Op Ups in AA v QF for Elite Status Members

[Chris_Leo]

Hi everyone

I have a quick question today. Is the likelihood of receiving an Op Up from Economy to First on domestic AA flights greater when you are flying on a ticket with your AA Platinum number attached as opposed to your QF Platinum number?

Or is this just irrelevant?

Thanks in advance
Chris

 

[Keith009]

Am pretty sure you'd be ranked higher than other OWEs and OWSs, or at least IME. Also in IRROPs or overbookings situation you're also likely to be looked after first - though if on purely domestic itin the QF WP has the advantage of being able to seek assistance from the AC Angels. You also get access to better seating with AA PLT in there. My LAX-LAS on eAAgle was overweight and oversold and there were no volunteers for the bump; my parents and I got to the gate pretty late and were v anxious that we'd be invol bumped - but midway through boarding they halted the hoi polloi from boarding and hauled all EXPs, PLTs and their companions onboard. No mention of OW.

As AA PLT don't you have stickers to use anyway? I believe if these don't clear prior to departure you can ask to be put on the "upgrade list" at check in, though not sure if that only applies to EXPs.

 

[Chris_Leo]

Hmmm...that is very interesting to note. I've never been in a situation like that before, but good to know that my status will guarantee my seat in any case.

Ahhh the AC Angels....actually, I shouldn't scoff at the dear AC reception staff...they are surprisingly friendly compared to some other airline lounge staff (Alaskan Airlines for example!) One thing that really phases me however is that every now and again some rude individual will come marching to the reception desk demanding for the receptionist to magically provide him with everything he wants...pronto! It inevitably turns into a yelling match, with the AC Angels winning every time. Such a turnoff! Even more embaressing when it is a fellow Aussie, ugh! The Aussie accent resonates a little too clearly in the States.

What are these AA PLT stickers you speak of?

 

[Keith009]

What are these AA PLT stickers you speak of?

Electronic upgrade certs that are good for 500 miles each. You get 4 after every 10k EQMs IIRC.

 

[Chris_Leo]

eAAgle....are they the mini dash like planes that fly, e.g. LAX to San Jose and SFO to Orange County???

arhaha....I vowed never to fly on those unless absolutely a last resort....the last time I sat in the rear row next to the restroom, and some poor lady was locked in the restroom for what seemed like an eternity (probably 15 or 20 minutes in reality). Nobody was able to unlock the door, even the cabin crew. Eventually they were able to get her out, but man...what a traumatic experience. I wonder if she sued!

 

[Chris_Leo]

Electronic upgrade certs that are good for 500 miles each. You get 4 after every 10k EQMs IIRC.

Oh boo.....i've heard of those but never actually received them since I credit all my AA flights to QF. I'm really thinking of swapping it around at some point. Perhaps after I re-gain WP status for this year, I will start crediting my flights to AA. I feel like I am losing out from continued loyalty to the QFF scheme.

 

[Keith009]

eAAgle....is that the mini dash like planes that fly, e.g. LAX to San Jose and SFO to Orange County???

Yep, the ERJs.

 

[moa999]

but midway through boarding they halted the hoi polloi from boarding and hauled all EXPs, PLTs and their companions onboard. No mention of OW..

As a WP if AA asked for EXP, PLTs, I would walk to the gate and flash the card.

 

[Chris_Leo]

As a WP if AA asked for EXP, PLTs, I would walk to the gate and flash the card.

I agree....OW Emerald seems to be exactly the same as EXP for boarding/lounge access purposes. I do however carry both my WP and AA PLT card as precaution!

 

[Keith009]

As a WP if AA asked for EXP, PLTs, I would walk to the gate and flash the card.

They actually called out our names rather than made a general call for EXPs and PLTs. Heard them muttering to one another before that going "are there EXPs and PLTs on this flight?"

 

[Chris_Leo]

They actually called out our names rather than made a general call for EXPs and PLTs. Heard them muttering to one another before that going "are there EXPs and PLTs on this flight?"

Ok, i think i misunderstood what you wrote in your earlier response to my question. My bad! So actually, you are suggesting that perhaps AA look after their own first in dire circumstances?

My only concern with quoting AA number on my flights is for my QF flights typically on Discount Economy (Red e-deals etc.) My understanding is that such flights would only count 50% towards elite qualifying points and mileage. At present, the vast majority of my mileage earn is from QF pacific return flights as WP - 100% bonus, which I would lose with AA unless I purchased H or K class. I will have to undertake further research to find out the cost variance between O and H/K class fares.

As for SC earn, it has always made more sense for me to quote my WP number on domestic AA flights as the SC earn on such flights is no comparison to domestic Aussie flights.

why do they make the rules so complex!!!

 

[serfty]

The reaility on AA flights is that EXP get complimentary space available upgrades.

So Op ups are extremely rare ...

 

[Keith009]

Ok, i think i misunderstood what you wrote in your earlier response to my question. My bad! So actually, you are suggesting that perhaps AA look after their own first in dire circumstances?

Yep, as would other airlines with their own elites but perhaps more subtle than that.

 

[Chris_Leo]

The reaility on AA flights is that EXP get complimentary space available upgrades.

So Op ups are extremely rare ...

Interestingly enough, I scored an upgrade to first from SFO to DFW when I missed my direct UA flight to ATL (SFO airport was at fault!!!). I was on the waiting list at the SFO gate, and at the last minute I received a boarding pass in coach (must to my relief), and then a few minutes later, I was asked to return to the gate and they swapped my boarding pass for a F seat. All this happened while I had my AA PLT number attached to my trip.

 

[serfty]

The Plat number certianly would have assisted; although QF WP helps too (see below).

You would have been a revenue disrupt and with that and the PLT status would have been high on the standby list; they seem to be happy to give unallocated pointy end seats first in those situations.

On the 1st of this month I requested same day standby for an ealier morning flight LAX-SFO - booked in N class. I, as an Emerald, was first on the standby list. There was only the one request showing on the upgrade list.

It seems there were two spare First class seats and after processing the upgrade request; they called me up from the F/L and gave me the other seat. It showed X class (on my BP) but I did receive Economy SC's.

 

[farstar]

I was on two eAAgle flights last month and was told as I was an EXP I could have a free drink or snack but I am a WP not an EXP so it makes me wonder if they can tell the difference in some cases.

 

[drron]

On most domestic AA flights there are more than enough EXP and AA plats to fill all upgrade available seats.This will be even more so in the next 12 months due to reduction in services.There will of course always be exceptions.
For example as a no status Aadvantage member in 2006 both myself and mrsdrron on award tickets got an op up J-F NRT-LAX.To say this was always possible though would be ridiculous.
As an AA EXP I have never been offered an upgrade on QF.I am sure AA knows from many of their vocal LOTFAP members what happens on QF.I have though had op ups on CX.

 

[drron]

There must be a QF lurker here.Today flying SYD-ADL,produced my BP at gate to get the red light.Please see the other agent.Here is your new BP-19D became 2A.
So I take it all back.

 

[Keith009]

As an AA EXP I have never been offered an upgrade on QF.I am sure AA knows from many of their vocal LOTFAP members what happens on QF.I have though had op ups on CX.

I actually heard, according to an industry source, that CX hates AAdvantage elites as we apparently have much more of a tendency to ask for op ups at the check in counter than other OW elites. I blame this on the 'upgrade entitlement culture' that's prevalent amongst LOFTAP pax. This I heard from a CX source but I wouldn't be surprised if the other airlines feel the same way. Apparently if you ask for an op up at check in or at the gate, the CX agents will manually tweak the computer generated priority list and bump you all the way to the bottom!

 

[Chris_Leo]

I actually heard, according to an industry source, that CX hates AAdvantage elites as we apparently have much more of a tendency to ask for op ups at the check in counter than other OW elites. I blame this on the 'upgrade entitlement culture' that's prevalent amongst LOFTAP pax. This I heard from a CX source but I wouldn't be surprised if the other airlines feel the same way. Apparently if you ask for an op up at check in or at the gate, the CX agents will manually tweak the computer generated priority list and bump you all the way to the bottom!

It is for this reason that I never ask for upgrades at the counter!!!!