Apr 26, 2015, 5:27 pm
Last edit by: aztimm
Note: this thread replaces the thread in the US forum on automatic upgrades on US flights. The latest of these threads is here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-airways-dividend-miles-pre-consolidation/1642741-us-automatic-upgrades-elite-master-thread-2015-a.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-airways-dividend-miles-pre-consolidation/1642741-us-automatic-upgrades-elite-master-thread-2015-a.html
AAdvantage Automatic Upgrades on US-operated flights (new program 2015)
Jul 10, 2015, 12:53 am
#211
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: WFBF
Posts: 963
Missed an upgrade for the first time this year. SJC-PHX-MCI, cleared on PHX-MCI four days ago, but SJC-PHX I was #2 on the upgrade list at the gate and only #1 cleared. Looked like about half the plane was elites, and I made a note to avoid flying out of SJC on Thursdays.
Jul 10, 2015, 1:05 am
#212
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: 4,551
Multi-Pax Record
Suppose I am flying with two companions. I am pretty sure that only one is eligible for auto-upgrades. Is there a way to get the third into an exit row?
What if all three necessarily have to be booked on the same record? (Might be using the credit card cert for 2 $99 companion tix.)
What if all three necessarily have to be booked on the same record? (Might be using the credit card cert for 2 $99 companion tix.)
Jul 10, 2015, 5:10 pm
#213
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
My previous AA and US itinerary did cause the US flights to not process with the AA flights in the first part of the itinerary. No codeshare involved, but on 001 paper. Not sure if this has happened for others.
Question. If there are two elites and two non elites on one pnr and for some reason four seats became available, would all four be upgraded on a US flight? Or is it limited to one non elite companion?
Rasheed
Question. If there are two elites and two non elites on one pnr and for some reason four seats became available, would all four be upgraded on a US flight? Or is it limited to one non elite companion?
Rasheed
Jul 11, 2015, 3:50 am
#214
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Avis Pres Club
Posts: 403
Suppose I am flying with two companions. I am pretty sure that only one is eligible for auto-upgrades. Is there a way to get the third into an exit row?
What if all three necessarily have to be booked on the same record? (Might be using the credit card cert for 2 $99 companion tix.)
What if all three necessarily have to be booked on the same record? (Might be using the credit card cert for 2 $99 companion tix.)
If all three are booked on the same record, the best would be to call and specify who you'd like to be put on the upgrade list.
You may have to put him in an exit seat, and then split the record locator, which would definitely work, but try to avoid that as in the case of any equipment swaps or such, he might lose his MCE/preferred seating.
Jul 11, 2015, 8:30 pm
#216
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: 4,551
You're correct that only one is eligible. If you're EXP though, it won't be an "auto-upgrade" — you'll need to have stickers or buy stickers in your account for your companion.
If all three are booked on the same record, the best would be to call and specify who you'd like to be put on the upgrade list.
You may have to put him in an exit seat, and then split the record locator, which would definitely work, but try to avoid that as in the case of any equipment swaps or such, he might lose his MCE/preferred seating.
If all three are booked on the same record, the best would be to call and specify who you'd like to be put on the upgrade list.
You may have to put him in an exit seat, and then split the record locator, which would definitely work, but try to avoid that as in the case of any equipment swaps or such, he might lose his MCE/preferred seating.
What I might do is get all 3 of us exit rows (US equipment doesn't have MCE), then try to split the records. I don't think they would take an assigned seat away.
Jul 11, 2015, 8:45 pm
#217
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 6,001
This is on US metal. I think the US rules still apply, where all elites get unlimited space-available upgrades.
What I might do is get all 3 of us exit rows (US equipment doesn't have MCE), then try to split the records. I don't think they would take an assigned seat away.
What I might do is get all 3 of us exit rows (US equipment doesn't have MCE), then try to split the records. I don't think they would take an assigned seat away.
Pre-merger, they would absolutely remove a non-elite from a premium seat, including exit row.
Not sure what it is now.
Jul 12, 2015, 1:06 am
#218
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Avis Pres Club
Posts: 403
This is on US metal. I think the US rules still apply, where all elites get unlimited space-available upgrades.
Jul 16, 2015, 10:41 pm
#219
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,693
Platinum elite auto upgraded prior to 24hr window
I just made two reservations with separate PNRs for two of us who are both AA platinum on the aa.com website on USAir flights/metal and one of the reservations auto upgraded to First 72 hours prior. My reservation did not auto upgrade and is being held to 24hr prior check in. I had to use the aa.com website to burn some aa virtual gift cards otherwise I would have used the usair.com site. Both reservations were done exactly the same way. Is the migration starting?
Jul 17, 2015, 6:10 am
#220
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 6,001
I just made two reservations with separate PNRs for two of us who are both AA platinum on the aa.com website on USAir flights/metal and one of the reservations auto upgraded to First 72 hours prior. My reservation did not auto upgrade and is being held to 24hr prior check in. I had to use the aa.com website to burn some aa virtual gift cards otherwise I would have used the usair.com site. Both reservations were done exactly the same way. Is the migration starting?
In your situation, that is the only thing I can think of that would make you wait for 24 hour check-in.
Jul 17, 2015, 8:24 am
#221
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
I just made two reservations with separate PNRs for two of us who are both AA platinum on the aa.com website on USAir flights/metal and one of the reservations auto upgraded to First 72 hours prior. My reservation did not auto upgrade and is being held to 24hr prior check in. I had to use the aa.com website to burn some aa virtual gift cards otherwise I would have used the usair.com site. Both reservations were done exactly the same way. Is the migration starting?
Trying to make sense of when an upgrade will come through can drive you crazy. When I was travelling with an EXP and I was PLT, there were many times when I cleared first. Sometimes it was at T-100 or anytime up to boarding. The term "traveling defensively" really applies. Arrive early, BE NICE, eat/pack food all work to your benefit.
Jul 17, 2015, 12:17 pm
#222
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
I just made two reservations with separate PNRs for two of us who are both AA platinum on the aa.com website on USAir flights/metal and one of the reservations auto upgraded to First 72 hours prior. My reservation did not auto upgrade and is being held to 24hr prior check in. I had to use the aa.com website to burn some aa virtual gift cards otherwise I would have used the usair.com site. Both reservations were done exactly the same way. Is the migration starting?
Jul 17, 2015, 12:32 pm
#223
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,497
Jul 19, 2015, 7:43 am
#224
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,039
Now that flights after 10/17 are all AA flights....
If a ticket was purchased before the cutover of 7/18 on US Airways through US (NOT a codeshare), how will upgrades work for those flights? Will elites still get complimentary upgrades? Or will they need to put in to use 500-mile e-certs?
If a ticket was purchased before the cutover of 7/18 on US Airways through US (NOT a codeshare), how will upgrades work for those flights? Will elites still get complimentary upgrades? Or will they need to put in to use 500-mile e-certs?
Jul 19, 2015, 8:23 am
#225
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,497
Now that flights after 10/17 are all AA flights....
If a ticket was purchased before the cutover of 7/18 on US Airways through US (NOT a codeshare), how will upgrades work for those flights? Will elites still get complimentary upgrades? Or will they need to put in to use 500-mile e-certs?
If a ticket was purchased before the cutover of 7/18 on US Airways through US (NOT a codeshare), how will upgrades work for those flights? Will elites still get complimentary upgrades? Or will they need to put in to use 500-mile e-certs?
The AA program includes all flights 500 miles or less (for all), as well as unlimited domestic upgrades for those with EXP status.