American & Alaska Reciprocal Upgrades For Elites (First Class & Extra Legroom)

In 2021, Alaska Airlines joined the oneworld alliance, which was a major development for the Seattle-based airline. To coincide with that, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines also rolled out reciprocal upgrades for elite members, as part of a strategic partnership between the two airlines.

This perk has now been around for years, so in this post, I’d like to take a look at the current state of reciprocal upgrades between the airlines, given that this partnership has evolved over time. Who is eligible for first class upgrades, who is eligible for extra legroom economy upgrades, and how does it all work?

Alaska Atmos Rewards elite upgrades on American

All Alaska Atmos Rewards elite members (Titanium, Platinum, Gold, and Silver) are eligible for upgrades to extra legroom seating as well as first class when flying with American (find all the terms here).

American Main Cabin Extra upgrades

All Alaska Atmos Rewards elite members are eligible for upgrades to American’s extra legroom economy seating, known as Main Cabin Extra. When you can select these seats depends on your status:

• Titanium, Platinum, and Gold members can select Main Cabin Extra seats at the time of booking
• Silver members can select Main Cabin Extra seats within 24 hours of travel

These premium seats can be selected directly on aa.com, either during the booking process, or after booking. As long as your eligible Atmos Rewards number is attached to the reservation, you should automatically see the option to select these seats. This benefit is valid for one companion for Gold members and above, and even basic economy fares qualify for upgrades.

American first class upgrades

All Alaska Atmos Rewards elite members are eligible for upgrades to American’s first class. As you’d expect, there are some restrictions associated with this:

• This is only available in markets eligible for complimentary upgrades, including travel within the United States (including Hawaii), and travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Central America
• Upgrades could clear starting 72 hours before departure, and can clear any time up until departure; Atmos Rewards Titanium and Platinum members are prioritized behind AAdvantage Platinum Pro members (up to 72 hours out), Atmos Rewards Gold members are prioritized behind AAdvantage Platinum members (up to 48 hours out), and Atmos Rewards Silver members are prioritized behind AAdvantage Gold members (up to 24 hours out)
• One companion traveling on the same reservation as the Atmos Rewards elite member is also eligible for a complimentary upgrade; the exception is that Silver members don’t receive a complimentary companion upgrade
• Upgrades are available on basic economy fares
• Flights can be marketed by Alaska or American, meaning an Alaska codeshare on American is eligible for first class upgrades

American AAdvantage elite upgrades on Alaska

All American AAdvantage elite members (Concierge Key, Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, Platinum, and Gold) are eligible for upgrades to extra legroom seating as well as first class when flying with Alaska (find all the terms here).

Alaska Premium Class upgrades

All American AAdvantage elite members are eligible for upgrades to Alaska’s extra legroom economy seating, known as Premium Class. When you can select these seats depends on your status and the type of fare you book:

• Concierge Key and Executive Platinum members can select Premium Class seats at the time of booking
• Platinum Pro and Platinum members can select Premium Class seats — if booked in the Y, B, H, K, M, L, V, S or N fare classes, you can select them at the time of booking, while otherwise you can select them within 72 hours of travel
• Gold members can select Premium Class seats — if booked in the Y, B, or H fare classes, you can select them at the time of booking, while otherwise you can select them within 48 hours of travel

These premium seats can be selected directly on alaskaair.com, shortly after ticketing a reservation. Note that American AAdvantage elite members aren’t eligible for Premium Class seating when booking Saver fares (in the “X” fare class).

Alaska first class upgrades

All American AAdvantage elite members are eligible for upgrades to Alaska’s first class. As you’d expect, there are some restrictions associated with this:

• This is only available in markets eligible for complimentary upgrades, including travel within North America, and for the time being, exclusively on Alaska flights (and not Hawaiian flights)
• Upgrades can be confirmed as early as 120 hours before departure, all the way up to departure; AAdvantage Platinum Pro members and above are prioritized behind Atmos Rewards Titanium members (up to 120 hours out), AAdvantage Platinum members are prioritized behind Atmos Rewards Gold members (up to 72 hours out), and AAdvantage Gold members are prioritized behind Atmos Rewards Silver members (up to 48 hours out)
• AAdvantage elite members are prioritized first by fare class and then by the request date and time

Note that American AAdvantage elite members aren’t eligible for first class upgrades when booking Saver fares (in the “X” fare class).

Other reciprocal elite perks through oneworld

In addition to reciprocal upgrade opportunities, Alaska Atmos Rewards and American AAdvantage elite members can enjoy reciprocal perks through their oneworld alliance tiers (like oneworld Emerald or oneworld Sapphire), when flying on the other carrier. These benefits include the following:

• Priority check-in
• Priority security
• Lounge access
• Priority boarding
• Additional baggage allowance

Bottom line

Alaska Airlines and American Airlines offer reciprocal upgrades, which is a fantastic benefit. All elite members are eligible for extra legroom economy seating and first class upgrades. This is in addition to standard reciprocal oneworld perks, including with premium check-in, priority boarding, and more.

Have any OMAAT readers had experiences with reciprocal upgrades between the two airlines? What was your experience like?