 6:28 pm
#1525
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: AAdvantage, Hilton
Posts: 3,191
A question re: waitlist priority for a SWU (I have read all posts in this forum as well as the FAQ).
Am trying to gift 2 friends w/SWU's for an upcoming DTW-OKA trip (really, it's only the ORD-NRT flights that are upgradeable since NRT-OKA is on JAL). I am EXP & the SWU's are coming from my account but my friends have no status w/AA-where will they be on the SWU waitlist? Is it based on my status, since it is my account that is providing the SWU's, or their status?
Many thanks!
Am trying to gift 2 friends w/SWU's for an upcoming DTW-OKA trip (really, it's only the ORD-NRT flights that are upgradeable since NRT-OKA is on JAL). I am EXP & the SWU's are coming from my account but my friends have no status w/AA-where will they be on the SWU waitlist? Is it based on my status, since it is my account that is providing the SWU's, or their status?
Many thanks!
Dec 27, 2012, 6:39 pm
#1526
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 250
Wait a minute. So if I am flying BRU-EZE on Feb 4 and confirmed back on Mar 5 I can still apply the 2012 EVIP to Mar 5?
Dec 27, 2012, 7:28 pm
#1527
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,419
http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/el...s/upgrades.jsp
Q: How long are my systemwide upgrades valid?
A: Upgrades that were earned based on your 2011 flight activity are valid through February 28, 2013. Upgrades earned based on your 2012 flight activity are valid through February 28, 2014. So, the earlier in the year that you qualify or requalify for Executive Platinum membership, the longer you will have to use your systemwide upgrades. All travel using a systemwide upgrade must be completed by the expiration date. Upgrades will expire at 12:00 midnight (CT) on the date shown.
A: Upgrades that were earned based on your 2011 flight activity are valid through February 28, 2013. Upgrades earned based on your 2012 flight activity are valid through February 28, 2014. So, the earlier in the year that you qualify or requalify for Executive Platinum membership, the longer you will have to use your systemwide upgrades. All travel using a systemwide upgrade must be completed by the expiration date. Upgrades will expire at 12:00 midnight (CT) on the date shown.
In the past, it has always seemed that as long as you were an EXP that's re-qualified for the next year, you could apply an "old" eVIP to a flight past the end of Feb deadline. However, we have several reports up-thread and in other threads that AAgents are clamping down and not allowing Feb 2013 eVIPs to be used past the expiry date.
Dec 28, 2012, 12:47 pm
#1528
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: TK*GOLD, AA*EXP, DL*PM, AR*PL
Posts: 22
Hey Guys,
I have 8 eVIP's that are going to expire on Feb 28th.
I live in Brazil, and I want to get the most out of them.
I was thinking to book the following itinerary: GRU > DFW > ORD > PEK and the return the same way, maybe with a stopover in Dallas.
The reason I'm routing it through Dallas is that I want to try the new 777-300ER business class from AA.
Since each one-way of my ticket has 3 segments and it is possible to clear it with just one eVIP, I was thinking to bring 3 family members with me, so I could burn the 8 SWU's at the same time before expiration date.
Anyway, tickets are very expensive at the moment, around U$2,000 for coach, reason why I havent book it yet. Should I go for it?
Does anyone has any suggestions?
Quick question: Once the upgrade is cleared, is there any remote chance of cancellation? Cuz I think taking the risk of flying to Asia from Brazil in coach would be a torture.
I have 8 eVIP's that are going to expire on Feb 28th.
I live in Brazil, and I want to get the most out of them.
I was thinking to book the following itinerary: GRU > DFW > ORD > PEK and the return the same way, maybe with a stopover in Dallas.
The reason I'm routing it through Dallas is that I want to try the new 777-300ER business class from AA.
Since each one-way of my ticket has 3 segments and it is possible to clear it with just one eVIP, I was thinking to bring 3 family members with me, so I could burn the 8 SWU's at the same time before expiration date.
Anyway, tickets are very expensive at the moment, around U$2,000 for coach, reason why I havent book it yet. Should I go for it?
Does anyone has any suggestions?
Quick question: Once the upgrade is cleared, is there any remote chance of cancellation? Cuz I think taking the risk of flying to Asia from Brazil in coach would be a torture.
Dec 28, 2012, 1:15 pm
#1529
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
Anyway, tickets are very expensive at the moment, around U$2,000 for coach, reason why I havent book it yet. Should I go for it?
Does anyone has any suggestions?
Quick question: Once the upgrade is cleared, is there any remote chance of cancellation? Cuz I think taking the risk of flying to Asia from Brazil in coach would be a torture.
Does anyone has any suggestions?
Quick question: Once the upgrade is cleared, is there any remote chance of cancellation? Cuz I think taking the risk of flying to Asia from Brazil in coach would be a torture.
Dec 28, 2012, 4:11 pm
#1530
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA GLD, Marriott PLT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,900
I made EXP today for the first time ever. It seems I get 8 of these. No clue as to how I am gonna ever use them before they expire. But maybe I will. Good thing I got my passport renewed. I should be getting it back soon.