Obtaining Systemwide Upgrades

AAdvantage Executive Platinum members receive eight complimentary one-way systemwide upgrades upon qualification or re-qualification for your elite status level. These upgrades entitle you (or any passenger you designate) to confirmed upgrades to the next class of service at the time of booking (provided upgrade seating is available) when flying on most Business Class and Economy Class fares.

Requesting an Upgrade

Systemwide upgrades can be requested when making your flight reservations. Systemwide upgrades are subject to upgrade seating availability. If an upgrade is not available at the time of booking, systemwide upgrades may be waitlisted. When you are ready to use your upgrades, call your Elite Service Desk for assistance.

Eligible Markets and Fares

Systemwide upgrades are valid for one-way travel from most American Airlines Business Class and Economy Class published fares to the next cabin of service. The following fares are not eligible for use with systemwide upgrades: Government or military fares, or any fares not eligible for mileage credit (such as award tickets)

Tracking Your Upgrade Balance

Keep track of your upgrade account on AA.com and via your monthly AAdvantage eSummary®.

Systemwide Upgrade FAQs

Q: How can I check my systemwide upgrade balance and activity?
A: Check your systemwide upgrade balance online at AA.com. Simply log in, go to "My Account" and select the "View My Upgrades" tab. Here, you'll find helpful information regarding the number of systemwide upgrades currently available for use, the date they were deposited and their associated expiration date. You will also be able to view the number of upgrades used or associated with future trips. In order to provide you with the most up-to-date details, your summary information will be updated on a daily basis. The date in the upper right-hand corner of the Systemwide Upgrade Summary section will show you the last date/time updates were made. Should you have any questions about your balance or usage details, contact the AAdvantage Desk at 1-800-882-8880 or your Elite Service Desk.

Q: When will my systemwide upgrades be deposited, and how will I know they are available for me to use?
A: When you earn systemwide upgrades, they are credited to your account within 48 hours of the update to your account. Once the upgrades have been credited to your account, they are available for your immediate use and can be viewed online at AA.com, as described above. We will also notify you in writing whenever you earn these upgrades, such as when you qualify or requalify for Executive Platinum membership.

Q: How long are my systemwide upgrades valid?
A: Upgrades that were earned based on your 2011 flight activity are valid through February 28, 2013. Upgrades earned based on your 2012 flight activity are valid through February 28, 2014. So, the earlier in the year that you qualify or requalify for Executive Platinum membership, the longer you will have to use your systemwide upgrades. All travel using a systemwide upgrade must be completed by the expiration date. Upgrades will expire at 12:00 midnight (CT) on the date shown.

Q: What should I do if I want to use my systemwide upgrades for travel?
A: Call your Elite Service Desk. If seats are available, your upgrade will be processed with your reservation and deducted from your available balance.

Q: Can I share my systemwide upgrades with other people?
A: Yes, and you can travel with them, or they may also travel alone.

Q: How do I share a systemwide upgrade with another passenger if I'm not traveling?
A: Call your Elite Service Desk in advance to make the reservation and request the upgrade (the same way you do when you claim a mileage award from your account for someone else). Then the passenger can go to the airport to check in without you being present. If you do not call your Elite Service Desk in advance, the passenger cannot be accommodated at the airport unless you are also present.

Q: If I cancel my trip prior to travel, what action should I take?
A: Simply call your Elite Service Desk so that we can reinstate the systemwide upgrade into your account for future use. This step is important in keeping your upgrade balance up-to-date.

Q: Why don't I see my systemwide upgrade balance information on AA.com?
A: Summary details will only display for customers who have earned systemwide upgrades that have an expiration date in the current year or a future year. Should you have questions regarding historical data, please contact your Elite Service Desk.

Q: Why does my Systemwide Upgrade Summary show upgrades under the "Used" column even though my trip is for a future date?
A: Systemwide upgrades are deducted from your account at the time your upgrade is confirmed and are, at that time, considered as "used".

Q: I'm currently waitlisted to use a systemwide upgrade on a future trip. Does this information show on my summary?
A: No, this information does not appear on your summary. Systemwide upgrades will not be deducted from your account until your request is confirmed. If you have questions regarding the status of your waitlist request, please contact your Elite Service Desk.

Systemwide Upgrade Terms and Conditions

Upgrade entitles passenger to a one-way upgrade to the next class of service at no additional charge for travel on American Airlines or American Eagle to any destination served by either airline.

This upgrade is subject to capacity controls and is limited to a single one-way ticket with a maximum of three segments. Reservations are subject to seat availability at the time of upgrade.

Reservations may be made and tickets purchased from any authorized Travel Agency or American Airlines. Upgrade requests using systemwide upgrades cannot be made via AA.com at this time.

Upgrades are valid only on scheduled flights marketed and operated by American Airlines, or American Eagle flights offering a First or Business Class cabin for travel. Not valid on codeshare flights.

Open tickets may not be issued.

Stopovers, joint and through fares are permitted if fare purchased allows.

If, after ticketing, your ticket must be reissued, a change fee may apply based on your purchased fare.

Any tax liability is the responsibility of the user.

Upgrades are only valid on individual published-fare tickets. Upgrades are not applicable to AAdvantage travel awards; any free ticket; military or other government fares; opaque fares; infant tickets (including INF50 fares) or purchased extra seats.

Travel must be completed by the expiration date. Unused upgrades will not be refunded, exchanged or transferred.

Upgrades will be deducted from your account as soon as upgrade seating can be confirmed on one or more requested flight segments of your itinerary. It is the responsibility of the member to contact the AAdvantage department if a trip involving the use of a systemwide upgrade is canceled and reinstatement of the upgrade is required.

Any itinerary changes to a confirmed upgrade are subject to seat availability for the new itinerary.

AAdvantage mileage will accrue for the class of service on which your fare is based when you are ticketed, not for the class of service flown.

Any voluntary refund of a ticket issued against the upgrade shall be in accordance with applicable fare rules for the fare purchased.

Use of upgrades to any future American Airlines destination is subject to approval.

Upgrades are void if sold for cash or other considerations.

Members may designate another passenger to use their upgrades.

Passengers may be requested to show identification at any time during travel.