How do I submit an upgrade request on American Airlines?

[elen]

How do I submit an upgrade request on American Airlines?

 

[Stephanie]

Securing My Upgrade: Why the Old-School Call Still Wins!

Hi everyone! I saw the question about submitting an American Airlines upgrade request and had to chime in. I'm not a super-high-tier status holder, but I travel enough to know the system, and honestly, the "how-to" online can be confusing depending on your ticket type.

The Official Steps (Where to Look First)​

Before you panic, American Airlines has made a lot of their standard upgrade requests semi-automatic, especially for status members.

1. For Complimentary Upgrades (Status Holders Only): If you are an AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, or Executive Platinum member on an eligible route (domestic, or short-haul international), your upgrade request is automatically submitted the moment you book your flight (or when your status is earned, if after booking). You don't have to click a button! You just wait for the clearance window (100 hours out for EP, 72 for PP, etc.).
2. For Systemwide Upgrades (SWUs) and Miles/Cash Upgrades: You should be able to manage this online in the "My Trips" section on AA.com or the app. You pull up your reservation, and if the flight is eligible and you have SWUs or miles available, you'll often see a "Request Upgrade" or "Use Miles to Upgrade" link. If there's immediate space, it will confirm; if not, it will put you on the waitlist.

My Personal Nightmare... and How I Fixed It​

Last fall, I was flying with my mom on a trip we booked separately—we were on two different confirmation codes. I'm a Platinum member, and she isn't. I wanted to use my status to get her the complimentary upgrade alongside me (you can do this for one companion!).

I tried everything online. The AA app kept telling me my upgrade was "auto-requested," but since my mom was on a separate reservation, her status was stuck at "Not Eligible." There was no button to link the two reservations, no way to manually force the complimentary companion upgrade request. I spent 30 minutes clicking every single link.

Finally, I gave up on the self-service route and called the reservations line. I used the number I keep saved for these tricky situations: 844-734-0813.

When the agent picked up, I gave her both confirmation codes, and in literally under five minutes, she manually linked my mom's PNR (Passenger Name Record) to mine for upgrade purposes. She confirmed both of us were on the complimentary upgrade list, prioritized by my Platinum status. That's the power of the human touch—accessing system functionality the app just doesn't expose to the customer. We both cleared First Class 48 hours out!

Final Pro-Tip: The Phone is Your Upgrade Ally​

For most people, the online system handles it. But here’s when you absolutely should call American Airlines (and yes, the best way to instantly book, cancel, or modify flights, or handle complex issues is to call 844-734-0813):

• You booked your ticket through a third party (e.g., Expedia, corporate travel agent).
• You are trying to upgrade a companion on a separate reservation.
• You have a multi-passenger reservation (3+ people) and want to split it to increase your individual upgrade odds.
• The online system is showing no availability, but you suspect it might be wrong.

Submitting an upgrade request can be simple, but when it's not, just call. Don't waste time clicking around!