ADV Points upgrade

[v8Statesman]

Has anyone had any experience with upgrading an AA flight with ADV miles on a ticket issued on QF stock?

 

[kempvet]

Has anyone had any experience with upgrading an AA flight with ADV miles on a ticket issued on QF stock?

I don't think that you can upgrade on QF metal as per program details

AAdvantage members may use AAdvantage miles to upgrade on American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia flights*. Miles may be used to upgrade yourself or anyone you designate. And now, you can upgrade tickets booked by American Airlines (via Reservations or AA.com) as well as bookings made through a travel agency or other source.

But then again, maybe someone has done an upgrade on QF metal using AA miles

 

[v8Statesman]

Not a QF flight. As stated. AA flight just on a QF ticket.

 

[kempvet]

Not a QF flight. As stated. AA flight just on a QF ticket.

OK, I get where you are coming from, I think that the answer will be no, for example if I try to get a complimentary upgrade as EXP AA on a LAX-SFO AA metal flight which happens to have a QF fight number the answer has always come back that an upgrade is not possible on anything other than an AA (IB, BA) flight number. Probably the same thing would apply to your situation, it would have to be an AA, IB or BA flight number on any one of AA, IB or BA metal.

 

[v8Statesman]

It is a BA flight number on BA metal.

 

[kempvet]

It is a BA flight number on BA metal.

Yes, you can use your AAdvantage miles to upgrade British Airways and Iberia flights as well as American Airlines codeshare flights operated by British Airways and Iberia.

This would indicate to me that a BA flight number on BA metal can be upgraded with AA points.
BUT
However, upgrades on British Airways and Iberia (including flights marketed by AA, operated by BA or IB) are valid from full fares only.
Would indicate that only Economy Yand B fares could be upgraded not any of the discounted economy, same for PE the only BA PE fare which could be upgraded is the W fare.

I really haven't explored the upgrading of BA codes on BA metal as having to pay full fare prices doesn't make sense to me, you are better off buying the AA miles and looking for the opportunity to redeem 50k each way trans Atlantic for a J redemption, rather than pay full Y fare and burn even more points simply to upgrade to PE.

 

[v8Statesman]

It will be D->F

 

[kempvet]

It will be D->F

OK, I assume D to F on BA code and metal would be possible, it would of course depend on availability. If you can see F redemption with AA points on the dates you want to travel you would think that the upgrade would almost certainly succeed. For example BA LHR-SYD on BA metal and code could be upgraded D to F (BA codes) but the upgrade would cost 70,000 AA miles which is rich when you consider that the AA miles redemption for the same flight is only 80,000 miles.

 

[v8Statesman]

I managed to upgrade BA56 to F with my miles. 388 now seated in 1K

 

[v8Statesman]

Oh, award upgrades come out of A inventory.

 

[v8Statesman]

OK, I assume D to F on BA code and metal would be possible, it would of course depend on availability. If you can see F redemption with AA points on the dates you want to travel you would think that the upgrade would almost certainly succeed. For example BA LHR-SYD on BA metal and code could be upgraded D to F (BA codes) but the upgrade would cost 70,000 AA miles which is rich when you consider that the AA miles redemption for the same flight is only 80,000 miles.

Having now flown my upgraded flight, I feel it isn't as clear cut as what you're suggesting. Assuming AA Plat (Easy to attain). You'll earn 23,789 miles and 15,850 EQP. Not at all insignificant. That then makes it 46,211 vs 80,000 miles out of pocket. Also an F award comes from the limited award inventory, upgrades come for the much more readily available A inventory.