AA "First Special"/"Instant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & General Questions

[NM]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

Dazz you've thrown a spanner in the works! Your information differs from many other people's on this forum who say an instant upgrade is pending availability AFTER you have booked. I'm not too concerned YET because instant upgrade fares have been more expensive or non-existent on all of my flights so far, but if you are correct I will be looking for them in the future.

What is IRROPS?

dazz81's explanation is accurate, IRROPS is Irregular Operations, normally as a result of weather or equipment issues that cause flight cancellation and moving passengers onto other flights. If there are not seats available on the new flight in the original booking class, then you travel in economy/coach cabin.

 

[drivatruk]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

i just flew 9 sectors over 2 days on instant upgrades to 1st with no problems. Now i'm QF gold. Down side was no silver Q tags as i was silver for only a day. Wanted them for partner.

 

[serfty]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

Dazz you've thrown a spanner in the works! Your information differs from many other people's on this forum who say an instant upgrade is pending availability AFTER you have booked. ...

I'm sure I never indicated so. It is possible that an option will come up with an economy segment, but these can generally be avoided.

Read the thread I linked to - at the time of booking you should already be the the First/Business cabins class for those segments where the booking class is F, A, P, J, D or I - The thread linked indicates how to ensure you book into these.

You be selecting that 1A seat in no time ...

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....esearch-book-aa-instant-42433.html#post666533

 

[Ewing]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

You be selecting that 1A seat in no time ...

On even flight numbers anyway :mrgreen:

 

[ferni]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

I should have added that for my First Class Special fares where I missed my flight and got rerouted over 2 segments rather than 3, one in Y and one in F, I successfully claimed ORC with QF for my Points/SC. If i was on instant upgrade I suspect that wouldn't have been possible.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

I should have added that for my First Class Special fares where I missed my flight and got rerouted over 2 segments rather than 3, one in Y and one in F, I successfully claimed ORC with QF for my Points/SC. If i was on instant upgrade I suspect that wouldn't have been possible.

yes it would have been possible. Your e-ticket will have a confirmed booking in P or A class, that is all that matters. The marketing name of the fare being 'instant upgrade' or 'first class saver' or whatever, is not relevant.

 

[ferni]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

yes it would have been possible. Your e-ticket will have a confirmed booking in P or A class, that is all that matters. The marketing name of the fare being 'instant upgrade' or 'first class saver' or whatever, is not relevant.

Ok cool, learnt something new (as always on this forum) thanks

 

[Berlin]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

I can confirm that "Instant Upgrade" fares usually get you a confirmed seat up the front AND being P class, gives you First status credits on QF. Have done it dozens of times and never had a problem- it's basically like a super-cheap First ticket as far as I can tell. Had twice to be re-booked onto a different flight due to technical issues or whether and both got changed onto another First seat on a different flight. There was never a mention of "Ouh, you might end up in coach Sirrrr!" though I can imagine that being possible if everything goes pear-shaped. It's one of the best little status earners out there, especially if you- like me- have a soft spot for unhealthy American food (I love the stuff they serve in First on AA!) and Diet Dr. Pepprr which you even get in Why on AA

Oh- and never forget the food being served from the back rule on odd flight numbers- gets observed in 95% of cases in my experience and you wouldn't want to miss those deep-fried chicken breasts with creamy sauce on top or, better even, the cheese-filled breakfast burritos on morning flights!

 

[Mrmaxwell]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

Oh- and never forget the food being served from the back rule on odd flight numbers- gets observed in 95% of cases in my experience and you wouldn't want to miss those deep-fried chicken breasts with creamy sauce on top or, better even, the cheese-filled breakfast burritos on morning flights!

I understand the FEBO rule but does it really matter that much? Are AA always running out of First meals or something?

 

[Berlin]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

I understand the FEBO rule but does it really matter that much? Are AA always running out of First meals or something?

Yes, they pretty much do. In my experience, it's similar to QF in J domestic, there's always one choice that I'd call "proper" (hot meat dish, usually accompanied with a side salad and some super yummie US style 'Blue Cheese' or 'Ranch' dressing) and one super boring one (vegetarian Pasta or -worse even- something like the stupid second choice cold salad on QF) and the last few passengers almost always miss out. Partly also because in the US, pretty much every single seat up the front usually gets filled up with upgraders.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

AA is introducing or has introduced advanced meal selection for domestic F. So the FEBO rule wont matter to those using that service. This way paid F will be able to choose well ahead of the many free upgrades given at the gate for elites.

 

[serfty]

Advance meal selection is currently ex ORD only at the moment.

It comes up for two of my flights in March, but you cannot select more than 30 days out.

FWIW, AA currently only cater for 100% of the first class seats with no extras.

I was told by an GA earlier this month they may soon be catering to 110% or better.

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[Berlin]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

Advance meal selection is currently ex ORD only at the moment.
.

Ah- that explains it, thought I missed something here! Good on them, though!

 

[dajop]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

dazz81's explanation is accurate, IRROPS is Irregular Operations, normally as a result of weather or equipment issues that cause flight cancellation and moving passengers onto other flights. If there are not seats available on the new flight in the original booking class, then you travel in economy/coach cabin.

With being moved into economy during IRROPS, my understanding was that with YUP/Instant Upgrade fares you can't claim First status SCs/points as they were instant upgrade fares. Is that correct? What about with the "First Special" fares, can you claim First SC/pts on these if downgraded?

 

[ferni]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

With being moved into economy during IRROPS, my understanding was that with YUP/Instant Upgrade fares you can't claim First status SCs/points as they were instant upgrade fares. Is that correct? What about with the "First Special" fares, can you claim First SC/pts on these if downgraded?

Yes (as I mentioned on the previous page) I missed a flight due to my own fault on a "First Special", got new flights, one in Y and one in F (originally had 3 segments in F/J) and claimed ORC for the 3 segments from QF no problem.

Not sure about Instant upgrade but posters on the previous page say you can claim ORC for them as well.

 

[Sprucegoose]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

dazz81's explanation is accurate, IRROPS is Irregular Operations, normally as a result of weather or equipment issues that cause flight cancellation and moving passengers onto other flights. If there are not seats available on the new flight in the original booking class, then you travel in economy/coach cabin.

But you would request ORC's

 

[Sprucegoose]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

Ah- that explains it, thought I missed something here! Good on them, though!

You'll still get a cookie....

 

[Berlin]

re: AA "First Special"/"INstant Upgrade" fares - Applicablity to QFF & general Questions

you'll still get a cookie....

cooookie!!!