Buying a premium airline class ticket outright is usually pretty expensive.
American Airlines is one of the few major US carriers to still operate a true first class cabin. While premium prices are a little cheaper than on Delta or United, it’s still 2-5 times higher than economy rates.
You can estimate a full-fare premium ticket to be between $1,500 – $5,000 each way, depending on where and when you are flying.
That’s why upgrades are so important, as they give you a more fair fare (sometimes even for free if you participate in the airline’s loyalty programs).
When it comes to American Airlines, you can get upgraded in many ways, especially when you are part of their loyalty program, AAdvantage. We will walk you through the best ways to get a ticket upgrade on American Airlines.
Once you have your reservation ticketed, you can apply for an upgrade in a few different ways. The easiest will be online, but don’t rule out checking once you arrive at the airport.
Here is how you can go about upgrading:
American Airlines makes it pretty straightforward to apply for an upgrade on their website. This is how you can apply:
Remember, availability and upgrade eligibility can be influenced by several factors, including your AAdvantage level, the type of ticket you purchased, and overall flight availability. Upgrades are generally easier to secure on less popular flight times or routes, so maybe opt for the slow travel days.
American Airlines is on a revenue-based system so you may see prices as high as the fare difference. Usually online rates are standard but there are other ways to go about getting an upgrade.
If you prefer a more personal touch or need an immediate answer in upgrading to Business Class on your American Airlines flight, you can opt to upgrade by calling their customer service. Here’s how to proceed:
Remember, upgrading over the phone might be especially useful if you’re dealing with complex itineraries, using special upgrade certificates, or if you just prefer having a direct conversation to ensure all details are clear and sorted according to your preferences.
Upgrading to Business Class at the airport check-in is another option for travelers flying with American Airlines. This method is typically used as a last-minute upgrade strategy but can sometimes be fruitful like on Air France.. Here’s what you need to know:
Check Baggage Allowance: Remember, Business Class often has a higher baggage allowance. If you’ve already paid for extra baggage based on Economy Class limits, ask if you can be refunded or if your allowance can be adjusted to match Business Class limits.
Waitlist Option: If Business Class is fully booked, you can ask to be put on a waitlist. You might still get the upgrade if a seat becomes available due to last-minute cancellations or no-shows.
Once upgraded, enjoy the additional perks of Business Class, like priority boarding, enhanced meal options, and more comfortable seating. Upgrading at the airport is less predictable than pre-arranging your upgrade. Still, it can be a good option for those willing to take the chance and potentially capitalize on last-minute availability.
Although this is last minute, getting one at the airport is one of the most satisfying feelings if you are not expecting an upgrade. Be polite to your check-in agent, as they will be more inclined to help you score the better seat.
You can pay for an upgrade in two ways, either with cash or with miles. Both options are good, especially if you have miles to spare. Here is how you can go about it and how much you expect to pay.
The cash price for an upgrade to Business Class on American Airlines can fluctuate significantly. Factors influencing the price include the original ticket class, demand for seats, and how close to departure the upgrade is requested.
Sometimes, American Airlines may offer last-minute cash upgrades at a reduced rate, especially if there’s significant availability in Business Class. These deals are usually found at the check-in counter or gate.
The best way to predict how much it will cost is to look at the full fare business class ticket and expect about 75% of the difference. This will fluctuate over time but can give you an idea of the amount you will see online before booking.
The number of AAdvantage miles required to upgrade to Business Class varies. It depends on factors like your ticket’s fare class, your destination, and the length of your flight. In some cases, a co-pay might be required to upgrade in addition to miles. This is particularly true for lower-fare classes or longer international flights.
AAdvantage elite status members often enjoy reduced mileage costs and waived co-pays for upgrades. You can expect to see anywhere from 20,000 – 60,000 points required to upgrade.
Upgrades with miles are subject to availability and can be limited, especially on popular routes. It’s advisable to request an upgrade as early as possible to increase the chances of availability.
Evaluate whether using miles for an upgrade represents good value. Sometimes, saving miles for award tickets rather than upgrades might be more beneficial, depending on your travel plans and the miles required for an upgrade.
Given the usually high cost of upgrading, you may be asking is it worth it? The answer, it depends.
American Business Class on long haul international flights is a pretty good experience. While the airline does not have the most modern cabin they are still competitive in todays world.
Note, not all American planes are created equal as they still run a lot of older business class products on many routes. Be sure to check the plane type before you upgrade to see what the experience will be like. If you are able to get their new business class and its an overnight flight, it may be well worth the upgrade.
Upgrading to Business Class on American Airlines can be a great travel experience especially on long haul flights. While they won’t be the best airline seats in the sky but they will definitely be better than economy.
Remember, if you are planning to upgrade after booking its never a sure thing. The most important part is to be flexible and check often as the deals may come and go with time.