AA 'Instant Upgrade' booking class

Status
Not open for further replies.

qf unfort

Intern
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Posts
95
Quick Q on AA bookings - I'm currently looking at an AA flight to be booked on the AA UK website. Was just looking for an Economy seat but the booking matrix throws up fares for all available classes (very handy indeed!).

One of these is called 'Instant Upgrade' and the flight details state it's booking into First Class on both domestic US and international legs. Fair enough i thought, however the fare is significantly less than a Business Class fare ('Business Special'), which makes me wonder if i'm missing something... Does anyone have any experience of this? I'm obv keen to avoid paying a pretty large premium over economy only to find first class is only available if there's empty space etc.

Thanks!
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

It is generally known as a KUPP or YUPP.

Within the US, it will normally end up in the F cabin. International legs - I assume to the Caribbean? (and perhaps certain US flights like the LAX-NYC flights), it will end up in the J cabin.

These fares are booked in Economy, but get an Instant upgrade (space when booking permitting) to the higher cabin. You normally won't see them if there isn't a free seat in F etc.

Only a couple of things to watch out - check the flexibility of the ticket. Some of them have change fees or cancellation fees. Also, if you have to make last minute changes to your ticket, you could end up back in Economy.
 
It is generally known as a KUPP or YUPP.

Within the US, it will normally end up in the F cabin. International legs - I assume to the Caribbean? (and perhaps certain US flights like the LAX-NYC flights), it will end up in the J cabin.

These fares are booked in Economy, but get an Instant upgrade (space when booking permitting) to the higher cabin. You normally won't see them if there isn't a free seat in F etc.

Only a couple of things to watch out - check the flexibility of the ticket. Some of them have change fees or cancellation fees. Also, if you have to make last minute changes to your ticket, you could end up back in Economy.

Thanks for the very quick responses. :) The international leg is actually transatlantic - Chicago - LHR. Booking matrix says 'A' Class and 'First' on this int leg, so presumably means its still first class despite being significantly less than the biz fare. As for flexibilty, v unlikely to change so not a prob, but thanks for the heads up anyway.
 
Thanks for the very quick responses. :) The international leg is actually transatlantic - Chicago - LHR. Booking matrix says 'A' Class and 'First' on this int leg, so presumably means its still first class despite being significantly less than the biz fare. As for flexibilty, v unlikely to change so not a prob, but thanks for the heads up anyway.

I didn't know AA offered them Trans-Atlantic, but sure enough they do! Think that's a pretty recent change. Traditionally, KUPP's/YUPP's etc (and I think this one is a JUPP as it appears to be initially booked in J) are used by airlines to get business they normally wouldn't get - Eg an employee has a "Y travel" policy. So a K/YUPP is an Economy fare with a 'free' upgrade to First.
 
Thanks for the very quick responses. :) The international leg is actually transatlantic - Chicago - LHR. Booking matrix says 'A' Class and 'First' on this int leg, so presumably means its still first class despite being significantly less than the biz fare. As for flexibilty, v unlikely to change so not a prob, but thanks for the heads up anyway.

This is rather weird since the KUP/YUP which others mentioned are not offered on transatlantic runs. When you make the booking there is a link to the fare rules which would be interesting to see. It is possible that cheap business is sold out and that the A 1st class fare is cheaper than available business

How much was the fare and what was the routing?

Dave
 
It is possible that cheap business is sold out and that the A 1st class fare is cheaper than available business

Sample one way 15 Mar ORD-LHR on AA90.

Instant Upgrade - $5539, Business Flexible $5539, First Flexible $8518 . Some other routing options are cheaper as JUP than a J.

Instant Upgrade fare books into A as a JUPAA3. Business Flexible into D as a J fare and First Flexible into F as an F fare.
 
Sample one way 15 Mar ORD-LHR on AA90.

Instant Upgrade - $5539, Business Flexible $5539, First Flexible $8518 . Some other routing options are cheaper as JUP than a J.

Instant Upgrade fare books into A as a JUPAA3. Business Flexible into D as a J fare and First Flexible into F as an F fare.

So they are now pretending that discounted F is an upgraded J.

Looking at EF, there is J, JUPAA3, JUP and F one way with F being $11,900 plus tax

If wanting business class, would be worth looking at r/t fares since I class is $3747 plus tax

(note that $ refers t AUD)

Dave
 
So they are now pretending that discounted F is an upgraded J.

Well based on cabin service / seats / food / general Aircraft condition, yes, F on AA is a pretend "upgraded" J compared to other airlines :)

Still, I think this is something new. Havn't checked AA Atlantic fares for a few months (not really a route I tend to fly!), but perhaps it's their way of filling the F cabin with paid customers.

Looking at the return trip (ORD-LHR 15 Mar / 22 Mar), then yes, the I class (with F internal US flights) is offered at circa $US2950 + taxes etc. Instant Upgrade is a lot more - seems to be only worth it on one way flights.
 
Well based on cabin service / seats / food / general Aircraft condition, yes, F on AA is a pretend "upgraded" J compared to other airlines :)

AA's international 1st class seating is pretty decent imo with decent space to put my laptop and still eat

Meal service isn't up with the likes of CX but still reasonable

Dave
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Enhance your AFF viewing experience!!

From just $6 we'll remove all advertisements so that you can enjoy a cleaner and uninterupted viewing experience.

And you'll be supporting us so that we can continue to provide this valuable resource :)


Sample AFF with no advertisements? More..

Recent Posts

Back
Top