AA dom upgrade for non-AAdvantage member

[voulez]

Morning all, I'm looking to upgrade an upcoming AA ORD-LAX revenue flight in June booked in economy. I can't find a cash upgrade option under 'manage my booking' on the AA website. Is my best course of action to request for that at the airport; do they email these offers in advance? Also, how much would they cost roughly? (The current difference on the AA website is c.US$150 so I'm hoping that'd be the case, otherwise I should just suck it up and stay in economy.)

Sorry if this has been asked before. I did a quick search and most answers require AAdvantage membership which I don't have (I'm QF SG though if it matters)?

Thanks again

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Morning all, I'm looking to upgrade an upcoming AA ORD-LAX revenue flight in June booked in economy. I can't find a cash upgrade option under 'manage my booking' on the AA website. Is my best course of action to request for that at the airport; do they email these offers in advance? Also, how much would they cost roughly? (The current difference on the AA website is c.US$150 so I'm hoping that'd be the case, otherwise I should just suck it up and stay in economy.)

Sorry if this has been asked before. I did a quick search and most answers require AAdvantage membership which I don't have (I'm QF SG though if it matters)?

Thanks again

Just call them up and ask if your ticket can be upgraded for cash. I wouldn't be waiting for the airport, by that stage they may have upgraded all their elites for free.

 

[voulez]

Just call them up and ask if your ticket can be upgraded for cash. I wouldn't be waiting for the airport, by that stage they may have upgraded all their elites for free.

Ok I'll do that thanks!!

 

[drron]

Paid upgrades are usually offered a week before the flight.Or if on UA before the fight.
American Now Offering Advance Paid Domestic Upgrades to Non-Elites - View from the Wing

 

[voulez]

Paid upgrades are usually offered a week before the flight.Or if on UA before the fight.
American Now Offering Advance Paid Domestic Upgrades to Non-Elites - View from the Wing

Thanks drron but I didn't book directly with AA so I don't think that's available to me! Anyway I called today my travel agent today and it'd cost $500 to change so no thank you I'll stick with the economy seat

 

[Quickstatus]

It’s such a PITA to see a small difference between fare class but a huge fine to get there

 

[Mattg]

Didn't American Airlines used to waive change fees for customers upgrading to a higher fare/cabin class on the same flight?

To the OP, how much of that $500 change fee was your travel agent's own fee?

 

[Quickstatus]

Didn't American Airlines used to waive change fees for customers upgrading to a higher fare/cabin class on the same flight?

To the OP, how much of that $500 change fee was your travel agent's own fee?

In January 2018 I had a discounted Y fare that I wanted to change to F fare. The published difference was circa USD $200. A change fine (cant remember the amount) was required if I went ahead. The fare was purchased via AA.com

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Didn't American Airlines used to waive change fees for customers upgrading to a higher fare/cabin class on the same flight?

To the OP, how much of that $500 change fee was your travel agent's own fee?

apparently they used to waive change fees for upgrading, but IIRC there have been a couple of cases recently where this is no longer offered, despite what was previous published.

 

[voulez]

Didn't American Airlines used to waive change fees for customers upgrading to a higher fare/cabin class on the same flight?

To the OP, how much of that $500 change fee was your travel agent's own fee?

$150 ticketing fee, and remainder $350 is the fare difference (fare I paid was lower than the current fare) or something of that sort. Nothing's never quite clear cut!

 

[blacksultan]

Does one get different/better/ direct flight routes by calling the Aadvantage call centre as opposed to booking online?
at the moment I am trying to book MEL- BKK business the online options are all via SYD.
Any info would be appreciated.

 

[Mattg]

Does one get different/better/ direct flight routes by calling the Aadvantage call centre as opposed to booking online?
at the moment I am trying to book MEL- BKK business the online options are all via SYD.
Any info would be appreciated.

Calling up should give you access to MH via KUL or CX via HKG, if any seats are available. You might also be able to get MEL-SIN-KUL, flying QF to SIN and MH SIN-KUL. But there are no direct Oneworld flights on that route...

 

[blacksultan]

Calling up should give you access to MH via KUL or CX via HKG, if any seats are available. You might also be able to get MEL-SIN-KUL, flying QF to SIN and MH SIN-KUL. But there are no direct Oneworld flights on that route...

thanks. thats right. also learnt there is no booking fee if the option chosen is not available online.

 

[serfty]

Didn't American Airlines used to waive change fees for customers upgrading to a higher fare/cabin class on the same flight?

To the OP, how much of that $500 change fee was your travel agent's own fee?

In January 2018 I had a discounted Y fare that I wanted to change to F fare. The published difference was circa USD $200. A change fine (cant remember the amount) was required if I went ahead. The fare was purchased via AA.com

apparently they used to waive change fees for upgrading, but IIRC there have been a couple of cases recently where this is no longer offered, despite what was previous published.

They still do this, although you may need to remind the agent of it.

Upgrading AA Fare Code or Class of Service - Upfare / Upfaring (master thd) - FlyerTalk Forums

Originally Posted by JonNYC
There is no change fee (just the fare difference) to switch to a higher cabin (see below.) But it sounds like the OP might be combining/confusing a few different things.