American Airlines Adds Free Upgrades For All Elites, Eliminates 500-Mile Upgrades

All elite members are now eligible for unlimited complimentary upgrades within North America, thanks to the changes announced by American AAdvantage. Is this good or bad news?

American expands complimentary upgrades

The launch of the new Loyalty Points program will coincide with the change of elite upgrades by American AAdvantage.

• Currently Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro members receive unlimited complimentary upgrades within North America, while this will soon be expanded to Platinum and Gold members
• Members will only need to use 500-mile upgrade stickers to upgrade travel companions; however, as of later this year, complimentary upgrades will be extended to one companion traveling on the same flight for all elite members
• At that time (later in 2022), all existing 500-mile upgrade stickers will be converted into 250 Loyalty Points each toward 2022 status qualification

How complimentary elite upgrades currently work

Let me explain how the current system works. All American AAdvantage elite members are eligible for space available upgrades for flights within North America.

The way these upgrades are processed depends on your status.

• Concierge Key members get complimentary upgrades starting 120 hours before departure
• Executive Platinum members get complimentary upgrades starting 100 hours before departure
• Platinum Pro members get complimentary upgrades starting 72 hours before departure
• Platinum members get upgrades starting 48 hours before departure, but they have to use 500-mile upgrade stickers to be eligible, except on flights of under 500 miles, where upgrades are complimentary
• Gold members get upgrades starting 24 hours before departure, but they have to use 500-mile upgrade stickers to be eligible, except on flights of under 500 miles, where upgrades are complimentary
• All elite tiers can have companions upgraded with them as well, but additional 500-mile upgrade stickers are required for them (even for Concierge Key, Executive Platinum, and Platinum Pro members)

What are the 500-mile upgrade stickers that AAdvantage Platinum and Gold members have to use on flights over 500 miles, and what are the companion upgrade stickers that all elite tiers have to use?

• Each 500-mile upgrade sticker can be used to upgrade 500 miles worth of flying; in other words, an 1,800 mile flight would require four of these stickers
• Platinum and Gold members earn four 500-mile upgrade stickers for every 12,500 elite qualifying miles earned during a calendar year
• 500-mile upgrade stickers can also be purchased for $40 each by all elite tiers

Is American’s new upgrade program good or bad news?

Are the changes to American Airlines positive or negative? It depends on who you ask. There are a few things to consider.

• Since upgrades are prioritized by elite status, this shouldn’t impact Executive Platinum or Platinum Pro members much, since they’ll continue to be upgraded ahead of Platinum and Gold members
• Arguably this is good for many Platinum members, as they’re the highest elite members who are eligible for upgrades but don’t receive unlimited complimentary upgrades
• This is a mixed bag for Gold members — on the one hand they won’t need 500-mile stickers, but on the other hand upgrades will clear even less frequently
• The beauty of the 500-mile upgrade sticker program was that you could prioritize the upgrades that matter most to you, since not everyone would request an upgrade
• The addition of complimentary companion upgrades later this year is a mixed bag; on the one hand you can also upgrade a companion without having to use 500-mile stickers, but it will make upgrades even tougher for everyone below you on the upgrade list

My take on American’s upgrade changes

I have been predicting for a long time that American would change its upgrade program. American was the only US carrier that didn't offer all elite members complimentary upgrades. With American and Alaska introducing upgrade reciprocity and aligning elite tiers, the concept of unlimited elite upgrades was the only option that made sense.

The problem is that you're competing for a finite number of seats, which is why you should offer all elite members complimentary upgrades. First class will almost always be filled with upgraders, so it's just a function of how you distribute those seats.

I'm happy I'll get companion upgrades without using 500-mile stickers, as an Executive Platinum member. I'm more likely to lose an upgrade to the companion of a higher ranked Executive Platinum member.

I feel like the offer to convert each 500-mile upgrade sticker into 250 Loyalty Points is not very generous. Many people paid cash for upgrade stickers, and that conversion rate is terrible.

Bottom line

American Airlines is making changes to the AAdvantage program. All AAdvantage elite members will be eligible for complimentary upgrades as of March 2, 2022. Companion elite upgrades will be introduced later this year. 500 mile stickers will be converted into 250 Loyalty Points at that point.

There is no correct take on whether this change is positive or negative, it depends on your situation and what you value most. I think this change was inevitable.

What do you think about American's new elite upgrade program?