Priority for upgrades on AA (BA Gold)
Mar 15, 2014, 10:13 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Gold, Virgin Atlantic Silver
Posts: 210
Priority for upgrades on AA (BA Gold)
Hi - thank you in advance for your help 
I'm currently spending some time in the US and I'm looking at flying NY -> SF (return).
I'm looking at AA85 on April 10 and AA18 on April 13 in Economy.
I'd like to optimise my chances for an upgrade, and am wondering:
- How likely is an upgrade given that I have BA Gold status?
- I'm travelling with a friend, should I put us on the same booking to give us both a chance of an upgrade, or does that lower my chances?
- Does it matter if I book the cheapest fair ("choice")?
Many thanks in advance.
I'm currently spending some time in the US and I'm looking at flying NY -> SF (return).
I'm looking at AA85 on April 10 and AA18 on April 13 in Economy.
I'd like to optimise my chances for an upgrade, and am wondering:
- How likely is an upgrade given that I have BA Gold status?
- I'm travelling with a friend, should I put us on the same booking to give us both a chance of an upgrade, or does that lower my chances?
- Does it matter if I book the cheapest fair ("choice")?
Many thanks in advance.
Mar 15, 2014, 10:15 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Mar 15, 2014, 10:25 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: JFK/LGA
Programs: AA EXP/5 MM, BA Blue Bayou, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 5,828
Op ups on AA are rarer than on BA, as AA has a more generous upgrading scheme with free upgrades for EXPs domestically, as well as easier to use miles and SWUs. If they need to move pax up they likely have someone on an upgrade list who is entitled to it (EXP) or willing to pay for it with miles or SWUs.
I would look in to trading for SWUs if you are set on sitting in J.
I would look in to trading for SWUs if you are set on sitting in J.
Mar 15, 2014, 10:52 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Gold, Virgin Atlantic Silver
Posts: 210
Op ups on AA are rarer than on BA, as AA has a more generous upgrading scheme with free upgrades for EXPs domestically, as well as easier to use miles and SWUs. If they need to move pax up they likely have someone on an upgrade list who is entitled to it (EXP) or willing to pay for it with miles or SWUs.
I would look in to trading for SWUs if you are set on sitting in J.
I would look in to trading for SWUs if you are set on sitting in J.
Mar 15, 2014, 10:56 am
#5
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,816
If there is BAEC availability in First, or Business, and you have the Avios, I'd book that way, it's an efficient use of Avios. Otherwise make sure you get a Main Cabin Extra seat for fractionally more leg room.
Your other option is that if you check in at a kiosk you may get offered a cash upgrade, if you are very lucky, and that would be in the USD200 area each way.
Last edited by corporate-wage-slave; Mar 15, 2014 at 11:03 am
Mar 15, 2014, 12:22 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Gold, Virgin Atlantic Silver
Posts: 210
They are, and I think that was the point that was trying to be put across. Namely that the chances of an upgrade on that route (in particular) I would say are extremely thin, if you are BAEC. I've had more downgrades on AA than upgrades - and by quite a margin.
If there is BAEC availability in First, or Business, and you have the Avios, I'd book that way, it's an efficient use of Avios. Otherwise make sure you get a Main Cabin Extra seat for fractionally more leg room.
Your other option is that if you check in at a kiosk you may get offered a cash upgrade, if you are very lucky, and that would be in the USD200 area each way.
If there is BAEC availability in First, or Business, and you have the Avios, I'd book that way, it's an efficient use of Avios. Otherwise make sure you get a Main Cabin Extra seat for fractionally more leg room.
Your other option is that if you check in at a kiosk you may get offered a cash upgrade, if you are very lucky, and that would be in the USD200 area each way.
Mar 15, 2014, 12:26 pm
#7
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Mar 15, 2014, 2:24 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA S, VS S, SQ G, HH D, IHG D/A, Marriott G, Radisson G, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,945
Agree it'd be nice but upgrades is a major carrot in all of the US FF programmes (they don't get domestic lounge access by status) so it's probably not too surprising they don't want to give it away to those not in their programme. I'm pretty sure they give MCE seats for free to OW Sapphire/Emerald though which is better than nothing (UA don't offer their equivalent to *Gs)
Mar 15, 2014, 4:07 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Israel (some of the time)
Programs: BA GGL, CCR; AF/KLM FB Silver; M&M LH FTL; LY GLD; HH Diamond; SPG Gold; A-Club Silver; Avis PCI
Posts: 2,054
Agree it'd be nice but upgrades is a major carrot in all of the US FF programmes (they don't get domestic lounge access by status) so it's probably not too surprising they don't want to give it away to those not in their programme. I'm pretty sure they give MCE seats for free to OW Sapphire/Emerald though which is better than nothing (UA don't offer their equivalent to *Gs)
Mar 15, 2014, 7:24 pm
#11
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Join Date: Jun 2008
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We are, but we are at the very lowest end of the upgrade scale. I'm glad it worked for you albeit on that very short flight, but I haven't been upgraded on DL (FB Platinum) for the past > 20 domestic trips! (FB Platinum and now Platinum for life). On a route like the one the OP is asking about (JFK-SFO), chances would be very much zero.
Mar 16, 2014, 12:17 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA plat pro, HH Diamond
Posts: 429
I have been lucky to be upgraded on AA before (NRT to ORD j to f and domestic from y to f), but as stated above I would not count on it and if you need the upgrade pay for it with cash or points.
Mar 18, 2014, 8:45 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Israel (some of the time)
Programs: BA GGL, CCR; AF/KLM FB Silver; M&M LH FTL; LY GLD; HH Diamond; SPG Gold; A-Club Silver; Avis PCI
Posts: 2,054
I suppose that also explains why there was room to upgrade us as no one probably pays the extra $200 for a mid-day SFO-LAX flight.
And it's true that we are at the end of the list. In the days before we could afford F, we were never upgraded on DL. Worked out nicely this time though, saved the dosh and still sat in F.
