How Savvy Elite-Status and Schedule-Focused Travelers Fly Business Class on American Airlines

Mileage upgrades from economy are frequently the best way to get Business Class when:

1. Fares are high
2. You do not have a lot miles
3. You don’t have much flexibility
4. You need to earn elite qualifying credit
5. Someone else is paying for your ticket.

Most people automatically think that the best way to use miles is for a free award ticket, because once they see the co-pay on a mileage ticket, they run for the Free Ticket Hills. It’s often the wrong move, especially if you fall into one of the five categories above.