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American Airlines Systemwide Upgrade Giveaway

February 18, 2017 by James Larounis 28 Comments

Get award booking help and personalized travel assistance for as little as $1 a month!

It’s that time of year where airline elites are left with spare upgrade certificates, and are looking to put them to good use.

Fortunately, I’ve got several friends with spare systemwide upgrades that they aren’t going to use that they want to give to you. Right now, I know of three upgrades, but it’s first come first served, and I know they’ve put the word out to other people as well.


Here’s the catch: the upgrades can only be used on a trip through the end of this month.

The upgrades are valid from coach to businesses (need C class available) or business to first (need A class available). It’s only available on American “metal” planes (must say American on the side). 

How to Enter

Simply comment below with your flight routing, and let me know if there’s upgrade space available to upgrade. If you don’t know if there’s upgrade space available, that’s okay – just let me know the flight numbers and dates and I’ll look it up. 


To be clear, these upgrades are free, and there’s nothing you need to do other than comment below to enter. That said, sometimes an upgrade will add a luxury tax or other charge to your ticket, which of course you’ll be responsible for. I’ll be in touch to confirm your record locator and put you in touch with the folks looking to give away their upgrades. Note: these upgrades are in no way shape or form for sale or for trade or any other action that would be against any terms and conditions of the airline or loyalty program. This is a nice gesture from folks who otherwise can’t use these certificates. 

First preference will go to those with long haul international flights, followed by transcontinental flights. Preference will also be given to upgrades that can clear immediately without the need to wait list.

Enjoy this giveaway!

Update: All upgrades have been given out. Congratulations to those whose itineraries have been upgraded! Please continue to comment if you’d like an upgrade – if I know of anyone else with spare Systemwide upgrades, I’ll continue to work through the comments to find eligible itineraries. 🙂

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Filed Under: Giveaways

Comments

  1. Vicky Watkins says

    February 18, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    RDU to Hawaii

    Reply
    • James Larounis says

      February 18, 2017 at 3:08 pm

      Is there upgrade space?

      Reply
  2. Bob says

    February 18, 2017 at 2:31 pm

    My next flight on AA metal isn’t until March 2, but congratulations to folks who snag them.

    Reply
  3. Tania L says

    February 18, 2017 at 2:57 pm

    My daughter and I are flying for the first time ever on AA to Japan. I know it will be a miracle for us to get chosen but we are hoping you will grace us with this opportunity for an upgrade. We are getting excited! Here is our flight info:
    5831 American Airlines

    Operated by Mesa Airlines As American Eagle

    10:30 AM
    ICT

    11:52 AM
    DFW
    1h 22m CR9 Economy

    14DOpens seat map 14FOpens seat map

    Stop: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
    61 American Airlines Wi-Fi onboard
    1:10 PM
    DFW

    4:45 PM
    NRT
    Arrives March 25
    13h 35m 772 Economy

    36AOpens seat map 36C

    Reply
    • Tania L says

      February 18, 2017 at 3:03 pm

      This is for March 24th

      Reply
      • Tania L says

        February 18, 2017 at 3:09 pm

        I also wanted to add I didn’t know if you needed Return flight information as well? Cause I put in our flight information Leaving the 24th from ICT- NRT then Flying back home to Kansas on the 2nd of April. Again I want to thank you and your very generous friends.

        Reply
    • James Larounis says

      February 18, 2017 at 3:08 pm

      Hi Tania. Your flights aren’t eligible because they are in March. The upgrade is good for the remainder of this month.

      Reply
      • Tania LoNero says

        February 18, 2017 at 3:21 pm

        Awe… darn

        Reply
  4. Tonei Glavinic says

    February 18, 2017 at 3:18 pm

    Not exciting at all, but I’ve got AA52 tomorrow (2/19) LAX-DCA. Not sure if there is award space or not.

    Reply
    • James Larounis says

      February 18, 2017 at 3:29 pm

      There is upgrade space! Email me your PNR as soon as possible and I’ll see what I can do.

      Reply
    • James Larounis says

      February 19, 2017 at 3:42 am

      Congrats! You’ve been upgraded. 🙂 Your PNR should reflect the change.

      Reply
  5. Debbie Terry says

    February 18, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    .LOS ANGELES to SHANGHAI
    American Airlines | AA183 confirmed
    Friday 17 March 2017 | duration 14:10
    Dep: 10:45 Los Angeles, United States Of America | Los Angeles International LAX | Terminal 0
    Arr: 15:55 (+1 day) Shanghai, China | Pudong International PVG | Terminal 2
    view details

    Reply
    • James Larounis says

      February 18, 2017 at 4:49 pm

      Unfortunately this flight isn’t eligible because it isn’t before the end of the month.

      Reply
      • Debbie Terry says

        February 19, 2017 at 3:04 pm

        Thank the people who came forward and were so generous!

        Reply
  6. Randy SF says

    February 19, 2017 at 3:26 am

    SFO – JFK 
    Feb 28
    Leave: 10:40 PM
    Arrive: 7:11 AM
     
    American Airlines 18

    Reply
  7. Nathan says

    February 20, 2017 at 12:25 pm

    American 2665
    TUL to DFW Mar 23, 4:26 PM
    American 3309
    DFW to LEX Mar 23, 8:44 PM
    American 3099
    LEX to ORD Mar 25, 12:05 PM
    American 3361
    ORD to TUL Mar 25, 1:15 PM

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Tonei says

      February 20, 2017 at 12:31 pm

      “Here’s the catch: the upgrades can only be used on a trip through the end of this month.”
      Your flights are in March so they aren’t eligible.

      Reply
  8. Josh says

    February 20, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    I have an extra pair if anyone can put them to good use.

    Reply
    • Tania LoNero says

      February 21, 2017 at 9:23 am

      I just wish we could get it for our flight in march. Being a single mother and doing out trip as a graduation gift for her all I could afford is coach.

      Reply
    • James Larounis says

      February 22, 2017 at 1:38 am

      I actually have a transcontinental flight this Friday, if you still have a spare. 🙂 There’s no confirmable upgrade space (yet), but if it clears beforehand, it would take one off your hands. 🙂

      Reply
  9. Phillip says

    February 21, 2017 at 2:22 am

    2/23 ATL-DFW-MAD AA1607/AA36
    2/28 MAD-DFW-ATL AA37/AA2408

    Reply
  10. Chad says

    May 8, 2017 at 1:25 pm

    Any chance more Systemwide Upgrades are available? I would be forever grateful! I lost my AA status just before my trip to Australia

    5/9/17 LAX-SYD AA 73

    Thanks

    Reply
    • James Larounis says

      May 8, 2017 at 2:53 pm

      Sorry, no more available as you’re in the middle of the elite year now and people have time to use the ones they’ve earned. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Kelly says

    August 7, 2017 at 1:19 pm

    Anyone have any System Wide Upgrades for AA? I am a very nervous flyer so this helps me a lot with anxiety. My fiance and me are flying from PHL – AMS on Nov 23 @ 7:40pm

    Reply
  12. liliane bary says

    August 21, 2017 at 3:43 pm

    miami to cog aa 062

    Reply
  13. Alan Louganis says

    September 13, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    Hi,
    I am flying from London to Chicago to San Diego on Oct 21st. If you can let me know if you have a spare upgrade I would greatly appreciate it.
    I have a real bad back, had knee surgery and had heart attack on a flight, so if I can fly in Business will really lessen my anxiety level.
    Thanks,
    Alan

    Reply
  14. Chad says

    January 6, 2018 at 10:51 am

    Is there a generous person with SWUs expiring Feb 2018?
    Jan 20, 2018 Phx-Lax-Lhr-Lux. Return Jan 27, but 1 SWU for overnight east would be AMAZING on AA 136 to Lhr.

    Lowly platinum, have done a few domestic 1st. 1x itnl biz class, 2 years ago fare deal as part of parents 50th anniversary trip, so I know this would make east bound remarkably more restful.

    Thanks for considering!

    Reply
  15. Jen says

    October 14, 2018 at 11:16 pm

    If anyone has SWU’s expiring we have an upgradable trip dec 21 – 28, 2018. We would be forever grateful!

    Reply

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JamieJamie Larounis is an avid traveler, blogger and miles/points educator. Traveling well over 100,000 miles a year and staying in hotels for over 100 nights, he leverages miles, points and other deals to fly in first class cabins, and stay in 5-star hotels. The Forward Cabin shares his experiences, musings, reviews, tips, tricks, resources and industry news with you, the fellow traveler. [Learn more about Jamie...]

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