Does American Airlines give upgrades to OneWorld Sapphire?

[Lendav Orav]

As an AAnobody I do NOT recommend using 500mile certs.. AFAIK you can only upgrade B and Y class with these... (unlike Gold and Plat that can use them on any class and unlike Exec plat that dont even need to use them...)

thanks for the tip. I am booked in B class. But if you think it's a long shot then I'd rather not waste the money. But the points upgrade I can confirm now for travel in February? Do you know the booking class and is it visible on expertflyer?

 

[Cyclogenesis]

I cant recall (A class I think) but the benefit of points over 500mile upgrades is that if they (the seat class) are available they clear instantly.. for 500mile UGs as a AAnobody I recall it is 24 hours prior. Either one you can go on a waitlist to get fare paying F seats... I have only ever seen spare F seats on an AA flight once (and that was when I had no status so upgrading was not an option)

 

[serfty]

... Do you know the booking class and is it visible on expertflyer?

Since your flight is US to Central America there is no First class, so you require Business class. The upgrade is 8K Advantage points; importantly there is no "CO-PAY" being B class. The booking code required for the upgrade is "C" class.

Expert Flyer has the ability to show this using it's "Awards & Upgrades" facility (After selecting AA, check the "Business - Upgrade (C)" box).

BTW, with sticker upgrades you would be part of the 7th group in line, the time of upgrade request determines you position within that group. (http://www.travelingbetter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3220) In other words, I would not bother with sticker upgrades.

 

[Lendav Orav]

Since your flight is US to Central America there is no First class, so you require Business class. The upgrade is 8K Advantage points; importantly there is no "CO-PAY" being B class. The booking code required for the upgrade is "C" class.

Expert Flyer has the ability to show this using it's "Awards & Upgrades" facility (After selecting AA, check the "Business - Upgrade (C)" box).

BTW, with sticker upgrades you would be part of the 7th group in line, the time of upgrade request determines you position within that group. (For reference; elite tier/fare class priority for domestic upgrades - Traveling Better Forums) In other words, I would not bother with sticker upgrades.

thanks for the info. sounds like the points upgrade is the way to go. pity I don't have any AA points as such because I think $200 is a bit much for a oneway MIA-PTY. Will have a think though!

 

[NM]

Yes I'm booked on the AA flight number (it's to Central America there's no QF number). But is it even possible to do the upgrade if my booking is linked to my QF FF number, that's my question.

I have used my AAdvantage eVIP upgrades many time for passengers who have their QF FF number in the reservation. Its no different if upgrading yourself. AAdvantage allows you to upgrade anyone you choose. So the agent or the system does not even need to know the upgrader and upgradee are the same person (though the same name may give it away ).

 

[NM]

and unlike Exec plat that dont even need to use them...)

Nor do Exec Plat members earn them :!:

 

[NM]

thanks for the info. sounds like the points upgrade is the way to go. pity I don't have any AA points as such because I think $200 is a bit much for a oneway MIA-PTY. Will have a think though!

Compared with the fare price difference between B and J, $200 seems reasonable value to me. If you think its too much then it sounds like you are content to sit in the coach cabin for the flight.

 

[serfty]

Do you have any Points/miles in other programs?

e.g. You can transfer 8000 SPG points to 8000 AA at 1:1. [20K to 25K]

If you have Amex MR's, you may be able to transfer 24,300 to SPG to get 8019 SPG.

 

[jamessanders]

Do you think this would work to get an upgrade on AA LAX - JFK?

I've found out that a close friend is a AAdvantage Exec Platinum member - would it be possible for them to book deep-discount AA tickets through their account and then purchase 500 sticker upgrades?

Or does the Exec Plat member need to be travelling to take advantage of the any-class upgrade using 500 stickers?

Am I correct in saying that I would need 6, 500 sticker upgrades for LAX to JFK?

 

[Cyclogenesis]

I seem to recall that you can only use 500 mile upgrades on yourself and up to one travelling companion.

However the AA-EXP can (once again I could be wrong) use thier points to upgrade you (or people on any PNR)

The exception (I have read) is if they have a eVIP:
see What is a SWU / VIP / eVIP? How does one work / long do they last? (consolidated) - Page 2 - FlyerTalk Forums
a few posts down from the top

 

[Lendav Orav]

Compared with the fare price difference between B and J, $200 seems reasonable value to me. If you think its too much then it sounds like you are content to sit in the coach cabin for the flight.

of course I'm not content to sit in coach (who is??) but because only MIA-PTY, it's not good value for the upgrade...

 

[Lendav Orav]

Do you have any Points/miles in other programs?

e.g. You can transfer 8000 SPG points to 8000 AA at 1:1. [20K to 25K]

If you have Amex MR's, you may be able to transfer 24,300 to SPG to get 8019 SPG.

thanks for the advice... I have some SPG points but not enough to transfer... I've basically stopped using them since it hasn't been possible to transfer them to QF.... any other quick ways to make a few AA points?

 

[Lendav Orav]

are the mileage upgrades still around? I had a look on the AA website and could only see info for the 500-mile certificate type. I'm flying MIA-MGA and back and looking to upgrade. Have some SPG and Radisson points I can transfer to AA. Can I buy the missing miles (to confirm the upgrade beforehand - not the 500-mile waitlist deal) and can I upgrade if the flight is booked as BA codeshare?

thanks!
LO

 

[serfty]

You can upgrade with miles (+ co-pay), but 'C' class needs to be available for it to be confirmed immediately.

E/F can show this.