American Airlines Debuts Instant Upgrades With Miles, Killing Award Chart

Instant Upgrades With American Miles

This week, American Airlines debuted a new way to upgrade your next flight. You’re already able to see cash upgrade options after making a booking. Now, you will have the option to redeem AAdvantage miles to upgrade to the next cabin class up after your reservation is ticketed.

This new system is reminiscent of what Delta offers and is set to replace the existing award chart on August 12. 

American Airlines Mileage Upgrade Award Chart 

Currently, flyers are eligible to redeem miles (plus cash) for an upgrade on American Airlines, and some British Airways, Iberia, and Qantas flights based on an award chart. Passengers are unable to request these upgrades online and must call reservations to inquire if seats are available to upgrade or to be placed on a waitlist.

Although the new system has been implemented, American Airlines is still honoring requests through the old award chart until August 12. At the same time, the new instant miles upgrade options rolled out this week are priced dynamically, following cash rates.

Guru’s Wrap-up

While it’s bittersweet as dynamic pricing is nothing to celebrate, it’s undoubtedly an exciting development for American flyers to have a straightforward path to upgrade with miles online instead of having to call in and possibly be placed on a waitlist. However, it’s a clear devaluation of AAdvantage miles that is sure to disappoint the airline’s most loyal flyers.

Leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this change!