AA upgrade List. How to get on it?
Mar 13, 2013, 8:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 253
AA upgrade List. How to get on it?
I am booked on a Dallas>Detroit (return) trip next weekend and have been reading about an 'upgrade' list which appears to be on dislay at the gate (I presume??).
How does one get on this list? I am BAEC Gold, which I think is OW Emerald.
Through advice on FT I have found my AA reservation number and booked the 'preferred' seats at the front of the Y cabin via the AA website. All very easy infact.
Regards,
Lee
How does one get on this list? I am BAEC Gold, which I think is OW Emerald.
Through advice on FT I have found my AA reservation number and booked the 'preferred' seats at the front of the Y cabin via the AA website. All very easy infact.
Regards,
Lee
Mar 13, 2013, 8:15 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: London
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold & GGL & CCR, HH Diam, Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Spire, Tastecard
Posts: 7,549
there will be many much more familiar with it (otherwise, try the AAdvantage forum) but it's essentially for those who have requested upgrades and are "paying" for them with e.g. e-vouchers, miles, etc etc.
I.e. as a "mere" BA Gold / OW status holder, you won't get on the list and won't be upgraded.
I.e. as a "mere" BA Gold / OW status holder, you won't get on the list and won't be upgraded.
Mar 13, 2013, 8:45 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC, BOS, ORD
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM
Posts: 843
there will be many much more familiar with it (otherwise, try the AAdvantage forum) but it's essentially for those who have requested upgrades and are "paying" for them with e.g. e-vouchers, miles, etc etc.
I.e. as a "mere" BA Gold / OW status holder, you won't get on the list and won't be upgraded.
I.e. as a "mere" BA Gold / OW status holder, you won't get on the list and won't be upgraded.
Mar 13, 2013, 9:19 am
#5
Moderator: GLBT travelers, India-based Airlines and India; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Asia
Programs: Yes!
Posts: 15,512
The BA Gold is very good though for selecting "Main Cabin Extra" or "Prefered Seating" on aa.com however.
Mar 13, 2013, 10:44 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: TLV/ATH/LON/EZE/NYC/UIP
Programs: BA*GGL, A3*G, AF*P, VS*S
Posts: 1,011
This seems to be a rather hit and miss event. I routinely get put on the upgrade list but am ranked below AA status and voucher-holders. I do still get one every now and then, especially (weirdly) when on an Avios ticket.
Mar 13, 2013, 11:58 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Cardiff, UK
Programs: BA GGL, Concorde Room card, KLM Silver, PC Platinum Ambassador, Marriott Platinum, UA Premier Silver
Posts: 5,278
If you checkin at a Self Service machine, you might get offered an upgrade depending upon how busy the flight on the day is. It is about $25 per 500 miles I think. It is on the same screen which usually asks if you want to buy a one day pass to the Admirals club (always amuses me that the system doesn't recognise the Emerald status and that you get access anyway).
Mar 13, 2013, 12:18 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,026
It was explained to me that the AA system can't tell the difference between AA EXP and CX Diamond so they are processed the same. The same should go for top tier BA
Mar 13, 2013, 1:02 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Here and there
Programs: BA: CCR / GGL / GFL Marriott: PtFL
Posts: 510
I seem to appear (low) on the list and my success rate of getting F has been 50/50 I'd say.
Mar 13, 2013, 2:22 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,771
I have had those gate upgrades as a BAEC Gold. Essentially if you are not an AA frequent flyer you have to hope that the system picks you up and that you get lucky. I wouldn't generally hold my breath though. I have a track record of about 5% upgrades.
Mar 13, 2013, 4:24 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Cardiff, UK
Programs: BA GGL, Concorde Room card, KLM Silver, PC Platinum Ambassador, Marriott Platinum, UA Premier Silver
Posts: 5,278
Mar 13, 2013, 4:33 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MAN and LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC LT Gold, HH Dia, MR LT Plat, IHG Diamond Amb, Amex Plat
Posts: 13,771
Mar 13, 2013, 8:48 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
Mar 14, 2013, 9:43 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver, AClub Platinum, Hilton & Marriott Silver, SPG, others
Posts: 158
Kiosk upgrades can be useful (and cheap). However, one warning: they do not accrue the additional miles/tier points for the next cabin when travelling on BAEC cards.
When on a recent trip to the US, we upgraded my OH from Economy to Business on a 2-class short flight so he would reach silver. Alas, economy miles and TPs posted and he had to wait for another BA flight. Much correspondance ensued with BAEC but to no avail.
When on a recent trip to the US, we upgraded my OH from Economy to Business on a 2-class short flight so he would reach silver. Alas, economy miles and TPs posted and he had to wait for another BA flight. Much correspondance ensued with BAEC but to no avail.