American Airlines & US Airways Offering Reciprocal Upgrades
Beginning June 11, 2014, if you have elite status with American Airlines, you can upgrade to First Class on US Airways. And if you have elite status with US Airways, you can upgrade to First Class on American Airlines.
2 Easy Steps to Getting Reciprocal First Class Upgrades for American Airlines and US Airways Elite Members
1. Book a flight on US Airways or American Airlines
2. Check-in for your flight 24 hours in advance
Upgrades for American Airlines elite members
How it will work
If First Class seats are available, American Airlines elite members will be offered upgrades 24 hours before their US Airways flight. Upgrades are offered on a first come, first served basis. So you want to check in at the 24 hour mark vs checking in 20 hours in advance or not checking in at all.
If seats aren't available, you can be added to the upgrade standby list.
Will upgrades be offered on all flights?
First Class upgrades will only be offered on US Airways operated flights between the United States and:
- the Bahamas
- Bermuda
- Canada
- the Caribbean
- Central America
- Mexico
First Class upgrades will NOT be operated on flights to Hawaii. Not being able to upgrade to Hawaii on US Airways is a bummer. So you want to book your Hawaii flight on American Airlines.
You can also upgrade a companion for free
Because US Airways allows elite members to upgrade a companion traveling on the same reservation, American Airline elite members flying on US Airways will also be able to upgrade a companion.
Companion upgrades are free.
Upgrades for US Airways elite members
How it will work
If there are seats in First Class seats, US Airways elite members will be given the option to upgrade 24 hours before their American Airlines flight. Upgrades are offered on a first come, first served basis. Be sure to check in at the 24 hour mark.
If seats aren't available, you'll be added to the upgrade standby list.
Upgrades for companions
American Airlines does not offer automatic upgrades for companions as US Airways does.
If you're traveling with a companion, you might not be offered an upgrade. Increase your upgrade chances by having everyone travel on separate reservations.
Cost to upgrade
First Class upgrades are free for US Airways Chairman's Preferred elite status members.
Upgrades for US Airways Silver, Gold, and Platinum elite members are $30 per 500 miles.
A US Airways Silver member on American Airlines flying from San Diego to Honolulu will pay $180 to upgrade to First Class one-way. (2619 miles = $30 x 6) Upgrades are based on any part of 500 miles.
Will upgrades be offered on all flights?
First Class upgrades will only be offered on American Airlines operated flights between the US and:
- the Bahamas
- Bermuda
- Canada
- the Caribbean
- Central America
- Mexico
First Class upgrades on American Airlines are available for Hawaii.
More information about reciprocal upgrades for American Airlines elite members on US Airways can be found here.
You can read more information about reciprocal upgrades for US Airways elite members on American Airlines here.
It will be interesting to see how the upgrades work out. I'm waiting for American and US Airways to announce reciprocal use of System Wide Upgrades.
What do you think of the temporary upgrade policy?
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