Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC's

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Researching/booking AA "Non-ref "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise statu

Friends

Even when you are happy with the routing, always pay to look again.

Recently, I was slightly concerned with a 50 min layover @ DFW (late Autumn, no snowstorm expected) so I elected to go back to have a second look and.... found another routing with more (layover) safety margin and a net gain of 60 SCs for only an additional $4.00

I was breathless [running from terminal to terminal - carry on only] on a number of occasions where the incoming plane was late making your time on the plane arriving at the changeover point became quite unpleasant with rising stress.

It is best to avoid tight connections if you could, esp with larger airports like ORD, DFW, LAX etc..

generally I like my YUPPS with a bit of flexibility... I generally book every 2nd departure (ie, skip over the first immediate connection and take the one an hour or two later).

Avoids most of the late incoming problems, and helps guarantee your F seat rather than being protected in coach if you miss the immediate connection.

I also avoid ORD/DFW in snow and t-storm periods respectively.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

How do you book YUPPs now? From what I see, they don't appear on the AA site anymore.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

How do you book YUPPs now? From what I see, they don't appear on the AA site anymore.

They do still appear on the site using the multicity booking engine
http://www.aa.com/reservation/multi...vent=false&tripType=multi&netSaaversTripType=

 

[SeatBackForward]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

They do still appear on the site using the multicity booking engine
http://www.aa.com/reservation/multi...vent=false&tripType=multi&netSaaversTripType=

Thanks Princess, I'll look into it this week. Will know if my US trip is approved by weeks end. Expect a PM for guidance if it is.

 

[serfty]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

How do you book YUPPs now? From what I see, they don't appear on the AA site anymore.

I have modified the title of this thread.

The can appear as any of the above.

All in all - "Flexible" is not an indicator.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

Now normally, I like to think I can figure things out given enough time and effort, but this whole instant upgrade thing has me baffled. So I'm going to plead for assistance. Here's a scenario I'm trying to work. I need to go from DFW to GSO on the 8th Jun, I've found there are specific flights with US Airways, that connect through CLT. These flights do have AA codeshare numbers on them.

Using Princess Fiona's link above, I've entered these details for the city pair:



Search options:



Fare Preference:



And then this is the particular combination of flights I want, but it just simply shows as "Economy"



If I select Business With Restriction, here are the same flights



Based on the fare difference $2000 vs $580, I doubt this is returning a YUPP fare, so is it a case that such a fare doesn't exist? or am I simply doing something wrong?

 

[Austff]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

try selecting top choice at "choose a carrier" & top choice at "first/premium" .

 

[SeatBackForward]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

try selecting top choice at "choose a carrier" & top choice at "first/premium" .

Price has dropped considerably:




Booked into A class, the unusual thing is, there is not indication that this is an Instant Upgrade fare, I remember the old AA site clearly made it an alternative selection of fare basis.

 

[alieninperth]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

In the 'Whats your fare preferance?' section, change the radio button from Economy with restrictions to First/Premium with restrictions. the cheapest that I can see for that date is US$983 on the AA website (all AA flight no's) and US$785 on the US Airways website (All US flight no's). If you wanted to use AA you can build it into a DFW-SJU-GSO run for just over US$1,000.

 

[Austff]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

Price has dropped considerably:

View attachment 24969


Booked into A class, the unusual thing is, there is not indication that this is an Instant Upgrade fare, I remember the old AA site clearly made it an alternative selection of fare basis.

read the start of this thread , lots of info . I am still coming to grips with it myself .

 

[SeatBackForward]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

In the 'Whats your fare preferance?' section, change the radio button from Economy with restrictions to First/Premium with restrictions. the cheapest that I can see for that date is US$983 on the AA website (all AA flight no's) and US$785 on the US Airways website (All US flight no's). If you wanted to use AA you can build it into a DFW-SJU-GSO run for just over US$1,000.

So, there's no specific mention of the prices being quoted as being "Instant Upgrade" - does this also remove the risk that you'll get punted back to Y ?

 

[legroom]

Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

So, there's no specific mention of the prices being quoted as being "Instant Upgrade" - does this also remove the risk that you'll get punted back to Y ?

No 'instant upgrade'

The fare class is all important

First books into F, P, A

(we need the P and the A)

1) Multi City

2) Advanced routing codes

3) AA+ in the advanced routing code

4) if you insist on a certain airport along the way, enter its code(s) after AA+ eg: AA+ ORD DFW

4) enter start / end destinations

5) select Schedule, drop to Show 50 flights

6) Select 'Business or higher with restrictions'

7) Select All Others for country

Off you go

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

So, there's no specific mention of the prices being quoted as being "Instant Upgrade" - does this also remove the risk that you'll get punted back to Y ?

you need to read and understand the fare rules.

some fares may actually be discounted First class fares. Others will be instant upgrade. Instant upgrade fares a economy fares instantly upgrading. You can't be downgraded unless your miss a flight or something and accept to be flown in the economy cabin. You have the option to wait until first class is available on a later flight.

 

[legroom]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

I should have added that ITA Matrix is the key.

Using that helps you to narrow down / play with different permutations.

Far easier than playing on AA.com

I go to AA.com with an itinerary from ITA Matrix in hand - already priced.

Playing with AA.com is slower.

Another player is Great Cicrle Mapper.

Sorry, I meant Mileage Monkey.

Crucial to crunch the SCs requirement.

Play with it until you are happy with A B C instead of A D E to see which routing gives you the desired effects: timing, travel time, SCs, costs, need for hotel...

 

[Colster]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximis...

This is GREAT!

Found this discrepancy as well (not sure how it will work when it comes to ticketing...)

Syd-RDU business on 14th June (RTN 21 June) on QF looks like: $11386 AUD via their website...

But through AA (using matrix ITA soft) I get Business and First for 2k cheaper Same tin, better SCs?


Make sure to provide the exact booking and fare codes shown.

[TABLE="class: dijitReset fareDetails, width: 450"]
[TR]
[TD]Fare 1: Carrier AA I50RUS SYD to LAX (rules)
Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code I
Covers SYD-MEL (Business), MEL-LAX (Business)
[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$3,260.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Fare 2: Carrier AA KA0UPPM5 LAX to RDU (rules)
Passenger type ADT, one-way fare, booking code P
Covers LAX-DFW (First), DFW-RDU (First)
[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$828.04[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Fare 3: Carrier AA KA0UPPM5 RDU to LAX (rules)
Passenger type ADT, one-way fare, booking code P
Covers RDU-DFW (First), DFW-LAX (First)
[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$828.04[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Fare 4: Carrier AA I50RUS LAX to SYD (rules)
Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code I
Covers LAX-SYD (Business)
[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$3,260.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]US September 11th Security Fee (AY)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$12.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]USDA APHIS Fee (XA)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$5.90[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]US Immigration Fee (XY)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$8.20[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]US Customs Fee (YC)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$6.50[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Australian Int'l Passenger Service Charge (WY)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$16.80[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]AA YR surcharge (YR)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$780.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]US International Arrival Tax (US)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$20.50[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Australian Passenger Movement Charge (AU)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$55.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Australian Domestic Passenger Service Charge (QR)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$7.41[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Australian Safety & Security Surcharge (WG)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$1.81[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Australian Int'l Passenger Service Charge (WY)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$27.18[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]US International Departure Tax (US)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$20.50[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]US Passenger Facility Charge (XF)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$5.30[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: fareSubTotalRule"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Subtotal per passenger[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$9,143.10[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Number of passengers[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]x1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: fareTotalRule"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: fareTotal"]
[TD="class: totalLabel"]TOTAL AIRFARE & TAXES[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$9,143.10[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

• This ticket is non-refundable.
• Changes to this ticket will incur a penalty fee.

 

[serfty]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

So, there's no specific mention of the prices being quoted as being "Instant Upgrade" - does this also remove the risk that you'll get punted back to Y ?

Not sure about being 'punted' back to economy - however AA have stopped using the term "Instant Upgrade".

You now need to look for "Fare Alert: Nonrefundable fare. Change fee associated with fare. " or "First" where "First Flexible" is also listed.

The actual terminally is not important - it's the Cost and SC's to be earned.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

Not sure about being 'punted' back to economy - however AA have stopped using the term "Instant Upgrade".

You now need to look for "Fare Alert: Nonrefundable fare. Change fee associated with fare. " or "First" where "First Flexible" is also listed.

The actual terminally is not important - it's the Cost and SC's to be earned.

Thanks Serfty, all the assistance is appreciated.

I'm now trying to figure out whats a better use of 6 hrs from DFW than waiting for ORD to open up...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

Not sure about being 'punted' back to economy - however AA have stopped using the term "Instant Upgrade".

You now need to look for "Fare Alert: Nonrefundable fare. Change fee associated with fare. " or "First" where "First Flexible" is also listed.

The actual terminally is not important - it's the Cost and SC's to be earned.

well I learned something today if 'instant upgrades' are no longer such

i guess the following FAQ is historical... but I never knew this provision existed:



Q: I purchased an Instant Upgrade ticket and flew in Coach Class. Can I obtain a refund?
A: Instant Upgrade tickets are booked in the Main Cabin. However, Instant upgrade ticketholders who travel in the Main Cabin due to an involuntary seat change, equipment change, routing change, flight cancellation, or missed connection as a result of a late incoming flight may request a travel voucher. The voucher value shall be equal to $0.10 per mile, or $50, whichever is greater, for each flight segment flown in the downgraded cabin. Refunds will be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount, and can be requested at American Airlines Refund Information On AA.com.

$.1 per mile could be a nice earner!

 

[serfty]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

Maybe that's why they are no longer using the terminology ...

 

[Greenline]

Re: Research & book AA "Non-refundable "/"Instant Upgrade"/"YUPP" fare to maximise SC

Something to consider when planning is that AA points appear to be posted to your account Tuesday evening/early Wednesday morning AEST and the cutoff for flights that will get posted that week is somewhere between
SAN JUAN PR MON 2:15 PM ALT
and
MIAMI INTERNTNL MON 5:40 PM EST
as my SJU-MIA flight posted on Tuesday that week but MIA-DFW and the flight after that had to wait until Tuesday the following week.
So I flew home a SG rather than a WP, not that it concerned me too much but might be something to consider if it leads to a better experience on a future flight.

Also thanks serfty and AFF as that was far easier than I ever expected it to be and now I'm a WP