Upgrade On An Award Ticket? [on US Airways]
Aug 27, 2015, 12:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
Upgrade On An Award Ticket? [on US Airways]
Earlier this week I booked a coach award PHL-LAS (one way). I booked it Monday morning and ticketed it Tuesday morning, and traveled Tuesday afternoon. I got upgraded - I am AA Plat/US Gold.
I think I remember there was some way certain elites on US could elect a bonus that would allow award tix to be upgraded but that was definitely not me - I am Gold via an AA Plat challenge.
Was this just a weird glitch? Or expected?
Kind of would like to know, since if it's "normal" I'll definite book coach going home, which will be Saturday or Sunday.
I think I remember there was some way certain elites on US could elect a bonus that would allow award tix to be upgraded but that was definitely not me - I am Gold via an AA Plat challenge.
Was this just a weird glitch? Or expected?
Kind of would like to know, since if it's "normal" I'll definite book coach going home, which will be Saturday or Sunday.
Aug 27, 2015, 8:22 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: WFBF
Posts: 963
In the old US Dividend Miles program, upgrades on domestic awards were a perk for reaching 85k PQM in a year. That benefit went away with the program merge earlier this year.
So there's no official policy, but it does happen occasionally for operational reasons.
So there's no official policy, but it does happen occasionally for operational reasons.
Aug 27, 2015, 9:42 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Scottsdale AZ
Posts: 727
Recently happened to me roundtrip PHX-SAN as US silver. Boarding in PHX I asked nicely if I was on the upgrade list while boarding, they told me to step aside and gave me a new boarding pass. On the way back when checking my flight on the app I noticed my seat was over to first; coach was sold out.
Doesn't hurt to ask nicely but don't expect anything. Still a pretty sweet feeling, especially when the redemption was 9000 BA Avios.
Doesn't hurt to ask nicely but don't expect anything. Still a pretty sweet feeling, especially when the redemption was 9000 BA Avios.
Aug 27, 2015, 9:44 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
I was also recently upgraded on a last minute award Y ticket PHX-JFK. The flight was relatively empty. Not sure why I was upgraded, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Aug 30, 2015, 8:48 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
Aug 30, 2015, 10:18 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,904
That's interesting. Thanks. I thought maybe you had an aanytime that showed up as Y and the upgrade happened by mistake.
Aug 31, 2015, 10:03 pm
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: **ATL**/PHX/MIA/LAX/HKG
Programs: AA-EXP/DL-Diamond/UA-100K/Hyatt-Globalist/Hilton-Diamond/Marriott-Titanium - Many more....
Posts: 546
I have had it happen intermittently but it is far from regular.