SWU Strategy
#136
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,891
hi-am new exec plat and have never used a systemwide upgrade on aa.. am trying to find biz upgrade available flights from japan to lax and cant find any..!
if they do not show available is there no way to apply the upgrade(go on waiting list etc?) thanks!
if they do not show available is there no way to apply the upgrade(go on waiting list etc?) thanks!
#137
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,982
You can always call and be added to the waitlist, just keep in mind that for most in-demand flights like Tokyo AA typically doesn't release upgrade space until about 24-48 hours before the flight if there are still seats left in business.
Also keep in mind that as soon as you're waitlisted for the SWU upgrade you will no longer see the buy-up upgrade offers.
#138
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP, 2 Million Miler
Posts: 838
I had an EXP status with a 12- month rolling LP balance around 400k during this time and typical at or near the top of the upgrade list.
Hope this helps.
#139
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, BAEC Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 365
Good luck with this route- many times it comes down to the gate.
#140
Join Date: Jun 2024
Posts: 3
In other words, is it possible to use SWU on stopover ? I would like to use 2 SWU (one GRU-DFW-FRA, other FRA-DFW-GRU).
Thanks
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,982
Hi! You mentioned that you cant use multi-city search to find availability.. But can you use SWU on a multi city trip? I mean, I live in Brazil and would like to go to US and Germany (example) .. so I would book GRU-DFW (stay a few days in Dallas), then DFW - FRA. So I would return to Brazil FRA-DFW-GRU.
In other words, is it possible to use SWU on stopover ? I would like to use 2 SWU (one GRU-DFW-FRA, other FRA-DFW-GRU).
Thanks
In other words, is it possible to use SWU on stopover ? I would like to use 2 SWU (one GRU-DFW-FRA, other FRA-DFW-GRU).
Thanks
You should be able to use 1 SWU on GRU-DFW-FRA with a stopover in DFW as long as everything is on the same PNR.
#142
Join Date: Dec 2022
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 40
I have EP status. If upgrade space is currently available on a flight where I booked PE seats, could I/should I downgrade to basic economy (with a flight credit for the difference) first, then apply a SWU to upgrade?
Edited to add another question: If I upgrade, would I be able to change my mind later and apply SWUs to another trip/flight instead (reverting to my previous PE seats, if they're still available)?
Edited to add another question: If I upgrade, would I be able to change my mind later and apply SWUs to another trip/flight instead (reverting to my previous PE seats, if they're still available)?
Last edited by MyJourneys; Jun 28, 2024 at 1:34 pm
#143
Join Date: Jun 2024
Posts: 3
Finding upgrade space in advance to and from anywhere in Asia right now is extremely tough.
You can always call and be added to the waitlist, just keep in mind that for most in-demand flights like Tokyo AA typically doesn't release upgrade space until about 24-48 hours before the flight if there are still seats left in business.
Also keep in mind that as soon as you're waitlisted for the SWU upgrade you will no longer see the buy-up upgrade offers.
You can always call and be added to the waitlist, just keep in mind that for most in-demand flights like Tokyo AA typically doesn't release upgrade space until about 24-48 hours before the flight if there are still seats left in business.
Also keep in mind that as soon as you're waitlisted for the SWU upgrade you will no longer see the buy-up upgrade offers.
Is it possible to check how many people there are in the waitlist? Can I see, before applying, how many EPs (and how many LPs they have earned) there are on the list?
If I apply now for a flight 11 months later, and after that 6 EPs with more 12 months LP earned apply too, thats very bad news for me, right? So does not matter when I apply, I just need to get more LPs than the others EPs, right?
thanks !
#144
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,982
I have EP status. If upgrade space is currently available on a flight where I booked PE seats, could I/should I downgrade to basic economy (with a flight credit for the difference) first, then apply a SWU to upgrade?
Edited to add another question: If I upgrade, would I be able to change my mind later and apply SWUs to another trip/flight instead (reverting to my previous PE seats, if they're still available)?
Edited to add another question: If I upgrade, would I be able to change my mind later and apply SWUs to another trip/flight instead (reverting to my previous PE seats, if they're still available)?
As to changing your mind, yes it should be possible to cancel your upgrade however it will probably take at least 1 or 2 calls to AA to cancel it and make sure the SWU is redeposited in your account.
#145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,982
Is it possible to check how many people there are in the waitlist? Can I see, before applying, how many EPs (and how many LPs they have earned) there are on the list?
If I apply now for a flight 11 months later, and after that 6 EPs with more 12 months LP earned apply too, thats very bad news for me, right? So does not matter when I apply, I just need to get more LPs than the others EPs, right?
If I apply now for a flight 11 months later, and after that 6 EPs with more 12 months LP earned apply too, thats very bad news for me, right? So does not matter when I apply, I just need to get more LPs than the others EPs, right?
And you are correct, when you get on the waitlist doesn't matter, all that matters is your status and LP. So you could get on the list today and be #1, but if tomorrow another EXP gets on with more LP they would now be #1 and you drop to #2.
Personally speaking I would never book nor get on the waitlist for a flight that far out, as you will no longer see the online/app upgrade offers. Just set EF alerts and call if C space happens to open up.
#146
Join Date: Jun 2024
Posts: 3
It's not possible to see the waitlist until 8-12 hrs before the flight when it becomes visible in the AA app. And this is just the pax name and position, you can never see how many LP's others have or what their status is.
And you are correct, when you get on the waitlist doesn't matter, all that matters is your status and LP. So you could get on the list today and be #1, but if tomorrow another EXP gets on with more LP they would now be #1 and you drop to #2.
Personally speaking I would never book nor get on the waitlist for a flight that far out, as you will no longer see the online/app upgrade offers. Just set EF alerts and call if C space happens to open up.
And you are correct, when you get on the waitlist doesn't matter, all that matters is your status and LP. So you could get on the list today and be #1, but if tomorrow another EXP gets on with more LP they would now be #1 and you drop to #2.
Personally speaking I would never book nor get on the waitlist for a flight that far out, as you will no longer see the online/app upgrade offers. Just set EF alerts and call if C space happens to open up.
I am planing a trip from Brazil to Europe, including a stopover in US (NY or DFW).. and trying to use SWU (which I still don’t have it)..
as I can see on EF, it seems to be easier to get an advanced confirmed SWU flying to Europe rather than to Brazil..
so I think it’s better buy the trip as soon as I see a C in the Europe leg and hope for the best from Brazil to USA
#147
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 10,360
Hi All
Called American and shared I had an expiring systemwide that is expiring on Aug 14/2024
and could I use it on Aug 21/2024
She stated you must use it (fly) a week before expiration
no booking into the future under any circumstances
When I went onto one of the well known bloggers site online they said as long as space is available
you can confirm into the future
as long as the systemwide its still valid when you go to book
From my understanding the agent seems clearly mistaken.Thoughts?
The thing sat in my account a year and never once did American remind me to use it sadly
It was put into my account as a goodwill gesture when an agent messed up my earned systemwide
on a long haul flight from a year ago
I suppose they hope you forget about them? (sigh)
Called American and shared I had an expiring systemwide that is expiring on Aug 14/2024
and could I use it on Aug 21/2024
She stated you must use it (fly) a week before expiration
![Confused](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/confused.gif)
When I went onto one of the well known bloggers site online they said as long as space is available
you can confirm into the future
as long as the systemwide its still valid when you go to book
From my understanding the agent seems clearly mistaken.Thoughts?
The thing sat in my account a year and never once did American remind me to use it sadly
It was put into my account as a goodwill gesture when an agent messed up my earned systemwide
on a long haul flight from a year ago
I suppose they hope you forget about them? (sigh)
#148
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,982
Hi All
Called American and shared I had an expiring systemwide that is expiring on Aug 14/2024
and could I use it on Aug 21/2024
She stated you must use it (fly) a week before expiration
no booking into the future under any circumstances
When I went onto one of the well known bloggers site online they said as long as space is available
you can confirm into the future
as long as the systemwide its still valid when you go to book
From my understanding the agent seems clearly mistaken.Thoughts?
The thing sat in my account a year and never once did American remind me to use it sadly
It was put into my account as a goodwill gesture when an agent messed up my earned systemwide
on a long haul flight from a year ago
I suppose they hope you forget about them? (sigh)
Called American and shared I had an expiring systemwide that is expiring on Aug 14/2024
and could I use it on Aug 21/2024
She stated you must use it (fly) a week before expiration
![Confused](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/confused.gif)
When I went onto one of the well known bloggers site online they said as long as space is available
you can confirm into the future
as long as the systemwide its still valid when you go to book
From my understanding the agent seems clearly mistaken.Thoughts?
The thing sat in my account a year and never once did American remind me to use it sadly
It was put into my account as a goodwill gesture when an agent messed up my earned systemwide
on a long haul flight from a year ago
I suppose they hope you forget about them? (sigh)
And just a tip, but when you call never mention anything about your SWU expiring or the expiration date or anything like that. All that does is lead to agents making things up about what can or can't be done, as happened on your call.
Just call, give them your PNR, and tell them you want to upgrade X flights with a SWU. Nothing more.
#150
Join Date: Sep 2020
Programs: AA EXP, BA Gold, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,978