I am traveling on a AOWE5 around the world fare. Most of the flights are booked in A with a few in D where A service wasn't provided. I received a note from the AA RTW desk that one of my CX flights no longer offered first class service so I would be accommodated in business unless I wanted to change travel times and flights. OK, no big deal for a KIX-HKG flight.

My question goes to the reverse situation. What about a flight that either did not offer A service when I booked or did not have any A availability at that time but does now? If I am booked in D with an AOWE5 fare basis, can I request and obtain an upgrade to A without paying anything? If it makes a difference, the carriers of interest are AA, BA, CX, LA and QF.

I'm not an expert by any means, but it only seems logical that they would allow you to upgrade back to your original class of service. You accepted a voluntary downgrade to D because, at the time of booking, A class was not available; now that there is availability in A, you should be put back into A. Sounds like it might require jumping through some hoops (i.e. getting ticket re-issued), but I just don't see why it should not be free.

FewMiles..

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I had a similar situation before:

"A" class on CX did not have availability on the flight I wanted at the time of booking.

I asked to be "confirmed" in "D", AND "waitlisted" in "A" at the same time.

Since I was confirmed in "D", my ticket had to be issued with "D" printed on it under the "class" field and "AAPRTW" (this was a different kind of RTW fare offered by CX) under "fare basis".

My "A" class seat cleared the day before travel, and when I got to the airport, the CX agent noticed that it "cleared" and gave me a First Class seat because she noticed I was on a "first class ticket". I had to remind the agent to "cancel" my "D" class segment which I won't be using anymore (or elese the rest of the flights would automatically be cancelled).

My recommendation: Make your reservation in Business, but have the ticket issued as A OPEN. If you want to change the routing or go back to a flight which has First it makes it much easier.

I remember a situation where i was booked LAX-ORD-New York in Business (no F on these flights) and wanted to go LAX-JFK direkt. Since both coupons where only B/C they did not let me in F - despite long discussions.

Now with A OPEN it is much easier. Even making extra stops or changing the routing in the US usually works without rewriting the ticket.

Answering my own question -- well, sort of. One of the "angels" at the AA RTW desk provided a definitive answer. No problem and no fee to do the upgrade if it is available.

yes, no problem.
whatever the booking class, on fare basis it still shows AONE#. u r entitled to fly A (F class) whenever there is availablity.

having said that, not all agents are as competent, although this is the most common known skill. so it might waster you a few minutes at the gate.

I agree that you should be allowed to travel in First but some AA agents don't know the rules and often give you a lot of problems.

I like Unterwegs' suggestion in just issuing it as A OPEN.

it's not a problem even if you're in D class and want to change it if A becomes available. I was booked on CX NRT-HKG and the first flight changed from a 772/2 class to a 744 so even though I held a D ticket they made my reservation in A and the agent at the airport accepted it with no problem.

Do NOT have it issued in D. Have it issued in A and make the reservation in D unless you *really* like flying in business class. Issue it in open and fill in the res after the fact if you have to. Otherwise, you are leaving it up to chance that the agent has enough brains to look at the tariffs code.


[This message has been edited by Darren (edited 05-23-2002).]

Last week at LAX, I had to get a OWE reissused. Entire ticket was done in A class. I have a LAX-BOS seg as my one transcon. The AA agent was going to book me in Business class until I ranted and raved that A class is first class seating on a three class flight. ALWAYS book A open, because in D class an uninformed AA agent will do it wrong if given the opportunity.