How to Get a Business Class Upgrade on American Airlines

It was announced in March that American Airlines will debut its new Boeing 787 plane featuring the new Flagship Suite available in service on the Chicago-London route. This move indicates AA's continuing commitment to delivering the premium flying experience even further, always upping the game in comfort, innovation, and passenger satisfaction.

It is also helping travelers to pursue and upgrade their travel experience. First class on American Airlines is more like flying high in a giant room, gourmet cuisine, lounge, priority boarding, and nine yards. But if spending thousands on the ticket is not your thing, then here's the good news; you don't necessarily have to. Here, we will tell you how to upgrade American Airlines to business class. We will learn about all possible upgrades, requirements, insider secrets, and how to maximize the chance of an upgrade in 2025.

Why You Should Upgrade to Business Class

Take a swift sneak preview of what you receive with the American Airlines Business Class-

• Priority check-in, security & boarding
• Access to Admirals Club and partner lounges
• Lie-flat beds with additional room
• Gourmet meals & speciality cocktails
• International long-haul flight with amenity kits & blankets
• Noise-reduction headsets & speedy Wi-Fi

It's quite superior to the economy, even superior to the premium economy. If you upgrade on international long-haul international flights.

What Are The Ways To Upgrade

1. Free AAdvantage Elite Status Upgrades

Free, yes you heard it right. AAdvantage elite status upgrades are available for free but on selected routes.

Flights available for complimentary upgrades

• Domestic U.S. travel (Alaska & Hawaii included)
• Central American, Caribbean, Mexican, Canadian, & U.S. flights Upgrade Hierarchy:

Upgrades cleared in this hierarchy-

Elite Status Tier*>*Fare class (higher fare classes cleared in advance)*>*Time of request to upgrade>*AAdvantage credit cardholder status

Route TypeMiles RequiredCo-Pay (USD)Domestic (U.S.)15,000$75U.S. to Europe25,000--35,000$350--$550U.S. to Asia25,000--50,000$350--$550

2. Use AAdvantage® Miles to Upgrade

You can also upgrade with AAdvantage miles, not a requirement to qualify as an elite level. This is ideal for lower-level members and transcontinental flights.

How Does It Work:

Fares in economy or premium economy are usually upgradeable to the higher cabin in most situations. A cash co-pay is charged on top of miles. Limited availability especially on popular routes.

Use the AA Upgrade Award chart which is available on the official website to purchase your miles. You may also purchase mileage upgrades. After you've booked (through access to "My Trips" or customer service calls)

3. Utilize Systemwide Upgrades (SWUs)

Systemwide Upgrades are arguably the finest upgrade tools in the arsenal of experienced travelers.

What Are They?

Accumulated by Executive Platinum members. You can use it on any one-way flight up to three segments. This can be used to upgrade the economy or premium economy to business class.

What Are the Best Valuable Perks of SWUs

It can be used on transpacific and transatlantic flights that are not leaving North America. You can buy them for yourself, or anyone. If you travel often enough to be an Executive Platinum member, SWUs are a great benefit that can save you literally thousands of dollars on flights.

Explore American Airlines Senior Discounts

4. Buy 500-Mile Upgrades (For Mid-Elites)

More than 500 miles of Gold and Platinum member flight awards are earned as 500-mile certificates.

• You earn one certificate for every 500 miles flown.
• Certificates are purchased or earned (40 for every 12,500 EQMs flown).
• New York to Dallas (1,350 miles) = 3 certificates.

You can purchase and use 500 miles in upgrades by using your AAdvantage account.

5. Bid for Upgrade Program (Where Available)

American Airlines can sometimes bid to upgrade every now and then after paying. You will be emailed or notified from your "Manage Trip" page about whether you qualify or not. Select a price in a recommended bid range. Less than other bids and only paid upon acceptance. Generally cheaper than buying cash or miles redemptions.

6. Airport Check-in or Upgrade (Spur-of-the-Moment Sales)

If you are not sure that you'd like an upgrade to business class? You can buy upgrade offers at least.

• Online check-in (24 hours before)
• Airport kiosk check-in
• Departure gate

Also, Read Does American airlines have a student discount?

These are seat and revenue level upgrades. They are priced differently by route and availability but will be a few hundred dollars less expensive by upgrading at the last minute compared to purchasing in the first place.

7. Booked Upgradable Fare Classes

Not all fare classes are upgradable. Upgrades from very low-fare classes such as Basic Economy will not be possible on American Airlines. Some best Fare Classes to Upgrade-

• Y, B, H (Economy)
• W (Premium Economy)

You can verify fare class before purchasing or use third-party programs such as ExpertFlyer to monitor upgrade availability.

8. Take advantage of the Business Extra Program

As a business travel manager or AAdvantage business traveler, American Airlines has a Business Extra loyalty program in which companies accrue points separate from individual AAdvantage miles.

It was an amazing program, it ended in 2024.

9. The Right Credit Card

American Airlines credit cards themselves are not necessarily going to provide upgrades alone, but earn your means of getting miles and elite status earlier.

Recommended cards- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard

AAdvantage® Aviator Red Mastercard

The benefits are bonus miles on purchases and preferred boarding.

10. Max Out Time and Route

Upgrade inventory is seat inventory and demand-weighted. To maximize your best shot-

• Fly midweek on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• Use shoulder seasons (not holiday seasons)
• Fly wide-body routes (more premium seats)
• Book early and post on upgrade early

Double-check route and aircraft type capacity when booking. A good example is a Boeing 777 domestic flight will have business class seats more plentiful than a narrow-body aircraft.

Absolute Pro Tip

Be Nice and Professional. Gate agents will occasionally bump some passengers due to schedule conflicts (e.g., an oversold economy). When they do, be dressed professionally, be nice and respectful and be an AA die-hard loyalist. Never bid on an upgrade, be polite and loyal. American Airlines business class upgrade is all about a game of strategy. From elite status to mileage redemption, bidding to making a last-minute airport request, there is more than a trick to getting the best seat.