Comparing Domestic U.S. Mileage Upgrade Awards on American, Delta, and United when Booking 7 to 30 Days in Advance

For the leisure traveler, elites not willing to gamble on an upgrade, and Business travelers able to plan ahead.

This month we examine the three major U.S. loyalty programs for travel within the Continental U.S., based on upgrading from the lowest economy fares, which require a 7- to 30-day advance purchase. Leisure travelers are the biggest target for such fares, but they also can often work for elites looking to avoid elite-upgrade roulette, and business travelers who can plan ahead.

Consideration #1: Upgrade Award Value vs. Free Award Tickets

Keep in mind that American, Delta, and United charge as little as 50,000 miles round-trip for a First Class domestic award, except for Delta on the Transcon (LAX/SFO-JFK), which costs 135,000 miles roundtrip (American and United charge 50,000 for Business Class Transcon). So, if you have the miles and a free ticket is available, it’s worth taking unless you need the elite credit. Keep in mind that free award ticket availability on American, Delta, and United usually isn’t nearly as good as upgrade availability.

Consideration #2: Upgrade Award Value vs. Paid First Class

Also key is that many short- to mid-haul flights nowadays offer low published First Class fares, making the return on miles poor. It’s very often worth paying cash and saving the miles for another day, unless you’re loaded with them. The exception, again, is the Transcon, on which using miles for an upgrade can often save you 57%.

A Note on the Grading System

It’s very simple: A through F, just like in grammar school. The lower the mileage requirement and the cost of the economy ticket, the higher the grade. The grades are based on four sample routes (see chart on next page), as it is impossible to account for every route. FCF didn’t include some airlines, such as Alaska Airlines, Virgin America, or JetBlue; the reasons vary from not offering upgrade awards, offering them only to elites, or having a relatively modest route network.

The Grades American: A

The best program of the three because it allows upgrades on almost any economy fare with a $150 co-pay and 30,000 miles, even on the Transcon, whereas other programs charge more miles—up to double (60,000)—or a much higher co-pay. AA also offers big savings on long-haul, high-fare routes and decent savings on mid-haul routes using miles. But it gets the highest grade for the low mileage cost it charges for upgrades. Transfer partner: Starwood.

Delta: D

The worst, even though it is the only one of the three that does not charge a co-pay. That’s because eligible fares are often high and under the new program (starts June 1) the miles required for an upgrade (60,000) are higher than for a free ticket (50,000)! Under the current program, upgrades are offered on S, H, Q, and K fares plus 40,000 miles, except on the Transcon. As of June 1, L, U, and T fares also qualify. Transfer partner: Amex Rewards and Starwood.

United: C+

Upgrades are allowed on all economy fares but the co-pay and miles charged vary based on booking class. The lowest fares cost 40,000 miles + $150, except the Trancson, which requires a $500 co-pay. United offers the highest savings on long-haul, high-fare routes, while mid-haul routes offer decent savings at times. Transfer partner: Chase.