You can now apply for US system-wide upgrade certifications online

Earlier this year, American Airlines promised that it will allow online redemption of upgrade certificates across the system.

Well, 2024 is almost over and the Fort Worth-based carrier is finally making good on its promise — at least in a limited way.

Starting Monday, American began a limited-time beta test of online redemptions for system-wide upgrades. Select AAdvantage members with unused system-wide upgrades in their accounts were notified Monday via email that they were part of the beta test.

A company spokesperson told TPG that the two-to-three-week test will determine whether Americans need to make any changes to the online upgrade portal before a widespread rollout. than.

A company spokesperson said: “This feature is something our members have been asking for for a long time, so we are looking forward to the results of this test to see how we can move forward help our members easily join the AAdvantage program.

Unfortunately, the carrier didn’t mention when the feature will be rolled out globally despite initially promising to make the functionality available to all AAdvantage members by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the carrier at least appears to be moving toward its goal.

If you are one of the lucky AAdvantage members who received an email from American, the online redemption process is quite simple.

You need to navigate to the linked website, then enter your last name and confirmation number. You will then be asked which flight you want to prioritize for upgrade. American recommends choosing the longest flight of your journey to maximize your comfort at the end of the plane.

If the flight is available for immediate confirmation — Here’s how to check — your itinerary will be upgraded immediately. Otherwise, American will put the flight on a waiting list. The airline says it will also attempt to confirm or waitlist any upgrades on shorter connecting flights once your preferred sector is upgraded.

It’s unclear whether you can choose which system-wide upgrades will be removed if your upgrade is confirmed. (It’s probably the one that expires the soonest.)

While this functionality may seem pretty basic, it’s actually quite powerful for elite members who have spent hours on the phone over the years with the AAdvantage service department applying upgrades to bookings upcoming.

Even if you get a beta invite, I still recommend calling American if you have any complicated upgrade requests.

However, this is a long-awaited technical innovation and I can’t wait to use it on my next flight.

It’s interesting to note that American’s upgrade technology still pales in comparison to what Delta and United offer. United has long been a leader in this space with great web and mobile interfaces for Use and redeem PlusPoints.

Delta launches capabilities Redeem your upgrade certificate online by the end of 2022and that functionality is now available to any eligible elite traveler.

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