AA allows I, O and Q Upgrade Awards - and some higher co-pays coming

[futaris]

AA allows I, O and Q Upgrade Awards - and some higher co-pays coming - FlyerTalk Forums

http://www.aa.com/i18nForward.do?p=/urls/awardChanges.jsp

Updates to AAdvantage Upgrade Awards
Based on feedback from our AAdvantage members, we are happy to announce the below changes related to AAdvantage Upgrade Awards effective October 6, 2009:

• Members may now upgrade to the next class of service from published fares booked in ‘O’, as well as fares booked in ‘Q’ for travel between North America and Europe, Asia, India or Latin America. Upgrades from these Discount Economy Class fares will be allowed effective immediately. Select the button below to view the mileage levels and applicable co-payment amounts.

• One-way upgrades from previously excluded Business Class fares booked in ‘I’, will now be allowed with a non-refundable co-payment:
  • Within the continental U.S. and Canada - 15,000 miles plus a co-payment of $175*
  • For travel between North America and Europe, Japan, China, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, or Uruguay – 25,000 miles plus a co-payment of $550
  • For travel between North America and India – 40,000 miles plus a co-payment of $550

Electronic Systemwide Upgrade FAQs

Effective October 6, 2009, you can use your Systemwide Upgrades with published fare tickets booked in I or O class and fares booked in Q between North America and Asia, Europe, India or South America.

 

[serfty]

That may have the effect of reducing Elite Space available/sticker upgrades.

Also, the domestic co-payment for miles upgrades will increase to USD75 (from USD50)

 

[dede]

Do you think QF will ever do it?

 

[david870mdg]

Do you think QF will ever do it?

No. Although some FF's did get luck with routes ex AUS to LA on otherwise un upgradeable fares. So who knows.
Flying AA domestically it seems like everyone in the F cabin was upgraded, i wonder how many people are actually ticketed in the premium cabin (excluding Y-up's)?

 

[drron]

No. Although some FF's did get luck with routes ex AUS to LA on otherwise un upgradeable fares. So who knows.
Flying AA domestically it seems like everyone in the F cabin was upgraded, i wonder how many people are actually ticketed in the premium cabin (excluding Y-up's)?

Myself and mrsdrron-and anyone else on a DONEx trying to maximise QFF SCs.

 

[david870mdg]

OK, excluding DONEx fares.?

 

[serfty]

As a QFF of my USA travel, approx.:

• 10% has been in Economy,
• 60% of this in F on K/UP fares,
• 20% in F on DONEx and
• 10% in F with AAdvantage miles upgrades.

AAdvantage has space available upgrades for elites, if an F/J seat goes out empty 99% of the time it means there were insufficient eligible passengers requesting upgrades.

Once I was upgraded while on standby for an earlier flight in coach. It was explained to me this was simply because there were seats available and my Emerald status shows as EXP on the sabre systems. (I was called to the LAX T4 F/L service desk ~40 minutes before the SFO flight, both F & Y were ~¾ full that morning)

 

[openseat]

This change could make upgrades a little more difficult as there is more competition for limited seats - given people who fly these fares usually book well in advance and will be higher on the list in their respective status. However the offset for those with EXP is the greater value of a SWU.

 

[anabolism]

OK, excluding DONEx fares.?

DONEx books into D, so it is treated the same as any other D fare for upgrades.

This change could make upgrades a little more difficult as there is more competition for limited seats

Or easier, depending on the situation. If you're in coach and want to upgrade to business, someone who booked I can now upgrade to first, making his seat available for you to upgrade into.