How the lowest level of elite (and a bit of luck) helped me get a lot of flight upgrade points in 2022
I achieved elite status for the first time in 2022… by accident. I just didn’t think elite status would be worth it as I fly limited every year and it’s never been a priority for me.
Oh, how wrong I was.
Over the course of the last year, I have been upgraded on about a third of the American Airlines flights I have taken with Golden Elite Status — includes a December upgrade during the holiday travel season. That is more often than not many of my friends and colleagues who are in top elite status with American Airlines, Delta Airlines or unified airline (all have the same free upgrade policy for elite travelers).
It just goes to show that you don’t have to be at the top of elite status for it to add a lot of value when you travel — even if you don’t fly exclusively with one airline or do dozens of flights a year. .
American Airlines Elite Status Upgrade
As an American Airlines Gold holder, I receive the following benefits when flying in the US:
- 40% status mileage bonus on select US and other partner airlines.
- Priority check-in and boarding.
- One free test bag.
- Priority waiting for the day.
- Priority phone line.
- Complimentary use of priority seats (when booking) and Main Annex Room (within 24 hours of departure).
- Partner benefits (including automatic Oneworld Ruby status and additional benefits with Alaska Airlines and JetBlue).
- Free upgrade to first class on short-haul domestic and international flights (if applicable).
So far, I’ve gotten an incredible amount of value out of my Gold elite status, even though I haven’t flown many American Airlines flights in the past 12 months. But the perk that I definitely like the most is the ability to score free upgrades.
All American Airlines elite passengers are automatically eligible for a free upgrade from main cabin to the next class of service on all US-marketed domestic flights along with flights between the US and Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda and Central America. (You can read the full terms for a free upgrade on American Airlines here.)
Of course, upgrades are granted in order of status class — so if I’m on the standby list to upgrade my flight with a Platinum (second tier) holder, then the Platinum holder priority will be given to any previously available seats. I.
You might be thinking, “So what’s the point of having status if you’re the last in line to get an upgrade?” Even with the lowest status tier, I still get more of my fair share than many of my higher-status colleagues and friends — thanks to a little luck and a few established travel habits. give me a chance to level up an upgrade.
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Factors that help me increase my score
Let me start off by saying that there’s no strategy or hack to guarantee an upgrade—I wouldn’t recommend dressing up better or bribing gatekeepers with chocolate in hopes of winning a spot. sit in front. However, there are a few commuting habits I’ve adopted that give me a little extra boost in my chances of getting upgraded, even with Gold status.
My home airport is Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) right outside New York City. EWR is a major hub for United Airlines, so there are fewer flight options than American Airlines. You would think this would reduce my chances of getting an upgrade (less flights means more competition for coveted upgrade slots on those flights, right?). However, I’ve found that flying out of an airport that doesn’t have an American Airlines footprint has actually improved my chances — especially when I’m flying from EWR to an American Airlines hub such as Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) or Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
More travelers near the EWR may prefer United’s elite status, as there are more flight options with that airline, better lounge options, and a nicer terminal (at least until Newly opened Terminal A). Likewise, many elite members of America in the New York area can support John. F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA)because American Airlines has a much larger footprint in both of those airports.
If there are fewer elite members vying for the upgrade spot, my chances go up — even as a lower-level elite holder.
Another habit of mine that can help is to book the first flight of the day as often as possible, especially on weekends. The 6 a.m. flight isn’t necessarily the most convenient flight, especially if you’re an idle traveler on a Saturday morning. But I really like flying early — less likely to be delayed due to runway traffic, shorter security fences, less traffic on the way to the airport, etc.
Also, if there are fewer passengers who want to fly out at sunrise, my chances of getting an upgrade are higher. I didn’t choose an earlier flight time with this in mind, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
Of course, at many airports, early flight times are peak flight times for weekday business travelers or travelers looking to maximize time at their destination. But I found Terminal A at EWR to become calmer when I was on an early morning flight.
I want to reiterate – these habits are definitely not the perfect trick to getting a free upgrade. But aside from some beginner luck the first year I was in elite status, I think they might be a factor in helping me manage to get upgrades as often as I did in 2022.
Other perks I’ve enjoyed
But the value I get from the Gold status far exceeds the upgrades I get. Here’s a list of how I’ve saved hundreds of dollars and eliminated a lot of the stress of commuting over the past year.
- Seats have more legroom on JetBlue, which will make a big difference on intercontinental flights in 2022.
- Priority boarding, which helps me avoid having to check in hand luggage when head space is limited.
- A free checked bag, was a lifesaver on my annual two-week trip back to Arkansas for the holidays.
This is proof that you don’t have to be at the top to be valuable or worthwhile.
Related: How I won American Airlines Gold status without taking a single flight — for less than $100 in total
bottom line
Elite status has never been a real travel priority for me. I know I’m not currently traveling enough or spending enough on co-branded cards each year to get to the top with any airline, and I don’t think the benefits of a lower tier position are worth it. price when running by mileage. But I got an incredible amount of value out of my Gold status last year, especially with the free upgrades.
In fact, I have planned the usages Loyalty point system to help me close the gap to maintain my Gold status (which I swore was unworthy of me last year).
If you’re contemplating trying to achieve elite status but are worried that you won’t get much value out of your lower status tiers, here’s your sign to get there in 2023. Can even manage to get more free upgrades than your higher level-friend status.
