Rumor : AA to institute unlimited free domestic upgrades
Feb 19, 2004, 4:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,670
Rumor : AA to institute unlimited free domestic upgrades
Take with a jar of salt if you so desire, but a previously reliable AA employee on airliners.net has posted the following scoop.
http://www.airliners.net/discussions....main/1412147/
Edited to add : The rumor is indeed true.
http://www.aa.com/upgrade2004
[This message has been edited by B747-437B (edited Feb 19, 2004).]
http://www.airliners.net/discussions....main/1412147/
Edited to add : The rumor is indeed true.
http://www.aa.com/upgrade2004
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
AAdvantage Upgrade Changes For 2004
American Airlines Is Pleased To Offer New AAdvantage Upgrade Benefits
AAdvantage Executive Platinum members receive unlimited, complimentary upgrades
Purchased upgrade prices reduced
American Airlines is announcing exciting new changes to the AAdvantage® program. AAdvantage Executive Platinum members will receive unlimited, complimentary upgrades1 when traveling on any purchased published fare. In addition, AAdvantage members will be able to purchase 500-mile upgrades at a lower price. "Our customers love upgrades, and these changes are designed to maximize their opportunities to enjoy the benefits of elite status membership," said Dennis Cary, President - AAdvantage Marketing Programs.
Effective 3/18/04, AAdvantage Executive Platinum members may request a complimentary upgrade, where available, on all purchased published fares for travel within and between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Central America. This new policy gives American's highest elite-level members the opportunity to enjoy a higher class of service when flying on eligible flights at no additional cost.
AAdvantage Executive Platinum members may request an upgrade for any eligible segment on American Airlines when they make a reservation. American will process the upgrade request 100 hours prior to departure, if upgrade seating is available.
In addition, Elite Status members and one companion will continue to receive complimentary upgrades on eligible American Airlines flights, when both are traveling on fares booked in Y or B.2 If the companion is not traveling on a Y or B fare, the member may request an upgrade for the companion using 500-mile (5M) electronic upgrades. American will also process the companion upgrade request 100 hours prior to departure, subject to availability.
Also effective 3/18/04, American is lowering the price of 500-mile (5M) electronic upgrades to $25/30 from $40/50 (see chart below).
Members who purchase upgrades through AA.com or our AAdvantage Dial-In system can obtain the discounted price of $25 USD per upgrade.Members purchasing upgrades at the airport or via reservations will pay $30 USD per upgrade.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upgrades New Pricing Previous Pricing
Per 500-mile unit
Upgrades Purchased via AA.com or AAdvantage Dial-In $25 $40
Upgrades Purchased at Airports or through AA Reservations $30 $50
Upgrades Purchased Using Miles 35,000 miles for 8 upgrades 50,000 miles for 8 upgrades
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For elite status members purchasing upgrades with miles, we've also lowered the cost from 50,000 miles for eight 500-mile upgrade units, to 35,000 miles for eight 500-mile upgrade units. These changes will allow all AAdvantage members3 to enjoy the benefits of upgraded travel for less.
We asked our elite members what they value most, and these changes reflect their stated preferences for a more rewarding upgrade program", said Cary.
As a reminder, American already provides all AAdvantage elite status members with complimentary upgrades when traveling on fares beginning with Y or B*. Those upgrades are confirmed within the windows noted below, provided upgrade seating is available.
Elite Level Advance Confirmation Window
AAdvantage Executive Platinum 100 hours prior to departure
AAdvantage Platinum 72 hours prior to departure
AAdvantage Gold 24 hours prior to departure
1 To receive complimentary upgrades, members must be traveling to and from qualifying cities on purchased, published fares (excluding military/government fares). Complimentary upgrades are subject to seating limitations and are only available on Americans Airlines marketed & operated flights within and between the 50 United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda, and between the U.S. and Central America.
2 Excludes military/government fares
3 Non-elite AAdvantage members must travel on Y/B fares to be eligible for upgrades to the next class of service using 500-mile electronic upgrades.
Please note: Effective 3/18/04, AAdvantage Executive Platinum members will no longer receive 4 x 500-mile electronic upgrades per 10,000 base qualifying miles earned. This benefit is being replaced by the complimentary 500-mile electronic upgrade benefit on all purchased published fares.
The American Airlines AAdvantage Program, which began in 1981, is the original and largest travel awards program today. Members currently can earn miles with more than 1,500 participating companies. In addition, each year for the past decade, the AAdvantage program has led the industry in award redemptions. In 2003, members used approximately 122 billion miles to claim more than 4 million awards to over 850 AAdvantage program award destinations worldwide. For more information and a listing of AAdvantage program participating companies, visit www.aa.com/aadvantage.
</font>
AAdvantage Upgrade Changes For 2004
American Airlines Is Pleased To Offer New AAdvantage Upgrade Benefits
AAdvantage Executive Platinum members receive unlimited, complimentary upgrades
Purchased upgrade prices reduced
American Airlines is announcing exciting new changes to the AAdvantage® program. AAdvantage Executive Platinum members will receive unlimited, complimentary upgrades1 when traveling on any purchased published fare. In addition, AAdvantage members will be able to purchase 500-mile upgrades at a lower price. "Our customers love upgrades, and these changes are designed to maximize their opportunities to enjoy the benefits of elite status membership," said Dennis Cary, President - AAdvantage Marketing Programs.
Effective 3/18/04, AAdvantage Executive Platinum members may request a complimentary upgrade, where available, on all purchased published fares for travel within and between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Central America. This new policy gives American's highest elite-level members the opportunity to enjoy a higher class of service when flying on eligible flights at no additional cost.
AAdvantage Executive Platinum members may request an upgrade for any eligible segment on American Airlines when they make a reservation. American will process the upgrade request 100 hours prior to departure, if upgrade seating is available.
In addition, Elite Status members and one companion will continue to receive complimentary upgrades on eligible American Airlines flights, when both are traveling on fares booked in Y or B.2 If the companion is not traveling on a Y or B fare, the member may request an upgrade for the companion using 500-mile (5M) electronic upgrades. American will also process the companion upgrade request 100 hours prior to departure, subject to availability.
Also effective 3/18/04, American is lowering the price of 500-mile (5M) electronic upgrades to $25/30 from $40/50 (see chart below).
Members who purchase upgrades through AA.com or our AAdvantage Dial-In system can obtain the discounted price of $25 USD per upgrade.Members purchasing upgrades at the airport or via reservations will pay $30 USD per upgrade.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upgrades New Pricing Previous Pricing
Per 500-mile unit
Upgrades Purchased via AA.com or AAdvantage Dial-In $25 $40
Upgrades Purchased at Airports or through AA Reservations $30 $50
Upgrades Purchased Using Miles 35,000 miles for 8 upgrades 50,000 miles for 8 upgrades
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For elite status members purchasing upgrades with miles, we've also lowered the cost from 50,000 miles for eight 500-mile upgrade units, to 35,000 miles for eight 500-mile upgrade units. These changes will allow all AAdvantage members3 to enjoy the benefits of upgraded travel for less.
We asked our elite members what they value most, and these changes reflect their stated preferences for a more rewarding upgrade program", said Cary.
As a reminder, American already provides all AAdvantage elite status members with complimentary upgrades when traveling on fares beginning with Y or B*. Those upgrades are confirmed within the windows noted below, provided upgrade seating is available.
Elite Level Advance Confirmation Window
AAdvantage Executive Platinum 100 hours prior to departure
AAdvantage Platinum 72 hours prior to departure
AAdvantage Gold 24 hours prior to departure
1 To receive complimentary upgrades, members must be traveling to and from qualifying cities on purchased, published fares (excluding military/government fares). Complimentary upgrades are subject to seating limitations and are only available on Americans Airlines marketed & operated flights within and between the 50 United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda, and between the U.S. and Central America.
2 Excludes military/government fares
3 Non-elite AAdvantage members must travel on Y/B fares to be eligible for upgrades to the next class of service using 500-mile electronic upgrades.
Please note: Effective 3/18/04, AAdvantage Executive Platinum members will no longer receive 4 x 500-mile electronic upgrades per 10,000 base qualifying miles earned. This benefit is being replaced by the complimentary 500-mile electronic upgrade benefit on all purchased published fares.
The American Airlines AAdvantage Program, which began in 1981, is the original and largest travel awards program today. Members currently can earn miles with more than 1,500 participating companies. In addition, each year for the past decade, the AAdvantage program has led the industry in award redemptions. In 2003, members used approximately 122 billion miles to claim more than 4 million awards to over 850 AAdvantage program award destinations worldwide. For more information and a listing of AAdvantage program participating companies, visit www.aa.com/aadvantage.
</font>
Feb 19, 2004, 4:33 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Belgium
Programs: QR platinum
Posts: 645
see official
http://www.aa.com/content/urls/upgrade2004.jhtml
[This message has been edited by beepee (edited Feb 19, 2004).]
http://www.aa.com/content/urls/upgrade2004.jhtml
[This message has been edited by beepee (edited Feb 19, 2004).]
Feb 19, 2004, 4:34 pm
#4
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,957
Hmmm... EXP, eh?
"Please note: Effective 3/18/04, AAdvantage Executive Platinum members will no longer receive 4 x 500-mile electronic upgrades per 10,000 base qualifying miles earned. This benefit is being replaced by the complimentary 500-mile electronic upgrade benefit on all purchased published fares."
Do I retain the upgrades I have in the bank in the event
I drop to PLT in the future?
[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited Feb 19, 2004).]
"Please note: Effective 3/18/04, AAdvantage Executive Platinum members will no longer receive 4 x 500-mile electronic upgrades per 10,000 base qualifying miles earned. This benefit is being replaced by the complimentary 500-mile electronic upgrade benefit on all purchased published fares."
Do I retain the upgrades I have in the bank in the event
I drop to PLT in the future?[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited Feb 19, 2004).]
Feb 19, 2004, 4:34 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: HPN
Posts: 777
Unlimited domestic upgrades for EXPs only -- actually, that sounds like a good way to retain most of the $120m* while providing a benefit to AA's most frequent flyers.
If true, congratulations AA.
* - if people remember, AA said they'd calculated it would cost them $120m/yr to institute free upgrades for elites a la NW/CO.
ETA: it's true. Definite congratulations. The bigger news is slashing the price of 500-mile upgrades to $25!
[This message has been edited by marlborobell (edited Feb 19, 2004).]
If true, congratulations AA.
* - if people remember, AA said they'd calculated it would cost them $120m/yr to institute free upgrades for elites a la NW/CO.
ETA: it's true. Definite congratulations. The bigger news is slashing the price of 500-mile upgrades to $25!
[This message has been edited by marlborobell (edited Feb 19, 2004).]
Feb 19, 2004, 4:41 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Leon, MX
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 282
Feb 19, 2004, 4:42 pm
#7
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,957
.
[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited Feb 19, 2004).]
[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited Feb 19, 2004).]
Feb 19, 2004, 4:43 pm
#8
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,957
Feb 19, 2004, 4:44 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Cambridge, MA 02138
Posts: 2,104
Here is even a shorter URL: http://www.aa.com/upgrade2004
Feb 19, 2004, 4:45 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: South Bend, IN
Programs: AA EXP 3 MM; Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 18,564
Wonderful news.
More proof that AA is the premier domestic U.S. airline!
More proof that AA is the premier domestic U.S. airline!
Feb 19, 2004, 4:47 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: 60601 AA/HH/SPG
Posts: 1,090
Perfect!
50 United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda, and between the U.S. and Central America. Thats a lot.
50 United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda, and between the U.S. and Central America. Thats a lot.
Feb 19, 2004, 4:48 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY
Posts: 185
Does this mean there will never be any availability?
Feb 19, 2004, 4:49 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SJC
Programs: AA Gold; HH Gold
Posts: 2,850
Wow!
And to echo the question above, what happens to the existing upgrades? Should I burn them while I can?
And to echo the question above, what happens to the existing upgrades? Should I burn them while I can?
Feb 19, 2004, 4:50 pm
#14
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,957
I just requested upgrades on all my domestic itineraries.
Boy, that was fun!
Boy, that was fun!
Feb 19, 2004, 4:53 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,433
this just made my day!!!!!!!!!!!!!