There are various upgrades that are available.
- Complimentary Upgrades
- Mileage Upgrades
- Instant Mileage Upgrades
- Award Travel Upgrades
- System Wide Upgrades (SWU)
- System Wide Upgrades (SWU) for British Airways
- Operational Upgrade (Op-up)
Important: Upgrades are not guaranteed
For most upgrades, you will be placed on an upgrade list and it will clear once upgrade inventory becomes available. Learn more here.
Complimentary Upgrades (formerly known as 500-mile upgrades)
Prviously known as “500-mile upgrades” or “stickers,” these upgrades are used for upgrading on domestic routes. Domestic includes “within and between the U.S. (including Hawaii) and between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Central America.” This type of upgrade includes 1 companion traveling with the AAdvantage member. It does not have to be requested as it is automatic.
See more: How can my companion inherit my status for upgrades?
Mileage Upgrades
American Airlines discontinued miles & co-pay upgrades for American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia flights as of August 11, 2025, in favor of Instant Upgrades.
Instant Upgrades
Instant Upgrades replaced mileage upgrades as of August 11, 2025. American Airlines now offers the ability to use miles or cash to move to a higher cabin. Instant Upgrades apply on American Airlines marketed and operated flights within the 50 US states only.
If eligible seats (upgrade inventory) is available, instant upgrades will be available directly through the app. If they don’t appear, an instant upgrade is not available.
Award Travel Upgrades
Effective June 9, 2023, all AAdvantage members (plus companion) are eligible for upgrades on domestic award tickets.
See the “Upgrades on award tickets” section at aa.com.
System Wide Upgrades (SWU)
Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum, Concierge Key, and Million Milers can earn System Wide Upgrades to be used on revenue tickets on travel with American Airlines. These can be applied to any person traveling on AA flights.
System Wide Upgrades cannot be used on any type travel awards, free tickets, military or government fares or infant tickets.
Learn more about System Wide Upgrades at aa.com.
System Wide Upgrades (SWU) for British Airways
You can use a systemwide upgrade with British Airways on any published fare. Systemwide upgrades can be used for one-way travel for up to 3 segments on British Airways marketed and operated flights or British Airways operated flights marketed by American.
On British Airways flights that offer Premium Economy, upgrades from Economy will be to Premium Economy. On flights where British Airways doesn’t offer Premium Economy, the upgrade will be to Business.
Operational Upgrade (Op-up)
In extremely rare circumstances, such as economy being oversold, AA may provide an operational upgrade. These are complimentary and typically occur within a day of departure or at the gate. A common op-up occurs on transcon flights from business to first.
AAdvantage members with OneWorld Emerald status traveling on a OneWorld partner have also seen operational upgrades.
15
0