Free One AA systemwide upgrade

[Danger]

I have one American Airlines systemwide upgrade to give away.

It's been that long since I used one that I sadly can't really remember the ins and outs of the benefit. From what I remember, though, one SWU is good for a one cabin upgrade on up to four AA-marketed and operated flight segments in the same itinerary (I think they may have to be continuous (i.e. no stopovers but transits are obviously okay)). For the SWU to clear there needs to be availability in the appropriate fare bucket. If you have ExpertFlyer, use the awards tab and from the AA list, select the appropriate bucket according to the class you want to upgrade to.

To be eligible for this giveaway you must have been a member of AFF since before 1 February this year and have at least 50 posts.

Any questions, please post.

 

[snabbu]

I'd love to put my hand up for this one however I generally don't do transcons, am currently restricted to internal US travel, and going from Y - F to sit in a recliner seems a waste so I'll leave it to someone else who can get better value out of it.
Thanks for the offer @Danger

 

[Danger]

Very kind of you, @snabbu. We'll put you on the standby list. I don't reckon there'll be too many takers. I think AA is running quite a few widebodies with flatbeds internally at the moment, though, which would be a good use.

 

[Danger]

Bump.

 

[anthonysimilion]

Hey @Danger - been a long time member since 2009 (also recently an AFF supporter) - don't have the necessary post count but would love to be on the standby list for this. Will be flying transcontinental (SFO - JFK) sometime before flying to Australia on AA in November and can pick the flight based on upgrade availability.

I live on the West Coast of the US and have booked an Economy AA ticket from LAX to SYD in November, although unfortunately I don't think that one has upgrade C class availability.

 

[Maisy33]

Hi Danger,
My son will be flying AA next month MSP via ORD to LAX class N . Not sure if applicable?
Hopefully connecting to Singapore airlines home to Perth

 

[Danger]

Okay. I need to make a call to AA as I think the SWUs may only be applied to flights before the expiry date which I believe to be 30 June. Once I've got some more info, I'll come back and we'll sort this out.

 

[Danger]

QF take note: No waiting time issues for AA elites.

So ordinarily I think the SWUs would have to be applied and used by the expiry which is 31 July, not 30 June. However, the friendly agent I spoke to said an SWU can currently be applied for travel through end of schedule, provided it can clear immediately (i.e. no wait listing). Basic Y fares that book into B class are ineligible for upgrades. For reference, Y to J fares require availability in C. However, just to complicate things, apparently AA also now uses C for revenue fares in addition to upgrades. This means that even if there's availability in C, an upgrade isn't necessarily available; "we have to run it through the system". Conversely, though, if there's no C availability, there's definitely no upgrade.

With all that in mind, everyone's a winner today.

First, Snabbu. Please have a think over the next few days as to a flight or flights that you might be able to use a SWU on and maximise the value.

Second, anthonysimilion, you wouldn't ordinarily have qualified given my criteria but it seems I'm happy to liquidate SWUs. Please have a look at flight options over the next few days and come back to me with at least two that suit you where there is C availability (or if you're booking in J and want to upgrade to F, I think it requires A availability). I'll then check with AA. Remember AA gives you the option to hold flights before paying (I can't remember the exact details but that may be an option, so as to not lock yourself in to a flight that ultimately doesn't end up being upgrade-ready).

Third, Maisy33, much the same for you. Please look for C availability on your son's flights and if available, let me know in the next couple of days. I'll then check with AA to see if an upgrade is possible.

I no longer have an ExpertFlyer subscription but it's the easiest way to check for C availability. Free five-day trials are available or you can post in one of the ExperFlyer threads here and kindly ask someone with a subscription to check for you. I guess you could also call AA and ask an agent to check.

Remember that I'll require your first and last name as well as your PNR. I completely understand if this is a deal breaker for you but I can assure you I have no interest in otherwise knowing your identity and will treat it in the utmost confidence. If there was another way to work it, I'd be all for it as I enjoy my internet anonymity as much as the next guy but I think this is the only option.

 

[snabbu]

Once again thanks for the thought @Danger it really is appreciated however with no eligible bookings I'll pass it on to the others.

 

[Danger]

No problem, snabbu. I'm sorry it's not worked out but if you have a flight that you end up being able to book prior to 21 July and there is confirmed upgrade space on it, let me know as soon as you find out and I'll put in the request. (I say 21 July because I think 10 dates out is an appropriate amount of time for me to offer it up to some loudmouth on FT, rather than it go to waste.)

 

[snabbu]

Hi @Danger in case you didn't see the announcement, AA have extended SWU's for a full year.

American Airlines Extends Systemwide Upgrades

American Airlines has extended the expiration of 2019 systemwide upgrades through July 31, 2022. Here are the full details.

onemileatatime.com

 

[Danger]

Thanks, snabbu. It's indeed good news.

Anthonysimilion failed to respond to a page and was offloaded from the offer and maisy kindly advised that unfortunately the promotion wasn't going to work after all.

For the time being, this offer is over.

 

[Danger]

This offer is back.

I still have 4 SWUs that I can't use. If you want one or two, please post here.

 

[newmarket]

Hi Danger,

I'd love to use all 4 if you can spare them still. I have a trip for my wife and I to see family later this year and will certainly book tickets by July.

It's very generous of you and thanks.

 

[Daver6]

I'm going to guess if the flight is booked as part of a QF ticket and the AA sector has a QF flight number a SWU won't be usable? IF however, it is and there are no other takers, I'd be keen to investigate further.

 

[newmarket]

I'm planning on LHR to ORD on AA. We'll be in Europe for a wedding and are adding on the US trip.

Thanks again.

 

[dcg]

Hi @Danger
I'll preface this by saying that I clearly don't meet your original criteria for the offer. So going into this with no expectation. Just making a post in case you don't find anyone else...
I do have extensive travel planned on AA in Aug/Sept this year for 2pax.
Thanks !

 

[Danger]

Apologies for the delayed response. I'm travelling and I've been unwell.

Daver6, yes, I think you're right. It must be on an AA flight number. I'm no expert though so it may pay to ask on FlyerTalk.

Newmarket and dcg, I'm happy to entertain your interest. Newmarket, I think the chance of finding four seats on a TAtl flight are extremely remote but if there is availability, you're welcome to all four. If you can stomach the hold times, just call AA and see if there's availability, then let me know. You can also use ExpertFlyer in the "Awards & Upgrades section". Dcg, in the event Newmarket's flight doesn't have availability, I'm happy to give all 4 SWUs to you so please also have a look at what flights are available.

I'll wait to hear from you both on availability.

 

[dcg]

I see 7 C seats available on both flights with the AA long haul legs. Unfortunately our SYD/LAX & LAX/SYD are AA/QF codeshare, so AA marketed by QF operated.

Flight

Stops

Depart

Arrive

Aircraft

Frequency Reliability

Available Classes Description Code Seats

1 Connections

AA 3668

0

BOI 08/30/22 2:45 PM

ORD 08/30/22 7:16 PM

E75

Daily NA / NA

Business - Upgrade (Including 2-Cabin Domestic First) C 7

AA 98

0

ORD 08/30/22 9:15 PM

LHR 08/31/22 11:05 AM

789

Daily NA / NA

Business - Upgrade (Including 2-Cabin Domestic First) C 7

Flight

Stops

Depart

Arrive

Aircraft

Frequency Reliability

Available Classes Description Code Seats

1 Connections

AA 717

0

MUC 09/21/22 9:15 AM

CLT 09/21/22 1:11 PM

772

Daily 77% / 35m

Business - Upgrade (Including 2-Cabin Domestic First) C 7

AA 877

0

CLT 09/21/22 2:36 PM

DFW 09/21/22 4:19 PM

321

Daily 84% / 22m

Business - Upgrade (Including 2-Cabin Domestic First) C 7

 

[Danger]

Okay, dcg. I'll give newmarket another 36 or so hours. If there's no response, the SWUs are yours.