In early 2024, American announced some positive changes to the AAdvantage program, to be rolled out throughout the year. Among these were plans for it to be possible to redeem systemwide upgrades online, rather than having to call up the airline.
Several weeks ago, the Fort Worth-based carrier started rolling this out as a trial. There’s now an exciting update, as the new feature has been fully rolled out for all eligible AAdvantage members.
In this post:
Online systemwide upgrade requests now possible
American offers systemwide upgrades as part of the Loyalty Point Rewards program, whereby you can select these certificates for passing certain thresholds. Up until recently, it has been possible to view upgrade availability online, but actually requesting upgrades has required phoning up American.
That has finally changed. It’s now possible to apply systemwide upgrades online, through aa.com or the mobile app. Members with at least one systemwide upgrade in their account can now instantly confirm the use of their systemwide upgrade, or waitlist it if space is not available. Onscreen prompts will guide members through the available options.
American spent the past several weeks beta testing this, and has heard positive feedback, which is why it’s now being rolled out.
This is a long overdue development!
American isn’t exactly known for its amazing technology, so I’m happy to see that the airline has finally rolled 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 has been possible for some time. However, it’s still wild to me that it hasn’t been possible to actually apply these through the website or app up until now.
I’m happy to see this, though 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. Besides, American often sells reasonably priced upgrades, if you actually want to confirm a premium seat.
Bottom line
At the beginning of the year, American promised it would start allowing systemwide upgrade requests to be made online. That concept has finally been implemented, and all members with at least one systemwide upgrade in their account should now see this functionality live.
What do you make of American rolling out online systemwide upgrade requests?
@Lucky can you do anything online with BA flights? Or still need to call in for those? Although now that BA is dropping the DFW flight not sure they’ll be much use there anyway- gone are my A380 first dreams :(
This might have real value if American actually offered a reasonable amount of upgrade space for use by the best customers. I've been sitting on six upgrades for the better part of a year and despite lots of searching still haven't found any availability on any of my numerous revenue flights.
None of you understand what this feature is really about. It was actually about reducing telephone agent man-hours. Expense reduction. You will still not have your SWU clear.
Does this work only for the EVIP/SWU holder or can the EVIP/SWU holder apply it to someone else online? I'd bet you still have to call in to apply to someone else's PNR?
Applied a SWU for a domestic MIA/SAN flight the day after Christmas and of course waitlist. What's frustrating that negates getting any upgrade offers. So based on what I see I may well be sitting in coach.
Now it'll be even easier for you to apply your SWU then watch it NOT clear because AA sold that upgrade for fifty bucks. Only difference is the upgrade lists will now be even longer
If memory serves me right, Northwest Airlines (RIP, NWA!) pioneered instant online redemption of SWUs for their WorldPerks Platinum members as early as circa-2005, on their website - same as for mileage-based upgrades. It’s wild that AA is rolling out the equivalent of this SWU online redemption convenience as a new AAdvantage feature nearly 20 years later. But, better late than never.
will it be possible to waitlist a SWU using AA or the mobile app?
lol it will probably be a link to a web browser rendered in the app that requires you to log in again...
AA needed weeks of research to decipher that people would prefer to use their SWU online rather than phone in to do so?!?!
Staggering.....just staggering.
@ Maxell Azaria -- Lol! In fairness, I think they were probably getting feedback on the process and lack of glitches, rather than on whether people wanted to apply them online rather than calling.
@Lucky I’m about to hit 175k LPs….thoughts on taking the SWUs? Is there a good resource to look into people’s current luck?
@ Sel, D. -- Experiences are all over the place, and it depends on how flexible someone is, both with when they travel and when they book. Generally I just don't expect much confirmable upgrade space in advance, and I'd rather take the miles, which are a sure bet.
Then again, I suppose systemwide upgrades can always be used for domestic flights, and at least there's sometimes decent availability there.
After swearing that I would not, I'm thinking seriously about taking 2 SWUs with my 175k reward.
My original goal was to use the 4 I had for flights to/from Asia, but that is a firm "no go."
Hawaii? Yeah....right!
I once saw them for flights from LAX-LHR (AA metal), so maybe I can use one there one day?
I have used 3 of my 4, all for domestic flights. I...
After swearing that I would not, I'm thinking seriously about taking 2 SWUs with my 175k reward.
My original goal was to use the 4 I had for flights to/from Asia, but that is a firm "no go."
Hawaii? Yeah....right!
I once saw them for flights from LAX-LHR (AA metal), so maybe I can use one there one day?
I have used 3 of my 4, all for domestic flights. I used 2 on flights between LAS and AUS, saving me about $250-$300 off of just buying Biz. The 3rd was a very good "return" as I used it last week from LAS-PHL -- difference in fare was well over $1000, so I felt like I got value out of it.
I'm going to wait until March to do anything (they are good for 12 mos after being awarded). Hopefully, I'll have another UK trip, which should push me to the 250k reward level.
I should add that I'm sitting on over 1 million Advantage miles, so the 25,000 bonus miles option (I have an Aviator Silver card) has far less appeal to me.