For information regarding mileage upgrade awards, view our AAdvantage
Upgrade Award chart.
Complimentary Upgrades
All elite status AAdvantage members enjoy complimentary upgrades to the next
class of service for themselves and one companion when both are traveling on
an eligible full-fare* Economy Class ticket on American Airlines within and between the U.S., Canada, Mexico,
The Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean and between the U.S. and Central America.
AAdvantage Executive Platinum® members receive complimentary upgrades on any
purchased, published fare on the routes defined above. You may also request a complimentary upgrade for one companion, if the companion is traveling on a full-fare* Economy Class ticket. Companions traveling on any other eligible fare may be upgraded using 500-mile upgrades.
Earning Upgrades
AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Gold members earn four 500-mile electronic
upgrades for every 10,000 qualifying base miles flown (including guaranteed
minimum miles) during your membership year (March 1 or the date you qualify
for elite status, through the last day of February). So, the more you fly, the
more upgrades you earn.
Buying Upgrades
Buy individual upgrades based on your needs and receive a discount when
you buy upgrades via
AA.com or via the Self-Service Check-In
machine^. Members may also buy upgrades
via American Airlines Reservations or at
any American Airlines ticketing location.
Admirals Club® members may buy upgrades
at any Admirals Club lounge.
|
Purchase Method
|
Upgrade Price1
(per 500-mile unit)
|
|
Automated Purchase -
AA.com or through the Self-Service Check-In machines^
|
$30
|
|
Agent-assisted Purchase
|
$35
|
|
AAdvantage elite-status members may also buy upgrades with AAdvantage
miles at a rate of 35,000 miles for eight (8) upgrades.
1Price is subject to applicable taxes and fees if purchased outside
of the U.S.
One upgrade required for every 500 miles. Each flight segment requires at least
one upgrade.
^AAdvantage members checking-in for an itinerary that requires 500-mile upgrades will be able to purchase the upgrades they need to complete their transaction at the Self-Service Check-In machine.
Using Your Upgrades
You may upgrade from a purchased Economy Class ticket to First Class on domestic
flights** offering two classes of service or to Business Class on flights offering
three classes of service. Upgrades are subject to availability.
AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Gold members
may upgrade from any individual published coach ticket to the next class of
service. Non-elite AAdvantage members must purchase a full-fare Economy Class
ticket (fares booked in Y or B) to be eligible for an upgrade.
You may request an upgrade when making your flight reservation. If upgrade
seating is available, we will automatically process your request when the appropriate
upgrade window opens (see the chart below). At flight departure, the appropriate
number of 500-mile upgrades (if applicable) will be deducted from your Upgrade
Account.
Upgrade Confirmation Windows
Elite Level Advance Confirmation Window
|
Elite Level
|
Advance Confirmation Window
|
|
AAdvantage Executive Platinum
|
100 hours prior to departure
|
|
AAdvantage Platinum
|
72 hours prior to departure
|
|
AAdvantage Gold
|
24 hours prior to departure
|
|
Non-Elite
|
24 hours prior to departure
(requires purchase of a full-fare Economy Class ticket)
|
|
If you have not received confirmation
of your upgrade via e-mail, voice message
or alpha-numeric pager (available through
selected service providers only) as
of the time of check-in, you will automatically
be given the opportunity to be added
to the Airport Upgrade Standby List
while checking in for your flight on
AA.com, your mobile device, at the
airport Self-Service machine, or with
an airport agent. For any flight on which
you are a confirmed passenger, standby
priority at the airport will be AAdvantage
Executive Platinum members first, AAdvantage
Platinum members next, AAdvantage Gold
members, then all other AAdvantage
members. Within each elite status level,
your priority on the Airport Upgrade
Standby List will also be determined
based on the date and time you requested
your upgrade initially, thus allowing
customers with the earliest request
date and time to be processed first.
Note: In order to be added to the Airport Upgrade Standby List, you will need to have the required number of upgrades in your account at the time of check-in.
Tracking Your Upgrade Activity
Your upgrade activity is itemized on your
monthly AAdvantage eSummarySM.
You can also check your balance online
or by calling AAdvantage Customer Service
at 1-800-882-8880
or your specific AAdvantage Executive Platinum®,
AAdvantage Platinum®,
or AAdvantage Gold® toll-free number.
*Fares booked in Y or B, excluding military/government fares
** 500-mile upgrades are valid for use on American Airlines marketed and operated
flights within and between the 50 United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean,
The Bahamas, Bermuda and between the U.S. and Central America.
Usage of 500-mile upgrades and confirmation of complimentary upgrades is subject
to seating limitations and capacity controls. For complete terms and conditions,
view our Terms
and Conditions page.
