Upgrade Economics 101, Part 8: A Look at Free and Low-Cost Two-Class Upgrades With American Airlines

August 2023
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Okay class, please settle down. Before we start, I want to commend you all for skipping summer vacation this year to continue the Upgrade Economics 101 course.

I think you’ll be doubly thankful that you did because today in Part 8 we look at the dreamy, dazzling, delectable two-class upgrade.

Whispered-of, but rarely experienced, the two-class upgrade is where you jump forward two cabins for no extra cost, less cost (nirvana), or just relatively little more. I’m talking about upgrading from Coach to Business or Premium Economy to First Class. It’s hopscotch in the sky, with a nice soft landing.

A two-class upgrade is hopscotch in the sky

“Excuse me, Professor Upgrade?”

“Yes, Kevin.”

“Do you have examples of a two-class upgrade where Coach is nearly the cost of Business and where First Class is less than or nearly the cost of Premium Economy? Because I find this two-class upgrade hard to believe, sir.”

“Kevin, I’m so glad you asked.”

The Mythical Low-Cost Two-Class Upgrade Example #1 First Class to Tokyo on Japan Airlines for Little More than the Price of Premium Economy

This example sees a two-class upgrade when using American AAdvantage miles on Japan Airlines’ Chicago-Tokyo route, round-trip. Why fly from Chicago to Tokyo in Premium Economy, which typically costs around $3,773, when you can fly in First Class for $151 more or just $6 more per flight hour.

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The Mythical Two-Class Upgrade Example #2 First Class to Sydney on American for LESS than the Price of Premium Economy

Premium Economy fares can be astonishing to Australia – in the $6,345 R/T range, not to mention First Class at $20,900.

If you keep an eye on award space and American opens its seats in First Class priced at 168,000 miles round-trip, you can score close in.

So let’s lay it all out: If you could cancel that $6,345 Premium Economy ticket and use that value later in the year and instead, book this trip in First Class for just 168,000 miles round-trip — which anyone can buy for as low as $4,209 in cash when on sale — what would you do?

Me? I’d call that a more-than-free two-class upgrade (going from Premium Economy to First in one swoop!) and snatch it up faster than a koala scoffing down a gum leaf.

See an example of what last-minute pricing might be on AA.com.

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The Mythical Low-Cost Two-Class Upgrade Example #3 First Class to Brazil on American for $46 Per-Flight-Hour More than the Price of Premium Economy

I can tell from all the murmuring that you’re excited about this. Why fly from Miami to São Paulo in December in Premium Economy for prices between $1,981 and $2,412 when you can fly in First Class on American for just $46 more per flight hour.

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Strategy Tool Links:

Don’t have enough miles? See FCF’s handy tip here How to Get Around Buying Miles Maximum Limits

Retirees, Business Owners, Premium and Other Flexible Travelers: Keep Your Bags Packed

Stop “Booking Backwards”: Use FCF’s Forward-Thinking Deals to Book Dream Trips Every Time

The Art of Skipping Stones & What We Can All Learn from the Boise to Budapest Premium Traveler

The only thing better than an upgrade is a two-class upgrade.

[["Operating Airline","Sample Route","Class","Cost R/T","#colspan#"],["\n\n\nJapan Airlines Using American Miles","\n\n\nChicago-Tokyo*","Premium Economy","Regular Published R/T Fare","$3,773"],["#rowspan#","#rowspan#","\nFirst","Cost to Buy the Required 160,000 AAdvantage Miles R/T \n(Including Taxes, When on Sale)","$3,924"],["#rowspan#","#rowspan#","#rowspan#","Regular Published R/T Fare","$24,600"],["<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>How much better?</strong></p>","#colspan#","#colspan#","<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Two-Class Close In Upgrade</strong></p>","#colspan#"],["<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Cost to Upgrade Round-Trip?</strong></p>","#colspan#","#colspan#","<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>$151 / $6 per Flight Hour</strong></p>","#colspan#"]]
[["Operating Airline","Sample Route","Class","Cost R/T","#colspan#"],["\n\n\nAmerican","\n\n\nLos Angeles-Sydney","Premium Economy","Regular Published R/T Fare in August","$6,345"],["#rowspan#","#rowspan#","\nFirst","Cost to Buy the Required 168,000 AAdvantage Miles R/T \n(Including Taxes, When on Sale)","$4,209"],["#rowspan#","#rowspan#","#rowspan#","Regular Published R/T Fare in August","$20,900"],["<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>How much better?</strong></p>","#colspan#","#colspan#","<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Two-Class Upgrade</strong></p>","#colspan#"],["<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>How much cheaper round-Trip?</strong></p>","#colspan#","#colspan#","<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>$2,136 Cheaper</strong></p>","#colspan#"]]
[["Operating Airline","Sample Route","Class","Cost R/T","#colspan#"],["\n\n\n\nAmerican","\n\n\n\nMiami-Sao Paulo","Premium Economy","Regular Published R/T Fare in December","$1,981"],["#rowspan#","#rowspan#","\n\nFirst","Cost to Buy the Required 110,000 AAdvantage Miles R/T\n(Including Taxes When on Sale)","$2,758"],["#rowspan#","#rowspan#","#rowspan#","Regular Published R/T Fare in December","$8,862"],["<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>How much better?</strong></p>","#colspan#","#colspan#","<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Two-Class Upgrade</strong></p>","#colspan#"],["<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Cost to Upgrade Round-Trip?</strong></p>","#colspan#","#colspan#","<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>$777 / $46 per Flight Hour</strong></p>","#colspan#"]]