What are “500 Mile Upgrades”?

An American Airlines 500-mile upgrade is the certificate used to upgrade any elite status passenger to business or first class on select domestic and local international routes. You need 1 500-mile upgrade for every 500 miles of travel.

1. How does a 500-mile upgrade work?
2. What are 500-mile upgrades American?
3. How long does 500-mile upgrade take to post?
4. How do you get upgraded to first class?
5. Can I use 500-mile upgrades without status?
6. Can you transfer 500-mile upgrades to someone else?
7. Can I pay for an upgrade on American Airlines?
8. Can you use American miles to upgrade?
9. Can I upgrade my American Airlines flight to first class?
10. What happens when you hit a million miles on American Airlines?
11. What does Platinum status on American mean?
12. How much are seat upgrades on American Airlines?

How does a 500-mile upgrade work?

AAdvantage Platinum and Gold members will earn four 500-mile upgrades for every 12,500 EQMs earned during each membership year. Mileage counters used to determine the number of 500-mile upgrades earned are reset to 0 at the beginning of the membership year.

What are 500-mile upgrades American?

Bottom line. American Airlines 500-mile upgrades allow you to upgrade your travel beyond 500 miles. Think of each certificate as the ability to unlock 500 miles of your travel in business or first class. If you've got a 1,300-mile flight, you'll need three 500-mile upgrades to cover your flight.

How long does 500-mile upgrade take to post?

Notification of upgrade Timeframes for 500-mile upgrades

AAdvantage Gold: 24 hours before departure. AAdvantage Platinum: 48 hours before departure. AAdvantage Platinum Pro: 72 hours before departure. AAdvantage Executive Platinum: 100 hours before departure.

How do you get upgraded to first class?

How to Get Upgraded to First Class: 14 Tactics to Try

1. Be a seriously loyal customer. ...
2. Get an airline credit card. ...
3. Dress neatly. ...
4. Check in online at the earliest possible time. ...
5. Be on time, and have good timing. ...
6. Ask politely and directly. ...
7. Be reasonable. ...
8. If the flight is relatively empty, your chances are slim.

Can I use 500-mile upgrades without status?

If the Executive Platinum member is adding a Platinum Pro as a companion, the Platinum Pro would be listed as an Executive Platinum for the upgrade list only, though that person will still need to use 500-mile upgrade certificates, regardless of their own individual status benefits where they may receive complimentary ...

Can you transfer 500-mile upgrades to someone else?

Finally, you can only use 500-mile upgrades for yourself and your travel companions booked in the same reservation. Unfortunately, you can't apply them to flights booked by friends and family, no matter how generous you're feeling.

Can I pay for an upgrade on American Airlines?

If you want to "skip the line" and get an upgrade on American Airlines ahead of someone with higher status than you, you'll need to pay. You can either pay with systemwide upgrades, 500-mile upgrades or using your cash and miles.

Can you use American miles to upgrade?

Use your AAdvantage^® miles to upgrade on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle for yourself or anyone you designate. Upgrades are valid to the next cabin of service and are valid for a single one-way trip with a maximum of three segments.

Can I upgrade my American Airlines flight to first class?

About systemwide upgrades

Enjoy a confirmed upgrade from most Business fares to First and most Economy or Premium Economy fares to the next class of service (Business or domestic First) anywhere American flies.

What happens when you hit a million miles on American Airlines?

Upon earning one million (1,000,000) Million Miler℠ miles, AAdvantage^® members will be vested with AAdvantage^® Gold status for the lifetime of the AAdvantage^® Gold program and 35,000 AAdvantage^® bonus miles. AAdvantage^® bonus miles do not count toward qualifying for elite status or the Million Miler℠ program.

What does Platinum status on American mean?

Platinum status is the second-lowest tier in the program and offers complimentary auto-requested upgrades, a 48-hour upgrade window, a 60% elite mileage bonus, complimentary Main Cabin Extra and Preferred seats, and 2 free checked bags.

How much are seat upgrades on American Airlines?

These SWUs can be used on any American Airlines flight worldwide and a ticket issued in any fare class, including Basic Economy. 2. Purchase 500-mile upgrades. You can purchase 500-mile upgrades for $40 each or purchase 8 upgrades for 40,000 miles.