"Grab and go" is non AA-specific, it's a general term used internally within the airline industry. It refers to a gate agent allowing you to fly a segment that doesn't actually match your ticketed coupon. Normally, each segment of a PNR is matched to a corresponding e-ticket coupon. Part of the check-in process (either online or in person) verifies that the PNR segments being checked-in match e-ticket coupons. When an SWU upgrade clears, a confirmed PNR segment is present in an upgraded inventory (A or C). Normally, your ticket is then reissued, with the corresponding segment given a fare basis that has "/VIP" appended. If the ticket can't be reissued for whatever reason, a gate agent can manually mark the e-ticket coupon as used, manually deduct the SWU from your balance, and print you a BP in A or C. Grab-and-go is also sometimes used for involuntary reroutes and other unusual circumstances.

Very glad that it went smoothly! Just curious, were you able to check-in online? I'd guess not, since the online checkin system wouldn't be able to match your PNR A segment to a e-ticket VCP (virtual coupon).

It's risky, because if other changes occur that require ticket reissue, the upgraded segment is at risk of being dropped. I had this exact issue on an ex-CAI DONEx, where AA could clear me into A on the AA segments but couldn't reissue the ticket. When other schedule changes forced RJ to reissue the ticket, they couldn't do so with the upgraded segments. (In theory, it should be possible for AA to put the upgraded segments at the end of the PNR, leaving the non-upgraded segments in the correct sequence, allowing RJ to reissue the ticket up to the upgraded segments, but in reality RJ can't handle duplicate segments.)

Keep in mind that you earn EQD and EQM on partner flights credited to AA based on distance flown. It doesn't matter who issued the ticket (AA or BA or QR or RJ or ...)

You can see the exact formulas for each partner carrier by going to the AA partner page and clicking the specific partner airline.

I will try to work my way through the AA maze of crediting EQD.

Thanks!

It's actually not all that difficult, just a bit tedious when flying multiple airlines. First, click the link I posted. Second, click the link for the airline you will be flying. Then, find the line in the table for the fare booking code you will be flying (e.g., if you are flying on a DONEx, use the line for "D"). Multiply the earnings rate by the flight distance. You can check flight distances at Great Circle Mapper. The GCMap flight distances are within a few miles of what AA uses. You can also call AA for the exact distance.

Thanks for the wonderful knowledge. ^

Everything worked perfectly, the original J sector vanished without a trace on all platforms (so AA and CX and QR/QF etc...). I was able to check in just as usual. What happened was after speaking with the EP desk about 'grab and go', they sent BA (original issuing carrier) a message that says I'm now placed in F on that sector 'because of cabin closure', which was then relied to CX (ticket 'owner' of my DONE). I then called CX to ensure everything was fine and they even sent me a new e ticket again afterwards, so your concern about reissuance may even have gone through in my case (although I'm not 100% sure if they actually reissued it.)

+1 ^ ^

Thanks for the detailed info, I appreciate it! I wasn't aware of the ability of AA to inform BA/CX that you'd been upgraded "because of cabin closure;" this sounds like it might be very handy to know about. It sounds like you had a top-notch EP agent.

With this grab and go idea, if its related at all, how difficult for one to use AA EXP status to apply SWU on Done4 and then credit to another program?

I am thinking of the possibility to use my only Done4 doing two years of OWE status, with some of my own other business travels, to an easier program like BAEC.

I just got a flight change notification for my LONE5 ex-JNB departing in October. My 3rd leg, EZE-xSCL-IPC is what changed, now leaving me with a 11+ hour layover in SCL I'd love to avoid. What's the best way to handle a pre-departure flight change like this? I obviously don't want to go through repricing, but would love to have get a better fix in place sooner rather than later.

• Original: EZE-SCL-IPC with a 4:45 layover, arriving 22:15 (EZE-SCL LA450 appears to have now ceased for that date)
• Changed to: EZE-SCL-IPC with an 11:15 layover, arriving 22:15
• Option 1: EZE-SCL-IPC with a 1:55 layover, arriving 12:55 (different SCL-IPC flight, which doesn�t show up as available in the online tool)
• Option 2: AEP-SCL-IPC with a 3:40 layover, arriving 22:15 (different departing airport; causing a 17th segment)
• Option 3: Wait until post-departure to try to fix this...

What should I expect Qantas (booking carrier) to be able to do here? My preference would be Option 1, but Option 2 would also be better than the current itinerary. Everything in this section is LA metal. Thank you!!

My guess is that your luck at crediting the segment to another airline's FF program and also using an AA SWU will depend on the specific gate agent. My understanding is that AAdvantage prohibits getting AAdvantage benefits (such as an upgrade) while crediting to a non-AAdvantage program. If you apply the SWU and are reticketed, it's easier to then ask a GA to change the FF program for the segment, and hope the agent doesn't notice or isn't aware or doesn't care. One way to try it would be to ask the check-in agent to apply the grab and go, and then with BP in hand, ask the GA to change the FF program.

Qantas, as your ticketing carrier, can and should accommodate your preference in how to deal with the schedule change. There's no fear of repricing, because the change will be coded as involuntary, as it resulted from a schedule change rather than you calling up and asking for a change. There's no need to wait until after flying your first flight. However, it's best to ask for an option where L inventory is available. You can verify L space on your desired flight using a tool such as ExpertFlyer, or by calling and asking. If L isn't available, QF might book you in another inventory, but that might be a more difficult fight. Your option 2 requires an extra segment (a surface segment EZE-AEP), which QF should be able to handle, but if that pushes you over 16 segments might require that QF either issue you a paper ticket or delete some segments and note in the PNR that they are to be re-added after you've flown a few.

aa swu is considered a paid upgrade. it can be credited to any program after it is cleared.

Hi Folks,

Starting my AONE5 on July 4 on BA154 CAI-LHR.
BA confirmed that this flight is a mixed fleet crew.

Since this is the first leg of the AONE5, BA will not let me make a flight/date change until BA 154 actually cancels. I will be in CAI on July 2, so I will be there with few options until I see if BA 155 departs LHR on July 3. ( and I will have no laptop or i pad to check alternatives)

Even then I will not be able to arrange alternatives until the BA agents show up at the airport 3 hrs. before the flight. I wanted to try to change the routing through AMM, but cannot until July 4, at the airport. Then it will be to late to make any connection for my flight from LHR. A days delay is not usually an issue but the wife has to be at work on the 6th.

(A few years ago a forum member got a nice reroute on QR to LHR, but DOH is not an alternative anymore from CAI.) I would not mind a EY reroute, but BA says that will be up to the CAI agent, and she said reroutes for strikes are usually limited to BA or OW partners than " operational cancellations" when BA is free to book on any carrier that takes its script..
Anyone who has endured a cancelled flight knows the utter chaos at the check in counter.

BA has assured me the flight will not be cancelled, stating that previous strikes CAI was not effected, even though it is a Mixed crew. I think my chances are 60% for a cancelled flight.

I am at a loss on what to do since I cannot change anything until the flight cancels and I will be on my way to CAI when the strike begins.
I am considering a refund of the ticket, but hate to miss out on vacation in Male and Australia. And lose a great priced ticket.
Any thoughts? Advice?

Book another ticket back to lhr, and if cai lhr ia cancelled, they ought to let u start ex cai on a future date?

I was just looking at that.
Ba has to agree to let me start at lhr if the cai flight is cancelled.