AAdvantage® Mileage Upgrade Award Reservations

Upgrade Awards

We offer members the opportunity to purchase an individual published-fare Economy Class or Business Class ticket and use AAdvantage miles, along with a non-refundable co-pay, if applicable, to confirm an upgrade to the next cabin of service on American Airlines and select oneworld® airlines. You may use your miles for yourself or for anyone you designate* at the time of ticketing.

  • Upgrades are valid to the next cabin of service and limited to a single one-way trip with a maximum of three segments
  • Upgrade availability is limited and subject to capacity controls
  • There are several mileage levels for upgrade awards based on the fare purchased. Full Fare Economy is defined as published fares booked in Y or B (excluding Military or Government fares). Select Business is defined as published fares booked in I. Full Fare Business is defined as published fares booked in J, D or R
  • American Airlines upgrade awards are valid on individual published-fare tickets on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines, American Eagle or the AmericanConnection carrier. Co-Payment is non-refundable and inclusive of U.S. excise tax where applicable.
  • *New* AAdvantage Participating Airlines upgrade awards are valid on individual published-fare tickets booked directly with American Airlines for travel on American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia flights. View details on AAdvantage Participating Airlines Upgrade Awards

View American Airlines Upgrade Awards Chart

View AAdvantage Participating Airlines Upgrade Award Chart

Making Mileage Upgrade Award Reservations

AAdvantage award service charges apply to American Airlines upgrade awards based on the day the mileage upgrade was requested. For AAdvantage Participating Airlines upgrade awards, any applicable service charge is based on the day the upgrade is confirmed.

No AAdvantage award charges apply when requesting an American Airlines upgrade award, or confirming an AAdvantage Participating Airlines upgrade award 21 days or more prior to departure. Certain charges apply when requesting award travel within 21 days of travel and when ticketing awards via Reservations or at the Airport.

AAdvantage Ticketing Service Charges

Contact Reservations or visit an American Airlines Travel Center or Airport Ticket Office to book your mileage upgrade award. Service charges may apply. If you have already purchased a ticket and you wish to use a mileage upgrade award, please have your reservation details available for our reservation agent.

  • All accommodations are subject to availability at the time the mileage upgrade is requested and mileage upgrade award seats may not be available on all flights or to all destinations.
  • In some cases, additional restrictions and travel embargo dates may apply.
  • Mileage upgrade award tickets are subject to applicable taxes and security fees and may incur additional taxes as a result of upgrading to a higher class cabin.

Changing Mileage Upgrade Award Tickets

Waived for AAdvantage Executive Platinum members using miles from their account

Tickets upgraded with AAdvantage mileage upgrade awards retain all the original fare rules and restrictions of the original purchased fare.

Changes to the itinerary which involve different mileage upgrade award(s) than originally ticketed require a reinstatement of the original mileage upgrade award and forfeiture of any non-refundable co-payment as well as any penalties that apply to the revenue ticket.

Contact AAdvantage Reservations for complete details and assistance with changing a mileage upgrade award ticket.

Reinstating Mileage Upgrade Award Tickets

Waived for AAdvantage Executive Platinum members using miles from their account

Tickets upgraded with AAdvantage mileage upgrade awards retain all the original fare rules and restrictions of the original purchased fare, including any refund penalties.

If your purchased fare ticket allows refunds, you can also request to have your AAdvantage mileage reinstated for an unused AAdvantage mileage upgrade award. Partially used awards cannot be reinstated.

When requesting a reinstatement, a $150 USD processing charge will be assessed per account for the first award ticket. Any additional award tickets reinstated to the same account at the same time will have a $25 USD per ticket add-on charge.

Contact AAdvantage Reservations for complete details and to cancel your reservation and request your mileage reinstatement.

**At no time may AAdvantage mileage credit or award tickets be purchased, sold or bartered. Any such mileage or tickets are void if transferred for cash or other consideration. Violators (including any passenger who uses a purchased or bartered award ticket) may be liable for damages and litigation costs, including American Airlines attorneys fees incurred in enforcing this rule. View complete Terms and Conditions.