Buying the A1-A15 upgrade on the web site
Mar 2, 2024, 9:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: LAS-DEN
Programs: WN CP & B-list. Disillusioned fmr UA-1P/2P,F9-Ascent; Fmr AA-Plat,CO-Gold,NW-Silver,TWA-Elite
Posts: 1,630
Buying the A1-A15 upgrade on the web site
Perhaps all of you have known that you can buy an A1-A15 upgrade now on the web site (less than 24 hours before the flight). I didn't know this until I was assisting a family member yesterday. I searched but did not see a posting on this.
In the check in process, at least on this specific ticket, there was a button "upgrade to A1-A15". The family member wanted this if possible. Cost was $50 for a flight from HNL to California. He had already purchased early bird, but had A-40-something. For $50, was upgraded to A7. Hopeful for the infinity leg room exit row seat. On a 5 1/2 hour flight, cost < $10/hour, seems like a good deal to me.
How long has this feature been on the web site? I don't recall seeing it, however, I have been doing more of my check-ins on the mobile app recently.
Any thoughts on a preferred strategy now that this is available many hours prior to arriving at the airport (therefore, more likely to catch an A1-A15)? Seems to me that it is still smart to buy early bird because you don't know if A1-A15 will be available. Without Early Bird, you would have to check in at exactly 24 hours prior and then you still won't have a guaranteed boarding position that is as good as an EB boarding position. Kind of sucks that you have to pay twice (once for the early bird, once for the A1-A15 upgrade), but I do understand Southwest's desire to charge for their "premium" seats. Would be nice if they offered a slight discount for the upgrade to those who have EB (instead of $50, apply some or all of the $25 EB fee, reducing the price to something in the range of $25 to $40 for the A1-A15 upgrade).
Any thoughts will be appreciated.
In the check in process, at least on this specific ticket, there was a button "upgrade to A1-A15". The family member wanted this if possible. Cost was $50 for a flight from HNL to California. He had already purchased early bird, but had A-40-something. For $50, was upgraded to A7. Hopeful for the infinity leg room exit row seat. On a 5 1/2 hour flight, cost < $10/hour, seems like a good deal to me.
How long has this feature been on the web site? I don't recall seeing it, however, I have been doing more of my check-ins on the mobile app recently.
Any thoughts on a preferred strategy now that this is available many hours prior to arriving at the airport (therefore, more likely to catch an A1-A15)? Seems to me that it is still smart to buy early bird because you don't know if A1-A15 will be available. Without Early Bird, you would have to check in at exactly 24 hours prior and then you still won't have a guaranteed boarding position that is as good as an EB boarding position. Kind of sucks that you have to pay twice (once for the early bird, once for the A1-A15 upgrade), but I do understand Southwest's desire to charge for their "premium" seats. Would be nice if they offered a slight discount for the upgrade to those who have EB (instead of $50, apply some or all of the $25 EB fee, reducing the price to something in the range of $25 to $40 for the A1-A15 upgrade).
Any thoughts will be appreciated.
Mar 2, 2024, 9:30 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 1,924
It's been available online/app for about 18 months, since AUG 2022: https://community.southwest.com/t5/B...st/ba-p/147985
Mar 3, 2024, 7:17 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,073
Yep, been doing this for way over a year. On app and on website.
We never buy early bird and hope for A1-a15 which we usually get.
We never buy early bird and hope for A1-a15 which we usually get.
Mar 3, 2024, 9:19 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,464
What I got was the flight was starting in HNL to Calif, so I highly doubt there is a through passenger on this flight
Mar 3, 2024, 9:20 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,464
Mar 3, 2024, 9:38 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2001
Programs: LTP, PP
Posts: 8,700
Awesome. I haven't followed HI flights closely but read somewhere that they make 2 stops in the islands per round trip to the CONUS. You should be fine, good luck!
Mar 3, 2024, 9:44 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Formerly Box 350, Boston Mass, Oh two one three four. Now near Beverly Hills 90210
Programs: Loyal Order of Water Buffalos
Posts: 3,938
I read this to say they don't buy the Early Bird deal for the $10 and just wait for the last minute A1-15 option
Mar 4, 2024, 7:20 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,073
Mar 4, 2024, 7:40 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,952
Perhaps all of you have known that you can buy an A1-A15 upgrade now on the web site (less than 24 hours before the flight). I didn't know this until I was assisting a family member yesterday. I searched but did not see a posting on this.
In the check in process, at least on this specific ticket, there was a button "upgrade to A1-A15". The family member wanted this if possible. Cost was $50 for a flight from HNL to California. He had already purchased early bird, but had A-40-something. For $50, was upgraded to A7. Hopeful for the infinity leg room exit row seat. On a 5 1/2 hour flight, cost < $10/hour, seems like a good deal to me.
How long has this feature been on the web site? I don't recall seeing it, however, I have been doing more of my check-ins on the mobile app recently.
Any thoughts on a preferred strategy now that this is available many hours prior to arriving at the airport (therefore, more likely to catch an A1-A15)? Seems to me that it is still smart to buy early bird because you don't know if A1-A15 will be available. Without Early Bird, you would have to check in at exactly 24 hours prior and then you still won't have a guaranteed boarding position that is as good as an EB boarding position. Kind of sucks that you have to pay twice (once for the early bird, once for the A1-A15 upgrade), but I do understand Southwest's desire to charge for their "premium" seats. Would be nice if they offered a slight discount for the upgrade to those who have EB (instead of $50, apply some or all of the $25 EB fee, reducing the price to something in the range of $25 to $40 for the A1-A15 upgrade).
Any thoughts will be appreciated.
In the check in process, at least on this specific ticket, there was a button "upgrade to A1-A15". The family member wanted this if possible. Cost was $50 for a flight from HNL to California. He had already purchased early bird, but had A-40-something. For $50, was upgraded to A7. Hopeful for the infinity leg room exit row seat. On a 5 1/2 hour flight, cost < $10/hour, seems like a good deal to me.
How long has this feature been on the web site? I don't recall seeing it, however, I have been doing more of my check-ins on the mobile app recently.
Any thoughts on a preferred strategy now that this is available many hours prior to arriving at the airport (therefore, more likely to catch an A1-A15)? Seems to me that it is still smart to buy early bird because you don't know if A1-A15 will be available. Without Early Bird, you would have to check in at exactly 24 hours prior and then you still won't have a guaranteed boarding position that is as good as an EB boarding position. Kind of sucks that you have to pay twice (once for the early bird, once for the A1-A15 upgrade), but I do understand Southwest's desire to charge for their "premium" seats. Would be nice if they offered a slight discount for the upgrade to those who have EB (instead of $50, apply some or all of the $25 EB fee, reducing the price to something in the range of $25 to $40 for the A1-A15 upgrade).
Any thoughts will be appreciated.
Mar 4, 2024, 9:34 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,967
Mar 5, 2024, 12:30 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Programs: AA, DL Gold Med , UA, AS, WN, HHonors Silver, Marriott, IHG Rewards Club, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 323
Same here, especially since having a Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Visa Card, I get reimbursed for my first four A1-A15 upgrades, each year.