AAdvantage Participating Airlines Upgrade Awards
AAdvantage members may use AAdvantage miles to upgrade on American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia flights*. Miles may be used to upgrade yourself or anyone you designate. And now, you can upgrade tickets booked by American Airlines (via Reservations or AA.com) as well as bookings made through a travel agency or other source.
Each one-way upgrade is valid up to three segments from an individual published full fare ticket per the chart below. Definitions of the eligible fare types are as follows:
- Full Fare Economy includes published fares booked in Y or B (excluding Military or Government fares)
- Full Fare Premium Economy refers to World Traveller Plus published fares booked in W on British Airways
- Full Fare Business includes published fares booked in J, D or R on American and C, J, D or R on British Airways
| To/From | To/From | Full Fare Economy to Premium Economy** | Premium Economy** to Business | Full Fare Economy to Business | Business to First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | Europe | 12,500 | 12,500 | 25,000 | 35,000 |
| North America | Africa (via Europe) | 20,000 | 20,000 | 40,000 | 50,000 |
| North America | Indian Subcontinent / Middle East (via Europe) | 20,000 | 20,000 | 40,000 | 50,000 |
| Within Europe | N/A | N/A | 10,000 | 20,000 | |
| Europe | Asia Zone 1 | 22,500 | 22,500 | 45,000 | 55,000 |
| Europe | Asia Zone 2 | 17,500 | 17,500 | 35,000 | 45,000 |
| Europe | South Pacific | 30,000 | 30,000 | 60,000 | 70,000 |
| Europe | Africa | 17,500 | 17,500 | 35,000 | 45,000 |
| Europe | Indian Subcontinent / Middle East (via Europe) | 15,000 | 15,000 | 30,000 | 40,000 |
| Europe | Central America / South America Zone 1 | N/A | N/A | 35,000 | 45,000 |
| Europe | South America Zone 2 | 22,500 | 22,500 | 45,000 | 55,000 |
| Asia Zone 2 | South Pacific | 12,500 | 12,500 | 25,000 | 35,000 |
**Upgrades on British Airways from Economy Class are valid to Premium Economy where a Premium Economy Cabin exists.
Upgrade requests can be made when you make your initial reservation or after you have purchased your ticket, but must be made prior to checking in for your flight.
To request an upgrade award contact Reservations or visit an American Airlines Travel Center.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.
*Includes travel on codeshare flights marketed by American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia and operated by any of the three carriers.
- All accommodations are subject to availability at the time the mileage upgrade is requested. Mileage upgrade award seats may not be available on all flights or to all destinations. No waitlisting or standby is allowed for an upgrade on BA or IB flights.
- 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.
- The upgrade is a single cabin upgrade from the cabin booked, to the next cabin, this may vary depending on which carrier (BA, AA or IB) operates the flight.
- Upgrading using AAdvantage miles on BA, AA and IB flights are permitted on eligible published fares only (Fare classes are: J, C, D, R, W, Y, B).
- AA, BA and IB flights or codeshare flights marketed and operated by AA, BA or IB are eligible. Reservations booked through a source other than AA must include at least one flight with an AA flight number in order to be eligible (includes travel on codeshare flights booked as an AA flight number).
- A maximum of 3 segments in one direction may be upgraded. All segments being upgraded must be on one ticket and in the same PNR.
- The fare conditions for the original ticket purchased will apply
- If canceling or changing an AAdvantage Participating Airlines Award booking, the whole itinerary must be cancelled. Any fees or charges associated with the fare rules of your ticket or reinstating the AAdvantage miles to the customer’s account will apply.
View complete details on mileage upgrade award reservations.
FAQs
Q. Can I use miles to upgrade reservations booked through my travel agency or corporate travel desk?
A. Yes, you can use your AAdvantage miles to upgrade British Airways and Iberia flights as well as American Airlines codeshare flights operated by British Airways and Iberia which have been booked through a travel agency, corporate travel desk or any other source. In order to be eligible, your reservation must include at least one flight booked as an AA flight number.
Q. Can I use my miles to upgrade from discount Economy Class fares?
A. You can use miles and a co-pay to upgrade from discount Economy Class fares on American Airlines flights. However, upgrades on British Airways and Iberia (including flights marketed by AA, operated by BA or IB) are valid from full fares only.
Q. Why is my upgrade on British Airways valid from Economy Class to Premium Economy Class and not to Business Class?
A. Mileage upgrades are valid for a one cabin upgrade. On those flights where British Airways offers a Premium Economy cabin, upgrades from Economy Class are valid to Premium Economy. On flights where British Airways does not offer a Premium Economy cabin, the upgrade is valid from Economy Class to Business Class.
Q. What is "Premium Economy"?
A. Premium Economy is a separate class of seating and service offered by British Airways that differs from standard Economy Class. Premium Economy is found mostly on international flights and, compared to standard Economy Class may offer additional legroom and amenities.
Q. When will a "From Economy to Premium Economy" vs. a "From Economy to Business" upgrade apply?
A. The award needed is based on the itinerary and the cabin configuration of the flights you wish to upgrade. If the longest flight segment you wish to upgrade has a Premium Economy cabin, the "From Economy to Premium Economy" upgrade applies.
Q. My itinerary includes a codeshare flight that is operated by AA (booked as a BA or IB flight number), but no AA flight numbers appear on the ticket. Can I upgrade this itinerary?
A.You may upgrade this itinerary if it was booked directly with American Airlines. If your itinerary was booked by a travel agency or other source, there must be at least one AA flight number on the original ticket in order to use your miles to upgrade.
Q. Can I waitlist an upgrade using the AAdvantage Participating Airlines upgrade award?
A. No. Flights cannot be waitlisted when using the AAdvantage Participating Airline upgrade.
Q. Is this upgrade option valid only on transatlantic routes?
A. The AAdvantage Participating Airline Upgrade award is valid on any flight on American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia (except Iberia flights to/from Cuba due to government restrictions.)
Q. Why can't I upgrade on Iberia from Business Class to First Class?
A. Iberia offers Economy Class and Business Class only. They do not offer a First Class cabin.
Q. Which AAdvantage participating airlines allow for upgrades to the next cabin?
A. At this time, AAdvantage Participating Airlines Upgrade awards are valid on American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia and codeshare flights both marketed and operated by American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia.
Q. Can I upgrade on other AA codeshare flights operated by other airlines?
A. To be eligible to upgrade, the flight must be both marketed and operated by American Airlines, British Airways or Iberia. Flights operated by other airlines are not eligible to upgrade.
Q. Can I use my Systemwide Upgrades on British Airways and Iberia?
A. No, Systemwide Upgrades may only be used on American Airlines marketed and operated flights. Only the AAdvantage Participating Airline Upgrade Awards may be used to upgrade British Airways or Iberia flights.
Participating Airlines
