To extend the primary traveler’s status benefits to others, they must either be on the same record locator, or if on a different record locator, linked by calling reservations. Note that linking is just a comment on the record locator.
Complimentary upgrades are for the primary traveler and one companion. For itineraries with more than two travelers, the reservation will have to be split by a reservations agent. When using other types of upgrades, the party does not need to be split.
If upgrades are not cleared 24 hours before departure, you can indicate at the airport whether you want to split or not split (in situations that there may only be one seat left). This note can also be added ahead of time by calling reservations.
Effective June 9, 2023, companions traveling with a companion that has AAdvantage status no longer has to remove their status to correctly inherit upgrade priority. In addition, they will prioritized at the same level as a revenue ticket (status, then rolling 12 month LP).
If the upgrade is not cleared within 24 hours and traveling with a companion that has AAdvantage status, it is advised to remove their AAdvantage number from the record locator to inherit the member’s status and priority on the upgrade list. This also applies if you have a higher status than your companion. This is due to a technical issue with AA’s upgrade systems. To receive credit for the flight, the companion can request missing mile credit.
22
0
Is it necessary to remove the travel companion’s AAdvantage number in all cases or only or they hold gold or higher status? Thanks.
Only when one party on the itinerary has a higher status.
Thank you, Norbert. While i understand the higher status part, I would still love clarification on whether this includes “status below gold”. What I mean is if I am EP and my wife is an AAdvantage member that has not achieved even gold do we still need to remove her AAdvantage number? I ask because in this case the term “status” is a little ambiguous. (Status could mean one of the four status levels – Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus, or Executive Platinum, or it could also include flyers with just an AAdvantage number.) Sorry to be difficult.
AAdvantage members with no status are not affected. You would not have to remove their AAdvantage #
When you say No status, means less than Gold?
There is nothing “less than Gold” for status. It’s either no status, or Gold and above.
“and the upgrade does not clear before 24 hours”. It seems by the above FAQ that a Gold+ companion inherits the higher status of the other AAdvantage member up until 24 hours out? The FAQ isn’t clear on this.
Meaning there is no value in removing their AAdvantage account from the reservation until the 24 hour mark if the upgrades hadn’t cleared?
It is due to a technical limitation. At T-24, it goes under airport control and upgrades aren’t processed automatically. Once the list goes to airport control, if one passenger has a lower status, it will not inherit the sponsor’s higher status and therefore requires the companion’s AAdvantage # be removed.
Very helpful! I’m EP and have split at 24 hours and haven’t even been on the board lately. If I split a reservation (more than 24 hours) with a passenger who has a BA number (no status) – should I remove it? Do I have to call to remove it?
Thanks in advance!