Paid Airport Upgrade on Award Ticket

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Paid Airport Upgrade on Award Ticket

by gsd101 Member November 8, 2016, 3:36 pm

Paid Airport Upgrade on Award Ticket

gsd101 Member
November 8, 2016, 3:36 pm

I am traveling from LAX to SYD on an award upgrade with AA. I purchased an economy ticket and upgraded to biz using miles. Is there any chance that when I check-in that AA will offer a paid upgrade to first (at a discounted rate…maybe $300-$500)? If not, is it realistic to think that I could ask for an upgrade for a few hundred dollars? I really wanted to purchase a biz class ticket and upgrade to first, but the cost of biz class was crazy high (and we know there are no double upgrades with miles). As always, thank you for any insight and direction.
rickyw Community Ambassador
November 8, 2016, 5:10 pm

I think it would never hurt to ask, but would be very surprised if you were successful. Double upgrades are few and far between, and typically happen at boarding for elites when oversold (from what I’ve heard.)

Realizing American doesn’t allow 500 mile upgrade certificates to be used on that flight, but at 7,500 miles and a 500 mile certificate costing $40, the real ‘cost’ to upgrading would be $600. So, if you’re going to ‘ask’ for the upgrade, I’d be prepared to offer at least that.

With that said, don’t get your hopes up 🙂
gsd101 Member
November 9, 2016, 6:36 am

Thank you for the response. I didn’t have high hopes but I was curious if anyone had any experience with a similar situation.

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Paid Airport Upgrade on Award Ticket