How do I Upgrade my American Airline flight?

An Upgrade on American Airlines simply means moving from originally purchased fare to a higher class of service. If you are planning to fly American airlines and looking to upgrade your ticket, congrats to yourself because its worth it. You can have the option of upgrading your flight from basic economy to main cabin, Premium Economy or Business flagship/first class.

Depending upon the Aircraft and cabin you are upgrading to, you enjoy the benefit of Extra legroom, faster boarding or even extra bag allowance in some American flights. The Airline provides various types of upgrades such as Instant Upgrade, Systemwide Upgrades( SWU’s), Complimentary Upgrades, Mileage Award Upgrades and airport upgrades.

American Airlines allows its AAdvantage status members to use “Mileage awards” or ” Pay in cash ” method to Upgrade their ticket. The airline have certain capacity controls on upgrades and are subjected to availability, so lets go through the process of Upgradation with American Airlines:

• The Upgrades are prioritized according to the AAdvantage status tier of the members, loyalty points earned and the type of upgrade requested.
• In order to Upgrade, at least one passenger needs to an AAdvantage member if there are more than two passengers or group flying with American.
• Upgrades are only valid on American operated and marketed flights and not on code share flights.
• If its a roundtrip ticket, only a one way ticket up to 3 three flight segments can be requested for Upgrade at once.
• The Upgrades can also be requested even after purchasing the Published fare ticket. In order to do so, you can call American airlines helpdesk, through AA APP, or by visiting online at American Airline’s official website at www.aa.com.
• In each flight, there are few seats available as complimentary upgrade, the rest are for sale as a paid upgrade. The best time to Upgrade is usually 72 hours before the departure flight time.

 

How Much does it Cost to upgrade my American Airlines flight?

You can Upgrade your flight for almost free, yes! you heard that right. For all members holding the elite status(platinum executive and platinum pro), its only the taxes that needs to be paid, the rest can be paid using the loyalty points earned from the previous trips completed with American airlines.

The price to upgrade your flight depends on the trip. If you are taking a domestic flight within the U.S., it costs 30,000 miles and $5.60 for a one way flight. If its and international trip [let’s say from Philadelphia(PHL) to London Heathrow Airport(LHR)], its $300 and 40,000 miles for a one way flight.

• The price to upgrade from economy to premium economy for a one way flight within the U.S., its costs $150 for each person.
• It costs $350 to Upgrade your flight from premium Economy to Either Business cabin or Flagship First for a one way flight within the U.S., Canada or Hawaii.
• The price is $500 plus 40,000 miles for Upgrading your flight from the U.S. to Europe with American airlines.

Note: American Airlines charges 15,000 AAdvantage miles and $75 to upgrade to first-class for a domestic economy fare for Non-elite status members. Moreover, you can upgrade your American Airline flights using miles and cash.

Types of American Airlines seat upgrades

American Airlines upgrade is available on all domestic and international flights. If American Airline flight with booking fares economy, premium economy, and business class you cannot upgrade directly from economy class to business class. However, not all flights have these fare types as American Airlines domestic flights have basic economy, main cabin, and first class. 

Travel Type	Seat Upgrade
On Domestic Flights (Elite Flyer)	Passengers can get complimentary seat upgradation from basic economy to the main cabin with extra legroom.
On International Flights	Passengers can upgrade from economy class to business class directly.

Note- Basic Economy tickets are not eligible for upgradation on America Airlines but you can upgrade them if you have American airline’s elite flyer status. 

How Complimentary Upgrades work with American Airlines?

All AAdvantage elite members are eligible to upgrade their Companion’s flight with American airlines. Usually the airline will automatically assign the upgrade priority list according to the elite status of each passenger. However, there are certain limitations set by the airline:

• The upgrade is possible only for eligible purchased published fare main cabin tickets or from premium economy to business/domestic first.
• The upgrade for companion’s flight is only valid for travel within North America( including Hawaii) and Canada, Mexico, The Bahamas, Bermuda and Central America.
• The request can be made only on American Airlines marketed and operated flights.
• Only can 1 companion can be requested for an upgrade.
• Not all seats are available for upgrade. The list is decided by the airline limited to airline’s capacity controls. However, they may be available closer to the departure time of your flight.

• Passengers get a complimentary upgrade for business/first Class seats on flights for all domestic, international, and, central routes. 
• Elite Flyer status gets the offer for a complimentary upgrade to elite services.
• When passengers get Executive Platinum Status they receive complimentary upgrades on Award ticket types. 

For all eligible flights including award tickets, the airline takes different times for confirming the upgrade depending upon the eligibility status:

• It takes 24 hours before departure for AAdvantage gold status members.
• 48 hours before departure for AAdvantage Gold tier members.
• 72 hours before departure time for Platinum Pro status members.
• 100 hours before departure for Platinum Executive status.

To check if you or your companion is upgraded on the flight, You will have to check for an email provided at the time booking the ticket. you may also check the status of confirmation on www.aa.com or by login into the AA app.

Its possible that your companion may be upgraded on a different reservation. Its always recommended to reach an representative and link the two reservations
in order to the get the seats together.

Using Miles

• Passengers can upgrade their tickets or seats by using miles plus cash. 
• You can use your miles or award points on American Airlines worldwide. 
• Moreover, you will have to make the payment depending on the type of upgrade that you want to make.
• You will also get an upgrade priority while traveling with the airline.

How Systemwide Upgrades work on AA?

Systemwide Upgrades are those benefits which are available for AAdvantage members who reach at least Loyalty point reward levels starting at 1,75,000 loyalty points. And also for all million miles members who have at least 2 million miles in their account. Systemwide upgrades can be used on all American flights to upgrade from economy/premium economy to next class of service.

Starting from March 1, 2025, the rewards will be valid for the status membership year. For Example, if you choose to use Systemwide upgrade, for all reward points earned starting from March 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026, it can be used until March 31, 2027.

To request for an Systemwide Upgrade, You simply need to visit aa.com and login into AAdvantage account. You will find a link for SWU’s for your flight. If there is space available, the request will be confirmed right away and the required number of points will be deducted.

SWU’s are Subjected to certain limitations by the Airline:

• These Upgrades are only limited to a single one way ticket containing maximum three segments.
• The Upgrades can be transferred or can be used by a another person. However, at least one passenger needs to be an AAdvantage member.
• Basic economy ticket can also be upgraded using the systemwide Upgrade feature.
• The Upgrade needs to be confirmed before the expiration date. However, its not necessary to complete the travel before the expiration date.
• Unused Upgrades cannot be transferred, exchanged or refunded. It will be forfeited. 
• These types of upgrades are available for Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum elites. 
• Passengers can choose between SWU, bonus miles, Admirals Club access, etc.
• Executive Platinum elite members can get additional systematic upgrades when reaching 350,000, 550,000, and 750,000 Loyalty Points, respectively.

Can I Use Miles and cash for Upgrading my American flight?

Yes. You can combine Mileage Upgrade rewards and cash for upgrading your flight with American. The airline provides a feature of Instant Upgrade wherein the miles can be used to move from a original purchased published fare to either premium economy or Flagship Business. If you don’t have enough miles, just visit aa.com and you’ll find an option of purchasing miles or even use the flight credit issued by the airline from previous trips with American.

You can Upgrade for you and 1 companion on the same flight using the Mileage awards. You may be required to make two separate bookings, but the request for seating together can always be confirmed with the Airline’s representative.

Passenger can upgrade their flight fare type easily. Moreover, you can make this upgrade using miles, points, and cash. You can upgrade your flight ticket by paying in cash as well.

Using Points

• All passengers traveling on tickets booked with AAdvantage miles can upgrade their fare class regardless of their elite status. 
• Additionally, you cannot upgrade your flight to first class from basic economy using miles.
• You are eligible for single-class upgrades only booked with the mileage. 
• Contact American Airlines for booking or to upgrade using miles. 
• Then, you will receive your PNR (passenger name record) and passenger name. 
• You will get confirmation on your email provided at the time of reservation.

Note- If your upgrade is not available at that time, your seat grade will get added to the waitlist or standby list. 

Upgrade using cash

• You can upgrade the Business/First Class of your flight seat using cash or money for the comfortable seating of your choice. 
• Firstly, if you have booked your flight ticket go to the ‘Find your Trip’ section.
• Secondly, fill in passenger details and PNR. 
• Finally, pay cash and upgrade your flight ticket. 

Upgrade using British Airways Avios

• Passengers can upgrade their cash booking to the next class of fare type with Avios. 
• However, you can upgrade your seats to the next class only and not directly to business class from basic economy. 
• You will get the confirmation of the upgrade as per the availability of seats. 

Can I Upgrade my Basic Economy ticket on American?

Yes. Its possible to upgrade even Basic economy fare to a higher class of service provided that the ticket is bought at least 24 hours before departure time. Its important to note that only AAdvantage status members are allowed to upgrade. If you are not a member, get yourself enrolled in the program.

Can I Upgrade my flight after check-in?

All upgrades are subjected to availability at the time of request. If the preferred seat is not available in the cabin, you be put on standby in the Airport Upgrade list. So if you are upgrading at the time of check-in, make sure to have enough miles in AAdvantage account(if using miles). It’s always recommended to complete this process at least 48 before the departing time of your flight.

Can I upgrade to business class/first class with American Airlines?

Yes, you can upgrade your American Airlines flights using miles or cash and by using AAdvantage plus elite status. 

Can I upgrade to business/first class on American Airlines after purchase?

Yes, you can upgrade your flight ticket to business/first class with American Airlines even after booking the tickets. Moreover, you can upgrade your ticket easily from basic economy to enjoy luxurious services. 

What are 500-mile upgrades mean on American Airlines?

Passengers can upgrade their status of business or first class on the domestic and international routes of travel on American Airlines with a 500-mile upgrade certificate. Moreover, 1500 miles are required for 500 miles of travel.

Can I pay for an upgrade on American Airlines?

Yes. You can pay for an upgrade for your flight. There are only few seats allowed by the airline for purchase. It also depends on the AAdvantage status. There is a specific time window when the upgrade can be requested before the departure time.

However, you can request for an upgrade by reaching out to the AAdvantage service desk in advance. If the request is confirmed, the status will be shown in ” Find Your Trip” section before the departure flight time.