Using Systemwide Upgrades

I wrote earlier this year an overview of American Airlines systemwide upgrades (“SWU”). At that time, in early March, I professed my love for these upgrade awards and declared I was selecting 6 of these awards at the applicable milestone rewards thresholds. Since it's been 9 months since that article, I figured it is time for an update. How did I do using systemwide upgrades for our travels? Much better than expected, quite honestly. We've now used all 6 upgrades and can't wait to earn more!

How to Earn Systemwide Upgrades

In a “Captain Obvious” moment, remember: before using systemwide upgrades, you must earn systemwide upgrades. Under the new Loyalty Points program, there are two main ways to earn American Airlines systemwide upgrades: via Loyalty Point Rewards or via lifetime status. As you earn Loyalty Points, you can select SWUs at these levels:

• 175,000 Loyalty Points: One choice available and an option is two (2) systemwide upgrades.
• 250,000 Loyalty Points: Two choices available and an option is two (2) systemwide upgrades.
• 400,000 Loyalty Points: Two choices available and an option is one (1) systemwide upgrade.
• 550,000 Loyalty Points: Two choices available and an option is one (1) systemwide upgrade.
• 750,000 Loyalty Points: Two choices available and an option is one (1) systemwide upgrade.
• 1,000,000 Loyalty Points: One choice available and an option is four (4) systemwide upgrades.
• 3,000,000 Loyalty Points: One choice available and an option is six (6) systemwide upgrades.
• 5,000,000 Loyalty Points: One choice available and an option is ten (10) systemwide upgrades.

Additionally, once you reach two million lifetime miles flown on American Airlines marketed flights, or on base miles earned with partner flights, you earn:

• American Airlines lifetime Platinum status and four (4) American Airlines systemwide upgrades.
• You then earn an additional four (4) systemwide upgrades each subsequent million miler threshold (3,000,000; 4,000,000; 5,000,000 etc).

Once earned, or selected, the American Airlines SWUs are deposited into your AA account within a few business days. You should allow for up to 72 hours. I should also note that the upgrades are redeemable immediately upon deposit. Each systemwide upgrade certificate expires exactly one year from the date it is deposited into your loyalty account. However, it is important to note that you can travel after the date the certificates expire, the expiration date is only a deadline to apply them to a reservation.

Our Year Using These Rewards

As mentioned previously, we earned six SWUs during the 2023 loyalty status year:

• 2 SWUs for 175,000 Loyalty Points; and
• 4 SWUs (2 per reward selection) for 250,000 Loyalty Points.

Upgrades 1 & 2

In our guide to American Airlines systemwide upgrades, I outlined how we used our first two rewards. Approximately 60 days out from travel, we paid $900 all-in for Sarah to fly Philadelphia to Paris to New York (JFK). Since each flight had space for upgrades, she was confirmed in business class roundtrip after a quick phone call.

Upgrades 3 & 4

Since that time, we have successfully used our remaining four SWUs. While we were traveling in Greece in September, we got an alert that Charlie (“C”) space had opened up for a flight we wanted for a trip in 2025. I quickly confirmed the space, reviewed flight prices, and booked us in economy from our small, regional airport (SBY) to Munich via Charlotte. The total cost was $405 each.

After an 11 minute phone call, we were in business class to Munich with 2 SWUs.

Upgrades 5 & 6

Earlier this month, Expert Flyer again alerted me to Charlie (“C”) space for dates I needed flights to, and from, London. As luck would have it, each of these flights opened up within a few hours of one another, making me think American Airlines opens upgradable space in bunches. Regardless, I quickly confirmed the space, reviewed flight prices, and booked myself in basic economy (a perk of having status). This is a solo trip to London this winter, so I can watch several English Premier League matches with my buddy Dave. This flight was $775 all-in and I am flying Washington, D.C. to New York, New York to London, London to Charlotte, and Charlotte to Washington, D.C. Once again, with a quick 15 minute phone call, I was confirmed in business on all four legs.

The best part of this redemption, quite honestly, was the savings to me. While hoping for cheap AA flights and using SWUs, I had other refundable business class flights booked. By paying $775 and 2 SWUs, I received 85,000 Aeroplan miles and $105 back for my flight to London and 88,000 United miles and $345 for my flight home. That, my friends, makes these systemwide upgrades worth their weight in gold.

Using Systemwide Upgrades: ToP Thoughts

While others have reported difficulty using systemwide upgrades, I have found it rather easy. In fact, I want to double-down and earn as many of these upgrades as humanly possible. Yes, you need to pay cash for the underlying flight. But most of the time, the cash is not much more than the taxes and fees of certain programs (looking at you Flying Blue). Overall, I am very pleased with my milestone reward selections in 2023 and plan to select six more of these valuable rewards this year.

Have you had success using SWUs? Come over to our Facebook group and let us know.