How to Upgrade Without Paying for an Upgrade
It’s not every day that you can upgrade to Business Class without paying more, so it’s good to remember this special strategy and try to use it any chance you get.
The strategy is based on the fact that American flies three-class B777s and B767-200s on some routes, while actually selling only two classes of seats—economy and First Class.
You can tell which flights these are by the way the “seat maps” appear. When there is a Business Class cabin (with a 2-3-2 seat configuration), displayed as economy seating (otherwise configured in a 2-5-2 style across), you know you’ve found one.
Who gets the Business Class seats?
Anyone with “priority seating privileges” can confirm these Business Class seats at economy rates. To get through the velvet rope, you must be one of the following:
- An American AAdvantage elite member (any level)
- The companion of an AAdvantage elite member
- Affiliated with a larger travel agency which has “preferred customer” contracts with American (see if your company qualifies)
- A full-fare coach passenger (keep in mind, though, that many First Class fares can be lower than full coach, and offer confirmed First Class versus the free upgrade to Business Class)
How to work it
When booking on routes that include these magic flights (see chart at right), simply tell the reservationist (or the booking engine) to look for B777 or B767-200 aircraft which show the Business Class section as coach.
This way you’ll upgrade to Business Class, free.
Not an elite status member?
Here are two shortcuts to elite status.
The Fast Track: Through a program that American calls The Challenge, AAdvantage members can get on the ‘fast track’ to Gold (entry level) status. Earn 5,000 points in three months and pay an $80 fee, and you’re in. The offer is not on the airline’s website, so to register you have to call the AAdvantage desk at 800-882-8880 (and ask for the customer service department).
The Buy Back: For those of you who were elite members but fell from grace last year, American offers a ‘buy back’ option. If your travel on American was minimal in 2009, keep an eye out for this promo that’s usually emailed to former elites in January. If you don’t receive notice of the offer, call the customer service desk (800-882-8880) to see if you might be eligible otherwise.
Aircraft Upgrade Routes on American
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