Oct 25, 2014, 11:57 am
Last edit by: flyingmusicianlax
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Starting June 11th, AA elites will be able to upgrade on US flights, within 24 hours of departure.
AA E-mail:
And US elites will be able to upgrade on American flights (US Chairman Preferred members for free).
US email:
Reported rules for passengers on mixed-metal connections, and for multiple-passenger PNR's are detailed here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23003452-post168.html
Note that if you are a US elite flying an AA operated flight, you can not get on the upgrade wait list. The only (published) way to upgrade on an AA flight is if you request the upgrade and the applicable inventory (books into A) is available at that time. There have been inconsistent reports on which agents are available to do this. Though, in theory, it should be possible any time after check-in. You can monitor A inventory using services such as ExpertFlyer or KVS. More info regarding inventory controls HERE. Note that, based on this post, A inventory for US elites may be more restricted than regular A inventory.
There may be a workaround to this dilemma for US elites flying AA metal; those of you from the US side may find this post from FT user Scholity helpful: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23018850-post228.html
(lower right wiki corner)Starting June 11th, AA elites will be able to upgrade on US flights, within 24 hours of departure.
AA E-mail:
Originally Posted by AA
We promised to keep you updated during our integration journey and want to take this opportunity to bring you the latest news. We're combining our airlines and doing this with you in mind. In January, we brought you the first merger benefits – the ability to earn and redeem miles with US Airways, along with select reciprocal elite status benefits. Here's more on what's ahead.
Upgrade on US Airways
Until we integrate our programs, we will introduce the ability for AAdvantage elite status members to upgrade to First Class on US Airways within 24 hours of departure, beginning June 11, 2014. If available, an opportunity to upgrade will be presented at check-in for US Airways-operated flights within and between the U.S. (excluding Hawaii) and Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Central America and will be provided on a first come, first served basis. If a seat is not available, you can also choose to add yourself to the upgrade standby list.
These upgrades are complimentary for elite status members and one companion traveling in the same reservation – just as they are on US Airways today for Dividend Miles elite members.
Upgrade on US Airways
Until we integrate our programs, we will introduce the ability for AAdvantage elite status members to upgrade to First Class on US Airways within 24 hours of departure, beginning June 11, 2014. If available, an opportunity to upgrade will be presented at check-in for US Airways-operated flights within and between the U.S. (excluding Hawaii) and Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Central America and will be provided on a first come, first served basis. If a seat is not available, you can also choose to add yourself to the upgrade standby list.
These upgrades are complimentary for elite status members and one companion traveling in the same reservation – just as they are on US Airways today for Dividend Miles elite members.
US email:
Originally Posted by US
Until we integrate our programs, we will introduce the ability for Dividend Miles Preferred members to upgrade on American within 24 hours of departure, beginning June 11, 2014. If available, an upgrade will be presented to you at check-in for American-operated flights within and between the U.S. (including Hawaii) and Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Central America and will be provided on a first come, first served basis. We recommend you book in a single passenger reservation or upgrades may not be available.
[In version of email to US Chairman:]
Chairman's Preferred members will receive these upgrades complimentary – just as they are on American today for Executive Platinum members.
[In version of email to US Platinum/Gold/Silver:]
Dividend Miles Gold, Platinum and Silver Preferred members will be able to upgrade at the cost of $30 per 500 miles of travel – just as AAdvantage Gold and Platinum members can today
[In version of email to US Chairman:]
Chairman's Preferred members will receive these upgrades complimentary – just as they are on American today for Executive Platinum members.
[In version of email to US Platinum/Gold/Silver:]
Dividend Miles Gold, Platinum and Silver Preferred members will be able to upgrade at the cost of $30 per 500 miles of travel – just as AAdvantage Gold and Platinum members can today
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23003452-post168.html
Note that if you are a US elite flying an AA operated flight, you can not get on the upgrade wait list. The only (published) way to upgrade on an AA flight is if you request the upgrade and the applicable inventory (books into A) is available at that time. There have been inconsistent reports on which agents are available to do this. Though, in theory, it should be possible any time after check-in. You can monitor A inventory using services such as ExpertFlyer or KVS. More info regarding inventory controls HERE. Note that, based on this post, A inventory for US elites may be more restricted than regular A inventory.
There may be a workaround to this dilemma for US elites flying AA metal; those of you from the US side may find this post from FT user Scholity helpful: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23018850-post228.html
AA 500 mile upgrades on US?
Oct 26, 2014, 8:18 pm
#901
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Ambassador + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,587
Oct 28, 2014, 12:00 pm
#902
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Flagstaff, AZ USA
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 386
Has anyone had any luck upgrading a companion traveling under a different reservation number on US metal? I'm lifetime PLT on AA if that makes any difference. I tried adding a companion to an existing reservation, and was told by a US agent it wasn't possible, but that we could still potentially get upgraded together at the airport. I'm skeptical, because the rules state the companion must travel under the same reservation. Any suggestions?
Oct 28, 2014, 12:14 pm
#903
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: WFBF
Posts: 963
I guess that's out the window now, though.
Oct 28, 2014, 7:00 pm
#904
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: US CP, SPG Plat., HH Gold
Posts: 342
Has anyone had any luck upgrading a companion traveling under a different reservation number on US metal? I'm lifetime PLT on AA if that makes any difference. I tried adding a companion to an existing reservation, and was told by a US agent it wasn't possible, but that we could still potentially get upgraded together at the airport. I'm skeptical, because the rules state the companion must travel under the same reservation. Any suggestions?
Oct 28, 2014, 7:02 pm
#905
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
MCI gets mainline to CLT and PHX, and express on E175s to PHL and DCA. All of which is worlds nicer than MD80s to DFW or RJs to anywhere else in the AA network. This was, in fact, a large part of why I picked US when I moved out to the area years ago; the hubs were convenient and had service on comfortable planes.
I guess that's out the window now, though.
I guess that's out the window now, though.
Oct 28, 2014, 7:36 pm
#906
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: US CP, SPG Plat., HH Gold
Posts: 342
Oct 31, 2014, 3:35 pm
#907
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
Oct 31, 2014, 3:39 pm
#908
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,597
When my legs touch the back of the seat in F on a US 'Bus, it's tight.
Nov 1, 2014, 6:01 pm
#909
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
Cross-partner elite here -- EXP on AA and Gold (mid-tier) on US.
MCI is an interesting station. It was at one time a US focus city. AA had a club there for decades, ending quite recently.
I travel there a dozen times per year, and my favored method is via DFW on AA. The AA MD-80 is comfy in F, especially on the starboard side. US via CLT is on an older Airbus, very tight in F. The other options are regional jets.
PHX-MCI does offer a meal now, but the rest of the connections are no meal (not sure about PHL on US Express regional jet.)
MCI is an interesting station. It was at one time a US focus city. AA had a club there for decades, ending quite recently.
I travel there a dozen times per year, and my favored method is via DFW on AA. The AA MD-80 is comfy in F, especially on the starboard side. US via CLT is on an older Airbus, very tight in F. The other options are regional jets.
PHX-MCI does offer a meal now, but the rest of the connections are no meal (not sure about PHL on US Express regional jet.)
Nov 1, 2014, 7:04 pm
#910
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,166
Agreed. When the alternative in the future is slimlines in Y and reduced pitch, slide forward F seats - I'll take "classic" planes any day ^
Nov 3, 2014, 1:34 am
#911
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP,2MM, DL Gold,Starwood PLT
Posts: 3,876
There is a difference, but not MUCH LESS. It's the difference between 38 inch pitch on US vs 39-40 on AA in the 737 and MD-80. I find the MD-80 much more cramped because the seats are narrower.
Nov 3, 2014, 6:41 am
#912
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: HSV
Programs: AA Plat; MR LT Titanium; HH Diamond
Posts: 53
Mixed metal
I have a situation that I haven't seen elsewhere in this thread. I have a "mixed metal" itinerary, HSV-ORD on AA, then ORD-PHL on US. IF I want to request an upgrade on the second leg, how do I go about doing that? Do I check in on AA, then go over to US to request the upgrade? I'm assuming that since the reservation was made through AA, and the first leg is on AA, I need to check in with AA, not US. Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Nov 3, 2014, 6:53 am
#913
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: US Airways Gold, Marriott Platinum, SW A List
Posts: 1,575
I have a situation that I haven't seen elsewhere in this thread. I have a "mixed metal" itinerary, HSV-ORD on AA, then ORD-PHL on US. IF I want to request an upgrade on the second leg, how do I go about doing that? Do I check in on AA, then go over to US to request the upgrade? I'm assuming that since the reservation was made through AA, and the first leg is on AA, I need to check in with AA, not US. Thanks for any advice you can offer.
Nov 3, 2014, 7:31 am
#914
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Even 1-3in in legroom is quite noticeable IMO. In Y this would be like 32" vs 30" which is a sizable difference. In F this is even more noticable when the individual in front of you reclines and ends up in your lap (special nod to the DL 739).
Nov 3, 2014, 9:52 am
#915
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
This is an oddly named thread. 500 milers are not needed to upgrade on US. Just need to be an AA or US elite.