I tried searching but maybe not that exhaustively, plus I'm putting this question here rather than the AA board because it seemed logical...

A sudden change of plans means I'm going to be ticketing a DONE4 ex NRT before the end of this month, and I have a couple of expiring eVIPs (AA SWUs) that I'd like to use. One can get me to NRT, but am wondering if anyone has any experience using an eVIP to u/g from D to A on RTW segments operated by AA. I'm assuming if AA issues the ticket (which they will) it shouldn't be an issue, but not certain.

My choices of routing are AA NRT-ORD with an eVIP into FC (good) or CX NRT-HKG-YVR or JFK in J (also good, but longer.) If I can save the Asia coupon and still get AA in F I think that would be better and certainly faster.

Any experience on difficulties/ease? Thanx.

It's been a while, but I certainly used an eVIP to upgrade a DONE3 segment a few years ago. I'm not even sure the ticket was on AA stock, but like you I am pretty confident that if it is then there really won't be a problem.

It can be done though must be on AA stock

Dave

This year (2007) being my first visit to the eVIP stratosphere I know next to nothing about using them, but I'm surprised at the replies, especially the implication that essentially any segment on an AA-ticketed DONEx can be upgraded. Or did I put a bit of wishful thinking into my reading? That situation would leave almost no reason for AA explat's to look at the "A" column in the fare tables.

If my wishful thinking is correct, do the upgrades book into A, or a more restrictive code?

Any three sequential "one-way" AA metal segments. (the definiton of one-way is rather perplexing and too dense to discuss oin this thread).

Depends on the routing, since eVIPs can only be used on AA metal (they're no help at all on CX, QF, BA, etc.) Also, the AA flights over the Pacific generally use the "coffin" first class seats, which are comparable to business on CX or QF.

I did have a work trip to China last January. Since the business class fare to just go to China was the same as a business class circle pacific trip, I opted for that, and then paid the extra $2k myself to upgrade to first. I then made sure to route not using AA, so I'd get the much better CX/QF first class experience.

Yeah, I was afraid I was deluding myself. The initial talk about AA ticket stock and not AA metal let me convince myself I could buy a DONE and fly all over in CX first class comfort even though I *knew* the Aadvantage department wasn't likely to be that nice to me.

All is not lost even if the ticketing is not AA. If there is "A" availability when you check in for the flight you can use an eVIP at the airport. I did this last year on a LHR-LAX flight on a CX-ticketed DONE4 - it took the agent in the Flagship Lounge ages to do it, but eventually my boarding pass for 4A appeared.

I suppose it is supposed to be both on AA metal and issued on AA stock. Since I've never flown on AA using a ticket issued by anyone else, I can't say.

Interesting that Asia Miles members apparently can use miles to upgrade flights on some OW carriers, even though us poor AAdvantage members can't upgrade on anyone else.

Could one get AA to reissue the ticket on their stock (or more likely as an e-ticket), if there is no change to the routing?

They do not have to be contiguous segments though

Dave

Yes.

Just for reference, AA eVIP upgrades to LONEx tickets were discussed here, and the need for AA stock for DONEx upgrades here.

Likely so, although they might charge a $125 fee. Not the $125 OWE re-issue fee, since that wouldn't apply, of course, but one they've made up because it suits them.

In August 2004 I bought and used a DONE3 from a travel agent in the UK and the first flights were with BA, so I assume that the ticket was on BA stock. I had absolutely no problem using an eVIP to upgrade on the NRT-LAX sector with AA. I did the upgrade on the telephone with the AAdvantage office in Dublin before I started the trip.