AA Status

[ExGingi]

Having had it for a while, this is being amazing and worthwhile. You can book the cheapest economy seat, pick whatever seat you want and get upgraded. Worst case you have a decent economy seat. Just did this with a 14.5k economy JFK-lax. Was confirmed upgrade 11:55 before the flight

Do companions on the same itinerary get the same (seat selection and upgrade)? That might make it useful at a certain point, but otherwise, I don't fly much domestically, and when I do it's mostly NYC-FLL.

[thaber]

Do companions on the same itinerary get the same (seat selection and upgrade)? That might make it useful at a certain point, but otherwise, I don't fly much domestically, and when I do it's mostly NYC-FLL.

One companion for sure

[Gvann]

One companion for sure

i think its up to as many as 8. as long as they are in the same reservation, you can select seats free of charge regardless of class that you book. upgrades are only for you and a companion, if you're reservation has more than 2 you will not be upgraded unless you split it after booking.

[thaber]

Any thoughts on bonus points vs systemwide upgrades? I'm way past 250k and paralyzed by indecision so haven't claimed anything

[Dan]

So now that I am a stone throw from top-tier thanks to the loyalty point system, what do I do with it?

Go for the 175K, 200K, or 250K milestone awards?

[Dan]

Any thoughts on bonus points vs systemwide upgrades? I'm way past 250k and paralyzed by indecision so haven't claimed anything

I wouldn't take SWUs unless you are booking something where they are confirmable, but that's just me.
No reason to decide before 3/30 either way.

[ExGingi]

Go for the 200K or 250K milestone awards?

What are they? 200k is a given, as I do plan to reach top tier. What do I get for the extra 50k?

[Dan]

What are they? 200k is a given, as I do plan to reach top tier. What do I get for the extra 50k?

https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/airlines/aa/swipe-way-american-elite-status/

[thaber]

I wouldn't take SWUs unless you are booking something where they are confirmable, but that's just me.
No reason to decide before 3/30 either way.

Thank you, Problem is that they won't show you unless your have them.
I did get one for my FIL and haven't been able to use it, so can check from his account, but tedious.

[Dan]

Thank you, Problem is that they won't show you unless your have them.
I did get one for my FIL and haven't been able to use it, so can check from his account, but tedious.

EF can check.

[baron]

Having had it for a while, this is being amazing and worthwhile. You can book the cheapest economy seat, pick whatever seat you want and get upgraded. Worst case you have a decent economy seat. Just did this with a 14.5k economy JFK-lax. Was confirmed upgrade 11:55 before the flight

How often do you vs don’t you get upgraded

[thaber]

How often do you vs don’t you get upgraded

Often enough to expect it

[baron]

Often enough to expect it

Just trying to compare dp
Fly solo?
How far out do you book?
Fly busy seasons?

[thaber]

Just trying to compare dp
Fly solo?
How far out do you book?
Fly busy seasons?

When I *need* J I book J. When it's not a redeye, or really any flight that's under 3 hours, I book Y. Usually less than two weeks out, 50/50 solo.
When solo I get upgraded 80% of the time. When +1 - 50%.
Generally LAX is either destination or departure. I avoid busy times of the day. Busy season are hard to avoid.

[mord1]

Thank you, Problem is that they won't show you unless your have them.
I did get one for my FIL and haven't been able to use it, so can check from his account, but tedious.

I have 5 SWU  and just tried using them, but its extremely annoying and difficult to use them for real value- ie- flagship upgrades- 1 you need to book using cash or UR points-  2 availability is very difficult to find - especially if your somewhat restricted on travel dates -  hopefully , I can use them for domestic flights over the next 3 months- but I also am almost upgraded - so the use/ benefit is somewhat reduced

[thaber]

I have 5 SWU  and just tried using them, but its extremely annoying and difficult to use them for real value- ie- flagship upgrades- 1 you need to book using cash or UR points-  2 availability is very difficult to find - especially if your somewhat restricted on travel dates -  hopefully , I can use them for domestic flights over the next 3 months- but I also am almost upgraded - so the use/ benefit is somewhat reduced

Appreciate this. Thank you

[Gvann]

I have 5 SWU  and just tried using them, but its extremely annoying and difficult to use them for real value- ie- flagship upgrades- 1 you need to book using cash or UR points-  2 availability is very difficult to find - especially if your somewhat restricted on travel dates -  hopefully , I can use them for domestic flights over the next 3 months- but I also am almost upgraded - so the use/ benefit is somewhat reduced

You don’t need to book using cash to use a SWU

[Dan]

You don’t need to book using cash to use a SWU

How so?

[thaber]

Just redeemed (because I'm always scared I'll forget, and not worried about credits expiring)
550K - 1 x 25,000 miles, 1x $250 trip credit
400K - 1 x 25,000 miles, 1x $250 trip credit
250K - 1 x 30,000 miles, 1x $250 trip credit
175K - 1x25,000 miles
15k  - 5 Preferred Seat coupons (not sure what I'll do with them, but free is free)

now that its too late, should I have done otherwise? I'm disillusioned by SWU, and considering that on domestic flights I get upgraded a good chunk of the time...
(Just got upgraded, both seats on a 2 person reservation, 5 days in advance, 3 hr flight)

[ExGingi]

Just redeemed (because I'm always scared I'll forget, and not worried about credits expiring)
550K - 1 x 25,000 miles, 1x $250 trip credit
400K - 1 x 25,000 miles, 1x $250 trip credit
250K - 1 x 30,000 miles, 1x $250 trip credit
175K - 1x25,000 miles
15k  - 5 Preferred Seat coupons (not sure what I'll do with them, but free is free)

now that its too late, should I have done otherwise? I'm disillusioned by SWU, and considering that on domestic flights I get upgraded a good chunk of the time...
(Just got upgraded, both seats on a 2 person reservation, 5 days in advance, 3 hr flight)

I think at the 175k level 15% rebate on an award can be easily more valuable than 25,000 miles. All you need is a redemption of more than 166,667 miles to exceed 25,000 miles (and can be for 2 people - a nice RT vacation in J or F). I need just a little more spending to get to the 250k level.