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American Airlines has announced that it will now award miles and status credit when customers purchase a cabin upgrade. This change addresses the increasing difficulty of securing complimentary upgrades due to fuller planes and more passengers holding elite status.
Previously, American Airlines' ConciergeKey members faced challenges with upgrades despite being at the top of the list. Deadheading pilots had priority, and there were limited first-class seats available on certain aircraft like the Airbus A319, A320, and Boeing 787. Additionally, domestic upgrades could be purchased for as little as $40, making them more accessible to coach passengers.
The downside was that these paid upgrades did not earn miles or credit towards status because no ticket number was generated for the purchase. To address this issue, American Airlines had to invest in IT systems to track these purchases and award miles accordingly.
