In early 2024, American announced some positive changes to the AAdvantage program, to be rolled out throughout the year. Among these was plans for it to be possible to redeem systemwide upgrades online, rather than having to call up the airline. Well, there’s a (sort of) positive update on that front…
In this post:
American trialing online systemwide upgrade requests
American offers systemwide upgrades as part of the Loyalty Point Rewards program, whereby you can select these certificates for passing certain thresholds. Up until now, it has been possible to view upgrade availability online, but actually requesting upgrades has required phoning up American.
American now tells me that it’s testing the ability to apply systemwide upgrades online, through aa.com or the mobile app. For now, this beta test is limited to a small number of AAdvantage members, and then based on the feedback from this group, American will roll out this feature to all eligible members in the future, to make systemwide upgrades easier to use.
The airline doesn’t yet know when this will fully be rolled out to eligible members, though states that it’s “enthusiastic about making this feature available for all eligible members soon.” Below is the email that eligible AAdvantage members are receiving. As you can see, this suggests that “beta mode will be available to select users for 2-3 weeks.”
This is a long overdue development!
American isn’t exactly known for its amazing technology, so I’m happy to see that the airline is finally working on rolling out this functionality. This issue isn’t even specific to systemwide upgrades, as you also can’t request mileage upgrades online (though there are no official plans to change that).
When you think of frequent flyer benefits, it’s not just about the value of the perk on paper, but how easy it actually is to use. Back in the day, American wouldn’t even let you search systemwide upgrade availability through its website, though at least that’s possible nowadays. However, it’s still wild to me that it’s not possible to request upgrades on aa.com.
Here’s to hoping that this functionality is implemented for all people soon. Then again, I can’t personally say that I place all that much value on systemwide upgrades nowadays. Given how hard it is to confirm upgrade space, I generally prefer to select other perks through the Loyalty Point Rewards program.
Bottom line
At the beginning of the year, American promised it would start allowing systemwide upgrade requests to be made online. That concept is finally starting to be implemented, though initially only for a small group of members. The goal is to roll this out on a more widespread basis as soon as possible.
What do you make of American slowly rolling out online systemwide upgrade requests?
"American isn’t exactly known for its amazing technology"
Actually, the moment they announce they'll install 'some new communication technology on board', I expect a wired pay phone to be installed in the galley, which only takes quarters, in 2028 or so. Not having 'amazing technology' might be a bit of an understatement for AA. ;)
I don't know why people complain about Systemwide availability. On the routes that people want; the routes that matter, they're always available:
ELP-DFW
ELP-PHX
ELP-LAX
Now if you want to waste a systemwide on something silly like LAX-SYD or JFK-DEL, maybe they're harder to use. But AA is the official carrier of El Paso, and dang it, members in the Sun City have unlimited access to systemwides on their nonstop flights (except CLT).
Speaking with a CK representative a while back, SWU availability is virtually nonexistent on long-haul and transcon routes. And, based on my own experience, I stopped trying to use SWUs years ago. That being said, I was on a long-haul flight last year and someone had ungraded to F (inventory having been released at the gate?) with a SWU.
Agreed - they are selling upgrades cheap. Problem is once you waitlist an SWU you no longer receive the buy up offers. I just upgraded a 3 hour domestic flight for $97. Offer was originally $500+ and gradually dropped over the past 2 weeks.
I need to select my loyalty point rewards as I just requalified for EXP and haven't selected my 175k reward. SWU's were always the best call for me and usually cleared...
Agreed - they are selling upgrades cheap. Problem is once you waitlist an SWU you no longer receive the buy up offers. I just upgraded a 3 hour domestic flight for $97. Offer was originally $500+ and gradually dropped over the past 2 weeks.
I need to select my loyalty point rewards as I just requalified for EXP and haven't selected my 175k reward. SWU's were always the best call for me and usually cleared on long haul flights, but I'm only at 50% now between LAX-LHR. Not sure which to choose at this point
How will they test if this works if C inventory for System Wide Upgrades is almost never open!
Speaking of AA's IT issues . . . C is an oddball booking code. It used to be an award-only code. Then, about three or four years ago, it became a dual-use booking code . . . that is, sometimes award and sometimes revenue. Go figure. When it is revenue, partner programs (such as BAEC) still see it as an award and will not credit the flight for award points or tier points.
Of course in the year 2024 this should be online. Think of the number of calls that go to the EXP desk (when representatives could be helping other EXP passengers with irregular ops) to apply a SWU to travel.