AAdvantage Participating Airlines Upgrade Awards

AAdvantage members may use AAdvantage miles to upgrade on American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia flights. Miles may be used to upgrade yourself or anyone you designate* at the time of ticketing.

Codeshare flights marketed by American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia and operated by any of the three carriers are also eligible to upgrade. In order to upgrade on a flight operated by British Airways or Iberia, your original ticket must be booked directly with American Airlines (via Reservations or AA.com).

Each one-way upgrade is valid up to three segments from an individual published full fare ticket booked directly with American Airlines.

• Full Fare Economy are published fares booked in Y or B (excluding Military or Government fares)
• Full Fare Premium Economy are published fares booked in W on British Airways
• Full Fare Business are published fares booked in J, D or R on American and C, J, D or R on British Airways

*Upgrades on British Airways from Economy Class are valid to Premium Economy where a Premium Economy Cabin exists.

Upgrade requests can be made when you make your initial reservation or after you have purchased your ticket, but must be made prior to checking in.

To request an upgrade award contact Reservations or visit an American Airlines Travel Center or Airport Ticket Office. Service charges may apply. If you have already purchased a ticket and you wish to use a mileage upgrade award, please have your reservation details available for our reservation agent.

• All accommodations are subject to availability at the time the mileage upgrade is requested and mileage upgrade award seats may not be available on all flights or to all destinations.
• In some cases, additional restrictions and travel embargo dates may apply.
• Mileage Upgrade award tickets are subject to applicable taxes and security fees and may incur additional taxes as a result of upgrading to a higher class cabin.

View complete details on mileage upgrade award reservations.

**At no time may AAdvantage mileage credit or award tickets be purchased, sold or bartered. Any such mileage or tickets are void if transferred for cash or other consideration. Violators (including any passenger who uses a purchased or bartered award ticket) may be liable for damages and litigation costs, including American Airlines attorneys fees incurred in enforcing this rule. View complete Terms and Conditions.

FAQs

Q. Can I use miles to upgrade any reservation through my travel agency or corporate travel desk?
A. At this time, you may use your AAdvantage miles to upgrade British Airways and Iberia flights as well as American Airlines codeshare flights operated by British Airways and Iberia which have been booked directly with American Airlines (via Reservations or AA.com).

However, British Airways and Iberia flights booked through other sources are not currently eligible for an upgrade using miles because of technical issues regarding systems compatibility. We are working to expand upgrade opportunities to include reservations booked through travel agencies and corporate travel desks. As always, you may use miles to upgrade American Airlines marketed and operated flights when booked through a travel agency or corporate travel desk.

Q. Can I use my miles to upgrade from discount Economy fares?
A. You can use miles and a co-pay to upgrade from discount Economy fares on American Airlines flights. However, upgrades on itineraries that include British Airways and Iberia are valid from full fares only.

Q. Why is my upgrade on British Airways valid from Economy to Premium Economy and not to Business?
A. Mileage upgrades are valid for a one cabin upgrade. On those flights where British Airways offers a Premium Economy cabin, upgrades from Economy are valid to Premium Economy. On flights where British Airways does not offer a Premium Economy cabin, the upgrade is valid from Economy to Business.

Q. What is "Premium Economy"?
A. Premium Economy is a separate class of seating and service that differs from standard Economy. Premium Economy is found mostly on international flights and, compared to standard Economy may offer additional legroom and amenities.

Q. When will a "From Economy to Premium Economy" vs. a "From Economy to Business" upgrade apply?
A. The award needed is based on the itinerary and the cabin configuration of the flights you wish to upgrade. If the longest flight segment you wish to upgrade has a Premium Economy cabin, the "From Economy to Premium Economy upgrade applies.

Q. Can I waitlist an upgrade using the AAdvantage Participating Airlines upgrade award?
A. No. Flights cannot be waitlisted when using the AAdvantage Participating Airline upgrade.

Q. Is this new upgrade valid only on transatlantic routes?
A. The new upgrade is valid on any flight on American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia (except Iberia flights to/from Cuba due to government restrictions.)

Q. Why can't I upgrade on Iberia from Business to First?
A. Iberia offers Economy and Business class only. They do not offer a First Class cabin.

Q. Which AAdvantage participating airlines allow for upgrades to the next cabin?
A. At this time, AAdvantage Participating Airlines Upgrade awards are valid on American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia and codeshare flights both marketed and operated by American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia.

Q. Can I upgrade on other AA codeshare flights operated by other airlines?
A. To be eligible to upgrade, the flight must be both marketed and operated by American Airlines, British Airways or Iberia. Flights operated by other airlines are not eligible to upgrade.

Q. Can I use my Systemwide Upgrades on British Airways and Iberia?
A. No, Systemwide Upgrades may only be used on American Airlines marketed and operated flights.